There are some things I love about living in the modern world as opposed to the “old school” way we used to do stuff…
For one thing, I’ll never miss trying to aim a record needle at just the right spot in a song ever again… and now with modern video and audio technology it’s really pretty amazing what you can do.
This is a video about my favorite video magic tool that I use at home, in the studio, and with private lessons pretty much daily. A lot of folks have asked about it so here’s how I use it (it’ll do a lot more but this is what I do.) I encourage you to hit the “full screen” button in the lower right of the player for this.
If you dig Video Surgeon I encourage you to check it out for yourself.
Currently VLC (I mentioned that also in the video) can be downloaded for free… but be careful on the site and when installing. There are ads on the site that may look like site content and there may be bundled “extras” with the VLC installation. (If you don’t have a lot of experience with freeware I don’t recommend it.)
68 replies to "My Favorite Video Voodoo Tool…"
I’ve decided to temporarily stop playing guitar so I can practise 24/7 with computers. Its easy to set this up, and I recommend all players equip themselves likewise. Firstly, plug your UVF smakbanger into your AUmD using a triple glidstop USB cable gledger (first making sure its fully adapted to a Mekon fled shrieker, the type used by legend Albert Y. Scally) Then spad your EKON (these are available from any good EKON store)alongside a quad speddler, plug into a 70″(69″ will do) thropple screen and away you go. Happy threddling, and if it doesn’t improve your guitar playing you’re a dinosaur…….a bit like Clapton.
Thanks for the humerous response. Made my day
I love BGU and have bought access to
many of its courses. That said, rather than buying VS I’d like to see BGU incorporate SoundSlice technology into its courses. Several other online guitar programs I subscribe to have this feature, and it has all of the key components of VS. What about YouTube videos that are not part of these courses that you’d like to slow down? For those who don’t know, you can slow down YT videos by hitting the settings icon in the lower right hand corner of a video. That gives you a drop down menu with several preset speeds you can use. And even BGU has lessons shown in multiple speeds, so I’m not all that eager to pay for VS. IMHO. Full disclosure: I have no connection to whoever owns or produces SoundSlice.
The audio version/equivalent is [1] Amazing slowdowner ~ $5 or [2] Music speed changer which is free. { not quite as powerful, but slightly more user friendly} Great for learning a song, slowly at first then up to speed -or changing pitch.
Easy download. This program will work a lot better than listening to an album, finding that certain phrase in the song, picking up the stylus after hearing it, then trying to find that groove again. lol, some people won’t understand.
VLC clean download:
http://www.ninite.com
Great site for other helpful software. No spam, etc.
VLC is my favourite Media player. It’s Free (as in Freedom) Open Source Software. It comes with no hidden restrictions on how you use it, or how you share it, unlike it’s proprietary counterparts.
The copy available on Ubuntu is simple to install, just open the Ubuntu App Store and select it. It then automatically downloads and installs, no ads, no spam, no malware.
Speaking of spam, your comment – which you have now uploaded at least three times – looks like spam. I went to ninite and VLC was not even on the list to select for download. Enough promotion of that website!
It’s useless, it won’t work on Ubuntu.
On the other hand VLC comes Free on Ubuntu, without the Ads, or the potential viruses. Just open your App Store and install it, or even easier open a terminal app and type “sudo apt-get install vlc”
And VLC isn’t “freeware”, it’s Free Software… there’s a huge difference, for one thing Free Software is always made available under a Free Software License, such as GNU GPL or MIT or BSD, and the Source Code is always available, while “freeware” is invariably Prorpietary, and the Source Code is never available, and it’s still not Free, it’s merely made available at No Cost.
I’ve reported the developers of VideoSurgeon for Non Compliance with the terms of the License that covers 90% of the software libraries that they use, namely FFMPeg and associated libraries.
These Open Source Software libraries are covered by the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public Licence, and the developers are in breach of that licence.
Also because of their total reliance on these Open Source Software libraries, and the QT libraries, also Open Source GNU GPL, there is absolutely no reason why they could not create a version that runs on Ubuntu (and other Linux Operating Systems).
Additionally they may also find themselves falling foul of MPEG-LA a group that believes it has patent rights to any code that encodes and decodes MPG video files, because they are trading commercially in these libraries.
Sheesh, tracyanne.
Not only does this product not work on Ubuntu, but after I downloaded it to check, and then complained to them that it didn’t work, they then sent me an email demanding that I pay for the non functioning product.
