Audacity
Free audio software that can be used to edit and export audio for projects such as podcasts, oral histories, etc. UW IT provides a basic training for using this software; there are also quite a few video tutorials on YouTube.
Pros: Free! Strong support community: forums, video tutorials on YouTube, periodic UW IT trainings (centered on podcasting). Relatively easy to use without sacrificing functionality.
Cons: For the common purposes of FIS faculty, I have yet to find any. Let me know if you do!
Tips: Make a copy or export a WAV file first before making edits, so that you can always return to your original recording if need be.
Links:
- UW IT Audacity Online Curriculum: Illustrated guide to using Audacity, created by UW IT.
- Audacity Manual: Wiki-format manual from the makers of the software. Can be a bit overwhelming but if you can’t find your answers in the UW IT guide or in a tutorial video on YouTube, this is another resource possibility.
Adobe Premiere
Video editing software, which is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. The software includes more features and capabilities compared to the free editing software that comes with Apple and PC operating systems, however that also comes with a learning curve. For most purposes, this program probably has more than required.
Pros: UW IT provides a periodic basic training for using this software. PC option that is more robust than free Windows Movie Maker/Video Editor.
Cons: Not free, need the Creative Cloud license. Not as intuitive as the more limited editors – recommend taking a workshop if you’ve never used it before and want to use over Movie Maker/Video Editor.
Links:
- UW IT Adobe Premiere resource links: Links to few external training guides for Premiere.
- UW IT Adobe Creative Cloud info: Information on cost, calendar term, etc. for the Creative Cloud suite license, which includes Premiere.
- UW IT Digital Video guide: Detailed guide on capture and post-production, non-specific to editing software. This is a good starting place for any larger video projects.
iMovie (Mac)
Basic video editing for Mac users.
Pros: Basic, user-friendly video editor that can be downloaded for free if not already installed with your operating system. Available for Apple mobile devices. Appears to be more robust for a basic editor than its PC counterpart.
Cons: UW IT doesn’t provide support for this program because in their opinion Apple provides sufficient support. However, the link referring to Apple’s page doesn’t provide a ton of tutorials or troubleshooting information in an easy to find or use format.
Links:
- UW IT Digital Video guide: Detailed guide on capture and post-production, non-specific to editing software. This is a good starting place for any larger video projects.
- Apple iMovie site: Download link and some very basic resources.
Windows Movie Maker (Windows 7-8); Windows Video Editor (Windows 10)
Very basic video editor that comes with the Windows operating system.
Pros: Free and no installation required – you already have it if you have Windows. Easy to use and includes enough basic functions for most basic uses I could imagine needing for classroom purposes.
Cons: Very basic editor so doesn’t have a ton of effects or advanced controls. Anecdotal: audio and video can sometimes get out of sync during certain editing processes.
Tips: Check on and verify audio and video sync occasionally (especially, for example, when creating videos with precise cuts to music) by playing your project from the beginning to make sure timing is still correct.
Links:
- UW IT Digital Video guide: Detailed guide on capture and post-production, non-specific to editing software. This is a good starting place for any larger video projects.
- Microsoft Support guide to Video Editor: Illustrated guide to basic functions of Video Editor (Windows 10) from the makers of the software.