I have Abelton Live for my DAW, Sony Vegas HD Platinum 11, M-Audio FireWire Solo and Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910.
I have watched several videos on here and things about getting started. My biggest question is playing along with backing track in my DAW and recording video at the same time.
The other is getting good framerates.
Thanks!
Great thread!
To make this happen I would suggest to focus on two things separately first.
1. Audio recording
2. Video recording
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1. Audio recording
Which kind of DAW do you use? Do you know how to record your audio only take of playing against a backing track?
To do that, you need to setup your DAW to work with your sound card (in this case M-Audio one) and start a new project.
Find the "import" option in your DAW to insert the backing track of a lesson (which you download from GMC). You should have the backing playable in your DAW timeline. Second step is to make a new audio track for recording guitar. Hit the record button and try to record your playing over the backing track (you may need to adjust the levels to get proper sound).
If you can successfully record audio only take of your playing over the backing track - you are 50% ready.
2. Video recording
Since you have a Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910, I would recommend using the logitec software which came with it. It should have a video capture option. To get a good frame rate there, you need to enter "Webcam controls" and set everything to manual (fiddle with the settings to get a good picture). Having cam on auto settings will reduce the frame rate dramatically. Also, shooting in a well light room will help.
Try recording a video of your playing with the included capture software. If you get a good picture (don't pay attention to sound at this point) - you are set to go.
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MIXING IT ALL :
To shoot a guitar video of live playing you need to do the following.
- Start your DAW and prepare everything like you would if you would be recording audio only
- Start your webcam capture software and prepare everything like you would if you would be video only recording
- Hit the record button in the video capture software
- Hit the record button in the DAW and minimize the window
- Start playing against the backing track
- Once you finish the performance, stop recording in DAW and then in the video capture software
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At this point you have 2 separate files (projects). One audio and one video.
- Save the audio DAW project and render the file to WAVE or MP3
- Save the video file you captured in the webcam capture software
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EDITING :
At this point you have a webcam video file with great video but poor or no audio and great audio you captured in DAW.
Here comes the video editing magic :
- Start Sony Vegas
- Import audio file of your playing
- Import video file of your playing
- Insert the video file into the timeline for editing
- Insert the audio file into time line bellow the video one
- Move around the audio from DAW to be in sync with your playing (and audio from webcam)
- Once they are in sync, mute the audio track of the webcam audio (which is bad quality, you don't need it)
While both are aligned, trim video/audio tracks to have proper "beginning and end".
Save project > render final video
That is it!
Hope this "tutorial" helps. It's really not that hard as it seems once you try it and get used to it.
Cheers,
Bogdan