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What Control suface do you prefer?
Hi folks
Currently we’re operating FCP Studio with the standard keyboard and mouse producing a variety of programmes for broadcast. We are really pushing the package to it’s limits by editing multicam, colour correcting, and the doing some of the simpler motion graphics and audio post.
I’m considering investing in an additional control surface and wondered what others used? I’m looking at a simple jog/shuttle control, Mackie Universal or Wacom Tablet. Does anyone else use any of these or something else? If it’s the Tablet – what size?
I’m in the NE of England and there’s not much opportunity here to go look at gear so any advice is welcome.
Many thanks
David Scott
GOD TV Editor -
19 Replies
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Hi David,
my current set-up consists of the usual keyboard and mouse, a Wacom Intuos3 pen and tablet and a J L Cooper MCS-3000 control surface. To be honest most of the time it’s keyboard & mouse, the Wacom I use only when doing effects work, mainly for the sliders, and the MCS-3000 never gets used for FCP, it’s jog and shuttle are pretty useless, I’ve come from a background of Sony 9100’s and the transport control on those things is great, I’ve yet to find a control surface for NLE’s that comes close…but I suppose I’ve been spoilt with the 9100.So, for me it’s keyboard and mouse and the Wacom on occasions. I do use the JL Cooper with Final Touch, (soon to be Color) and it works well as you’ve got the extra buttons for room navigation, grade selection aswell as numeric inputs. But unless you are serious about using it with Color I wouldn’t bother…
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Thanks for that Enge,
I’ve also been previously used to a lot of linear editing and the Sony controllers are great, it would be nice to find a FCP equivalent, but then there are a lot more tasks so I know it’s not that simple… or is someone out there currently designing it!!David
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David,
I still use a 9100 & a 2000 keyboard!
For the last 4 years or so I’ve had a keyboard sitting ontop of an oversize Wacom. The usable area of the Wacom has been reduced so I can access all the real estate of two 23″ screens.
A good shot of it is here
https://peterwiggins.com/content/blogsection/10/37/
Strangely enough there is a photo of me infront of a 9100 too!I’ve used the flying faders on a tascam too, but it was too noisey and difficult to use compared to the software faders.
GodTV, from the NE of England?
Peter
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[David Scott] “I’m considering investing in an additional control surface and wondered what others used? I’m looking at a simple jog/shuttle control, Mackie Universal or Wacom Tablet. Does anyone else use any of these or something else? If it’s the Tablet – what size?”
Been using a tablet for over 10 years now, first on Media 100 and now with FCP. The tablet is great because it covers a lot of real estate for you in one space instead of having to pick up the mouse to move around multiple monitors. Second, it works extremely well with a wide range of applications because I feel you’re much faster and more precise with a tablet over a mouse. Third, I have used my tablet with Final Touch HD (now Color) and it works brilliantly with that as well. For me a Tablet is the only choice and the only difference between myself and Peter Wiggins, is that I used to have the keyboard set up pretty much identical to his, but now I have the keyboard to the left of the tablet as I find this a more natural position for my hands.
I went ahead and posted an image of this set up in my blog:
https://blogs.creativecow.net/node/184Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Broadcast and independent productions.All Things Apple Podcast! https://cowcast.creativecow.net/all_things_apple/index.html
Read my blog! https://blogs.creativecow.net/WalterBiscardi
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Hi David,
Currently I use a Wacom A6 Wide tablet; it’s an ideal compromise for portability/usability. I find it ideal for use on a system with dual 23 cinema displays. This and the keyboard, together with occasional mouse forays, suit me fine. I’d like to try a Jog/shuttle controller (the Contour one) but in no great hurry.
HTH,
Jason
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Hi Guys
Sounds like I need a tablet! Will the A6 wide be too small?
And I also like the sound of your “Bella USA FCP Pro Keyboard” Walter, is the jog/shuttle on it good? …Wonder if they ship to the UK?
Oh, and yes Peter, GOD TV has a production base in Sunderland!
Cheers
David -
[David Scott] “And I also like the sound of your “Bella USA FCP Pro Keyboard” Walter, is the jog/shuttle on it good? …Wonder if they ship to the UK?”
As far as I know, yes. They’re available through multiple resellers like Macmall.com, etc… You can go to their website and order online and I’m sure you can ask if they have a UK reseller.
Yeah the jog/shuttle works really well and the newer model has a soft grip wheel which is nicer than the original slick plastic wheel.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Broadcast and independent productions.All Things Apple Podcast! https://cowcast.creativecow.net/all_things_apple/index.html
Read my blog! https://blogs.creativecow.net/WalterBiscardi
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Thanks Walter
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The Contour Shuttle Pro for about $100US is a device I use all the time. It’s very customizable and works great. Use it with your left hand while mousing or keyboarding with the right. Very efficient.
Rick
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I use a Kensington trackball in my right hand, a Belkin N52 Speedpad in the other. Among other things, the Belkin gives me a second mouse wheel in my left hand. I have this set to zoom in and out of a sequence in FCP. This is unbelievably useful.
I also have a Wacom, but I just don’t use it unless I force myself to.
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