Sony Vegas 6 Manual

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Create project file backups 
(.veg.bak)Automatically create backups of your project files.
Use Net Notify to stay informed 
about Sony productsSelect this option to have Vegas software periodically display information from Sony Media Software at 
startup.
Enable autosaveCreates a temporary project file that can aid in crash recovery. When enabled, autosave occurs every five 
minutes. The autosave process does not overwrite the original project file.
Use linear scrub rangeWhen this check box is selected, the scrub control uses a linear range. When this check box is cleared, the 
scrub control uses a logarithmic range.
Allow Ctrl+drag cursor style 
scrub over eventsVegas software allows scrubbing on empty sections of the timeline using Ctrl+drag on the cursor. Select this 
option to enable timeline scrubbing over events as well.
Make spacebar and F12 Play/
Pause instead of Play/StopChanges the spacebar and F12 keys to start and pause playback rather than start and stop.
Always draw marker linesSelect this check box if you want Vegas software to extend marker and region lines across tracks in the 
timeline. When the check box is cleared, marker lines are drawn only when Enable Snapping is turned on.
Build 8-bit peak filesVegas sofware builds 16-bit peak files as a default. Select this option to build 8-bit peak files instead.
Disable pop-up animationsTurns off the animation applied to windows such as Video FX, Event Pan/Crop, and Track Motion when these 
windows are opened.
Automatically hide docking areaSelect this check box if you want the window docking area to hide automatically. Hover over the bottom of 
the Vegas software window to show the window docking area.
Build peaks for visible events 
onlySelect this check box if you want Vegas software to build peak files as needed. Vegas software will not build a 
peak file until a file is visible in the timeline. You can open your projects more quickly, but there may be 
occasional pauses as Vegas software builds peaks.
Clear the check box if you want Vegas software to build all necessary peak files when you open your project. 
Opening a project can take longer, but after peak files are built, you can scroll through and view your project.
Keep bypassed FX running (to 
avoid pause on bypass/enable)Select this check box if you want effects to remain open so you can bypass/enable effects with no pause for A/
B testing. When the check box is cleared, effects are fully bypassed, conserving processing power.
Enable joystick supportSelect this checkbox if you want to have joystick control for editing in Vegas software.
Enable Windows XP theme 
supportWhen this check box is selected, the Vegas window will inherit the appearance of the current theme when 
using Microsoft® Windows® XP. When the check box is cleared, user interface elements will maintain the 
classic Windows operating system appearance.
Allow edit cursor to be draggedSelect this check box if you want to be able to drag the cursor to change its position on the timeline and in the 
Trimmer window. When this check box is selected, you can position the cursor without losing your loop region
To create a time selection without moving the cursor, hold the Shift key.
Ignore fact chunk when opening 
compressed WAV filesWhen this check box is selected, Vegas will ignore fact chunks when opening compressed WAV files.
A fact chunk stores information about the number of samples contained in a compressed WAV file. If you 
experience problems opening a compressed WAV file, select this check box and reopen the file.
Note: If you change the setting of this check box, please delete any proxy (.sfap0) files associated with 
compressed WAV files.
Save media-usage relationships in 
active media libraryWhen this check box is selected, the Media Manager™ will save information about media usage so you can 
perform searches for media relationships.
You can search for projects that use a media file, projects where a media file was previewed, media that was 
rendered with a media file, and so on.
Enable Media Manager (requires 
Vegas restart)When this check box is selected, the Media Manager will start when you start Vegas software.
Clear the check box to turn off the Media Manager and prevent it from starting with the application. If youre 
not using the Media Manager, you may want to turn it off to conserve processing power or memory.
Use compatible method to read 
disc capacitySelect this check box to use a compatible mode to check the capacity of the media when you insert a disc. 
Selecting the check box can prevent a hang that can occur with some external drives.
When the check box is cleared, the software will use the standard method, which is slightly faster.
Preference Description 
						

