How to Change the Speed in Media Composer

You can dynamically change the playback speed in Avid Media Composer using keyboard shortcuts like Option + L and Option + J during playback.

Changing the speed during playback in Media Composer is often referred to as dynamic playback or controlling the shuttle speed. This allows you to quickly scan through your footage faster or slower than real-time.

Dynamic Playback Speed Control

One primary method for adjusting playback speed dynamically involves using specific keyboard shortcuts, as highlighted in tutorials on the subject.

• Increase Playback Speed: Press Option + L repeatedly. Each press typically increases the playback speed incrementally. For example, you might start at 1x speed and press Option + L once for 2x, twice for 4x, etc.
  • Based on the reference: "Again press option l a few times" to speed up playback.
• Decrease Playback Speed: Press Option + J repeatedly. This decreases the playback speed incrementally. If you've sped up using Option + L, pressing Option + J will step back down through those speed increments towards normal speed.
  • Based on the reference: "And if i now decide oh this was too fast i can press option j. And the number goes backwards again".

This method is useful for quickly reviewing footage or finding specific moments without applying permanent speed changes to the clips themselves. It controls the speed of the timeline playback only.

For applying permanent speed changes to a clip (creating a speed effect or motion effect), you would typically use different tools within Media Composer, such as the Motion Effect editor or TimeWarp effect, but the reference specifically addresses the dynamic playback method using Option + L and Option + J.

Summary of Shortcuts:

Shortcut	Action
Option + L	Increase dynamic playback speed
Option + J	Decrease dynamic playback speed

By utilizing these shortcuts, you can efficiently navigate your timeline at various speeds to assist with editing and reviewing.