Anyone know what video software is best for making music videos?

I've been using PowerDirector by Cyberlink for years.
I can't think of the version number. I haven't upgraded in a while because the newest version play better with higher end graphics card which I don't have. And what i have works fine with all the bells and whistles I need.

Do some free trials of any suggestions you get and see what's easiest for you and be sure to check the specs for what's going to work best with your system.

I agree with Sundance here powerdirector always worked for me. Another option would be Vegas

Shotcut is a free, open source video editor.

https://shotcut.org/


(self promo approaching....)

I used it to create the Birth Of A Song video AND...

....the music video at the end of that
(hopefully this link will take you straight to that. If not, skip to the 1 hour mark - 1:00:10....:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPrejgnwb4M&feature=youtu.be&t=3600

How did I miss this all this time?

Wow, I really like that tune at the end. Great job!

Jeff

the word "best" is hard to describe because it means something different to everybody.

To one person, the best software is easy to use (which usually means it has limited features)

Another person thinks "best" means so many features that you need tutorials in order to use it, but once you know how to use it you can do ANYTHING.

If your idea of BEST is closer to the second definition, I'd recommend HITFILM. It has a free version and a paid version, but even the free version is very powerful. Neither version is particularly easy to use but both versions are capable of doing just about anything that can be done by a high-end video editing /compositing program. (special effects/layering/green screen, particle generation etc)

if "BEST" = free: https://fxhome.com/hitfilm-express

if "BEST" = better than free: https://fxhome.com/store

if you want to see videos showing the kind of effects you can get from this software, here's a link to their YouTUBE page: https://www.youtube.com/user/FXhomeHitFilm

Critter, like some of the others, I'm a PowerDirector fan. In the past couple of years they've tried to go the subscription route like other software companies with PowerDirector 365 ($5/month). I'm on PowerDirector 16 Ultimate and will upgrade when they discount PowerDirector 18 Ultimate in January. I'm not a fan of monthly milking of my $$$, . They also have a try before buy so you can see if it fits your needs. If you try it out and have questions, please ask us. Someone should be able to help.

CyberLink Products

You would have to check my info on this recommend, because the company has gone through some changes over the past ten years. Now, though, it looks like they have worked out the restructure and are in the game to stay. Reasonably priced, you'd have a hard time beating SONY Movie Studio 13 Platinum (64) and any of the ACID Pro Audio programs, currently accessed by way of MAGIX. It is really not a big deal to get a DAW to play well with a Video editor, but in SONY's case, it is a no-brain, especially when teamed up with a SONY HD camera or a good cell camera, such as the Huawei P30 Pro. I only throw this out to you because the possibility should not be overlooked. Producers will tell you the sound track is just as important as the picture. Performers would not agree.
Ask Rob Helms, above. He mentioned Vegas.

If you have an iOS device, it’s very easy to make videos on the iMovie app.

one option that never got mentioned is the free video editor that comes with Windows 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edKDxJ7C8HE

Hey Pat,

I took a tour of Hitfilm, read some reviews, etc., and I gotta say that is
a remarkable free package. I've quit doing lyric vids but do remain, at least
peripherally, interested in the software. Dunno how this one flew under
my radar.

Bud

Hi Pat,

Now is a great time to share that tip. I'm just setting up Windows 10 on a different computer and was not even aware that Windows 10 has a built in video creation app.

I saw a report earlier this week that almost 70 percent of the computers that use a Windows operating system use Windows 7. I'm sure that number will quickly decline over the upcoming months with Microsoft ending non-enterprise support for Windows 7 January 14, 2020.

Many people will be like me, just becoming exposed to Windows 10 because they stayed with Windows 7 until the bitter end.

hey Bud! Good to hear from you! It might have flown under your radar because it seems to be most suited for animators and film hobbyists who need compositing and special effects. I have to admit, it is annoyingly complicated to use; but the results it gives to anyone who takes the time to muscle their way through the learning curve are well worth the (free) price tag! I liked it enough to pay for the pro version... twice! But I probably would not use this software if my sole use was making music videos. Unless, I wanted to make MTV style music videos with all sorts of crazy impossible background animations or hollywood style mini productions to go along with the song. Then, yes, its exactly the software I'd want to use.

Pat must be talking about this video:

I like free, and in the past whatever free software came with my computer was what I used. The original MOVIE MAKER program was easy to find in the utilities menu. For the past several versions of Windows, they seem to have dropped the practice of including a shortcut to their current movie making product.

This video made me aware of how to find the app (by going to the start menu, and typing MOVIE...) and I figured there are others who would use it if only they knew how to find it. Hence, the post.

Also, the video indicates that it is a fairly simple and intuitive little program and would make a good free alternative to anybody running windows 10.

Ha! Exactly what Hit Film is good at! Thanks for the link, Steve! (Love that song!)

On a related note:
OBS software is a streaming product used by a lot of people who make video content for youtube and other streaming sites. StreetJelly is a streaming site for musicians. (Danny Campo plays there, and so have others from the BIAB forum)

Streetjelly allows the use of OBS for streaming. This is significant because OBS has may features that mimic those found in a good video editing program. It lets you build layers, do green screen, add background animations or green screen video... just about anything you can imagine.

But... get this... you can do it in REAL TIME, during your live show! It opens up a load of interesting ways to add eye candy to your ear candy performance.

Upshot is: if you stream live music, give OBS a look. Like HitFilm, it has a bit of a learning curve, but in my opinion, it opens up a lot of possibilities. And it is FREE! (Available on Mac, Linux and WIndows)
https://obsproject.com/