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Coming in December

ASSIST

Licenses

ASSIST

  • ⚡ Speed Test – Benchmark Your Workflow

    • Know your bottlenecks before they slow you down. Speed Test checks both network and drive performance, giving you confidence in your media pipelines.

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    🌐 Network Performance

    • One-click network speed test

    • Reports Download, Upload, and Ping

    • Fast feedback for remote or cloud workflows

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    💽 Drive Speed Tests

    • Select up to 3 drives for side-by-side testing

    • Benchmarks read and write speeds in MB/s

    • Clear drive-by-drive results in real time

    • Perfect for verifying RAID, SAN, NAS, or external drives before ingest/transcode

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    📊 Results & Summary

    • Live results displayed for network and each drive

    • Summary panel shows overall readiness

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    🛠 Reset & Repeat

    • Reset button clears results instantly

    • Ready for back-to-back tests without restarting the app

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    👉 With Speed Test, you’ll always know if your internet and drives are up to the job—before hitting start on ingest, transcode, or delivery.
     

  • 📁 Folder Structure Builder

    Create a professional project layout in minutes:

    • Drag to reorder top-level folders

    • Add custom folders and subfolders anywhere

    • Mix your own structure with built-in production templates

    • Attach reference files to any folder (scripts, slates, camera reports, cue sheets, etc.)
       

    Everything updates live, and your structure is always preserved between sessions.

    🧩 Custom Naming & Numbering
    Clamp down on naming inconsistency:

    • Optional 01_, 02_, 03_ numbering for root folders

    • Set a global Project Name (your root folder)

    • Auto-renumbering ensures clean exports for every new job
       

    This keeps large shows, teams, and shared storage tidy.

    📍 Choose Output Destination
    Point the Organizer at any drive or volume:

    • SAN, NAS, RAID, shuttle drive, or local disk

    • Preview the full path before generating

    • Never overwrite — Lead AE prevents accidental collisions
       

    ⚙️ Generate Your Show
    With one click:

    • Creates the entire directory tree

    • Writes empty folders instantly

    • Copies attached files to the correct destinations

    • Logs every action in real time
       

    Perfect for day-one project setup, assistant editors, or teams spinning up multiple episodes at once.

    🛠 Presets for Clients, Shows, and Seasons
    Save your layout as a preset:

    • Reuse your show bible

    • Build templates for studios you work with regularly

    • Share presets across machines or teams
       

    🔄 Reset & Start Fresh Anytime
    Hit reset to completely clear:

    • Custom folders

    • Assets

    • Numbering

    • Saved config fields
       

    You’re back to factory defaults without reloading the app.


  • 📦 Ingest – From Set to Suite Without the Stress

    • From dailies to deliveries, Ingest takes the chaos out of moving files. Copy, verify, back up, and organize footage with precision—without juggling Finder/Explorer windows.

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    🎬 Input & Output Control

    • Select single or multiple sources (folders or files)

    • Define primary destination and optional backup path

    • Auto-create dated folders on ingest for tidy organization

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    🗂 File Handling Options

    • Skip duplicates or byte-identical files automatically

    • Flatten or preserve folder structures

    • Include / exclude extensions with quick filters (.mov,.wav)

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    📦 Clone Mode

    • Switch to Clone for one-to-one folder mirroring

    • Interactive tree for selecting subfolders to copy

    • Real-time file count and size estimates

    • Perfect for archival pulls or selective folder backups

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    🔍 Verification & Logging

    • Built-in checksum support (BLAKE3, SHA-256, MD5, xxHash64)

    • Optional byte-level comparison for frame-accurate verification

    • Detailed logs saved locally and optionally mirrored to backup drive

    • Skipped/failed file summaries and retry lists auto-generated

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    📦 Backup Confidence

    • Enable dual-copy for simultaneous primary + backup writes

    • Smart backup queue ensures consistency with destination

    • Automatic folder creation mirrors your destination structure

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    ⚡ Performance

    • Parallel copy with auto-threading based on disk speed

    • Progress bar + per-file status (Copy / Backup / Verify / Cached)

    • Real-time ETA and throughput estimates

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    🚀 Automation

    • Save / load ingest presets (JSON) for repeat jobs

    • Optional webhook integration (n8n or custom endpoint)

    • Structured payloads with logs or job summaries

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    ⏱ Watch Mode

    • Enable watch folders for live, continuous ingest

    • Automatic detection of new files in source directory

    • “.doneflag” option for safe signal-based transfers

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    👉 With Ingest, you’re not just moving media—you’re building a safer, faster, and smarter workflow from the ground up.

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  • 🎞️ Transcode Panel – Fast, Flexible, Verified

    • Transcode pro formats including ProRes, XDCAM, H.264/265, FFV1, and image sequences. Format groups auto-suggest valid containers like .mov, .mxf, .webm, or image_sequence.

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    ⚙️ Optimized Encoding

    • Auto-detects GPU (NVENC, QSV, VideoToolbox) and picks best encoder. CRF control gives you fine-tuned compression quality.

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    🔈 Audio Controls

    • Supports AAC, PCM, FLAC, OPUS. Customize channels, loudness (EBU R128), offsets, and auto-check codec-container compatibility.

