Avid Media Composer for Mac

Create with powerful free video editing software Avid Media Composer for Mac. Customize the interface for any production role! Media Composer has an option for everyone, from students to high-level post-production teams and broadcasters.

Discover new timesaving features and usability enhancements that enable you to edit faster with less stress.

From more efficient bin workflows and workspaces to new Avid Titler+ capabilities, It keeps getting better. Plus, gain more control over Media Composer | Distributed Processing, enabling various users to prioritize, suspend, resume, cancel, and delete jobs; create, view, and filter queues; display worker details; and much more.

Accelerate your edit
Boost your Avid Media Composer for macOS capabilities with advanced tools for color and news workflows.

Remote collaboration made easy
Add web browser editing, storyboarding, phonetic media search, and project management capabilities to your Media Composer workflow to jumpstart and accelerate post production.

Access your edit suite anywhere
Expand your production team and ramp up new projects at a moment’s notice with a fully provisioned virtual editing suite in the cloud—complete with cloud-optimized software and Avid NEXIS storage.

This highly desired feature request is here, enabling you to drag clips (or other bin content such as effects or titles) from one open bin window to the bin icon presented in the Bin Container or Project Sidebar, increasing workflow efficiency by saving clicks. If you have bins within a closed folder in your sidebar, dragging assets to the closed folder will expand it, so you can continue to drop them into one of the embedded bins.

Building off the introduction of the Bin Status bar in 2021.3, you can now make a selection in a bin and view the total duration for that selection. This saves you from having to make a manual calculation and provides a better experience and more accurate calculation than the existing console command. Hovering over the Bin Status bar will also expose the number of bin items in your selection.

Improve your timeline playback interaction and eliminate extra clicks by adding the new “Timeline Movement During Play” button to your timeline (find it in your Command Palette), which provides instant access to page through or scroll your timeline—even as your sequence is playing.

To create a more natural flow across workspaces, you can now load the last state of a workspace rather than the last saved workspace. That way as you’re working through your edit, opening different tools and panels, you always have the option to move freely between them without having to re-open anything.

Media Composer can now automatically populate text from Avid Titler+ as a clip note overlayed on the Titler+ segment. This enables you to view and search for the Titler+ title in the timeline, as well as export it as a clip notes list or as part of the EDL (Edit Decision List).

Being able to move to head or tail frames in your sequence, as well as to markers and keyframes, lets you quickly verify cut points or jump through any notes made to fix later. In the Composer Settings, you can now choose to go to the previous or next event/keyframe when the Composer, Timeline, and Audio Mixer windows are active.

Features

Advanced Editing Tools: Includes frame-accurate trimming, multicam editing, and real-time collaboration features.

Robust Media Management: Offers efficient project organization with customizable bins, media indexing, and metadata tagging.

HDR and 4K+ Support: Handles high-resolution projects seamlessly, offering HDR grading and real-time playback.

Integrated Effects: Includes tools for color correction, stabilization, and a library of transitions and visual effects.

Collaborative Editing: Avid’s cloud-based solutions allow teams to collaborate in real time from different locations.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: Runs on both Windows and macOS, ensuring flexibility for teams using diverse systems.

Seamless Workflow Integration: Compatible with third-party plugins and supports industry-standard formats, making it versatile for various production pipelines.

ScriptSync and PhraseFind: Helps editors locate and align clips efficiently using script and dialogue analysis.

What`s New

Enhanced PhraseFind™ with Transcript Tool:

• Avid's PhraseFind toolset now includes an AI-powered Transcript Tool that automates transcription of source clips in multiple languages.
• Editors can search for specific words/phrases across massive media libraries and use the transcriptions to perform basic edits directly from the tool to the timeline.
• The feature significantly speeds up the editing process, as highlighted by industry professionals.