Cheers Griff
For the advice but I work off an iPad and it doesn’t work for ipad☹️
I use Video Surgeon and like it. However I find that I tend to use Song Surgeon by the same company a lot more. Similar in many ways but based around audio files rather than video.
I’m a software engineer and spend most of my working day in front of a computer so don’t really want to use one when I’m at home practicing guitar. I use Song Surgeon to create slowed down versions which I import to my Boss JS-8 (older version of the JS-10) which itself is a fantastic practice tool.
The Boss also has tempo and pitch change facilities but Song Surgeon does it so much better. The Boss often introduces too many weird artefacts or distortion whereas Song Surgeon sounds doesn’t.
Griff I took your advise and bought Video Surgeon what a great program! I have used it on your slow blues supplement with great results. I will checkout VLC, any program that is user friendly and allows you to get the answer to “how did he do that?” I say welcome to the 21st century!
Earle
Video Surgeon is pretty much like RiffMaster Pro but with video to help you see the finger movement. I have both applications n find them very useful
Sonny, I have and use Band in a Box and it is very worthwhile. I primarily “jam” with it. It has a number of music styles (many of which I don’t use but they are there). Basically what I do with it is put in the chord progression I want to jam too. You can change the tempo and set up the number of loops you want. In many ways it is similar to the jam tracks that Griff offers (Griff’s by and large sound better) but because it’s really easy to change the key and tempo it has that added flexibility. The other day I was practicing with one of Griff’s courses, Blues Solo Construction kit and was having trouble with the timing from Pattern 3 to Pattern 4 (shuffle feel) so I put in the chord progression for those chords in Band in the Box and was able to get the timing down. Sorry for the long winded explanation but if you have already purchased the product, bust it out and give it a try! I think you will like it.
video surgeon website seems to be locked in a promo video, but the ability to purchase seems to be inactive.
I see that there is an option to alter the pitch. If, for example I want to play along with an SRV song recorded in Eb tuning, can I then bump it up to play in standard E?
Thanks for sharing. Really good stuff.
I purchased Video Surgeon several years ago, but never took the time to learn how to use it. This lesson has inspired me to learn it as I can see how valuable it would be to me.
I also purchased a product called “Band in a Box” which I also have never learned how to use. Have you, Griff, ever used this produce? Has anyone else used it?
Sonny
Sonny, I left a response above to your question about using Band in the Box. It was early on a Sunday morning and I didn’t catch the reply button! I use Band in a Box quite often and I find it to be a very useful tool. Give it a try! I also use Song Surgeon. Haven’t gotten around to Video Surgeon yet. I don’t have any experience with other song slow down type software so can’t compare Song Surgeon to any others but I also use Song Surgeon a lot and I’m satisfied with it.
If you have Band In A Box you owe it to yourself to use it. Why? It’s a little pricey for starters, but I don’t have to tell you that. Since you already invested what do you have to lose except a little time?
But since you paid for it you owe it to yourself to use it because it’s so helpful. Here’s how you can make your own jam/backing track in the next couple of minutes.
Open Band In A Box on your computer. Choose a style (hint: you will want to choose something with a either a “straight” or “swing” feel depending on what you are working on. Also look for something in the “Beats Per Minute” range you want to work on, but you can change the BPM after you program your own jam track. For example look for something around 70 BPM if that’s the speed you want to practice at. If you find it’s too fast after you start playing simply enter a slower BPM in the BPM function. Example: enter 60 BPM to replace 70 if you find 70 too fast. It’s that easy.
Once you have done that just enter the chords you want to play to. (Another hint: BEFORE you enter chords, choose which key you want to play in. This step is not critical, but it makes changing keys later on easier if you want to practice in different keys).
For example, in the first bar enter E7. In the fifth bar enter A7. In the eight bar enter E7. In the ninth bar enter B7, tenth bar A7, eleventh E7, and twelfth B7. You just made your own backing track for a 12-bar blues in the key of E. And it only took a minute.
You can choose the “Loop” playback feature to play continuously or choose how many times to play it when you use the “Play” function.
You can mute instruments. For example you can silence everything but the drums and the bass. If you want you can leave an organ or other “rhythm” instrument. It only takes a second to do this. It’s up to you what you want instruments you want to jam with. It only takes a second to mute an instrument.
You can change keys. As I said, before you enter your chords if you picked the Key of E, once you enter all you chords (as shown above) you can change keys in a snap. You want to practice in the Key of A but you programmed your blues pattern in E? No sweat. Just pick the Key of A from the drop down in the “Key” function and now you can practice your riffs in the key of A without having to re enter chords for the key of A.
