Which Editing Program Should I Use??

[Pwolf]

The thing is, it'll take you like... 10 steps to do the simplest tasks, while in Magix/Vegas it will probably just take 1 step.

Like what? You either don't know how to use premiere or you are making things up.

[Phantasmagoriat]

The thing is, it'll take you like... 10 steps to do the simplest tasks, while in Magix/Vegas it will probably just take 1 step.

Like what? You either don't know how to use premiere or you are making things up.

Well, you are probably right that I don't know how to use Premiere (since I stopped using it after many annoyances) So yeah, I said my review was quite biased, and I was exaggerating a bit. But from what I recall, even making a cut in premiere was a pain:
(Please correct me if I'm wrong about any of this)

To make a cut:

In Premiere:
For arguments sake, if you decided to use the razor tool (which you don't need to with hotkeys, I know) you would have to
1.scrub to where you want to make your cut,
2.select the Razor tool,
3.move your cursor to where you want to make your cut
4.make your cut
5.re-select the Selection tool (if you want to move your clip)

In Magix/Vegas:
1.scrub to where you want to make your cut
2.hit the T or S key (or Split Button)

You can do the same thing in Premiere, with the hotkey: ctrl+shift+k <--but who in their right mind made this the default hotkey for making a cut? A triple combo? Awkwardly on the right side of the keyboard? Even if I can change the defaults to something better, that's not a step I should have to take. On top of that, it doesn't seem like you can cut a single track without also cutting the above/below tracks as well. As the default function for doing the most common task in editing, this seems flawed. And that's not even mentioning After Effects (You can't cut? only trim? what is this?)


To make a fadein/fadeout:

In Magix/Vegas:
1.In the timeline, drag the corner of the clip until it is the fade duration you want.

In Premiere:
1.go to the effects panel
2.Dissolve
3.Dip to black
4.Drag effect onto start/end of clip
5.Extend your fade to the length you want
?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but there doesn't seem to be another way to do this, aside from using rubber bands, but that's equally as complicated in comparison to Magix/Vegas. Crossfades seem to work in the same needlessly complicated way-- but with Magix/Vegas/(and even Windows Movie Maker) you just drag your clip until it overlaps with another clip. At this point I stopped using Premiere since anything more complicated than one step to do a simple fade seems counter-productive. Even if it just takes 2 steps, that's double the work over the course of an entire AMV. Coupled with no waveform/thumbnails by default, I find all these little extraneous steps momentarily break my train of thought as I'm editing, and that's the last thing I want. It's okay if I pre-planned everything and I just want to piece it all together (any program would be fine in that case), but if I just want to have fun and throw something together (which is usually the case), Premiere seems really cumbersome. It's like I work with the program more than I work with the footage itself... ofc I could be wrong about all the above (and I welcome any corrections), but that's the impression I get whenever I try to use Premiere.

[LantisEscudo]

On top of that, it doesn't seem like you can cut a single track without also cutting the above/below tracks as well. As the default function for doing the most common task in editing, this seems flawed.

The default behavior is cutting a single track. If you hold Shift, it cuts all the tracks at that point.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but there doesn't seem to be another way to do this, aside from using rubber bands, but that's equally as complicated in comparison to Magix/Vegas. Crossfades seem to work in the same needlessly complicated way-- but with Magix/Vegas/(and even Windows Movie Maker) you just drag your clip until it overlaps with another clip. At this point I stopped using Premiere since anything more complicated than one step to do a simple fade seems counter-productive. Even if it just takes 2 steps, that's double the work over the course of an entire AMV.

I just crossfade to nothing. Control-D, adjust length to suit. And the Magix/Vegas way would drive me nuts, since I usually let my clips run on a little longer that I have to to fill the time I want (to make sure I'm not running short and leaving black space), then clip off the extra by dropping the next piece over them. With M/V, I'd constantly have to be removing the crossfades.

Coupled with no waveform/thumbnails by default

Not quite true. They display by default on the first track; to display them on other tracks, you just have to click the triangle on the appropriate track to view the full tracks at the left edge of the timeline. You can do this before you even start editing.

