SonicFire Pro upgrades

biggles wrote on 12/10/2008, 1:07 AM
I have used version 3 of this for several years now and have built up a library of Smartsound CD's to go with it. I'm very comfortable using it but keep eying the latest incarnations on the website.

Despite several emails to them I am still waiting for an answer to my questions:

(1)If I upgraded, would my existing library suddenly be rendered useless?
(2)What is the upgrade path from v3 to the latest version and what would it cost?

Has anyone here faced the same dilemma and if so what was their decision.

Then of course there is the Cinescore route, though I know (from searching other posts) that my Smartsound CD's would not be usable with that particular application.

Comments

farss wrote on 12/10/2008, 4:22 AM
1) No. All libraries continue to work. The latest CDs with multilayer need the later versions of Smartsound, that's all
2) Free as far as I know. Well I've never paid for any upgrades to the software.

I usually get a reply from them in a few hours to any queries.
They have some excellent deals running at the moment too.

My only complaint with them is they don't keep track of what you already own. So before you rush out and buy some of the good deals check you don't already own the titles.

Bob.
Editguy43 wrote on 12/10/2008, 9:14 AM
Also if you buy one of the "Strata Series" CDs the new multi layer ones you will get "for Free" the new SonicFire Pro Express Track software, it does not have the time line and other advanced stuff of the full version, but it is a start.

I also believe that you have to have 4.5 to get the FREE upgrade to 5 but I do know that it is worth the money to move up from 3, the multi layer music is so much more customizable and better sounding.

i think the cost for the full version is $99.00 not sure if there is a path from 3.

I have looked at Cinescore but to me the music sounds more canned and not near as much as Sonicfire, plus i wouls have to spend more money on those libraries. I still may do it just to be able to use it inside Vegas Pro.

PaulB
kentwolf wrote on 12/10/2008, 12:44 PM
>>..I also believe that you have to have 4.5 to get the FREE upgrade to 5...

I know back when, they were giving a free upgrade to 4.5 if you bought 2 Strata CDs. They actually called me on the phone to offer this to me. I thought I was really special in receiving this offer, then it soon thereafter became a standard-issue web ad. I guess I wasn't that special after all. :)

Having to actually *buy* SF Pro when it is not much more than a vehicle for purchasing music is sort of like having to pay to use a grocery cart to go buy your groceries. Same thing for having to pay to rent a cable (tv) box.

I sort of had the impression that they might be getting away from having to purchase SF Pro. Not sure though.
Tim L wrote on 12/10/2008, 2:24 PM
They have an "Express Tracks" version of Sonic Fire Pro, which you can get for free when you buy one $49 CD. And it then comes with another "free" variety CD of additional SmartSound music.

Express Track lets you specify exact length of the song you want, as well as select from various mixes of that song, and turn on/off individual layers (strings, piano, horn, etc.) for your song. All of this is done outside of Vegas.

The "Scoring Edition" is $99, and lets you bring your video into its own timeline, where you can tweek individual sections (make it soft here, make it intense here, etc.) -- more control over really making the soundtrack fit your video. (Note: I don't actually have the Scoring Edition -- I've just watched the training videos.)

Tim L
biggles wrote on 12/10/2008, 9:52 PM
Thanks for the posts guys - I've done the deed and ordered the Serene Dream set of tracks which comes with a 'free' version of SonicFire Pro 5, the Express Track Edition.

I'm keen to see how much more powerful and flexible it is than my current v3.
kentwolf wrote on 12/11/2008, 5:35 AM
>>Serene Dream set of tracks...

That is a particularily good one, dependng, of course, what you're doing.

>>...keen to see how much more powerful and flexible it is than
>>my current v3...

It is very substantial. The mood mapping/ability to control instrument groups cannot be over-stated. It certainly makes it so you can buy/use music you might not otherwise have been able to implement. From what I read, SmartSound is sort of late to the game on this kind of control, but at least they're here.
Editguy43 wrote on 12/11/2008, 10:10 AM
I concour ont the CD Serene Dream, I have used it on some touching Slideshows, it is great for rememberance Video and slideshows.

I Know that you will find it much more powerful than version v3, not only do you have mood mapping but the new way of searching for songs, (very powerful and better drill down search choices) also the new timing feature is very nice for subtle treaking, also you get the sound hits giving you the abilty to add some extra punch to your soundtrack.

make sure that you watch the training videos on Smartsounds webpage they really help.
http://www.smartsound.com/sonicfire/tutorials/index.html

Good Luck and have fun.