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    📏 Image & Frame Settings

    • Scale resolution, change frame rate (with drop-frame), adjust pixel format (YUV/RGB, 10-bit), color range, and interlace order.

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    🔍 Verification Engine

    • Post-transcode checks confirm frame count, duration, GPU usage, and delete corrupt files. Optional checksums (BLAKE3, SHA-256, etc.) flag any mismatches.

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    📊 Progress & Automation

    • Global progress bars, ETA, and Watch Mode for real-time folder monitoring. Webhook triggers on completion with full log or summary.

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    💾 Presets + Smart Assist

    • Save/load full job presets. One-click match to source settings. AI prompt (internal use) suggests optimal formats for any workflow.

  • 📝 Transcribe – Turn Audio Into Accurate, Editor-Ready Text

    • No more wasted hours retyping dialogue. Transcribe brings speech-to-text, subtitles, and logging straight into your workflow—with full timecode and speaker control.

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    🎬 Input & Output

    • Load single files or multi-select sources

    • Define custom output directory

    • Auto-generate multiple formats in one pass

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    ⚙️ Engine Flexibility

    • Lead AI (local Whisper.cpp) – fast, offline, hardware-optimized

    • Whisper API (OpenAI) – cloud-powered, high-accuracy transcription

    • WhisperX – word-level timestamps + optional diarization

    • Auto-select best compute type (CPU, GPU, or Metal on macOS)

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    📝 Output Formats

    • TXT – plain text with optional speakers & timecodes

    • SCC - write and edit .scc files for captions

    • SRT / VTT – subtitle-ready with max chars/line, max duration, style options

    • Script CSV / DOCX – syncable script exports for edit prep

    • XML / Markers – NLE-friendly event markers

    • JSON / Final JSON – rich metadata + token timestamps

    • Burn-in Video – create subtitled reference files in one step

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    🎙 Speaker & Content Control

    • Auto-speaker labels or diarization injection

    • Confidence-based word selection + correction tracking

    • Options to:
– Include speaker names
– Remove non-speech tags (e.g., [laughter])
– Strip filler words (um, uh, like)
– Smart capitalization, punctuation, and spellcheck

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    ⏱ Timecode Precision

    • Multiple formats: HH:MM:SS:FF, HH:MM:SS.ff, or milliseconds

    • Drop-frame support (29.97 / 59.94 fps)

    • Custom FPS overrides + start timecode offsets

    • Token-level timestamps for frame-accurate text alignment

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    ✨ Enhancements

    • Audio clarity boost

    • Auto-punctuation + smart caps

    • Redact explicit language

    • Optional translation with OpenAI (single-language or side-by-side)

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    🚀 Automation

    • Save/load transcription presets (JSON) for recurring projects

    • Webhook integration (n8n or custom endpoint)

    • Watch Mode: live transcription as new files appear in a folder

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    👉 With Transcribe, your audio becomes instant, searchable, editor-ready text—perfect for scripts, subtitles, logs, or rough cuts.
     

  • 🛠️ Adobe Automate – Ingest Smarter, Work Faster

    • Take the headache out of getting footage into Premiere. Adobe Automate handles copying, importing, proxy generation, and bin setup—all in one streamlined workflow.

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    📁 Source & Destination Control

    • Select multiple source folders and define a single ingest destination

    • Preview your folder tree before committing

    • Supports drag-and-drop file assignment to bins

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    ⚙️ Flexible Import Options

    • Direct to Premiere: Send clips straight into your open project

    • Auto-Bin Creation: Build and populate bins on ingest—no more manual organizing

    • Proxies on the Fly: Generate proxies using Adobe Media Encoder or fall back to FFmpeg if AME isn’t available

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    🎬 Proxy Power

    • Drop in your own .epr presets (stored in ~/LeadAE/Presets/)

    • Choose a proxy destination folder automatically or manually

    • Smart subfolder creation (Proxies) keeps projects tidy

    • Seamless proxy attach commands keep Premiere linked and organized

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    🗂️ Smarter Bin Setup

    • Drag-and-drop interface for arranging bins and subfolders

    • Auto-prepend numbering (e.g., 01_DAILIES) for consistency

    • Visual preview of file-to-bin assignments before ingest

    • Paperclip-style indicators track unassigned files

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    🚀 One-Click Automate

    • Copy sources → Import → Bin assignment → Proxy generation—all with a single click

    • Auto-reconnect option if Premiere loses the CEP bridge

    • Real-time logs and progress bar for visibility

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    💾 Save/Load Configs

    • Reuse ingest setups via JSON configs

    • Store custom bin layouts, proxy presets, and import options

    • Perfect for recurring clients or episodic workflows

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    👉 No more juggling AME, Finder/Explorer, and Premiere. Adobe Automate puts ingest on autopilot—while still giving you full control.

  • 🛠 NLE Utilities – Clean, Reset, Maintain

    • Keep your Avid and Adobe projects tidy and responsive with targeted cleanup and reset tools—built for speed, safety, and automation.