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Video tab
The Video tab in the Preferences dialog controls the display of video media, video events and video tracks.
AAF Export - Use frame unit for 
audioSelect this check box if you want to use frame units for audio tracks when you export
your project as an AAF file. When the check box is cleared, audio will be exported
as sample units.
Selecting the check box will improve compatibility with other applications for project
interchange: some applications will not import your project correctly when frame
units are used for video and sample units are used for audio. 
Clear the check box only if your project contains audio only or if you know the application
that will import your AAF file supports frame units for video and sample units for
audio. 
This setting has no effect when you export your project as an AAF and choose Avid
Legacy AAF File from the Save as Type drop-down list. Avid legacy AAF files are always
exported using frame units for audio.
Recently used project listSelect the number of files to be listed at the bottom of the File menu.
Temporary files folderSelect a location for all temporary files.
Free storage space in selected 
folderDisplays the available disk space in the folder specified in the Temporary files folder box.
Default AllRestores all general preferences to the default settings.
PreferenceDescription
Dynamic RAM Preview max (MB)Determines the size of the RAM cache for building dynamic RAM previews in the Video Preview window. 
Dynamic RAM previews are only available in the full version of Vegas software. For more information, see 
Building dynamic RAM previews on page 291.
Maximum number of rendering 
threadsThis setting specifies the maximum number of threads that will be used for rendering files.
Increasing the setting will not increase performance beyond the number of available processors; for example, if 
you have a single-processor computer, choosing 2 will not improve rendering performance.
Decrease the setting if you have a multiprocessor (or multicore) computer and want to limit processor use or 
turn off multithreaded rendering. For example, if you had a dual-processor hyperthreaded computer, choosing 
3 would allow you to keep one thread available for other tasks while rendering.
Note: Not all video plug-ins are capable of multithreaded rendering. Plug-ins that do not support multithreaded 
rendering are displayed with this icon 
() in the Plug-In Manager and Plug-In Chooser windows and with this 
icon 
() in the Video FX window.
Show source frame numbers on 
event thumbnails asDisplay frame, time, or timecode numbering on video event thumbnails.
Preferred video capture 
applicationBrowse for the application to be launched when you click the Open Video Capture button ().
Action safe area and Title safe 
areaSets the reference overlay safe areas in the Video Preview window. For more information, see Identifying safe 
areas on page 293.
Horizontal Grid Divisions and 
Vertical Grid DivisionsSets the spacing of the grid overlay in the Video Preview window used in aligning visual elements in a project. 
For more information, see Changing grid spacing on page 331.
Display at project sizeSets the Video Preview window to always display the video at full project size.
Simulate device aspect ratioDetermines how the video is displayed in the Video Preview window. In short, televisions display rectangular 
pixels and computer monitors display square pixels. This can result in a distorted preview, although the source 
media and rendered video is unaffected.
Background colorSets the background color of the Video Preview window (black by default) that shows either when there is no 
visual content or when using a transparent overlay with no background visual content.
Default track fade colorsSets the default top and bottom colors when adding a Fade to Color envelope to a video track. For more 
information, see Working with track envelopes on page 163.
Default AllRestores all video preferences to the default settings.
Preference Description 
						

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Preview device tab
This tab allows you to identify an external monitor for Vegas software to communicate with. The selected 
video device is used to display previews on an external monitor. Vegas uses this device when you click the 
Preview on External Monitor button () in the Video Preview window.
Note: Audio is not output to the external monitor. If your 
project contains complex effects or compositing and you 
cannot attain full-frame-rate playback, use selective 
prerendering to prerender the sections of your project that 
cannot be rendered in real time. 
						

