Am I missing something, or is there no way to record and run macros with an Avid?

For instance, if I have a bunch of segments to slate, I'd like to create a macro that goes 20 seconds back from the beginning of a segment, mark in, go +9:29, mark out, record, go forward to next edit. Repeat ad nauseum.

There is a subtitling program called "Belle Nuit Subtitler" that runs a repeated sequence of keystrokes which Avid picks up. Which essentially gives the same result as a macro even though it is being run from an external program.

In the case of the subtitling software it repeatedly edits a graphic file from one sequence (loaded into the source monitor) into a sequence imported via edl that is in the record monitor. If you check out Belle Nuit it is called the "Avid helper" in the tools menu.

I don't know how you would recreate it or modify it, but maybe if you google the program and write to its programmer he may be able to help you.

There are a couple of general macro programs you can get, but this one was written with Avid in mind:

http://www.videotoolshed.com/?page=products&pID=14

There are a couple of buttons that you can't map, but for your needs it should work.

Also, the guy that made it is really cool and very approachable.

Thanks. Unfortunately, the place where I work doesn't allow editors to add 3rd party applications onto the computer.  So unless Avid decides to create a macro program, I guess I'm out of luck.  

meli:

the place where I work doesn't allow editors to add 3rd party applications onto the computer.

So, you're not able to use Sorenson Squeeze, Boris, Photoshop, After Effects, DVDit, or any other app that is essential to completion of a project?

We can only use programs that the engineering department determines are necessary and that they install on the computer. Yes Photoshop. No DVDit. No internet connection. And no macros.

Avid has an API. It's too bad they don't open it up to general users.