Of course you can save your jam track for later use.
This just scratches the surface of how to use Band In A Box, but as mentioned, you can literally create your own jam track in under a minute after you open BIAB.
Once you start using it as described above and become more familiar with it, you will probably discover more of its useful functions.
This is mostly how I use it. And that is probably less than 1% of what BIAB can do.
Give it a try. Since you already bought it you should really check it out.
Enjoy.
I just bought Video Surgeon 2 and it worked great with Griff’s videos, but the YouTube sniffer didn’t have any audio. Who needs a silent movie guitar video? I sent an email and their customer support replied within the hour. By the next morning they had a YouTube sniffer update that works perfectly. The looping function alone is more than worth the price.
I feel obliged to add an additional comment having read some of the above. Basically, when someone like Griff explains something he is not saying this is necessary for all. I do not believe he is trying to generate any revenue by promoting Video Surgeon. It has been around for some time now. Griff is too nice a person to respond directly to critics expounding on his motives for whatever. For those that take exception – back off. There was a television critic over this side of the pond that would write to the BBC explaining about having watched a play, film and there being X number of specific swearing words within the play /film. I believe that people that are so hung up on something should simply not watch it or in the case of others just back off.
Great Description of Video Surgeon Griff. I have used it now for a number of years. I also have, by way of recommendation from Mike Herberts got a VLC package on board. The reason that is there is because I am left handed, as I know I have explained before, and Mike recommended VLC to be operated ‘left handed’. Now to be clear here the ‘writing, whatever that might be, does not show left handed; it shows righted handed, but just mirror imaged, if you follow what I am saying. Unless someone can view writing back to front and still understand it this method will not work for everyone. Video Surgeon is a great package and well worth investing in for those not yet hooked up.
Your Helping
I’m having a problem getting your dvd’s to play on windows 8. The menu won’t come up. I think i need an app for it. Do you have any suggestions?
The question of Griff getting paid to present Video Surgeon, I would say probably yes and then I would ask “What difference does it make if you pay the same price that you would pay for it anyway?” I checked the price and it’s $97. That’s almost 2x the price of Riff Station,Transcribe and all the rest. Even Griff said he really doesn’t use the video, he uses the music. So why pay the price?
What is your opinion of apples Videopad
I use “VLC media player”, “Youtube Downloader” and “Riff Station”.
I do like the fact you can place and save markers and easily cut stuff up. If I had this I would definitely use it… maybe next xmas
Griff awhile back you said you use riff station but now you use video surgeon . So I was wondering why you changed ? Is video surgeon better or what ?
Riff Station is for mp3, or sound files. It is cool because it works out the chords for you, albeit generic chords… (for example it will call say “GM7” G Major… but you can work out by ear if it is a Seventh chord or not).
Riff Station is very good for looping and slowing stuff down, especially good for working things out by ear. Hint… use head phones, you will be surprised how much better you will be at working stuff out by ear.
Windows people, if you want VLC and to not worry about install issues, use http://www.ninite.com
Free, no ad’s ever.
This takes me back to the cassette days when I used a pencil eraser to slow it down to learn the lead parts. Willie Nelson’s Blue eyes crying in the rain was my first and I still play it that way today. It was good ear training too. Thanks, you are my favorite online instructor and I appreciate you very much.
Question: Does Video Surgeon actually have the ability to ‘download’ a Youtube video AND download a DVD (such as Griff’s)? Thank you.
I believe he demonstrates doing both in his video…
Thank you! I downloaded the demo. Looks fantastic!!
The technology and tools we have at our disposal today is nothing short of amazing. But unless your a total geek be aware of the “catch 22” principle. The more time I spend buying, loading, configuring, and learning tools to use for tabbing, recording, sharing etc. etc. represents a significant opportunity cost of time spent actually playing/practicing. You really have to weigh the pros and cons or you may find yourself buying everything you “think” you need and actually accomplishing less. I’m sure, like me, many BGU’ers have a couple years worth of “shelfware” and can relate…
Hey Griff,
Thanks for the info. Will look at this tool when I have advanced a bit more in the next year or so.
Thanks
Michael – Sydney- Australia
I agree with you, Griff: this is one excellent guitar learning tool. Or golf, dancing, … , …. anything where being able to loop a slowed down video without shifting anything else (in our case, pitch) really helps to pick up the nuances you miss at full speed.