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Configuring a Blackmagic Design DeckLink
If you have a Blackmagic Design DeckLink™, you can configure it to work with Vegas software.
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences to display the Preferences dialog.
2.Select the Preview device tab.
3.In the Device drop-down list, select Blackmagic Design DeckLink. Information about the device displays in 
the 
Details area.
4.Choose a setting from the When project settings don’t match a supported format, conform to drop-down list to 
indicate how you want to adjust the video to display properly on your external monitor.
5.Select the Recompress edited frames check box to recompress any edited frames in your project before 
previewing. When the check box is cleared, edited frames will not be passed to the device.
6.To replace all custom functions with the default settings, click the Default All button.
Configuring an OHCI-compliant IEEE 1394/DV device
If you have an OHCI-compliant IEEE 1394/DV device, you can configure it to work with Vegas software.
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences to display the Preferences dialog.
2.Select the Preview device tab.
3.In the Device drop-down list, select OHCI-compliant IEEE 1394/DV. Information about the device displays in 
the 
Details area.
4.If your source media does not conform to DV standards, choose a setting from the If project is invalid for DV 
output, conform to the following
 drop-down list to adjust the video to display properly on your external 
monitor.
5.Select the Recompress edited frames check box to recompress any edited frames in your project before 
previewing. When the check box is cleared, edited frames will not be passed to the device.
6.To replace all custom functions with the default settings, click the Default All button.
Configuring a Windows Secondary Display
If you have a Windows secondary display device, you can configure it to work with Vegas software.
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences to display the Preferences dialog.
2.Select the Preview device tab.
3.In the Device drop-down list, select Windows Secondary Display. Information about the device displays in 
the 
Details area.
4.From the Display Adapter drop-down list, choose the device where your preview monitor is connected. 
You can click the Identify Displays button to determine which display corresponds to each setting in the 
drop-down list. A number will be displayed on each monitor.
Note: If the monitor number is displayed in red, the graphics 
card does not support 3D acceleration or acceleration has 
been turned off. In Windows, you can go to 
Start > Settings > 
Control Panel > Display > Settings >Advanced > Troubleshoot
 
to turn on acceleration if your adapter supports it. 
						

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5.From the Display Mode drop-down list, choose the frame size and refresh rate you want to use for the 
secondary display.
6.Select the Scale output to fit display check box if you want the video preview to fill the display.
7.Select the Apply deinterlace filter check box if you’re previewing interlaced video on a noninterlaced 
display. This filter can reduce the artifacts you often see on the edges of moving areas.
Note: The Apply deinterlace filter check box will be 
unavailable if your video adapter does not support pixel 
shading.
8.If you want to adjust color reproduction for video previews, use the color management controls.
a.Select the Use color management check box.
b.Select the Use Studio RGB check box if your source media conforms to studio RGB color (black=16 and 
white=235) and you will be previewing on your computer’s CRT or LCD monitor. When the check 
box is selected, the studio RGB range is expanded to 0 to 255 to conform to a computer display.
Clear the check box if you will be previewing on a TV monitor or if your source media does not 
conform to studio RGB color.
c.From the Monitor color profile drop-down list, choose the color profile that best matches your display. 
You can obtain ICC/ICM color profiles from the display manufacturer, or you can create your own if 
you have a calibration system.
Note: The Use color management check box will be 
unavailable if your video adapter does not support gamma 
adjustment.
9.Select the Recompress edited frames check box.
10 .To replace all custom functions with the default settings, click the Default All button.
SettingDescription
Use current settingsVideo is displayed using the monitor’s resolution and refresh rate specified in the Windows Display 
Properties control panel.
Automatic size settingsThe software will attempt to choose the optimum resolution and refresh rate. This setting overrides 
the Windows Display Properties setting as long as the secondary display window is active.
Use custom settingsYou can choose the resolution and refresh rate you want to use. This setting overrides the Windows 
Display Properties setting as long as the secondary display window is active. 
CodecStudio RGB Setting
Sony DVOn
Microsoft DVOff
Matrox DVOff
MainConcept DVOff
CanopusOn
Apple QuickTime DVOff 
						

