As a photographer and videographer, one of the most valuable investments I’ve made is in editing consoles. To date, I’ve acquired a collection of eight consoles, each serving specific purposes and offering unique advantages.
Upon acquiring my first console, I was immediately impressed by the remarkable enhancement it brought to my editing process. It allowed me to make swift adjustments, apply presets, and export photos with remarkable efficiency. The console’s capacity to rapidly fine-tune settings such as contrast, saturation, H/S/L, curves, and more within Camera Raw, seamlessly transition to Photoshop, apply sharpening, execute Photoshop actions, and export the final result in a fraction of the time it would take using a traditional mouse was truly a game-changer.
In light of my experience and to assist photographers with various needs, I’ve compiled a list of the finest editing consoles. These selections are categorized to cater to a wide range of photography professionals. It’s worth noting that all of these consoles are based on my personal ownership and experience.”
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“Included in the TourBox package are a scroll wheel, a versatile knob, and a sizeable all-in-one dial. The scroll wheel serves a multitude of functions, including screen zoom and navigation through settings, while the knob can be used to adjust brush size or manipulate the timeline. The dial’s role is to modify parameters like contrast and saturation. Essentially, these three controls are highly customizable to cater to your specific needs. You can configure up to 30 presets concurrently and set up to 42 operations using the TourBox, thanks to the fact that certain buttons can perform dual functions. A single press, double press, or simultaneous press of two different buttons can all trigger different actions.”
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“When I first acquired the TourBox Neo editing console, I was quite pleased with it, though I did have some reservations. In particular, I desired tactile feedback or clicking sensations for the knob, dial, and wheel as they spun freely without resistance. Fortunately, TourBox addressed this concern with the TourBox Elite. It retains all the controls and dials of the TourBox Neo but now includes haptic feedback for these three controls. It’s worth noting that the haptic feedback isn’t mechanical; instead, it’s customizable through the TourBox software, allowing you to adjust the vibration and speed settings to fine-tune the feel. As a result, you have greater flexibility in scroll speed and tactile response. The TourBox Elite performs exceptionally well. In addition, the TourBox Elite replaces the USB-A expansion port with Bluetooth LE 5.0, a welcome addition. The only other distinctions between the Elite and the Neo are the ability to control two devices simultaneously and an upgraded chip.”
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“Both the TourBox Neo and TourBox Elite are excellent options, and I personally chose to upgrade to the Elite version. However, if Bluetooth connectivity and haptic feedback are not critical for your needs, you can save $100 by opting for the TourBox Neo instead.”
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“Among high-end editing consoles, the Loupedeck CT stands out with its larger size, measuring 6.3 x 5.9 inches, and a distinctive interface. It features twenty RGB backlit buttons with pre-labeled functions such as save, undo, navigation, and more. These buttons are fully customizable to suit your preferences. In the center, there are twelve touch buttons with haptic feedback that can display various icons for different functions. Flanking the touch buttons on both sides are six analog dials for precise adjustments. Below these dials are eight numbered custom buttons, followed by a large control wheel with a touchscreen. Additionally, the Loupedeck CT includes 8GB of internal memory for storing profiles on the go. The Loupedeck CT offers extensive customization through the Profile Creator, allowing you to map custom actions, macros, mouse movements, and more. It’s compatible with a wide range of software, including Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and many others. The Loupedeck 5.6.1 Software update even introduced the new AI Assistant plugin, enabling the processing of readymade prompts with a single click, and it can apparently compose polite emails as well.”
Loupedeck’s Marketplace is your gateway to a vast array of plugins, profiles, icons, and more, available for easy search and download.
The Loupedeck CT is a testament to its sturdy construction, featuring an aluminum front plate, backlit LED buttons with durable gaming switches, aluminum dials, and precision-machined ball bearings. The round buttons incorporate “heavy usage dome switches.” Protective plastic covers shield both LCD panels, the sizeable touchscreen, and the touch panel on the wheel. Weighing a manageable 2.2 pounds, it boasts a USB-C port and Bluetooth LE 5.0 for portability, albeit requiring an external power supply when using Bluetooth due to the absence of a built-in battery.
What sets the Loupedeck CT apart are the offerings from SideshowFX, particularly the Photoshop Pro pack, which equips you with 593 pre-programmed and mapped actions with icons and shortcuts, along with 613 actions featuring icons (sans shortcuts). These resources encompass icons and commands for virtually every Photoshop function, enabling you to tailor your editing setup to perfection.
For added convenience, I suggest getting a stand and jog dial cover for the Loupedeck CT. I find it much more user-friendly when placed at a slight incline. Numerous options in various colors and designs can be found on platforms like Etsy, and the one I acquired proved quite satisfactory.
