Sony Vegas 5 Manual

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Saving plug-in chains
You can save and edit the plug-in chains that you add to tracks or busses or create as assignable effects 
chains. Saved chains retain the order of plug-ins and the settings that you have applied. These chains are 
stored as effect packages for use in future projects. If you use the same plug-in chains regularly, saving them as 
packages is faster and more consistent than recreating the chain manually.
Once you save a chain as a package, you can use it as either a track, bus or assignable effects plug-in chain. 
Saved plug-in chain packages appear in the Plug-In Chooser dialog.
1.Click the Tr a c k  F X, Bus FX or Assignable FX button ( ). The appropriate FX window (Track FX, Bus FX, or 
Assignable FX) appears.
2.Click the Plug-In Chain button ( ). The Plug-In Chooser dialog appears with the plug-in chain displayed 
at the top. 
3.Click Save As. The Save Plug-in Package dialog appears. 
4.Enter a name for the package.
5.Click OK or press   to save the package.
Editing saved plug-in chains
You can add, delete, or rearrange plug-ins in a saved package at any time. You can then save your changes to 
the package, or enter a new name to save the chain as a new package.
1.Click the Tr a c k  F X, Bus FX or Assignable FX button ( ). The appropriate FX window (Audio Plug-In or 
Video Track FX) appears.
2.Click the Plug-In Chain button ( ). The Plug-In Chooser dialog appears with the package in the chain 
area.
3.Add, delete, rearrange, or change the settings of plug-ins in the package chain.
4.In the Plug-In Chooser dialog, click Save As to save the modified package.
5.To save the package with a new name, enter a name in the Name box. To save the changes to the existing 
package, choose the name of the package from the 
Name drop-down list.
6.Click OK or press   to save the new settings.
Plug-in chain packages that
you have created and saved
Enter
Enter 
						

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Organizing your plug-ins
Within the Plug-in Chooser 
dialog, you can create folders 
to organize the plug-ins. This 
can help you organize large 
numbers of plug-ins on your 
system. You can create 
folders and then drag plug-
ins to the folders.
Automating effects parameters
Automation allows you to control audio and video levels, panning, and effect parameter automation over 
time. You can create fades, apply stereo panning, and add effects that come and go as you please. 
Automation is represented on the Vegas timeline as an envelope or set of keyframes. You can create 
automation by adding envelopes or keyframes to your tracks (including bus tracks), or you can record 
automation parameters by adjusting controls in the Vegas interface (or on a control surface) during playback. 
For more information, see Using Automation on page 119.
Applying non-real-time event effects
Non-real-time event effects are a different method of applying audio effects. In all other cases, event editing 
is nondestructive, meaning that edits and effects are applied to events in real time and not to the source 
media files, which remain unaltered. There may be times, however, when you want to create a permanent 
file using an effect or effects. This may be useful in a very complicated project or when a slower computer 
cannot process the effects quickly enough for a real-time preview.
By applying non-real-time event effects, you can make a new copy of a media file with the effects applied to 
it. This new media file is saved and added to the project as a take. For more information, see Working with takes 
on page 94.
1.Select an audio event.
2.From the Tools menu, choose Audio, and choose Apply Non-Real-Time Event FX from the submenu.
3.In the Plug-In Chooser dialog, add plug-ins to create a plug-in chain. For more information, see Adding plug-
ins via the Plug-In Manager on page 155.
4.Click OK.
5.In the Take window, adjust the settings for the plug-in(s) to create the desired effect.
6.Preview the effect by clicking the Preview button ( ) in the Non-Real-Time Event FX window.
7.Click OK.
8.In the Take dialog, click Save to save the newly processed media file.
The new media file is saved and added to the project as a take. 
						

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Bypassing all audio effects
From the Options menu, choose Bypass All Audio FX to omit all audio effects (track, bus, and assignable 
effects) during playback.
Bypassing effects allows you to quickly compare your project with and without effects and conserve 
processing power to avoid playback problems.
When effects are bypassed, you can choose whether bypassed effects remain open. When the 
Keep bypassed 
FX running
 check box on the General tab of the Preferences dialog is selected, effects remain open so you can 
bypass/enable effects with no pause for A/B testing. When the check box is cleared, effects are fully bypassed, 
conserving processing power. 
						

