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Joined: Mar 2004
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Joined: Mar 2004
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I want to get started creating videos and slide shows with my music to upload to Youtube. I've sort of reviewed the free versions of nch VideoPad and the VSDC. Both seam to be suitable enough from what I can tell. But, I'd rather not get started learning a certain GUI, hit limitations or restriction, and then have to learn another. However, I won't mind learning, say, two, if they compliment each other such as Band In A Box and Reaper do for audio.
Thanks for your recommendations.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Do you want Free or Paid? You have mentioned using Free already, but didn't say if you are only seeking recommendations on Free products. I don't use Free, and actually the system I use is expensive and has a very steep learning curve. Separately, Camtasia Studio (Techsmith) offers great value for the price. I use that also.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Joined: Oct 2016
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Joined: Oct 2016
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I recently went through a similar odyssey, actually, still going through it. I settled on NCH Video Pad, installedc the trial and then bought it.
On the way, I made a mistake of buying one product, based strictly on name, and lived to regret it. It wouldn't install and they kept my money., after dancing around the moon.
The NCH results have been good, but there is a learning curve, as any visit to the online tutorials soon reveals. The good news is that results show promise -- just a little different way of working. NCH has picked up on some of the old Final Cut features, which is good to know. Still, I won't buy any video editor that does not offer free trial, if there are any of them.
I am waiting on the coders of Reaper. If you are familiar with SONY Acid and Movie Studio, you'll recognize many similarities in Reaper. I don't know why people did not embrace SONY audio and video. They were great products, but never seemed to catch on. Anyway, Reaper is making noises about a video editor in the works. If and when I'm there.
I will add, don't overlook the free Movie that comes with Windows. It is quite capable, esp for You Tubers.
Last edited by edshaw; 12/12/17 12:42 PM.
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
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YouTube has a very nice video editor that you can do most basic to intermediate work in.
If you're running Windows, Windows Movie Maker is built into most versions of Windows. Macs have something similar, forgot the name. They will all teach you basic editing.
Go to YouTube and click on or create a free account. Click on that account and then on Create video. An editor will open.
Donny
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Mar 2004
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OP
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Thanks for the recommendations. I started using VSDC and had so much fun in one evening I paid the $20 for the full version. I also started trying NCH VideoPad and I like that one also.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: May 2012
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I use NCH video pad and have been very happy with it. Good luck with your video making!
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 7
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 7 |
I've been using Magix products for 15 years and found them to be a wonderful value. I'm currently using Magix Movie Editor Pro MX Plus. It's an older version but I really like it.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Lightworks is free movie studio level video editor that has been used to do entire movie editing but the GUI is very intimidating and requires a thorough knowledge of esoteric terminology. The brave at heart can download it here: ( it's 87 meg ) https://www.lwks.com/
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Lightworks free?; it looks as if it's a version of Adobe Premiere. The main issue i (personally) have as with the latest Premiere too, is that you pay for a subscription period. I bought a Premiere license on ebay for the older CS6 version, more than adequate for me, and it was around 90 U$D, about the same for a years' Lightworks subscription fee. Price was probably lot less than originally. Drawback is that there will be no updates alas. I tried out several others, but i still like Premiere a lot. Some pro video editors use it too. - F
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Jun 2005
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A major step up from Windows Movie Maker and still free is VirtualDub. Highly recommended and there are several user forums about it. http://www.virtualdub.org/download.htmlClick on the link for Sound Forge. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Feb 2015
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I remember VirtualDub from 15 years ago. Reaper is easy if you are accustomed to DAW's Reaper-Multicam-Mix.mp4
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I squeezed in on the free download of VSDC Video Editor. I haven't used it yet but it looks like everything I'll ever need for making cool videos and slideshows. Nice GUI and audio feature set.
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Joined: Feb 2015
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The VSDC Video Editor Pro is 60% off at the moment $19.99
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 827
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Chris
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
I have a friend who works in video editing and he mentioned DaVinci Resolve, Lightworks, and Media 100 as good programs for beginners. They are free, too. I have never worked in any video editing software myself, so I'd absolutely suggest looking into these first! Hope this helps you out, even if a little 
Cheers,
Deryk
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Feb 2015
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I did a tutorial on DaVinci Resolve here: Music Video Creation but I think Reaper was a lot easier. There are also some links to multicam music videos to practice with.
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
YouTube has a very nice video editor that you can do most basic to intermediate work in.
If you're running Windows, Windows Movie Maker is built into most versions of Windows. Macs have something similar, forgot the name. They will all teach you basic editing.
Go to YouTube and click on or create a free account. Click on that account and then on Create video. An editor will open.
Donny Don, do you know if Windows 10 is compatible with Movie Maker? Can't seem to get it to work  . No, M$ has withdrawn support for WMM and have replaced it with Movie Maker 10 which is compatible with W10. I just began trying it yesterday and find it less user-friendly than WMM. In fact, I'm currently exploring other FREE programs that will allow editing of mp4 video format for a music video project that I am working on. Movie Maker 10 is a free download.
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 203
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 203 |
I don't do a great deal of video work, although I am leading up to it, but I also use NCH Video Pad. It has a lot of good features and so far I am satisfied with it. All of them have a certain amount of learning curve. Years ago, I used Premiere. Now that one has a real learning curve. Good luck in your search. Be well.
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Best of YouTube
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
I don't do a great deal of video work, although I am leading up to it, but I also use NCH Video Pad. It has a lot of good features and so far I am satisfied with it. All of them have a certain amount of learning curve. Years ago, I used Premiere. Now that one has a real learning curve. Good luck in your search. Be well. Guitar1, By coincidence, a friend recommended NCH Video Pad to me yesterday. It looks like everything I will need to create a music video. I sincerely appreciate your endorsement. It saves everyone the frustration of trial and error. There are so many free mp4 editors available that I could be weeks testing them all.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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