Karyn, I agree with what you said , but it does assume a traditional approach. A mixed media artist could conceivably take the opposite approach, taking visuals and have them influence the music. Stranger things have been done in the name of art.

konradh
OK, we are shooting a dance video for one of my songs in a couple of weeks.  I want to make sure I am prepared from an audio standpoint and prepare the videographer.
 
We will shoot dancers for the whole song, although we may stop and start again to ensure they all get it right.  After we have the dancing for the whole song, we will shoot various other scenes, close-ups, dance moves, etc. to edit in.
 
So, if we shoot the video is sections and have multiple takes, how do we sync the music and video later.  I'm not asking for very specific tool command in Final Cut of other software—just conceptually how does this work?  I'd hate to be nudging video clips over and over trying to get them in sync.
 
I have some ideas how this should/could work, but I'd rather hear from people who have done this and know the smartest way to go about it.
 
THANKS!

Post #10 gives a general description of what is involved in creating a music vid.
 
Post #7 gives specifics of how to do it using Final Cut Pro X, but the principles are the same for any video editor.  Sync all the video clips to a single audio track, then edit as required.
 
To be prepared from an audio standpoint you need a completed track, preferably with count in cues.
The videographer should already be prepared, else find another...
 
 

dubdisciple
Karyn, I agree with what you said , but it does assume a traditional approach. A mixed media artist could conceivably take the opposite approach, taking visuals and have them influence the music. Stranger things have been done in the name of art.

Yes, but it doesn't alter the fact that Sonar isn't a video editor, unless there's something in Braintree that I've missed because I've not downloaded it yet..

This topic looks tough!  I remember having enough problems just trying to sync the music with the drummer and bass player... 
 

Some folks don't like bands who 'Lipsync' (vocals) and 'Faux-Play' (music instruments).
 
Actually, 'Lip-Syncing' and 'Faux-Playing' happens to be the best, most affordable solution for shooting music videos.  The music will need a count-in to cue the band for the intro. The MP3 player should have a good time counter display and be used in compiling the script and cues for the band, and make sure to record a count-in cue for the faux-players.
 
Disable camera audio, do not record audio to video, use speakers for the band to cue/monitor the music and of course lipsync and faux play their instruments don't panic,  the primary goal is to sync 'Short Visuals' to audio -- original master should be recorded at 16/48 sample rate <> this is the video post production sample rate you should use however, not all video editing software accepts this format (verify the specs)! 
 
Now that the MP3 playback is done, and all the multiple short-scenes (shoots) are complete, syncing to audio is easy enough, particularly so because the scenes are very short segments.
 
First up, the very first thing I do (after the audio is done) is to prepare a Screenplay (A/V Script), You can find examples or templates online, or make your own using MS.Word, OpenOffice (free) or KingSoft Writer (free) ~ include the following columns:  
(1) Time (Minutes/Seconds)
(2) Part (Song Arrangement)  
(3) Lyric (Excerpt)
(4) Scene (Details)
(5) Effects/Props (Details)

Effects/Props (Details)
Explanation -- One example is to use 'Object/Props' on the set, such blue or green sheet of cardboard, which is later used to key-in (overlay an additional image or video) using video editing software Chroma-Key effects. That's just one example of using props and then later keying in effects. Other examples might be the use of special pin-spot lighting (and yes, mag led lights will do), to create for example, Light-Rays. The creative possibilities are endless.... use ingenuity rather than wasting a boatload of money on expensive video hardware/gear.

Time (Timeline)
From the very start, you need to take each step one 'Part' at a time. Take note of the 'Time' for each part of the screenplay, sometimes one part i.e Intro, might have several or more brief scenes, write all the start/end 'Times' down for all of each part on the screenplay sheet (Word format will do, as explained above)! 
 
I specifically use the song as the master guide to write the script, shoot the scenes, sync and edit in the scenes to the song.
 
Disclaimer:
Above post is hurried, no time for finer details, no time for schematics or whatever! 
 
 

Just be careful if you ever do that live! 
 

