FULL PreSonus - Studio One 4 Professional 4.1.1 (MULTILANG) X64
Niki Wienberg
Don't forget Vegas Movie Studio, it is basically Vegas Pro geared towards new users. It isn't as fully featured as pro, but is simpler in some ways as far as learning curve goes. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with Video Studio X, though I wish Magix would take whoever is working on that app and dedicate them to the development of Vegas Pro and VMS, it doesn't make sense to have 3 different NLE apps, in some cases competing with each other. It just causes confusion much like you are expressing here.
At least that's my understanding. To complicate matters the Magix programmes have different names in different parts of the world. My impression is that the Magix editors are developed in Germany whereas Vegas has stayed in the US with Gary and his team.
Video Pro X (VPX) is not exactly the equivalent of Vegas Pro. They each have things that the other doesn't do or does better. Unfortunately, there is no comparison list, so you have to go through the details of each on the Magix site. Even then, you won't see many of the lesser known features of each.
For a new user who has never edited video before, I would suggest Vegas Movie Studio or Movie Edit Pro Plus or Premium. It takes a lot of work just to get familiar with these. After a couple of years, maybe look at stepping up.
You mention "regardless of price" but presently, I would say that it's a no brainer. There is a HumbleBundle deal on for Vegas presently that is hard to beat. At the 25$US level, get Vegas Pro 15 Edit, DVD Architect, Vegas Movie Studio, SoundForge Audio Studio 12, and more.
Hi Guys and thanks for your feedback. I have been a Vegas Pro user since its first version so obviously I prefer it over all other NLE because I am already familiar with it and find it very easy to use.
My question is for newcomers who want to start with one NLE and keep using it until they master it with no intention to switch to another NLE. Since they will be using it professionally, I think suggesting to start with a cheaper or a consumer based NLE like Fastcut Plus, Movie Edit Pro or even Vegas Movie Studio is not a good idea.
Also, I am not talking here about extras like bundled software and plugins, I am talking mainly about the core NLE, that is why I did not initially mention Vegas Pro, Vegas 365 or Vegas Pro Suite. But, based on the pricing alone, I think EricLNZ is right and Vegas Pro ($349) is the closest alternative to Video Pro X ($399).
"I use VPX and Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium but have Vegas Pro 15. Being used to VPX, I have trouble getting my head around Vegas (it not as simple as users claim)" Well, it is a matter of getting used to, after all. Also, if a certain software is known to be easier than another, it is not necessary true that this will be the case for every body. For example, I find MacOS hard to use comparing to Windows although so many people claim the opposite! Same thing with iOS, as I find it stupid and hard to use comparing it to Android. So I think every person have different logic.
For first time editors each will be a new learning curve. Magix has trial downloads on all the products (to my knowledge) so suggest they try trials of each to find which they are most comfortable with.
Well, trying a demo make sense if you already have some background on how to use NLE. Newcomers normally do not have any background thus will need to watch video tutorials on how to use a specific NLE. So, an advice to select a specific NLE is the first step, then after watching some video tutorials and learning how NLE work, they can start later on trying alternatives.
In terms of core functionality, they're both about the same overall (as are most NLEs) with the ability to cut, stabilise video, perform tracking (as of Vegas 16...), colour correct and grade, do basic compositing (although I think Vegas has a slight edge here) and render out video. Neither has optical flow for fancier retiming or morph-cut/smooth-cut style transitions though, which is slightly frustrating as when it's used properly it looks great!
As others have said though - they're both a bit overkill for first-time editors and not cheap! And picking up on a point of using one NLE from starting out to professional use, (don't flame me for saying this) they may want to look at something like Avid Media Composer, Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve if they intend to work at a studio etc. as these are more "standard" - it's irrelevant if the user is intending to be an independent film maker as then you can use whatever you want! Basically all "pro" level NLEs will get the job done and it's just personal choice as to which "feels" right to the user.
For capture: Olympus PEN E-PL6 camera (1080p30) with external mic input adaptor and Olympus ME51S electret lavalier and Takstar SGC-598 shotgun mic and a Samsung Galaxy S10e (4K30 or 4K60) with Filmic Pro or stock video apps and external mic adaptor.
There is a workaround to the inability of reordering effects. Keep one object with the effects, and use the copy/paste of the effects one at a time to another object. There are a couple of combinations/permutations to this. Slightly more laborious than in Vegas. However, reordering effects brings other problems since one effect affects another effect, as I'm sure you know, so some of the effects would have to be adjusted.
I have seen many comments on this forum about difficulties with some third party plugins, mainly NewBlue, not working properly or not working from one version of Vegas to the next. I have not had this problem with VPX. Plugins from several versions ago of VPX and even those from old versions of Movie Edit Pro continue to work in the latest version of VPX. However, there is presently a bug with keyframing HitFilm plugins.
"VPX - right-click on a video clip, insert still image at playback marker (or insert still image in range) to create a still image from a video object without having to export to jpg and then import. I saw a tutorial on how to do this in Vegas 13, I believe, and it was not easy. Does Vegas now have a feature like this?"
"VPX can use an external image editor for editing photos (normally done before using an nle). I use PaintShop Pro. The original image is modified and updated on the timeline in VPX. Don't know about Vegas."
"VPX has an Import tab that basically recreates Windows Explorer. Objects that have been imported to the timeline or Project Folder have a light on them in the Media Pool. Objects can be opened in the Source monitor from the Media Pool Import screen, and trimmed before importing. Virtual folders can also be linked for quick access. I haven't looked at all of this in Vegas."
That said VPX is not bad per se, I liked some aspects of it, but to me OFX support was not as good as Vegas (maybe it has improved), keyframing was troublesome at times, FX parameter setting was a scrolling hell, stability an issue from time to time, and it lacked scripting.
Magix changed the OFX interface and it's much better now. I haven't had any problems recently with NB OFX, but some users have reported problems. There is currently a major bug (been there for more than 6 months) for the HitFilm plugins - keyframing X and Y causes X to go to almost infinity. Magix has not been very active in fixing reported bugs.
I think they definately should merge the two software teams and create a more powerful one with one software. This way they could keep up with the developement easier, bug squashing, support, new features and get an even better software that would get ahead of the others on the market. It makes no sense for Magix to produce two competing software on the same user level.
That might sound easier than done though. The two teams are in different countries, speaking different languages, and maybe burning for their own thing. So perhaps not so easy to just merge. But anyway I think it's the way to go.
You are very right Sir. Why MAGIX is making different versions of video editors. Ok each version might have been meant for each category of users like beginners, pros etc., then IF MAGIX mentions the usefulness to the category of users like, like Vegas Movie Studio (for beginners), Vegas Pro (for professionals) etc., it would remove the confusion.
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