Video workflow

This is my first post. I could read the manuals but need better advice from real users.
I am trying to do a series of educational videos. I have barely a musical bone in my body but can play something of a flute and can keep rhythm on an acoustic drum. Thrilled at the possibilities ahead.
 
Sonar was recommended but there are so many sonar products. With a limited budget, where can I enter at the best price to meet my needs.
My questions. Does sonar support video import MOV or AVI. There are also effects that can be purchased for a greater price than the recorder itself. With a need for very basic effects, does Sonar include these or would I have to invest heavily into a black hole with other companies.
Namaste
Jyotishvarii
 
 

Welcome to the forum. Can you expand on what you mean by making educational videos? Specifically,
 
1) How are you recording? Screen captures, camera, etc. Have you tested capture already with a free program?
2) How are you recording audio? Do you have an audio interface? Have you tested this method already using a free voice program?
3) Are you also adding music (background) tracks? I.e., are you planning on more than the vocal track?
4) How much experience do you have with recording/editing/assembling videos?
 
SONAR is geared for audio, so video requires a bit more. Your intended usage is more important than simply asking which version of SONAR. There are free programs out (and trials of the not free ones) specifically geared for video.
 
 

Thank you for the clarification. Are you referring to Sony Vegas? I have not used that but "assume" that it records audio. Have you tried recording audio there? When you mention "minimal processing" I wonder if that you may already have what you need.

On a cell here, so apologies for the curt response.

You may want to edit your initial post and title it "Video workflow recommendations?" and move the detail of what you are trying to achieve into that initial post. There are quite a few Sony Vegas users here that do what you are intending on a daily basis - it will help to focus the title and first post to get them to read and offer advice.

The plugins included with SONAR are more than adequate. As with many things, it is not always the tool that makes the difference, but the proficiency of the user. There are also numerous free vst plugs on KVR, most do "one task" and are rated by users, so you can try out things without having to invest extra money. As with anything, asking others is a good way to learn.
 
Regarding audio restoration, SONAR does not have native ability to do that in any depth (in particular, being able to remove noise based upon a noise print capture). iZotope RX and Adobe Audition are probably the two best for this particular purpose (neither are free), and the best free option is probably ReaFir (part of Reaper's Plugin Pack - which are usable in any DAW).
 
As you are working with only a couple of tracks for audio, SONAR Home Studio may be all that you need.
 
As far as audio restoration, how much audio do you need to fix? I have Adobe Audition, and can take a stab at one of them for you if you want to see how much can be done with them. The actual noise removal for consistent noise is simple, it is repairing transient noise that is more involved.

Hey Jyotishvarii,
 
Hope you got this sorted out. Just a couple comments...
I had the same type situation some time ago. Trying to restore degraded lectures from the tape era.
Bitflipper took a copy of my files and did an excellent job with Izotrope. Requires expenses however.
 
Saw the reply from Mellatus, and amazed at how much good advice can be contained in a single post.
 
Without Adobe Audition of Izotrope, the same noise leveling abilities are definitely with the free Reaper plugins as advised. Sonar will pick up ReaFir as a vst extension at no extra cost. As Mellatus said, constant noise is the critical factor. Adobe, Reafir or whatever needs to sample the noise floor. This will require a section of the tape recording, optimally 2 seconds at least to analyze what is to be removed. If there are dogs barking and babies crying, you do not want to use that section or the removal profile will include good data as well.
 
When applying Reafir, even under the best of conditions, you will lose some of the basic audio. The plugin allows you to back off the intensity of the effect, preview and then commit for the best balance.
 
Only thing I would add to the excellent expert advice already given.
 
Once everything is cleaned up as good as possible, you can go back in and add some harmonic content that may have been sacrificed. Artificial, but can make some of the recordings more legible with a bit of experimentation.
 
Harmonic generators are either costly, or the free ones which narrow onto one band. This may or may not be helpful. Better minds than mine may have better alternatives, but Bootsy's ThrillseekerEXC can rebuild some of the audio taken out by ReaFir. Free and download from here:
 
https://freevstblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/22/thrillseekerxtc-vos/
 
Best of luck with your restoration project.
 
John