VEGAS Pro 22 review: AI features enhance editing and much more

The developers at VEGAS Creative Software are always working on new features, updates, and refinements to their NLE, and they recently unveiled the newest version, VEGAS Pro 22. I was able to review the latest release that includes new features, including AI, to enhance and streamline the post-production experience.

I used the new and blazing fast Puget Mobile 17" laptop for the VEGAS Pro 22 review. I then downloaded some sample 4K and 8K R3D footage from the RED Digital Cinema website and imported it into the NLE.

It's been about four years since my last review of VEGAS Pro (ver. 18), and the devs behind the software have been busy adding new features, enhancements, and bug updates. I appreciate not only the full version releases, but also that they are constantly developing and releasing major updates regularly in between those version releases.

The UI is still comfortable to use and is even easier to get started with a new project or open an existing one, thanks to the welcome screen and updated explorer window. VEGAS Pro 22 handled different types of footage I imported, including a RED 8K VistaVision clip at 23.98 fps, some 4K footage I shot on my iPhone, and some old 1080p clips from a short I directed years ago.

I liked going through the footage and easily color grading and tweaking the audio without the need to launch a separate app. I’m a long time Final Cut Pro guy, and I’m happy that many of the tools are now built-in, much like VEGAS Pro. DaVinci Resolve also has many tools built into the NLE.

A nearly 17 second clip of 8K RED footage (23.98 fps) loaded up quickly (3GB-plus) and I was able to play it back without a problem, but at 1080p24 (which is absolutely fine). I rendered out a ProRes XQ 4096 x 2160 23.98 fps clip and it took 29 seconds on the Puget Mobile 17"! Of course, it's a massive 13GB-plus video file now.

I took advantage of some of the AI tools like AI Speech to Text, part of the new AI Text-Based Editing tools found in VEGAS Pro 22. When I say this is a game-changer, I mean it. I was able to highlight a small cut and use AI Speech to Text to analyze the clip and create a transcript fairly quickly. I then switch to the Text-Based Editing View that has the transcript with timecode. I can highlight some words, right-click, and delete, split, etc. It's incredible and brings a lot of possibilities.

Another cool AI tool is Reframing. Despite filming in 16:9 (landscape) on my iPhone, most people watching on Instagram, for example, will be holding their phones portrait, so I can let VEGAS Pro’s AI Auto Reframe automatically and intelligently handle the reframe to more of a 9:16 aspect ratio.

VEGAS Pro 22 key features

Here is a list some of the key features found in VEGAS Pro 22. For a more comprehensive list, check out this article.

• UI improvements:
  • New welcome screen to quickly set up a new project or open an existing one.
  • The Explorer Window has also been improved plus the Timeline Selection function has been updated.
  • Flexible editing space to customize to fit the editor's needs.

• Audio:
  • Quickly and accurately sync audio and footage with the Multicam Audio SYNC.
  • Beat and Tempo Detection; and the ability to set tempo helping with cutting to music.
• AI features to streamline and enhance editing:
  • AI Text-Based Editing, which allows creating a transcript and editing the footage simply by cutting or pasting the words.
  • AI Sharpen, Smoothen, and Dehaze.
  • AI Auto Reframe, which is especially handy when outputting to multiple devices (screen, TV, computer, mobile, etc.).

One other thing I really like about VEGAS Pro 22, and some other NLEs have this, is essentially what VEGAS calls the 'modeless workflow': Being able edit video, color grade, edit audio (multitrack), and perform advanced compositing, all within one single app. No round-tripping to other apps.

Plus VEGAS Pro 22 supports third-party apps and plugins like Mocha VEGAS, SOUND FORGE Pro, ACID Pro, wizardFX Suite, VEGAS Pro Transition Pack, and more. Pretty much everything you need to professionally cut, grade, and finish any type of video or film projects.

Conclusion

VEGAS Pro 22 has all the power and features needed to quickly and effectively edit any and all types of projects, from shorts to corporate videos, news, documentaries, feature films, and more. YouTubers will really appreciate the speed, user interface, and more. The AI features also further speed up and enhance the post-production experience by handling some time-consuming tasks. AI Speech to Text and Text-Based Editing really are game changers.

I am a Mac and Final Cut Pro guy at heart, and have been using the hardware for 30 years now and FCP since it was released in 1999. Having said that, VEGAS Pro has been my favorite Windows-based NLE going back to 2005, and this latest version continues as one of the best editing apps on the market.

When deciding which version of VEGAS Pro 22 to purchase, upgrade, or subscribe to, I would recommend VEGAS Pro Suite at $249 for the purchase of a perpetual license ($199 to upgrade, $108 for a one-year subscription, or $24.99 month-to-month). It comes with the full suite of apps listed above for a decent price.

Learn more about VEGAS Pro 22 and make a purchase at the VEGAS Creative Software website.