Honestly, though, so much of this is personal taste and how you prefer to work. I know Adobe and Magix make a free trial available, I'm pretty sure Sony does, too. Grab them, try them out, and see which works best for you. It's the result that matters, not the tool that was used to make it.

[Pwolf]

To make a cut:

In Premiere:
For arguments sake, if you decided to use the razor tool (which you don't need to with hotkeys, I know) you would have to
1.scrub to where you want to make your cut,
2.select the Razor tool,
3.move your cursor to where you want to make your cut
4.make your cut
5.re-select the Selection tool (if you want to move your clip)

In Premiere:
1.scrub to where you want to make your cut,
2.Press the "C" key,
4.make your cut
5.Press the "V" key

Of course this is just modifying your example to be more efficient based on that specific scenario (scrubbing, making a cut, and then going back to a state where you can move the clip). If we want to just cut a clip, you can just do:

1.Press the "C" Key
2.Make your cut

And if you aren't moving clips, you can cut all you want without scrubbing whereas, according to your instructions for Magix/Vegas, every time you make a cut, you have to scrub to where you want to make it. You also don't HAVE to switch back to the selection tool after you make a cut, you can scrub to where you want to make a cut and then make the cut (assuming you already have the razor tool selected, that's only two steps). Not to mention, since you're keen on hotkeys, the "C" and "V" keys are right next to each other so going back and forth between the two don't require a whole lot of extra energy.

In Magix/Vegas:
1.scrub to where you want to make your cut
2.hit the T or S key (or Split Button)

aieli ileia: I just selected a clip
aieli ileia: and pressed S
aieli ileia: it didn't do anything

I had to ask Ileia what those keys actually do because you didn't add a step for selecting a clip on the timeline so for all i know, S and T cut all the clips on the timeline. When I used Magix I never used those keys.

To make a fadein/fadeout:

In Premiere:
1.go to the effects panel
2.Dissolve
3.Dip to black
4.Drag effect onto start/end of clip
5.Extend your fade to the length you want
?

Way more involved and not necessary. We use key-frames... while using the Selection Tool:

1. Hold Ctrl and click along the Opacity line on the clip to add a keyframe
2. Repeat as necessary
3. click and drag key-frames up or down to change opacity

This gives you way more freedom and flexibility then the dissolve transition. It's not complicated at all, it's right there. Might take some extra steps but the added flexibility gives you more options then just a simple linear fade like in Magix.

Point being, it doesn't take 10 more steps to do the same thing (assuming S and T keys actually do something in magix) in premiere. At best, it takes the same amount or an extra step. Your instructions are bias (and incomplete I'm guessing also) because you are comparing a product you know how to use with one you don't (and have negative experience with). Instead of giving out bad and exaggerated information, just don't give out the information in the first place. That or give out good information.

Magix is a great program for the reason you have already specified. It's also great because simple tasks (like cutting a clip... in theory, and fading in and out) are faster. However, you don't have flexibility. That's where programs like Premiere come in. Simple tasks, like the ones we've been discussing can be done differently and in a way that's more efficient then the way Magix does it. As I mentioned before, if you need to make quick cuts that aren't going to be timed to anything, press "C" and cut away. If you need to make multiple cuts that are timed, scrub and then cut, scrub and cut. You don't need to switch tools between actions. You can also change all the hotkeys to make things more efficient for you as an editor. This is what flexibility is. Flexibility with the tools you use and flexibility with your work flow. You aren't confined to the same task (scrub, press "S" [assuming it actually does something], scrub press "S"). It's flexible because it's for people who want or need it to be. That's why it's so expensive. If you don't need flexibility in your editing, don't spend the money. If you do, it's a good investment.

On top of that, the way you edit isn't the same as someone else, as already pointed out. You made things harder for yourself when you used premiere and didn't bother learning faster ways to do the same thing. Someone who doesn't know magix isn't going to know the fastest way to do something either. When I was talking to Ileia, she was telling me how she edited and its sounds very complicated and unnecessary to me, but that's how she does it and she's comfortable with it. So, the amount of steps it takes to complete a task doesn't make a program good or bad. Most of the time there are multiple ways to complete the same task.