Best Budget Editing Console: Contour Design Shuttle Pro V2 / Contour Design Shuttle Xpress
The Contour Design Shuttle Pro V2 boasts a compact form, measuring 3.05 x 1.7 inches, designed with an ergonomic, mouse-like shape for effortless key access and jog wheel operation. It offers 15 customizable shortcut buttons and a rubber jog wheel at the center. The Shuttle Driver comes pre-loaded with preset shortcuts for over 100 programs, including popular photo editing software. Every key is fully customizable, allowing multiple tasks to be assigned to a single button. The Shuttle Driver automatically detects your active program and switches to the appropriate profile, ensuring a seamless transition.
At just $99, the Shuttle Pro V2 offers exceptional value with its numerous customizable shortcut keys, high-quality jog wheel, wide-ranging software support, and extensive customization options.
If you’re on an even tighter budget or prefer a simpler solution, the Contour Design Shuttle Xpress is available for $40 less. It features a circular design with a 4.3″ diameter, the same rubber jog wheel as the Shuttle Pro, and five fully programmable buttons. Both the Shuttle Pro V2 and Shuttle Xpress connect to your computer or tablet via a USB cable, eschewing Bluetooth connectivity. For Bluetooth capability in a similar price range, consider the XPPen Mini Keydial below.
Best Portable Editing Console: XPPen Mini Keydial ACK05
The XPPen Mini Keydial ACK05 caters to those seeking a portable editing console without the typical bulk. Measuring 5.02 x 2.75″ and with a slim profile of only 10mm, it weighs a mere 75 grams, thanks to its construction using a plastic composite and silicone materials. Remarkably, it houses a built-in 1000 mAh battery, promising 300 hours of continuous use.
Enhancing its portability is the option to connect via USB-C cable (also used for charging) or Bluetooth LE 5.0. An included USB Bluetooth dongle accommodates computers without native Bluetooth support. Additionally, the package provides blank labels for customizing the keys as needed.
XPPen Keydial:
A photo showcasing the XPPen Keydial reveals its unique features. It boasts ten custom keys with a scissor-switch design, alongside a substantial control dial that smoothly clicks with each 1/24th rotation. Through the XPPen driver, users can configure up to four sets of custom shortcuts, providing seamless access to 40 different commands with just a single button press. The Keydial also incorporates XPPen’s “anti-ghosting technology” for all ten keys, facilitating simultaneous control of multiple keys and enhancing customization.
The Keydial boasts incredible compatibility across major operating systems – Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that your creative potential knows no bounds. It effortlessly syncs with beloved software such as Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Lightroom, Illustrator, Gimp, Krita, and more, making your artistic journey an absolute breeze.
But that’s not all! With the Keydial, you hold the power to save your driver settings locally, empowering you to seamlessly transition across various devices without the hassle of reprogramming. And did I mention its sleek and compact design? It’s so pocket-friendly that you’ll hardly notice it’s there, making it the ultimate, versatile companion to elevate your workspace, whether you’re on the move or in the comfort of your home. The Keydial: Your gateway to a world of creative possibilities!
Loupedeck+ – The Ultimate Keyboard-Style Editing Console:
For those deeply immersed in photo or video editing tasks, or seeking extensive physical control options, the Loupedeck+ emerges as the premier choice. This editing console serves to significantly streamline the workflow of prolific photographers, with the added bonus of controlling your Spotify playlist while working.
The Loupedeck+ distinguishes itself through its larger size, measuring 17.8 x 8.3 inches. It houses an impressive array of 24 mechanical keys, 13 adjustment dials, 17 programmable buttons, 8 wheels, and a substantial control dial.
Designed to replace a conventional keyboard, the Loupedeck+ features labeled keys and dials, with the exception of the custom C1/C2 keys. It offers a custom mode that permits the creation of up to four layers of customized commands and actions, with easy switching between them using the FN key. Similar to the TourBox and Loupedeck CT, it dynamically adapts to different software applications. All buttons and dials are fully customizable, excluding the FN and –/Col buttons.
The Loupedeck+ natively supports a broad range of software including Adobe Photoshop, Camera Raw, Lightroom Classic, Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects, Illustrator, Live, as well as Capture One Pro, Final Cut Pro, Ableton Live, and more. Users can also access the Loupedeck Marketplace for free downloads of numerous profiles and plugins, expanding its compatibility with programs like DaVinci Resolve, Darktable, Luminar, Blender, Affinity Photo, Vegas Pro, Photo Mechanic, and many others.
This current iteration of the Loupedeck+ represents a significant improvement over the first generation, featuring a more robust construction, greatly enhanced mechanical keys and dials, and a completely redesigned software interface.
To further enhance the user experience, custom overlays created by Mike McCarthy, a post-production engineer with notable film credits, are available for purchase through KB Covers & Keyboards. These overlays cater to Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects, Audition, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro, with the option for customized overlays. These overlays supplement the existing permanent labeling, offering versatility for users who require different overlays for various applications.
In conclusion, the Loupedeck+ excels for those who engage in extensive photo editing work, particularly wedding, event, and commercial photographers. For more casual users or those who meticulously edit smaller quantities of photos, alternative options from the list may better suit their needs.