Hi - I am looking for some advice for a friend.
 
They need to find basic video production software that can: "Support import of wav files and have the ability to match individual stills to music."
 
They will be creating the music track to the video in Sonar X3 Producer, and then importing the exported audio to the video software, to be the audio track for the finished video.
 
Is there freeware that can do what they need?  
 
Basically, they are going to use some existing video clips, and splice in some still photos, and then when that all gets laid out the way they need, they will import the video into Sonar and create audio for the video.  They will then export the audio from Sonar and import it into the video production program, adding it as the audio track for the video.
 
Thank you SOOO much for guidance - I do believe money may be a big issue, so free is best, and low-cost would be OK if needed.
 
Bob Bone
 

Sony Vegas.  Even the "Studio" version should be able to do that, and runs under $100, sometimes half that.

Are you looking for "cheap" or "Good"?

Most of the "low dollar" programs have the basics to do this...

If you want "quality" then you're talking Nuendo, Sequoia, Vegas etc...

If you want to get "dirt cheap" you can still get the Dell deal of 
Sony Movie Studio Suite for $49, which has Movie Studio Platinum, Sound Forge Studio, 
Acid Studio and DVD Architect Studio....normally $140....

It will do what your are looking for...just not "the best"

http://accessories.us.del...;acd=12309201887460817

I picked up Cyberlink's Power Director 12 Ultimate since it had decent reviews.
I wanted to try out a fairly inexpensive solution rather than commit to something like Vegas. 
 
So far it's done everything I've needed it to do - PiP, multi-cam (up to 4), greenscreen, time lapse slideshow, multiple "tracks" of either video, stills or audio to end up with the composite video.
Lots of export options for quality and burns to DVD or BluRay.
 
Lots of fx, most of them are cheezy though.
I just use in/out fades & simple transitions, since those look better.

Thanks to all who have replied.
 
I will pass your comments along, and hopefully, they will find a good match to their needs.
 
Bob Bone
 

Jeff M.
I picked up Cyberlink's Power Director 12 Ultimate since it had decent reviews.
I wanted to try out a fairly inexpensive solution rather than commit to something like Vegas. 
 
So far it's done everything I've needed it to do - PiP, greenscreen, time lapse slideshow, multiple "tracks" of either video, stills or audio to end up with the composite video.
Lots of export options for quality and burns to DVD or BluRay.
 
Lots of fx, most of them are cheezy though.
I just use in/out fades & simple transitions, since those look better.

Jeff, 

I agree...I have the Director Suite....and yes, for  a mid level program it is excellent.
You can get a lot of "better" effects by buying the "plugins" for PowerDirector.

PowerDirector will do most everything and renders well...so, for the home enthusiast/semi-pro or even Pro,
if you don't need ALL the bells and whistles, it's a very good option...
 

Actuallu there are two free options that are professional level solutions. Lightworks is as good as any editor in the market. The downside is learning curve is slightly higher than most if competition. Keep in mind that the "difficulty" I due to most of being used to other systems. There are some limitations to free version like a lack of bells and whistles and limited file type support but can't beat the price. Another option is Da Vinci Resolve Lite 11. It is more of a high end color grade system, but they have added editing ability. Again, since it is free, you lose nothing by trying.

I suppose links would help:
 
http://www.editshare.com/products/lightworks
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
 
the resolve page covers all versions but when you get to download  area, the free lite version is an option. To compare lite version to standard: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/compare
 
 

I use corel myself, but if I had a mac I'd use final cut pro
 

Well, there is Windows Movie Maker you can download, but I have not used it in a long time.
I have Magix Movie Edit ($50) but if you change computers you have to buy a new one (registered to use it in the first place and usually since it needs a patch). (I had one for my XP computer, and had to buy the new version for my Windows 7 computer)(every year comes out - I guess).
 
The only good sound will be from making an *.avi file, since the rest are like *.mp3 and maybe like *wmv Windows type file. *mp4 is not that good in the end, at least from my point of view.
 
This file would skip no matter how many times I uploaded it as a Windows Movie file (*.wmv) type file for some reason, but then it is utube anyway (which does not stream that great anyway) so I made it into a *.avi file which could hold the sound track at 48000 kHz and 16 bit (maybe 24-bit I don't quite remember now).
 
That is why I gave up on videos about since you need an HD camera and I used my old Sony (which has no software for Windows 7 - only Windows XP to capture, and since the camcorder is now really getting old and used DV tape anyway). I am sure a new camcorder would help, but for a good one - bucks, plenty of bucks, for a almost good one - used to be $500 if not cost increased more lately - external mic connection and HD full video - really still not all that good -- except in daytime mainly).
 
http://www.youtube.com/user/grumpalf
 
Cheap new HD ready camera for the buffalo (windy day no external mic connection).
And old video I just leave up for the heck of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIrAxNZEkAw
because it is an *.avi file despite utube streaming - it is 48000kHz - maybe 24 bit (16 at least) when made.
Otherwise good luck having any place stream a video any better.
(despite putting up HD videos anyway).
Did I say that?
Yep!