I’ve used it ever since it first came out and the latest version is just great.
Example: take one of Griff’s teaching videos – find the fastest lick – slow it down (a bit or a lot as you need) – zoom to whichever hand is causing you trouble – set up a loop – play along until you get it / get tired / get bored. If it’s still too fast at the slowest speed (quarter speed), export it – reopen – slow it down again (can now be as slow as 16th speed – never needed that!) – repeat practice. Once you have a video with 1 or more loops in it set to the speed(s) you are working with today (yes, each loop has it’s own speed setting – the bits in between remain at full speed), just save it as a project.
Next time open the project it’s all just as you left it. Jump to the loop you want to practice and hit the play button – it will start looping again with no more set up. Update the speed as you improve, or just remove the loop once you’ve got it down pat. It is really slick and saves a lot of fiddling around with basic video player controls.
I recommend it because it’s what I use and it works for me. Sure, it’s not the only one out there that does this sort of stuff and I’ve not tried any recently – once I’d found Video Surgeon I stopped looking. And it may have fallen behind in super-useless, glitzie features, but I don’t care because it works just fine for what I want – guitar training.
Hi Griff,
Do you really use this tool – or is it part of the business, i.e. to help ‘each other’ earning a living from teaching guitar. The reason for asking this question is that for us beginners/intermediate players – we don’t need advices leading us in an uneccessary detour towards the goal. We want the shortest – most effective way possible – to reach the goal. We dont want and/or eed misleading advices. Sorry if my question is not “proper”..
Best regards
Leif
Leif – there is nothing improper about your question…I think what you’re asking for is full disclosure…ie: when Griff recommends a product does he get a commission on the sales or is he affiliated with the vendor in any other way that benefits him. It’s a fair question. I’m not suggesting that there is anything wrong with this, as you say its a business. But those among us who have been around for a while know that Griff has gotten to where he is based on his honesty and integrity. In fact he puts himself and his rep at risk by recommending a product or service he does not own or control. Hes a smart enough guy to know this and I doubt very much that be would ever recommend a product that be wouldn’t use himself.
But its a fair question nonetheless so you can make your own determination having had all the facts.
Leif, it appears that you most likely don’t own any of Griff’s courses and only peruse his “free” offerings. I mention this because it seems you are unfamiliar with Griff and how he presents things and does business. I would highly suggest that you purchase his BBG course (look it up if you don’t know what it stands for), or BGU course and join his student forum. If you do this you will be guaranteed a straight path “towards the goal” – that is if you actually do what Griff presents in the course and practice as you should.
Good Luck.
Glad to see this “how to” video on this product. Like a lot of things you have shown your students I purchased “VS” a year ago upon your recommendation because I immediately saw the potential it has for me.
And like most of the stuff I gave bought I haven’t used it. Because I gave limited time to really learn something new vs just playing guitar and learning in “bits and pieces” I buy things like “VS” with hopes of “maybe someday” having time to really dig in and learn how to use them to help me.
Thanks for the reminder about “VS”. Maybe someday I’ll use it. Bin the meantime I save all your videos and gave purchased all your courses with the exception on the “Acoustic BGU” because frankly I’m much more into electric guitar at this stage of my mediocre playing. LOL!
Best wishes and many thanks!
Walt
Thanks Griff. I didn’t know such a programme existed.
VideoPad seems to do just great for me and it’s free from apple store is you have a mac. easy tutorials on youtube as well. Griff, you just keep on giving and I’m head over heels for BGU, I bought the upgrade and I look forward to seeing more of your material online, I’m knees deep in discs already! Thanks again , Johnnie in VA
Thanks for this.
Can it import songs from a CD like ProMaster or is it only video?
Sure compares to the old Saturday jam sessions where everyone learned something new from someone else.
of course In those days if you missed a lick the first time , you then guessed , which usually resulted in a new lick.
as a learning tool now its worth its weight in gold especially in your application .
I am going to take trip to your part of the country of these days, may I invite my self to a personal meeting –time permitting—??????
till next time
jim hermansen
nice tool. so did it slow down your pc? last time when you told us about this, when I tried to download it , my anti virus stopped it. the files where corrupted. this is not like the old days. I sat down with Niel Young and he tought me the solo to Cinnimam Girl. we used loopers to learn licks and solos. this is not anything i need, I don’t play much anymore. my health is getting worse. thanks Griff. God bless to you and family.VERY COOL TOOL!