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Print device tab
This tab allows you to make your selections for printing to tape.
Note: The settings on this tab apply only to DV and 
DeckLink devices. You can choose an HDV print-to-tape 
device in the Print Video to HDV Tape wizard.
Audio tab
The Audio tab allows you to set preferences to optimize how your computer’s components are used to handle 
resource-intensive audio. This tab also allows you to configure Vegas software to the equipment that is 
connected to your computer.
PreferenceDescription
DeviceChoose a print device (such as a Blackmagic Design Decklink™ or OHCI compliant IEEE-1394 DV device) from 
the drop-down list.
DetailsDisplays information regarding the print device specified in the Device drop-down list.
Record engage delay (frames)Drag the slider to specify the number of frames it takes your camcorder or deck to switch from Record Pause 
to Record mode. If youre missing frames from the beginning of your file after printing to tape, increase the 
setting. If you see duplicated frames at the beginning of your video, decrease the setting.
PreferenceDescription
Waveform display while 
recordingAllows you to display or hide waveforms when recording into an audio track.
Normalize peak level (dB)Sets the maximum level that is used when normalizing an event.
Import audio at project tempoWhen this check box is selected, ACID loops are automatically stretched to match the project tempo (specified 
on the Ruler tab of the Project Properties dialog) when you add them to the timeline or preview from the 
Explorer window.
When the check box is cleared, tempo information is ignored.
Preferred audio editorDisplays the path of the audio editor that you can start directly from Vegas software to perform destructive 
edits to audio.
MetronomeAllows you to use a default metronome sound or to select custom sound files to be used as the metronome 
beats.
Default AllRestores all audio preferences to the default settings. 
						

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Audio Device tab
Advanced audio preferences
You can access advanced settings by clicking the Advanced button on the Audio Device tab. The Advanced 
Audio Configuration dialog displays all of the audio devices that are installed on your computer and allows 
you to set the controls for each device.
PreferenceDescription
Audio device typeChoose a driver type from the drop-down list. The Microsoft Sound Mapper is the default setting. If you want 
to activate specific sound cards, choose Windows Classic Wave Driver or ASIO and choose a device from the 
Default Stereo and Front playback device drop-down list. ASIO audio drivers are only supported in the full 
version of Vegas software. For more information, see Routing busses to hardware on page 184.
Default playback deviceChoose the device that you want to use for playing sound data in your project. Available only in Vegas Movie 
Studio and Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software.
Default stereo and front playback 
deviceChoose the device that you want to use for playing stereo sound data and the front-left and -right channels of a 
5.1 surround project.
Selecting the Microsoft Sound Mapper allows Windows to select an appropriate device to use for the current 
sound data.
Note: If you have selected Microsoft Sound Mapper, you will not be able to assign busses to different devices.
Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Default rear playback deviceChoose the device that you want to use for playing the rear channels of a 5.1 surround project.
Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Default center and LFE playback 
deviceChoose the device that you want to use for playing the center and low-frequency effect channels of a 5.1 
surround project.
Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Playback buffering (seconds)Sets the amount of memory used during project playback. For more information, see Adjusting the playback 
buffering slider on page 344.
Default audio recording deviceSets the default device for recording into a track.
Automatically detect and offset 
for hardware recording latencySelect the check box to automatically compensate for offset between the time you initiate recording and when 
your sound card starts recording.
Clear the check box and drag the User offset (samples) (ms) slider to specify an offset value.
Default AllRestores all audio device preferences to the default settings.
PreferenceDescription
Audio devicesThis list contains all of the audio devices that are installed in your computer. Selecting one from the list allows 
you to set the options below for that device.
Interpolate positionDuring project playback, you may notice that the cursor position is different than what you are hearing. This 
problem stems from inaccuracies in some audio devices. Select this control’s check box to have Vegas software 
attempt to compensate for the inaccuracies by interpolating the cursor’s correct position during playback or 
recording.
Position biasThe position bias control gives you additional cursor control when it is inaccurately displayed during project 
playback and recording. If you have enabled the 
Interpolate position control and are still experiencing 
cursor position inaccuracies, move the 
Position bias control forward or backward to compensate for the 
inaccuracies of the audio device.
Do not pre-roll buffers before 
starting playbackWhen this option is not selected, Vegas software begins storing (buffering) project audio information prior to 
playback. This storing is very fast and unnoticeable in most cases. However, some audio devices stutter when 
you begin playback as a result of the buffering process. If your audio stutters when you start playback, select 
this check box to prevent buffering audio information prior to playback.
Audio buffersDrag the slider to set the number of audio buffers that will be used. Adjusting this setting can help you 
synchronize the input and output for record input monitoring. Record input monitoring is only available in the 
full version of Vegas software.
Buffer size (samples)Choose a setting from the drop-down list to indicate the buffer size you want to use. Choose MME to use the 
Playback buffering setting on the Audio Device tab in the Preferences dialog.
PriorityChoose a setting from the drop-down list to set the priority that is assigned to your audio buffers. Increasing 
the buffers’ priority can help you attain smoother playback, but it can also adversely affect other processes.
Enable input monitoringSelect this check box to enable the monitoring of your recording input through Vegas software while you are 
recording. 
						

