Unlocking the Power of LUTs in Media Composer 8 for Avid Professionals

======================================

Introduction

---------

As a professional video editor working with Adobe Premiere Pro CC, you're likely no stranger to color grading and mastering your projects. However, when it comes to Avid's industry-standard editing software – Media Composer 8 – the process can be quite different.

In this article, we'll dive into the world of LUTs (Look Up Tables) in Avid Media Composer 8 and explore how you can use them to enhance your HDR footage for a stunning broadcast-ready look on both SD and HD displays. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be well-equipped with all the necessary skills to master even the most demanding color correction tasks.

What are LUTs?

----------

A LUT (Look Up Table) is simply an external file that contains mapping data between input and output colors in a specific color space. Think of it like a recipe book – each page describes how you want certain ingredients (colors) to be cooked up into something deliciously appetizing for your audience's taste buds!

In Media Composer 8, LUTs can either come pre-instated within the software or they might need manual importing depending upon their file format (.cube .lut etc.) After loading them onto your timeline through drag-and-drop method followed with few simple adjustments such as applying it across whole sequence at once via 'Master' tab located under Effect > Color Correctors dropdown menu; voila! Your entire clip will now look brand new thanks to those fancy little recipe books we just discussed earlier today.

How to Apply LUTs in Media Composer 8

--------------------------------

Applying a LUT (Look Up Table) in Avid Media Composer 8 is relatively straightforward and can be broken down into several easy-to-follow steps:

1. Ensure that you have the latest version of Adobe After Effects CC installed on your computer, as well as the free Essential Motion's Color Grading Bundle plugin.

2. Import or create a new project in Premiere Pro CC.

3. Load up any footage that requires color grading by dragging and dropping it onto the timeline.

4. Go to 'Window' > 'Effect & Presets' and search for 'Essential LUTs'.

5. Double-click on the desired LUT effect, or drag-and-drop it directly onto your footage in the timeline.

6. Adjust the various parameters within the Effect Controls panel as needed until you achieve the desired look for your project.

7. Once satisfied with how everything looks after applying these settings across all clips simultaneously using 'Sequence' > 'Apply to All', export out final master files ready for delivery!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

-----------------------------

If you encounter any issues while trying to apply LUTs in Media Composer 8, here are some common solutions:

* Ensure that your system meets the minimum hardware requirements for running Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Avid's software.

* Check if there are any compatibility problems between different versions of Premiere Pro and Media Composer on your computer.

-------

In conclusion, mastering LUTs in Avid Media Composer 8 can be a game-changer for professional video editors looking to take their color grading skills to the next level. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to apply these powerful tools effectively within Premiere Pro CC and deliver stunning broadcast-ready footage every time.

Remember – practice makes perfect! Experiment with different LUTs on test projects before applying them to your actual productions. Happy editing!

References

-------

* Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential Color Correction Techniques in After Effects CC 'Online'. 2013-02-27.

Lut for avid media composer 8