SongCraft
Some folks don't like bands who 'Lipsync' (vocals) and 'Faux-Play' (music instruments).
 
Actually, 'Lip-Syncing' and 'Faux-Playing' happens to be the best, most affordable solution for shooting music videos.  The music will need a count-in to cue the band for the intro. The MP3 player should have a good time counter display and be used in compiling the script and cues for the band, and make sure to record a count-in cue for the faux-players.
 
Disable camera audio, do not record audio to video, use speakers for the band to cue/monitor the music and of course lipsync and faux play their instruments don't panic,  the primary goal is to sync 'Short Visuals' to audio -- original master should be recorded at 16/48 sample rate <> this is the video post production sample rate you should use however, not all video editing software accepts this format (verify the specs)! 
 
Now that the MP3 playback is done, and all the multiple short-scenes (shoots) are complete, syncing to audio is easy enough, particularly so because the scenes are very short segments.
 
First up, the very first thing I do (after the audio is done) is to prepare a Screenplay (A/V Script), You can find examples or templates online, or make your own using MS.Word, OpenOffice (free) or KingSoft Writer (free) ~ include the following columns:  
(1) Time (Minutes/Seconds)
(2) Part (Song Arrangement)  
(3) Lyric (Excerpt)
(4) Scene (Details)
(5) Effects/Props (Details)

Effects/Props (Details)
Explanation -- One example is to use 'Object/Props' on the set, such blue or green sheet of cardboard, which is later used to key-in (overlay an additional image or video) using video editing software Chroma-Key effects. That's just one example of using props and then later keying in effects. Other examples might be the use of special pin-spot lighting (and yes, mag led lights will do), to create for example, Light-Rays. The creative possibilities are endless.... use ingenuity rather than wasting a boatload of money on expensive video hardware/gear.

Time (Timeline)
From the very start, you need to take each step one 'Part' at a time. Take note of the 'Time' for each part of the screenplay, sometimes one part i.e Intro, might have several or more brief scenes, write all the start/end 'Times' down for all of each part on the screenplay sheet (Word format will do, as explained above)! 
 
I specifically use the song as the master guide to write the script, shoot the scenes, sync and edit in the scenes to the song.
 
Disclaimer:
Above post is hurried, no time for finer details, no time for schematics or whatever! 
 
 

There is more than one way to skin a cat, but I would advise against disabling recording audio. It severely limits your options. Every production company I ever shot for had me record audio in that situation for the simple fact that it doesn't hurt to have it. With many modern editing software having the ability to sync with little more than a few clicks, I can't see a downside to having the audio. 
 
I take a different approach to shooting music videos for non-live recordings. Although the audio recorded on the camera will not be used, I have the artists sing/play as if it was. Most singers are not good enough actors to bring the same energy to a song when faking it. I keep sound source close to camera so that the dominant audio on my camera will be the track they are singing or playing along to. In fact, when practical, I will run backing track sound source on one channel while onboard mic records other channel. This gives me an instant reference to make sure they did not sing any wrong words since left and right channel would differ. This method is especially effective in headphones. If no mistakes were made i simply mute the live side when syncing, resulting in me simply having to sync the exact same music with itself. The best part about this technique is that even if auto syncing software fails (and it occasionally does) just about anyone can sync wav forms that are identical using sight alone. Once clips are aligned, I simply delete all but my master audio backing track.

Thanks everyone, and thanks, Karyn, for replying.  I understand what you are saying and why the thread was moved.  (Didn't bother me—just didn't get it at first. )
 
I was going to make a dub with SMPTE on one channel and mono audio on the other and use a SMPTE clapboard, but the video guy told me that was overkill for a dance video and he could slip the video clips into place.
 
We will record the audio onto the camera while shooting and then add a second audio track in Final Cut with the master audio.  Just to make myself feel better, I am going to put clicks on the front of the audio to ensure we the start of the camera audio with the start of the master audio track.
 