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							10
CHP. 10RECORDING AUDIO
CHAPTER163
Recording Audio
Vegas® software can record audio into multiple mono or stereo audio tracks while simultaneously playing 
back existing audio and video tracks. You are limited only by the performance of your computer system and 
audio hardware. Audio is recorded to a media file on your computer and into an event on the timeline. You 
may record into an empty track, a time selection, an event, or a combination of time and event selection. 
Audio output from your computer during recording is not necessarily recorded with the new audio.
Recording does not alter any of the source media files in your project. Even when recording into an existing 
event, you are not overwriting the data in that event. Instead, the data is recorded into a new take for that 
event and saved to a media file on your hard drive.
Setting up your equipment
There are numerous ways to connect your equipment to your system. Refer to your equipment’s 
documentation for specific setup instructions. The following are some possible general configurations.
Basic setup
This setup includes a simple microphone and speaker that are connected to the computer’s sound card. With 
a more sophisticated microphone, you would typically want to use a preamplifier for input to the sound card.
Sound card out
Sound card in
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Setup with mixer
This setup includes a mixer where the speaker and microphone connect. The mixer is then connected to the 
computer’s sound card. Mixers usually have pre-amps built into them. This diagram does not show you an 
instrument or a physical preamplifier, such as a rack-mounted component. The reason for this omission is 
because these types of setups vary widely based on your mixer, instrument, and pre-amp type. Refer to your 
components’ documentation for specific setup configurations.
Setup with digital multitrack
This setup includes a digital multitrack recorder with an optional MIDI synchronization component. Usually 
you would have a mixer, a microphone, etc. connected to these components. Your particular setup will vary 
depending on your equipment. Refer to your components’ documentation for specific setup configurations.
Synchronizing MIDI timecode
Vegas software can generate (output) MIDI timecode to synchronize external devices with project playback 
or can be triggered by MIDI timecode generated by an external device. To output MIDI, from the 
Options 
menu, choose 
Timecode, and choose Generate MIDI Timecode from the submenu. To allow Vegas software to 
be triggered by an external MIDI device, choose 
Trigger from MIDI Timecode from the same submenu. For 
more information, see Triggering from MIDI timecode on page 170 and Sync tab on page 299.
Sound card out
Sound card inMixer out
Mixer in
Mixer
Digital card
Digital in Digital out
MIDI card
Sync. inSync. out
The dashed line indicates
an option if you are synching
Vegas software to tape via a 
MIDI timecode.MTC converterDigital
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Preparing to record
Before you record, you must arm the tracks into which you will record the new audio. You must also select 
the recording settings for the tracks. You have the additional options of using a metronome or turning off 
playback during recording.
You may record into an empty track, a time selection, an event, or a combination of time and event 
selection. You can also record multiple takes for an event so you can maintain multiple versions of an event 
that you may play back and edit.
Tip: Select a media bin before recording if you want to 
automatically add your recorded audio to a media bin. To 
save track effects with your recorded files, create an effects 
package of the track effect settings and apply the chain to the 
event as a non-real time event effect.
Arming the track for recording
Whether recording into an existing track, an empty track, a selected event, or a time selection, you must 
prepare a track for recording. You can arm multiple tracks prior to recording. 
1.Click the Arm for Record button ( ) in the track list. 
The first time you arm a track to record in a project, the Project 
Recorded Files Folder dialog displays. 
2.Browse to the location where you want to save your recorded 
audio files.
3.Click OK.
Tip: You can change the location where recorded files are 
saved at any time. For more information, see Specifying 
where recordings are stored on page 170.
Once a track is armed, a record meter appears in the track list. Depending on your hardware, a record gain 
fader may also appear. 
Track is ready for recording Arm the track first.
using the Sound Mapper.Track is ready for recording
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In addition, one of two Record Device Selector buttons appears: ( ) or ( ). The button that appears is based 
on the 
Audio device type selected in the Audio tab of the Preferences dialog. For more information, see Audio tab 
on page 295.
Selecting recording settings
After the track has been armed for recording, select whether the track records the signal in stereo, in mono 
from the left channel, or in mono from the right channel. If you are using the Microsoft® Windows® Classic 
Wave Driver, you also must select the device from which the track will record.
Selecting recording settings for Sound Mapper
1.
Click the Record Device Selector button ( ). A menu appears.
2.From the menu, choose the recording method (Stereo, Left, or Right).
Selecting recording settings for Windows Classic Wave Driver.
1.Click the Record Device Selector button ( ). A menu appears.
2.Choose either Stereo or Mono from the menu.
3.From the submenu, choose the input device
Button Description
 Stereo
 Mono left
 Mono rightThis button appears when Use Microsoft® Sound Mapper™ has been selected as the audio device type on 
the Preferences Audio tab. The Sound Mapper allows you to choose how the signal will be recorded: 
stereo or mono. Click this button to view a menu with Stereo, Left, or Right.
 Stereo
 Mono left
 Mono rightThis button appears when Windows® Classic Wave Driver has been selected as the audio device type on 
the Preferences Audio tab. When you choose this option, you can specify which device (e.g., sound card) 
you will record from on any given track prior to recording. Click this button to view a menu with Stereo 
or Mono, and a submenu with all available devices for either option. 
						