After Effects shouldn't even be mentioned along side Premiere (or any of the other programs mentioned honestly). They are two completely different programs with two completely different uses. You shouldn't even touch AE until you've masted the basics of video editing.

[Phantasmagoriat]

In Premiere:
1.scrub to where you want to make your cut,
2.Press the "C" key,
4.make your cut
5.Press the "V" key

Of course this is just modifying your example to be more efficient based on that specific scenario (scrubbing, making a cut, and then going back to a state where you can move the clip).

If we want to just cut a clip, you can just do:

1.Press the "C" Key
2.Make your cut

And if you aren't moving clips, you can cut all you want without scrubbing whereas, according to your instructions for Magix/Vegas, every time you make a cut, you have to scrub to where you want to make it. You also don't HAVE to switch back to the selection tool after you make a cut, you can scrub to where you want to make a cut and then make the cut (assuming you already have the razor tool selected, that's only two steps). Not to mention, since you're keen on hotkeys, the "C" and "V" keys are right next to each other so going back and forth between the two don't require a whole lot of extra energy.

Well, I guess I just don't see why anyone would want to make a cut without knowing where they are cutting. If the scrub bar is already at the position you want to cut, why not just tap a key on your keyboard and be done with it; in Premiere you need to re-position your cursor at the position you already know you want to cut at, then make your cut. IDK, it just seems redundant to me. And when Magix defaults back to it's original state where you can move the clip, that makes so much more sense to me since that's what 90% of editing consists of: make my cut, then move my clip. With Premiere if I have to make my cut, switch back to the selection tool, then move my clip, and probably reselect the razor tool, it just seems like doing 1-2 unnecessary steps every single time I make a cut.

In Magix/Vegas:
2.hit the T or S key

aieli ileia: I just selected a clip
aieli ileia: and pressed S
aieli ileia: it didn't do anything

I had to ask Ileia what those keys actually do because you didn't add a step for selecting a clip on the timeline so for all i know, S and T cut all the clips on the timeline. When I used Magix I never used those keys.

T is the button Magix uses to make a cut.
S is the button Vegas uses to make a cut.

If you want to cut a specific clip select the clip first.
If you want to cut all clips in the timeline, don't select anything.

-------
I'm completely in-line with everything you said about flexibility, and that's one good reason why I might want to try Premiere again. But I do think the flexibility overshadows ease-of-use. For instance, Magix also has Rubber-Bands/keyframes in addition to fade handles; I don't see why Premiere couldn't also have fade handles. It's like Premiere is flexible in terms of what it is capable of, but not flexible in terms of efficiency. IMO, the most commonly used tasks should be reduced down to the least amount of effort since you are using them so often. And I don't see that with Premiere. So it kills me whenever I see an editor use Premiere just to make a simple cut and fade AMV, especially when they fail at it knowing things would be so much easier using another program.

[Ileia]

Yeah, totally didn't know about the "T" thing. Learn something new every day. This is what happens when you're self-taught......on Magix Music Maker.

I was just using the copypasta button and pulling the clip edges down to the scenes I needed. Seems complicated when explained...but it's been normal for me for 7 years....and the few times I used Premiere that's the exact same way I did it.

[Pwolf]

Well, I guess I just don't see why anyone would want to make a cut without knowing where they are cutting. If the scrub bar is already at the position you want to cut, why not just tap a key on your keyboard and be done with it; in Premiere you need to re-position your cursor at the position you already know you want to cut at, then make your cut. IDK, it just seems redundant to me. And when Magix defaults back to it's original state where you can move the clip, that makes so much more sense to me since that's what 90% of editing consists of: make my cut, then move my clip. With Premiere if I have to make my cut, switch back to the selection tool, then move my clip, and probably reselect the razor tool, it just seems like doing 1-2 unnecessary steps every single time I make a cut.