I guess I am so used to having everything locked in place by timecode that the thought of sort of flying stuff in horrified me; but apparently, except for close up lip-sync which won't apply here, it isn't necessary to lock this down so tightly.
 
 

@ Dub
 
I respect and admit your preferred workflow is how its usually done 
 
One of the reasons to disable audio on the camera is because it saves memory -- Now taking that (and above explanation, post #14, ah and post #15 ) into consideration the following....  most independent bands barely have enough money to afford the most basic bare minimum spec hardware/gear (just one camera and some lighting), or pay to have a professional company shoot the video. Equipment hire might be a better option but unless someone in the band with good experience and also familiar with the specific gear (hired), it could turn out to be a waste of time and money. 
 

dubdisciple
 
Most singers are not good enough actors to bring the same energy to a song when faking it
 

 
True, I would advise... don't try to be one of these actors, just be yourself as you would performing at a gig. Seriously though, some musicians can't overcome anxiety/panic attacks, once the camera rolls their anxiety levels are off the charts therefore, either a few drinks (alcohol) or medication taken 'strictly as needed' only once daily may be necessary, with no alcohol.  Also, its a good idea for the band to rehearse their parts (screenplay) before actually shooting the video. Although at times during the video shoot there are still some issues? Okay, lets try this before I roll the camera (but don't always tell them the camera is rolling) hehehe gotcha!
 
In addition to my post #14:
 
It would be wise to 'Test' each set prior to shooting, to ensure for example, the lighting is correct, especially if using Green Screen Cyclorama. If possible, setup a live feed (HDTV or computer monitor) whilst shooting, thereby immediate test results will be viewed.
 
Must have audio cues (lead-in). This is why a Screenplay is important because it will have all the start/end times for each part/scene, those are cues for 'Lipsyncing' and 'Faux Playing'.....  the song will have a count-in for the intro and from there on simply do 'Lead-in' cues (i.e. 16 bars of music)!
 
Make absolutely sure all the actors in the scene are performing in sync before moving onto the next scene.  No matter how experienced, most actors will be required to do the same scene over again until its perfect. Similar to audio recording a musician's performance (DAW), you need to get it right at the source. As I said earlier, actors should rehearse their parts (screenplay)!
 
There is no need for a Hollywood style 'Clapper Board' with digital timeline. A small Chalk Board will do fine.  Aww heck, a lot of independent bands are low budget conscious, they probably don't bother using a Clapper Board lol! Surely those involved will know exactly what part they are doing next prior to shooting the scene..... although, having each scene begin with details and start/end times is not a bad option. This makes managing files easier and ordered-list of video files in the main folder by naming files starting with 000-{file name}-{start/end time}.  And so on. I do this for all my file management i.e Photoshop, except of course without start/end times added.
 

Songcraft, I believe that with even modest budgets the memory thing is a non-issue when it comes to audio since video files are so much larger.  I can understand the concern, but odds of running short on memory due to audio taking up space is miniscule.  You will run out of video space long before that poses a threat.
 
I rarely use a clapper for music videos. Probably because i hate doing them and try to minimize steps. Generally when I do them it is for local artist and frankly the money is typically not worth it for me.  As stated, I am lucky software generally syncs everything in seconds. Even hand syncing rarely takes me more than few minutes. 

To me, this seems EXTREMELY simple to accomplish IF the song has a constant tempo.  Just play the song (on whatever...boombox, stereo...) and let them dance away.  Then they are dancing to the tempo of the song.
Will it really matter WHAT section of the song they are dancing to?  I'm guessing probably not.  Then all you have to do is import your video clips together and match them up to the tempo of your song.  This way you are not restricted to where the video clips actually have to go.  IOW, you can fade them in/out or put them wherever you want in the vid. 
In doing this, I would recommend highly using a video editing program, AFTER you've finished your audio in Sonar.  Fly the audio track into your video program and then you can slide the video clips around to your hearts delight.
If you can't tell where a beat is just by watching the dancers... they need to wiggle something more obvious!  (plus, it won't have to be exact either... ballpark will be good enuff for rock n roll)