Improved Media Composer and Pro Tools Integration:

• Seamless interoperability between Media Composer and Pro Tools eliminates the need for AAF file exports or round-trip imports.
• Features like sub-frame automation for volume and pan, along with Pro Tools session file compatibility, ensure smooth metadata transfer.
• This integration saves time and enhances efficiency in editing and mixing workflows, earning praise from prominent editors.

Introducing Avid Huddle for Collaboration:

• Avid Huddle, a new SaaS solution, allows remote teams to review and approve content in real-time using tools like Microsoft Teams.
• Editors can stream Media Composer timelines, receive time-stamped comments and annotations during video meetings, and import feedback as markers back into this program.
• This tool replicates the collaborative in-person editing experience, enabling secure and efficient teamwork from anywhere.

User Interface

The Avid Media Composer’s user interface is designed with a focus on functionality and precision. While it might appear overwhelming for newcomers due to its vast array of tools and windows, experienced users appreciate the customizable layout that can adapt to specific project requirements.

The interface includes:

Timeline: The backbone of the software, enabling precise edits and layering.

Source and Record Monitors: Allow users to preview and refine their edits.

Project Window: Centralized access to all media, effects, and settings.

Custom Workspaces: Tailor the UI for tasks like editing, color correction, or audio mixing.

Installation and Setup

Download the software from Avid’s official website or FileHorse.

Run the installer and follow the guided setup.

Install additional plugins or codecs if required.

Activation: Choose from options like perpetual licenses, subscriptions, or free trials. Sign in with your Avid account for activation.

How to Use

Starting a New Project:

• Open Media Composer for Mac and create a new project.
• Set the desired resolution, frame rate, and file path.

Importing Media:

• Use the Media Tool to import footage or link to external media files.
• Organize clips into bins for easy access.

Editing:

• Drag clips to the timeline to start building your sequence.
• Use trimming tools, split edits, and ripple edits to refine cuts.

Applying Effects:

• Add transitions and effects from the Effects Palette.
• Use the Color Correction toolset for grading.

Exporting:

• Use the Export settings to choose the format and resolution for your final output.
• Save custom presets for future projects.

FAQ

Is Avid Media Composer for macOS suitable for beginners?
While it has a steep learning curve, Avid offers tutorials and training resources for new users.

Can I use Avid Media Composer on a low-spec computer?
It’s best to use a system that meets or exceeds the recommended specifications to avoid performance issues.

What’s the difference between Avid Media Composer and Premiere Pro?
This software is favored in high-end film and TV production for its collaborative tools and media management, while Premiere Pro is popular for general creative projects and YouTube content.

Does Avid Media Composer support plugins?
Yes, it supports a wide range of third-party plugins for effects, transitions, and workflows.

Is there a free version of Avid Media Composer?
Yes, Avid offers a free version called Media Composer | First, though it comes with limitations.

Alternatives

Adobe Premiere Pro: Best for creatives and freelancers due to its ease of use and integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.

DaVinci Resolve: Known for its advanced color grading and free version.

Pricing

Media Composer | First: Free

• Perfect for beginners
• Industry-standard creative tools
• Edit like the pros

Media Composer: $40/month (Standard Subscription)

• Complete professional editorial toolset
• 99 video and audio tracks
• Advanced color management

Media Composer | Ultimate: $85.99/month (Advanced features and collaboration tools)

• PhraseFind AI, ScriptSync AI, Symphony
• Remote features & advanced deliverables
• Shared bins & projects, and much more

System Requirements

Minimum:

Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and integrated graphics.

Recommended:

Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB RAM, and NVIDIA GTX series GPU.

PROS

• Industry-standard for professional video editing.
• Exceptional media management tools.
• Supports high-resolution and HDR workflows.
• Real-time collaborative editing.
• Extensive plugin support.

CONS

• Steep learning curve for new users.
• Expensive for casual or hobbyist editors.
• Demands high system resources.

Note: 30 days trial version.

Also Available: Download Avid Media Composer for Windows