Will VS accept your DVD courses as input? In your demo, you load an .mp4 file. Looking at your Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed (DVD1), I don’t see .mp4 files … I see .IFO files of the video lessons. However, as I look at online reviews of VS, I haven’t seen .IFO listed as an accepted video input. I want to be able to loop pieces of your DVD lessons. With VS, would I be able to do that?
Chip, try downoading the video files from BGU members website… I never use the DVDs any more, in fact, I don’t even buy them – why should I when the digital downloads are available seconds after purchase and I have the tool I need to use them to best advantage?
Thanks Griff, Looks like a useful tool.
I have been using Song Surgeon for the last two years, extremely useful, as a preferred alternative to riffmaster pro .The video version is worth exploring.
Can you zoom in on the videos …? (that would make the case for downloading or uploading higher res versions)
Hi Griff,
I believe I have told you about Mixcraft. I started a few years ago with ver 5 and have recently upgraded to ver 7. The price for ver 7 has gone up to $90 from $75 for ver 5 & 6, but Mixcraft does everything that Video Surgeon does and much, much more. I use Mixcraft with most of my practicing, because it not only allows the tempo to change, but also allows the key to be changed also. The later does not work well with voice. It is track based, therefore you can have many tracks, I believe unlimited. The editing is excellent. It also allows video and audio. I use it on your tracks to slow things down. There are many more features to Mixcraft that simply do not use, much like you. This software is designed to develop music and there are many tools, effects and libraries available. Its major competitor is Pro Tools, I have seen Pro Tools in action and do not find a lot, if any, advantages at 10X the price.
You might want to take a look at Mixcraft, if you are familiar with Pro Tools you will see a lot of similarities.
Dick
Griff, You can also drag digital video’s into Video Surgeon. I have a pocket size Cannon Digital Camera. Our group uses it to video practice and then load it on Video Surgeon. A great way to see exactly what you are doing.
Wow I am impressed as I could imagine that this existed but seeing it in actuality is really eye opening. I wish you had of told us how you get the tab to show up on the screen because this is a great way of learning different things on the guitar. I know you will probably get dozens of questions on this so I hope you show us how you get the tab or sheet music on the screen. Thank you as always, Paul
If you wanna download VLC safe, use this killer site; http://www.ninite.com. Free, no ad’s, no spam, no scam, just the programs you need.
Very useful.
I use Reaper to do all the same things with Griff’s videos, but with the added ability to record my playing on a separate track.
I have been using Video Surgeon for a while. What an excellent tool! You can slow down videos 50% and the sound still is great.
It also does a great job of downloading from YouTube for later study.
Gary Hylton, I am only 3 years younger than you. Any tool that helps us geezers has to be considered.
btw, the makers of Video Surgeon have another product called Song Surgeon which is great for slowing down, looping, etc., audio files.
Good point Ron.
Thank you for posting the Video Surgeon. I have never heard of it before. But I will say you got my attention with it. This is a tool that I could use and save time to boot. btw, I enjoy the videos that you send to me and I thank you for each and everyone of them. Thank you for everything that you do and have a great day. Take care and may God bless. John
Griff,
Thanks, but no thanks. Technology has passed me by (I’m 70). So, I’m going to stick with sight and sound. I would have loved to had a tool like this when I was 13.
Old School & Still Rockin’
Hi Griff
Do it do midi to also what the cost ,
in our church we put a new pa to get every body in the mix but every body want to play very loud old school. buy have your on band , can you share with me how you Get everyBody set up and hook up , what each play need to buy own there on to be able to run into the house i need a way of teaching the all player person runng the board getting to come to soundcheck they want to wall right on time and thank you can fix every body right
then . you know what I’m trying to say. it like show and tell . i need away to get them to play out of the hold house system . bass play and drummer fill that they are not play unless they are killing people on from row they don’t want corporate i need your help
please Walter
Griff, Thanks for all the BGU instruction – so much to learn – so little time!
Anyway, I was wondering how you produce your video insert in the closeup box. Do you use 2 cameras and insert the close up box on the fly? Or do you sync it up later in editing?
Thanks in advance,
John
Is this a new brand of camera (duality) function. It sounds fantastic. Is the camera separate from the unit? Curious; since you have the camera, can one play any market video, on this player? That’s not mentioned in the docum., Also, how’s the quality of the video? Ex: (1080iHD,or other). If you like filming, (I am a videographer)., see me on Youtube(shanelondonjazzvideo), a dream-come-true devotion result. I have joined ” the permanent membership”.documentarial society. Use the camera, film it. SL