You assuming there's only one way to edit a video or cut down a clip or a scene. There are times I'll throw down a scene or a large section of a source and just cut off parts of it I don't need without really looking. Then I'll go back and change the in and out points. Sometimes it's better to just cut out rough edits and come back to them. It's all based on your work flow. Redundant or not, switching between two tools doesn't take any significant time at all. I can make a series of timed cuts just as fast as you could. You make it sounds like switching between them takes ages. If my fingers are sitting on the "C" and "V" keys constantly, I don't need to stop what i'm doing, i can switch tools on the fly as my cursor moves into position to make a cut or move a clip. It's way more efficient then you give it credit. And as I tried to explain before, it's not about the steps it takes to do something. Premiere gives you more options with the tools it gives you so there's a lot more you can do. your "T" key only does one thing. My "C" and "V" keys do a lot more.

I'm completely in-line with everything you said about flexibility, and that's one good reason why I might want to try Premiere again. But I do think the flexibility overshadows ease-of-use. For instance, Magix also has Rubber-Bands/keyframes in addition to fade handles; I don't see why Premiere couldn't also have fade handles. It's like Premiere is flexible in terms of what it is capable of, but not flexible in terms of efficiency. IMO, the most commonly used tasks should be reduced down to the least amount of effort since you are using them so often. And I don't see that with Premiere. So it kills me whenever I see an editor use Premiere just to make a simple cut and fade AMV, especially when they fail at it knowing things would be so much easier using another program.

I still don't think you get it. We are talking about nano seconds here. The speed it takes you to make a cut in Magix will be just as fast as it takes me in premiere. While you're moving your mouse to select the clip you want to cut, I've already made my cut and switch over to the selection tool to the move the clip. By the time you press the "T" key and move your clip, we'll be at the same exact point in time. You are completely blowing the amount of time it takes to switch tools way out of proportion. Not to mention, Magix and Premiere are programs developed for two completely different markets. What is considered a common task for a $60 home video editor is not a common task for a $800 production quality product. Premiere was not made to make home movies so it shouldn't behave like one. We also don't want it to behave like one. I don't want pre-applied key frames on my clips so I can quickly make a fade if I wanted to. What if I don't want them there or I have to add more and make changes. It's in the way. It would be less efficient in that case because I have to spend time changing them or deleting them.

That said, I believe people should start on programs like Magix due to their simplicity. Ease of use and Efficiency on the other hand is a completely moot point that depends on the person using the software, not the software itself. At worst, you could argue that Premiere's learning curve is a lot steeper so achieving efficiency and ease of use out of it will take more time to attain as you use it.

[Phantasmagoriat]

Well, alright, I can see the advantages of the way Premiere does cuts/fades, but I would never make a cut without knowing exactly where I am cutting (seems so illogical to me); and rarely would I need to fine-adjust a fade. So even if the extra steps provide added functionality, it is functionality I would never use, and I'm guessing most people would not need that functionality either-- obviously I can't speak for everybody because we all have our own editing preferences, but that being said, for something like a fade, there's still no reason why Premiere couldn't have both keyframe-opacity and fade-handles; or a simpler default hotkey for cutting than ctrl+shift+k or (c + v). As such it [feels] like "it'll take you... 10 steps to do the simplest tasks, while in Magix/Vegas it will probably just take 1 step." Sorry if I exaggerated too much when I said that earlier, but in a sense that's what it felt like when I wrote it... and I can't be the only one that has had this experience with Premiere.

Ease of use and Efficiency on the other hand is a completely moot point that depends on the person using the software, not the software itself

IDK about that. People like doing things the easiest most efficient way possible. Sure you can make things more complex if it adds extra functionality, but I think there comes a point when complexity can be reduced down to simpler tasks... and based on everything I mentioned earlier... I just think Premiere could do a better job at simplifying it's tasks.

[Pwolf]

Well, alright, I can see the advantages of the way Premiere does cuts/fades, but I would never make a cut without knowing exactly where I am cutting (seems so illogical to me); and rarely would I need to fine-adjust a fade.

And thats my point. Some people do need the ability to cut where ever they want and fine tune their fades (thats also not the only reason for the opacity keyframes either).