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Adjusting the playback buffering slider
The playback buffer controls how much memory is used when playing back your project. This preference is 
useful, but must be carefully adjusted. If you set the buffer size too high, you may experience gapping during 
playback. Conversely, if you set the buffer size too low, you may experience gapping as well because Vegas 
software has too little memory to work with during playback. 
The playback buffer slider should be set to balance RAM usage and playback buffering. The rule is to set this 
slider as low as possible without introducing gapping.
1.Open a project that has multiple events.
2.On the Audio device tab, move the Playback buffering (seconds) slider to 0.25.
3.Start playing back the project.
4.If the playback still gaps, increase the Playback buffering (seconds) slightly.
You may have to experiment to find the correct settings. If you continue to experience gapping, you can try 
the following to control the gapping:
 Decrease the number of events you are trying to play back. This may mean muting tracks or soloing a 
couple of tracks. RAM is mostly affected by the number of unique events that are playing back 
simultaneously.
 Use the Render to New Track command (on the Tools menu) to combine all the events into one event. For 
more information, see Rendering to a new track on page 153.
Sync tab
This tab is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
These preferences are used to set up Vegas software to generate or trigger from MIDI timecode from external 
MIDI devices. For more information, see Synchronizing MIDI timecode on page 200.
Note: When Sync is active (Vegas software is triggering 
from MTC), media files are not closed (i.e., cannot be edited 
outside of Vegas software) when Vegas software is not the 
active application. You will also not be prompted to rename or 
delete recorded takes as this may interrupt the 
synchronization.
Setting advanced Sync preferences
From the Sync tab, you can access advanced settings by clicking Advanced. The Advanced Sync Preferences 
dialog has three tabs: 
MTC Input, MTC Output, and MIDI Clock Output. The display of these tabs is dependent on 
your selections in the Sync tab. See the following sections on each tab for more information.
PreferenceDescription
Generate MIDI Timecode settingsSets the output device and frame rate used when generating MIDI timecode.
Generate MIDI Clock settingsSets the output device used when generating MIDI Clock information. You can choose the same device that you 
chose for Generate MIDI Timecode settings.
Trigger from MIDI Timecode 
settingsSets the input software or device and frame rate used when triggering from MIDI timecode. 
						

