Normally both the video and the audio would be recorded with a timecode sync. Otherwise it is a hodge podge of manual nudging and stretching of one to fit the other.

whats timecode sync?..

http://recording.org/threads/45719-Smpte

What video editing software/hardware are you using?

You can layer the multiple takes in most video editors, but it will be a crap-shoot if they are precisely the same duration without timecode to lock them up. Speed can vary slightly on any tape, from take to take. If you're recording to disc, it eliminates some timing variables, but doesn't deal with the rates of the cameras.

Each camera and recorder has a pulse. If you're using consumer-grade cameras they won't have genlock, which synchronizes the video (pulse) of multiple cameras - and they certainly won't have recorders that will have SMPTE capability.

Assuming you don't have timecode, or any other way to lock and audio to the video - and you're recording these different instrument performances to a pre-recorded CD (or DAW generated music) it will come down to how good is your camera (or cameras) and recording medium. If I were trying to get consistent results, I'd use the same camera for every take and (if it is tape-based) make sure at least you're using a brand new videotape. Minimize stopping and starting the tape.

Even then, you'll be randomly pushing Play on the audio, relative to the pulse of the camera or video-recorder. Then when you're editing the captured video frame by frame - you'll find that at roughly 30 frames per second - multiple takes of video can leave a noticeable discrepacy between the audio and video. Image watching the second hand of two different clocks, one will always be chasing the other by a fraction of a second. Each one of those represents the downbeat of the song. 1/30th of a second is pretty coarse, when it comes to audio and you could be off by as much as half that.

So, this can be done to an extent with consumer products - but don't expect broadcast quality pro-results without pro-level gear. But if it's something you're going to YouTube to show off your chops - go for it.

Best of luck.

It helps to know the framerate that your camera or capture software works at. If you record to disk and you know for example that your capture software runs at 30 fps, many DAWs allow you to save that as a setting. IE: ProTools LE or Cubase. Sample rate is usually 48 kHz. Having these basic settings will make your life easier even without smpte. In fact, I would dare say that smpte is unnecessary for most 5 minute videos.

When you are talking about a major film. Even a short film or 20 minutes or more with upwards of 64 or more tracks and effects channels, smpte will save your mind from frying.

yeah, its just about 5 minutes, nothing that has to be to crazy-high-tech. besides i really cant afford to buy anymore equipment right now...

im just using a sony digital videocam for filming, and reaper for the music.

i just need to sync short filmed tracks to the tracks on the music i made, youtube-style.

does windows movie maker have a way to do something like that?.. please no more expensive equipment pleaaassse.... (-;

thanks!

ell man, post: 354795 wrote: yeah, its just about 5 minutes, nothing that has to be to crazy-high-tech. besides i really cant afford to buy anymore equipment right now...

im just using a sony digital videocam for filming, and reaper for the music.

i just need to sync short filmed tracks to the tracks on the music i made, youtube-style.

does windows movie maker have a way to do something like that?.. please no more expensive equipment pleaaassse.... (-;

thanks!

Not Movie Maker. You'd be better off using something like [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.sonycrea…"]Vegas Movie Studio[/]="http://www.sonycrea…"]Vegas Movie Studio[/]. It's only about $100. A bargain considering the quality of video you can produce with it.