So even if the extra steps provide added functionality, it is functionality I would never use, and I'm guessing most people would not need that functionality either

You aren't most people, you don't know what other people want or need. I can assume all I want but I know better than to give out false information about a product I don't know. As I proved before, it isn't that much less efficient to make the same cut in premiere that you would in Magix or Vegas. If it took seconds longer to make a timed cut in premiere, i would totally agree with you but it doesn't, not even close. The idea of something being SO INEFFICIENT YOU SHOULDN'T USE IT is just beyond words.

there's still no reason why Premiere couldn't have both keyframe-opacity and fade-handles; or a simpler default hotkey for cutting than ctrl+shift+k or (c + v).

Yes there is. Because we don't want extra stuff on our UI that we don't need. Most productions don't use a simple linear fade. Premiere also, being flexible as it is, allows you change your hot keys, so I could change that "ctrl+shift+k" to "t" and it'll be just like magix. We also don't want our whole keyboard to be a hot-key for something when we can bundle multiple actions inside a single tool.

IDK about that. People like doing things the easiest most efficient way possible. Sure you can make things more complex if it adds extra functionality, but I think there comes a point when complexity can be reduced down to simpler tasks... and based on everything I mentioned earlier... I just think Premiere could do a better job at simplifying it's tasks.

People like doing things the easiest and most efficient way possible, i'll give you that... but thats assuming they know how. We've already figured out that you don't know how to use premiere in the easiest, most efficient way possible. You can't expect everyone to know everything about a program. When I used Magix, I didn't know about the "T" key. I know Ileia doesn't use the "T" key method. I'm sure a lot of people don't do it that way. So while it's safe to assume people like to do things quicker and more efficient, people also like to do things that make sense to them. And what makes sense to them will be easier and more efficient for them.

You're also not looking at the larger picture either, as I tried to explain earlier. Premiere's tools allow you to a lot more than just one type of action and allow you to do more than just cut on the play head. That's the flexibility I was talking about. It's not a bad thing, it lets you do more with your program when you need to do more. It's more efficient when you need it to be. Magix can't do even do some of the things premiere is capable of. According to your logic, that makes Magics completely pointless. To me it's incredibly inefficient not being able to import AVS scripts directly into premiere. Having to encode every source to lossless takes so much time. But you don't see me telling people to not use Magix because of that.

And that's what annoys me about this discussion. It doesn't matter what I try to say to make you understand that your idea of what's "efficient" is only what's efficient for you based on what you know. Because you don't know how to use a program doesn't make it slower or worse or what ever you want to call it.

[Phantasmagoriat]

You make it sound like I know nothing of the program so therefore I cannot say anything about it.

Do I have to master every aspect of the program before I can make a review of it? No. But...
Should I try to be less biased when making a review? Yes, I admit I shouldn't have done that and I'm sorry if I've made Premiere sound like a bad program to use. However, it helps justify my decision to stop using the program. The thing is... I just wanted to make a quick review of the major programs I think people might want to check out. I didn't want to get ultra-politically-correct and wordy to make all programs sound equally valuable in their own unique way. No no, I just wanted to get straight to my overall impression of the programs based on my experiences with them. Information of this kind is not easy to come by-- what are the chances someone has mastered all of the programs I reviewed? Almost zero. And I consider myself to be fairly well-versed with all of them (contrary to what it looks like, almost all the tips you mentioned about using Premiere I knew about previously... and for my basic cutting/fading needs, I still think Premiere usage is redundant, regardless of the flexibility it provides [and yes... my needs are not the needs of everyone... and all that jazz...]).

Actually, this whole discussion is very catch 22--> How can you disagree with me, when you haven't mastered Magix/Vegas? It's the same argument. Maybe for all the time you spent mastering Premiere, you could have done things much easier in another program regardless of whether it limits your other needs. (and again it comes back to whatever flexibility needs you need in your program )

Anyways, this discussion is starting to get really long winded, and I don't want to be stepping on anyone's toes here... but in my defense, I *did* declare my opinion was very biased upfront. (even used italics)
If it helps, maybe a mod can bold my disclaimer in red or something...