Advanced Techniques

Some of the videos I have made with this app have really stretched it's capabilities to its limits, basically trying to do things that it is not really designed to do, things more suited to proper video editing software I would imagine ... but since I haven't managed to get to grips with how to use any other software, i will share a few extras here with you.

Adding external video footage

Have a look at this one . Do you wonder how I got the video of the dog running around?

Its actually very simple, and very low-tech! I found a suitable video clip, turned off the sound on my computer, and pointed my phone at the computer screen to record the video! 

Adding a soundtrack

This is more tricky, because of the timing. If you want to use a recorded accompaniment to your singing,  there are two techniques I have used to achieve this.

1. First record the listening track as usual, but for it use the music that you want as your accompaniment. Then on your FIRST recording only, don't use headphones, so it will record the listening track along with your first voice. It will be coming from the speaker of your phone so will not be particularly good quality sound. This is how I made my rather ambitious recording of 'One Day More'

2. To use a better quality soundtrack  (eg played through computer speakers) you will have to practice by trial and error, to start it at just the right moment when you record a track.  

Working without a listening track

I have experimented from time to time with using the option not to have a listening track, but I have found that this results in synchronisation problems. Maybe I am missing something - if anyone manages to get it working please let me know how! It would certainly make the soundtrack issue easier if no listening track was required.

My wishlist

Finally its time to dream. These are additional features that would be really useful...

• Allow you to hear the tracks recorded so far as you record the next track. You can hear them at each stage after recording is done, but it would be so much more helpful to be able to hear what you have done so far, especially when doing harmonies on the fly
• Allow sharing of part-completed projects, so that you could record some parts, then share the project with someone else who could add in more parts of their own. In its present form the only way for more than one performer to take part is for them to be in the same location and to share use of the phone/tablet.