Sony CINESCORE 1.0
Pros
- Robust features
Cons
- Very complex, Often a case of trial and error
Bottom Line
Cinescore is impressive for a first attempt, and provides commercial videographers with high-quality licence-free scores, plus a level of control and customisation previously unavailable. But it can be frustrating to use, and would be far more effective as a plug-in for a video editing package rather than a standalone tool.
-
Price
$ 329.00 (AUD)
Few video producers have the budget for a custom musical score, or the time/equipment/musical skill to create one themselves, so Sony has released Cinescore 1.0.
Like SmartSound's QuickTracks, Cinescore lets you pick a theme and automatically arranges musical elements - like the intro, verse, chorus, break and finale - to create a custom soundtrack that fits the length of your scene perfectly.
Twenty themes are provided, ranging from wide cinematic audioscapes to tight, punchy soundtracks (with a couple of cheesy numbers for good measure), and further theme packs are on the horizon. Cinescore also comes with a wide selection of audio transitions, too.
Unlike QuickTracks, Cinescore allows for a much greater level of adjustment after the initial track is built. As well as selecting the starting section, mood and arrangement, you can add markers called "Hints" to the timeline, which allow you to tweak Section, Mood, Tempo and Intensity at key points, with a high degree of control.
For instance, Intensity has a sliding percentile scale that lets you adjust how "layered" the music is, with higher values bringing in more instruments. This can be a gradual climb or descent using the Generate setting, or you can use the Linear or Hold switches to hit specific values - to suddenly shift from a 100 per cent, full orchestral movement down to a 15 per cent flute solo, for example.
Altering the Mood setting lets you switch variations for the theme, moving seamlessly between "Live Rhythm Section" and "Massive Party" in the Blizzard of Sparks theme, for example. This can be really useful if you've assigned audio motifs to separate characters and you want the music to shift as the camera switches between their actions.
The degree of customisation available in Cinescore is immense, and it's here that the software struggles with poor interface design. Built on the same front end as Sony Vegas, the customisation takes place in two dialogue boxes, rather than directly on the timeline. Progress is bogged down in trial and error - particularly as the percentage values don't always provide a useful indication of the change that will occur - and it's often impossible to make changes at the exact point you need - which explains why they're called "Hints". The absence of a preview button for transition selection is also an annoying oversight.
Brand Post
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Dell U3223QE review: A winning debut for an IPS Black monitor
- 2 HP Spectre x360 16 review: The right 2-in-1 at the wrong time
- 3 Acer K242HYL review: An affordable monitor for any occasion
- 4 GeForce Now review: You bring the games, Nvidia streams the hardware
- 5 Asus ProArt PA279CV monitor review: The go-to for content creators on a budget
Latest News Articles
- Microsoft’s universal ‘One Outlook’ client just leaked out
- Microsoft reveals a new Windows Game Bar built for controllers
- Microsoft tests a limited VPN for Microsoft Edge
- Audacity developer puts the ‘proper’ version on the Microsoft Store
- How to pin an extension to Chrome’s toolbar
Resources
Macworld
What's new, plus best mac-related tips
and tricks
Business Centre
The latest business news, reviews, features and whitepapers
Videos
Watch our video news and reviews from around the world
Guides
Comprehensive buying guides, features, and step-by-step articles
PCW Evaluation Team
Pedro Peixoto
Aruba Instant On AP11D
Set up is effortless.
Cate Bacon
Aruba Instant On AP11D
The strength of the Aruba Instant On AP11D is that the design and feature set support the modern, flexible, and mobile way of working.
Dr Prabigya Shiwakoti
Aruba Instant On AP11D
Aruba backs the AP11D up with a two-year warranty and 24/7 phone support.
Tom Pope
Dynabook Portégé X30L-G
Ultimately this laptop has achieved everything I would hope for in a laptop for work, while fitting that into a form factor and weight that is remarkable.
Tom Sellers
MSI P65
This smart laptop was enjoyable to use and great to work on – creating content was super simple.
Lolita Wang
MSI GT76
It really doesn’t get more “gaming laptop” than this.
Featured Content
- Which Lenovo Laptop Should I Buy?
- Every TV in Samsung's 2022 line-up: OLED, Neo QLED and more!
- Top 10 best Android and Apple phones for under $600
- Everything you need to know about Smart TVs
- What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?
- Laser vs. inkjet printers: which is better?