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Using the metronome
A built-in metronome marks time to help with the timing and tempo when recording a performance. The 
metronome’s sound is not mixed in the final rendering of the project. Use the Preview fader in the Mixer 
window to control the metronome volume. For more information, see Using the Mixer Preview fader on page 
144.
To use the metronome, from the 
Options menu, choose Metronome. 
Tip: You can customize the sound of the metronome in the 
Audio tab of the Preferences dialog. For more information, 
see Audio tab on page 295.
Recording
You may record into an empty track, a time selection, an event, or a combination of time and event 
selection. The recording is added to the timeline as new take and saves it to a media file on your hard drive. 
Triggering recording from MIDI timecode is also supported.
Recording into an empty track
1.Select a track. Alternately, to record to a new track, choose Audio Track from the Insert menu.
2.Place the cursor on the timeline where you want to begin recording.
3.Arm the track by clicking the Arm for Record button ( ) on the track.
If this is the first time you arm a track for recording in this project, you will be prompted to identify the 
location where the new audio files will be saved. For more information, see Arming the track for recording on 
page 165.
4.Start recording by clicking the Record button ( ) on the transport bar.
Depending on the recording selection, a waveform is created along the timeline as you record into the 
armed track(s).
5.Stop recording by clicking the Record button ( ) again or the Stop button ( ) on the transport bar.
6.A small dialog opens displaying the name and location of the file or files that were just created. Click 
Done to return to the main workspace.
Start/stop Stop recordingrecording
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Note: The Recorded Files dialog does not appear if you are 
triggering from MIDI timecode, as this would interrupt the 
synchronizing. Instead, files are automatically named and 
saved according to your preferences.
Recording into a time selection
By making a time selection, you specify where along the 
timeline to record. The time selection also determines how 
long the software records. Any selected events that occur 
within the time selection are split and the recorded data is 
placed into the time selection. 
The event’s waveform is displayed as it is recorded and 
automatically stops recording when the cursor reaches the end of the time selection.
Recording into an event
By recording into an event, you automatically create a new take containing the recorded material that is the 
same duration as the selected event. The edges of the selected event serve as the punch-in and -out points 
that are used for recording. Recording into an event allows you to establish a pre-roll before recording, which 
gives you time to prepare before recording starts. 
Because the entire recording is saved to the media file (not just the material between the edges of the take), 
you are not limited to the recorded material contained in the length of the new take. You can adjust the 
edges of the event or slip the contents of the event if necessary. For more information, see Shifting the contents 
of (slipping) an event on page 71.
The existing event that you record into is not affected or deleted. Instead, the event now contains two media 
files, each listed as a separate take in the event. For more information, see Working with multiple recorded takes 
on page 170.
1.Place the cursor before the event to allow for pre-roll.
2.Press   and click the event to select it.
Tip: You can record into multiple events by pressing   
and making selections.
Delete—removes selected file
Rename—changes the name of a selected file
Delete All—removes all files in dialog
Done—returns to track view
When a check mark appears in this box,
Vegas software displays this dialog after
each recording session.
Recorded waveform
Ctrl
Ctrl