wiseguy27 said:
...When I said newbie, I not only meant newbie to the Mac world, but also to sound editing and stuff. I'm not a professional (nor have I been into any multimedia creation/editing) - I'm just an (above) average user who's planning to do some video editing (just as a hobby for myself).
I was checking out the Apple website and reading about the pro applications like Final Cut, Motion, DVD Pro and Soundtrack Pro. I did wonder whether ST Pro was similar in any way to GarageBand, but from what I read it seemed like GarageBand was more like an independent tool to create music (without any kind of direct integration with Final Cut) and Soundtrack Pro with music/sound editing/creation (having integration with FCP).
I have no clue about audio creation or editing, except that I do know what good music sounds like (don't we all?
). I also feel it's fun to make music.
I was planning to get Final Cut Express or Fiinal Cut Pro and was pondering whether the addition of ST Pro would help make things easier/smoother or "much better" in any way.
I will be getting a Mac shortly, and I guess I'll have some hands on experience using the packaged tools that come with Mac OS X.
Don't sell yourself short. It kind of sounds like you want to try you hand as making movies or videos (music?). If that's the case screw the technical stuff and concentrate on the story. You can get templates for screenplay formats online. With out a good story, you don't have much.
If you have the story, then lets jump to the next thing, sound. Anybody can rent a good camera and lighting kit. With out good sound, what ever you create will be second rate. If I were going to spend money on my own equipment, I would first get a good miniDV camera, and then my investments would be on sound equipment. You can always transfer great sound equipment to what ever equipment you purchase down the line. The same can't be said for lenses and cameras.
I am not going to write that iMovie and iDVD are anything like FCP and DVD Studio Pro. There are lots of differences, but unless your serous about it, I wouldn't spend my money on FCP or any pro app, unless I could make it pay off.
FCExpress will import and re-time stamp iMovie media. There are some losses in doing so, but it is possible. FCP (at least 5) won't import iMovie.
What I would do is this, start off with iMovie and Garage Band. Use the least expensive stuff and maximize your contact with it. Remember that, as far as video goes, there are only two transitions that are used, fades and cuts. Anything else is superfluous. FCE will give you more control and more tracks, but you will loose the easy interface (as though gui non-liner is really that complicated these days).
As for SoundTrack Pro, I think that the only real difference is that it doesnt sound as hokie. It is really similar. I think they molded Garage Band after SoundTrack, as SoundTrack was bundled with the last FCP suite before GrageBand was debuted.
Lastly, enjoy your self. This kind of thing becomes an addiction. Have fun, take a breath, and don't forget your significant other. My girlfriend is very supportive of my art projects. I think she is supportive because it makes me happy, sane, and because I don't forget her.
Post Script: I gave you my prefrences for software. The free programs arn't bad, and there are some great free plug-ins, though you get what you payfor.
Some other things that might help you: 44.10kHz- CD recording rate. Video 48.00kHz. This will help you with some potental audio problems when resampleing. If you decide you want to work with compressed audio, or you are wondering if a recording method will work for you remember the
Nyquest Theorem. It is a guide, not a law. (Perhaps this is too much right now.) If you have questions ask.
