Avid Media Composer | First for Windows

A free video and music editing and composing program

Avid Media Composer First is primarily used to piece video segments together, to arrange them, and to process them. It is best used as a multimedia editing program for videos and music tracks alter the final cut with things such as colour tools, layered sound tracks, skewing tools, speed tools and so forth. If you're looking for a free alternative for Camtasia Studio, you've just found it!

Knit your video files together and edit the final product

One of the most noticeable features about the Avid Media Composer First program is that it allows you to hold five pieces of video in one place at the time, which means you may load five pieces of video into the program and use them in your project and discard them when you have finished. The five pieces of video do not have to be the same video or file type. Start with their rough cutting tools, and finish with their editing tools that help you knit the pieces of video together. Change and alter the video as you see fit, such as increasing the lighting, making the video less shaky, altering the colour, changing misaligned shots and so forth. The advanced tools allow you to keep track of the video files you are using and have used, and you may arrange and sort your clips using meta data too. The music mixing, cutting and editing tools are also very groovy, and they merge seamlessly with the video editing functions. 

A complex and unintuitive piece of software

Avid Media Composer First has a series of editing tools that allow you to knit your video files together. There are quite a few tools, but that doesn't pose the biggest problem. The biggest problem for most is that each tool has numerous features and adjustable settings. As a result, the interface looks very confusing and unintuitive. Even people who have experience with video-editing software may find the interface and usability a little daunting. You will have to slowly grow accustomed to what each tool does and how it affects your final product. On the plus side, there is a function where you may see what the original clip looked like and what the altered clip looks like. You are able to see them side-by-side, which helps you learn what each tool does and how much of an effect it has on your videos. 

Suitable for editors on a budget

Avid Media Composer First is not state-of-the-art, and it is not as complex or detailed as some professional editing programs, but it is a good video and music editor. It is a fantastic intermediate and semi-professional tool, and it certainty beats most of its free competitors in the realms of ease-of-use and interface usability. The tutorials on offer are okay, but professional video editors may demand more control and customization options. If you have used the tool for a few months and you consider yourself an expert in the use of the tool, then you may be able to edit and finish your videos and music tracks a little quicker than if you use one of its free competitors. It is fair to say that the tool is streamlined in a way that suits semi-professionals. It may also be used as a creative tool if you are looking to generate creative-looking videos.