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MTC Input
This tab displays only if you choose a device in the Trigger from MIDI Timecodes settings drop-down list on the 
Sync tab.
MTC Output
This tab displays only if you choose a device in the Generate MIDI Timecode settings drop-down list on the 
Sync tab.
MIDI Clock Output
This tab displays only if you choose a device in the Generate MIDI Clock Settings drop-down list on the Sync 
tab.
Keyboard tab
This tab is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
From the Options menu, choose Preferences and select the Keyboard tab to customize the keyboard shortcuts 
available in the Vegas interface.
The Current Key Bindings box displays the currently assigned shortcut keys. Choose a setting from the Context 
drop-down list to choose which shortcuts you want to see.
PreferenceDescription
Free-wheel for timecode lossWhen selected, Vegas software continues to play for a specified period of time without chasing if timecode is 
lost. Enabling this option can compensate for infrequent losses in timecode monitoring. If losses in timecode are 
frequent, troubleshooting should be done on your hardware to find the cause of the problem.
Free-wheel slack time (seconds)Specifies the amount of time that timecode can be lost before the Free-wheel playback time starts. A longer 
time is more tolerant of losses in the incoming timecode.
Free-wheel playback time 
(seconds)Specifies the amount of time that Vegas software plays back after the Free-wheel slack time has been exceeded.
Synchronization delay time 
(seconds)Specifies the amount of time required for Vegas software to synchronize itself to incoming timecode. On slower 
computers, this time should be set to around two seconds. On faster computers, it may be set lower.
Offset adjust (quarter frames)If Vegas software is consistently behind or ahead of the MTC generator, enter a value to adjust a 
synchronization offset with quarter-frame accuracy.
If Vegas software is behind the MTC generator, enter a negative number such as -4. If Vegas software is ahead 
of the MTC generator, enter a positive number such as 4.
PreferenceDescription
Full-frame message generationSpecifies when Vegas software sends full-frame timecode messages. Full-frame messages are used by some 
external audio synchronizers to seek a proper location prior to synchronization. For example, tape-based 
recorders benefit from seeking to full-frame messages because of the time required to move the transport to 
the proper location. However, full-frame messages are ignored by some devices and may actually cause 
unexpected behavior in other devices. Check your hardware documentation to find out if it supports full-frame 
messages.
PreferenceDescription
Send Start instead of Continue 
when beginning playbackWhen selected, Vegas software sends a Start command rather than a Continue command. Normally, Vegas 
software sends a Continue command to allow the chasing device to start at a specific time. However, some 
older MIDI sequencers do not support the Continue command and must start from the beginning every time.
Song Position Pointer generationSpecifies when Vegas software sends Song Position Pointer messages. Song Position Pointer messages are used 
by MIDI applications and devices to seek to a proper location prior to starting the synchronization process. 
						

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Editing shortcuts
1.Select a command in the Available commands box.
Choose 
Global from the Context drop-down list to display all commands in the Available commands box, or 
choose a different command to filter the list.
You can type a word in the 
Show only commands containing box to filter the list of commands to display only 
commands that contain the word you typed.
2.Click the Press new shortcut keys box and press the key combination you want to assign to the selected 
command.
3.Click the Assign button to assign the key combination in the Press new shortcut keys box to the command 
selected in the 
Available commands box.
Importing a keyboard map 
Click the Import button and browse to a Vegas Keyboard Map File (.ini) file to load an existing keyboard 
map.
Exporting a keyboard map 
Click the Export button and specify a file name and location to save your current keyboard shortcuts to a file 
that you can use as a backup or to share your keyboard shortcuts with other Vegas users.
Resetting the default keyboard map
Click the Default All button to restore the default configuration.
External Control & Automation tab
This tab is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Use the External Control & Automation tab to set up and customize control surfaces. To display this tab, choose 
Preferences from the Options menu, then click the External Control & Automation tab.
PreferenceDescription
Smooth and thin automation 
data after recordingWhen recording automation, Vegas software creates as many envelope points or keyframes as possible to 
represent your control movements. 
Select this check box if you want to reduce the number of envelope points/keyframes after recording is finished. 
For more information, see Recording automation settings on page 167.
Set controls to default values 
when automation is turned offSelect this check box if you want controls to return to their default values when set the tracks automation 
recording mode to Automation Off. Automated effect parameters do not have default settings and will retain 
their last-set values when you turn automation off.
When the check box is cleared, controls will retain their last-set values when you turn automation off.
Available devicesChoose a device from the drop-down list and click Add to choose the control surfaces that will be available to 
Vegas software. Adding a device loads its default profile.
Active control devicesLists the control devices that you’ve added. Double-click a device name to customize its behavior.
Default allRestores all control surface preferences to the default settings.