If you stop and think about it, the keyboard we use as an interface to communicate with our computer is not the best tool out there. The keyboard is the direct evolution of the typewriter and is intended to write documents, that’s why it works so well in office environments, where work is e-mails, spreadsheets and such. But is it a good tool for editing and grading?
If the typewriter is the analog grandpa of the keyboard, we should be looking out for the nephew, the evolution, of the Moviola. If you are not familiar with it, it’s the standing desk where old days editor used to cut the film and stitch it together to make movies. Now the answer could be in editing panels? Let’s see what Armando Ferreira has to say about it.
There are a few options out there in the editing panel world, some go quite cheap, others are veeeery expensive. There are also kind of DIY ones as well as others that are wonderfully engineered and crafted.
What we have here, though, is a panel made by Loupedeck. It has a nice build construction, a few dials and buttons with pre-assigned tasks easily customizable through a software interface.
The software allows to choose a profile based on the program you’ll be working in, but with the same ease, you can change the setting and assign custom functions to each key.
The main question here is why should I get a panel? It may be true that keyboards were not designed with video editors in mind, but we are all used to them by now. We have shortcuts and most of all muscle memory, so why bother with the change?
The answer is speed. The speed increase in using a panel can get from 20% up. If you think about it, there must be a reason why many professional high-end setups have this kind of panels. It may take a few days to get used, but once you are set, you should see a noticeable difference.
Having dedicated buttons for your left hand (if you’re right-handed that is) and having the right one to move the cursor only will speed up your edits consistently since one button will do what you usually need multiple fingers to get done with a shortcut. When it’s time to grade, that’s when the panel really shines.
Having the physical dials with real-world feedback is a game changer, you get much more granular control on your movement, and in general, it feels more real.
Sure, the control surface will not be on par with dedicated boards as for grading, but it will improve your general speed and precision. So then, what are you waiting for? Go try it out!
Loupedeck + Photo & Video Editing Console Highlights
- Edit Using Buttons, Dials, and Sliders
- Adjust & Fine Tune Images
- Command Multiple Editing Functions
- Two Customizable Dials & 17 Buttons
- Mechanical Keys
- Ergonomic Design & Improved Build
- Adobe Lightroom, Premiere Pro Compatible
- Skylum Aurora HDR Compatible
- Beta Integration for Capture One
- Windows & Mac Compatible
- Price: $249
[source: Armando Ferreira]
Order Links:
Loupedeck + Photo & Video Editing Console (B&H, Amazon)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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