I am about to start on my first ever project adding music to a video clip (about 6 minutes). I have never even looked at this section of Sonar before, so if anyone has some tips, and/or links to tutorials? That would be appreciated.
 
 

I have not ventured there yet, other than quick tests of it, but if I have it right, you are basically importing the video, but not doing any editing of the video (it is not what Sonar does), and the copy of the video you are importing is merely providing the time placement and visual cues for the music you are adding.
 
At the end, the audio is generally shipped back and they apply your audio to their video - I believe that is what is generally done.
 
I would think they would give you parameters/requirements to follow.
 
Others will I am confident jump in with some notions on this - there are some heavy weights in here that do film and TV audio.
 
Congrats on the gig - way cool.
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks Robert - yeah no video editing, just got to add the music.

The standard sample rate for video is 48 k, as far as I am aware.
 
Did they specify anything for requirements of the audio?
 
Bob Bone
 

My advice....get to know who you send the music to, the mixer, the editor, whoever.  They are usually there when the client listens to your music.  If they like you they always will say something positive about you and your music.  So take them to lunch. They might give you a lot of invaluable, inside info.  Find out what they want tech-wise from you.  Try to make the next person's job easier.  Doing so will always guarantee your success.  

Also, unless it works right away, be prepared for a lot of hassle.

cool thanks guys. No specs Robert other than to add a soundtrack.

Stick with 48K cause that is what the video will be.  Also 48k handles sync better for many reasons known and unknown to mankind.
 
 

Sanderxpander
Also, unless it works right away, be prepared for a lot of hassle.

Yes be prepared for revisions, both with the picture and music.  Don't get bent out of shape with any requests to change things.  Many years ago I learned to give 3 versions and one with a "red herring"..something slightly out.  Let the client point it out and then you say "good catch, you have good ears! I can fix it tho. Don't know how that got past me."
 
99 times out of 100 they will go back to the 1st thing you played for them.  Mark my words.
 

You may want to do some mastering on the final music like control the dynamics and a little EQ. But not in the same way you would master for a CD.  Loudness wars do not work here.  The broadcast standard for TV etc is something like an average level of -20 dB rms.
 
If you give them a loud master they will turn it right down when they are putting it back with the original video.  But if you keep the average level down then they can leave it alone and your music will breathe and sound better.  Might be good to ask them what sort of levels they are expecting.
 
Check the mix coming through a typical TV audio speaker as well to get an idea how it will end up.
 
Create the session and produce the final cue at 48 kHz as mentioned above.  (Although in many cases if you import a 44.1K cue into a video production the video software will often convert the sample rate on the way in but if you are at 48K already it is one less thing to do.)  It will import faster.
 
Put a sharp blip noise 2 seconds before the first frame of vision so they know where to line it up. (especially if the music has a slow start)
 
Look for the emotion in the vision and the feeling the vision is giving you then compose the music to suit that! If it is your first time at this you will almost get it wrong the first time. It takes many years of experience to craete a very correct cue for any vision first up. Don't take it personally when they tell you it sucks.  Move on the way Roger Federer does when he looses a point.  Just try a different approach.  Remember failing faster and failing more often is the best thing that can happen to you!