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    🅰️ Avid Tools


    🧼 Database Cleanup

    • Removes .mdb and .pmr files from MXF folders to force index rebuilds. Supports subfolder scanning, file counts, and confirmation prompts.

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    ⚙️ Rebuild Trigger

    • Creates a dummy .mxf to prompt Avid index regeneration, then auto-removes it after launch.

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    🧹 Site Settings Reset

    • Cleans Site_Settings folder by removing XML, .pref, .set, .txt files. Optional backup to a timestamped folder.

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    🧹 User Settings Reset

    • Targets Users/EditorName/, wiping .avs, .xml, and .pref user files. Option to back up to a dated folder.

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    🅿️ Adobe Tools


    🧼 Clear Media Cache

    • Deletes .pek, .cfa, .ims, .mxfindex, etc. Smart filters let you skip recent or large files by age/size.

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    🗑 Delete Autosaves

    • Removes .prproj autosaves using the same filtering logic.

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    🗑 Delete Preview Files

    • Targets large render files (.mov, .mp4, .mxf, .avi) for space cleanup.

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    🔁 Clean All

    • One-click run of all Adobe cleanup actions in sequence.

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    💾 Preset Support

    • Save/load full configurations: selected folders, filters, backup toggles—ready to rerun at any time.

  • 📜 Log Viewer – See Everything, Miss Nothing

    • Stay in control with a complete record of your ingest, transcode, clone, and transcribe jobs. Log Viewer brings clarity and accountability to every step of your workflow.

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    📅 Flexible Filtering

    • View logs by date: Today, last 7 days, or custom range

    • Filter by tool: Ingest, Transcode, Clone, Transcribe, Organizer, Adobe Automate, NLE Utilities

    • Show only errors & warnings for quick troubleshooting

    • Toggle system logs on/off

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    🔍 Powerful Search

    • Search across all messages, details, file IDs, and statuses

    • Instant results update as you type

    • Expand log lines to see detailed error/debug info

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    📡 Live + Archived Logs

    • Real-time updates stream from all panels via IPC channels

    • Archived logs auto-loaded from disk (~/Library/Application Support/LeadAE/logs/)

    • Each panel’s logs are grouped and timestamped for easy review

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    📤 Export & Share

    • Export logs in TXT, CSV, or JSON formats

    • Include detailed metadata (timestamp, tool, status, file ID)

    • Perfect for sending error reports or backing up job history

    • One-click folder picker for choosing export destination

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    🧹 Reset & Refresh

    • Clear the viewer with a single click

    • Reload fresh logs from disk instantly

    • Toast notifications confirm exports and actions

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    👉 With Log Viewer, you don’t just see what happened—you understand it. Errors, warnings, and successes are tracked, filtered, and exportable in seconds.

  • 🌐 Preferences – Make It Yours

    • Customize Lead AE Assist to fit your workflow. From themes and fonts to API keys and automation hooks, the Preferences panel gives you full control over your environment.

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    ⚙️ General Settings

    • Toggle system notifications on/off

    • Enable offline mode for isolated workflows

    • Language Selection

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    🎨 Theme & Appearance

    • Switch between Light or Dark theme

    • Pick fonts for Body, Headings, Mono, and UI

    • Fine-tune button colors (background, text, hover states)

    • Changes apply instantly across the app

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    🔑 AI & Workflow Settings

    • Enter and store your AI API Key securely

    • Set a global confidence threshold for AI transcription filtering

    • Configure webhook URLs for automation and integrations

    • Options to send logs always, or only on failures

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    💾 Preset Management

    • Save your full preference set as a JSON preset

    • Load presets instantly across projects, machines, or team members

    • Built-in reset restores defaults if you need a clean slate

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    🚀 Instant Updates

    • Preferences auto-save when changed—no “Apply” button needed

    • Toast confirmations let you know settings are stored

    • Appearance changes trigger live updates without restarting


Find Out More

I come from a family of programmers. My uncle always encouraged me to learn, but I didn’t take a serious interest until I saw how AI could supercharge creativity. Once I realized how quickly I could build, test, and deploy tools for the industry I worked in, everything changed. I began creating software tailored to the real needs of post-production teams and within months, Lead AE - Assist was born.

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Before that, I was deep in the trenches. While working on Ridiculousness, one of the first scripts I wrote automated a 15-minute-per-episode task down to under 5 minutes, a 67% time savings. Multiply that across 300+ episodes a year, and that one automation saved over 50 hours of manual work annually. That’s when it clicked: every minute saved at scale makes a difference.

 

Lead AE - Assist is built on that principle. It’s a modular post-production toolkit created by an assistant editor with a decade of experience in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. From ingest to delivery, it streamlines workflows with purpose-built panels - cloning with media verification, transcoding for multiple NLEs, automated folder creation, Avid and Adobe cleanup, and more. Every tool is designed to be fast, reliable, and built for the real-world demands of editorial teams. Because it's modular, you only activate the tools you need while staying ready for what’s next. New automation features are already underway, with AI integrated where it truly adds value: helping you work faster without replacing your role.

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Lead AE - Assist isn’t just software. It’s a platform built to elevate what assistant editors can do and redefine what they’re trusted with next.

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David Binns
President
Lead AE Inc

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