A Score In Time (page 2)

Loop-based music creation software allows you to create your own soundtrack with an incredible amount of control and simplicity. If you've never investigated this category of music because you think you lack the musical ability, you may find that creating your own music tracks is really not as hard as it sounds. Several of the major software manufacturers have designed the user interface specifically with the video producer in mind. That means you won't even have to know how to edit on the beat to lay down great tracks. In fact, some make sound creation as simple as dragging and dropping a music template onto a timeline with your video to create a perfectly-timed bed complete with intro, bridge, chorus and ending.

For those who want a little more control, most software packages also allow you to scale not only the length but the intensity of each score as well. Introducing or subtracting certain instruments varies this intensity within the same song. For instance, your video opens with the morning sun peeking over purple mountains to kiss a swan-filled pond. Your music score template at full intensity includes not only soothing violins but also cymbal crashes and trumpets. Dial the intensity back a bit, and now you have just a single viola heralding a new dawn, with the same melodic motif. Loop-based packages normally come with a small sampling of more complete themed collections, from Hawaiian ukulele ballads to Detroit Grunge. Most music creation software packages also come with an array of sound effects, but it always seems like just the one you're listening for isn't included. Along with additional music template bundles, you can also purchase more sound effects.

So for your next video production, experiment with developing at least a draft music score first. You may find that what you hear will give you a whole new vision for your production.

Contributing editor Brian Peterson is a video production consultant, trainer and lecturer.

You have a particular musical artist or popular copyrighted song in mind, but you can't afford the real thing -- what can you do? Several royalty-free music providers have "soundalike" offerings. If searching these sites doesn't work, do a global Web search with "soundalike" or similar term. You may even try looking for a soundalike song from another artist that sounds like your first choice. Try a music mapping service like www.music-map.com to find related artists that might spring other searches. And for you Windows users, don't forget the shortcut "Ctrl+F" to help you find a specific word or phrase on any given page.

To download PDF of Manufacturer's list of Music and Sound Effect Libraries, CLICK HERE.

To download PDF of Manufacturer's list of Audio Editing & Music Creation Software, CLICK HERE.

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