Sequence and Avid Media Composer
Avid Media Composer alternative for shared editing
Bring editors into the same live timeline. Sequence offers a browser-based project for shared media, collaborative editing, and review, with a different approach to the bin and storage workflows your team knows.
Coordinate in the timeline
Media Composer teams coordinate work through shared projects and bins. Sequence lets several editors change one timeline in real time without bin-locking. Collaborators see each other's cursors and changes in the same project. An assistant can help organize the library while editors shape the cut, with project roles controlling who can access and change the work.
Organize media inside the editing project
Media Composer supports shared project workflows on Avid NEXIS, with other storage configurations depending on the edition and setup. Sequence uploads source media into the cloud project and organizes it through the library, folders, and Collections. Mac users can mount the project with Shuttle. Evaluate this project model with your assistant editors before changing an established storage and media-management process.
Keep the audio handoff specific
Generate an AAF package from a Sequence timeline to conform audio in Pro Tools or Media Composer. You can embed the audio or link to media files. The documented recommendation is to embed audio, particularly where linked multichannel audio would cause problems in Pro Tools. AAF here is an audio handoff; use the documented OTIO or XML path when evaluating picture-and-sound interchange.
Compare the workflow
| Workflow | Avid Media Composer | Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| Shared editorial work | Shared projects and bins coordinate editors. | A live project with multiple editors on the same timeline. |
| Media access | NEXIS or other storage workflows supported by the chosen edition and setup. | Media uploaded into the cloud project; Shuttle mounted access on Mac. |
| Library organization | Bins organize media and sequences. | Media, Timelines, and Collections organize project work. |
| Editorial notes | Locators mark points in a clip. | Contextual comments are visible to project collaborators. |
| Audio conform | AAF is used for audio interchange with tools such as Pro Tools. | AAF export with embedded or linked audio for conform. |
| Existing Avid timelines | Continue work in Media Composer. | Timeline import is not supported; evaluate a new edit from source footage. |
Sources: Sequence: coming from Avid Media Composer; Sequence: AAF audio conform; Avid: Media Composer Shared Projects.
Check the fit before switching
- Sequence cannot yet import an existing Media Composer timeline. Keep active Avid edits in their current workflow while evaluating a new project.
- AAF export is audio-focused. It does not establish a complete Avid project round trip or preservation of every effect and setting.
- Sequence's timeline organization, shortcuts, and media model differ. Test the editorial and assistant-editor tasks your production requires.
- Shuttle is macOS only. Browser editing needs an internet connection and a supported desktop browser.
Evaluate with editorial and sound together
- Choose a new scene or short project and upload representative source media. Preserve your existing Avid projects and storage.
- Have an assistant editor organize the library and an editor build a timeline, checking the tools and project roles they need.
- Invite a second editor and review how your team divides work on the shared timeline.
- Generate an embedded-audio AAF and ask the sound team to verify it in their destination application before changing the production handoff.
Common questions
Is Sequence an alternative to Avid Media Composer for collaborative editing?
Sequence offers shared media and simultaneous timeline editing in a browser project. It is a different editorial workflow to evaluate with your team, especially assistant editors and finishing collaborators. It does not import existing Media Composer timelines.
Does Sequence require Avid NEXIS?
No. Sequence stores uploaded media in its cloud project service. On Mac, Shuttle can mount a Sequence project for local file access. This does not mount or migrate an existing NEXIS workspace automatically.
Can Sequence export AAF to Pro Tools or Media Composer?
Yes. Generate Timeline Package includes AAF for audio conform, with embedded or linked audio. The documentation recommends embedding audio. Verify the conform with your sound team; this is an audio-focused export, not a complete Avid project round trip.
Can I bring an existing Avid timeline into Sequence?
Timeline import from other editing applications is not supported yet. Keep the existing Media Composer project and use source footage to evaluate a new timeline in Sequence.
Considering the whole workflow?
See how shared media, editing, review, and Snippy work together in one project, then compare the other tools your team uses.