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Final Cut Keyboard
- Thread starter Cagle
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Unless it is for a very casual user those keyboards are a waste of money, IMO. If you use FCP regularly you'll quickly memorize the basic short cuts and you'll probably customize the keyboard as well.
Lethal
Lethal
Apple does not make one, but here is the onw I have used for some time at work. http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/mac-keyboards-801c1.html?gclid=CNjo6aKpu5sCFRkWswod8H2kAg
I love it. I wouldn't waste my money on the jog wheel bundle thought as the wheel stinks. The keyboard is awesome though. If you want a jog wheel for it check the Euphonix MC Transport.
Neon
When I did FCP training, the trainer said "dedicated FCP keyboards with coloured keys are great ... to show the client. But that's about all."
Like LW said, you'll memorise the keyboard shortcuts without the colours. Better to print out the shortcuts and stick that up on your wall.
Having said that, they do look good ... and they're not that expensive... Uh-oh, looks like my alter ego, Compulsive Gadget Buyer, is waking up
Like LW said, you'll memorise the keyboard shortcuts without the colours. Better to print out the shortcuts and stick that up on your wall.
Having said that, they do look good ... and they're not that expensive... Uh-oh, looks like my alter ego, Compulsive Gadget Buyer, is waking up
I have the full size Shuttle Pro 2 and while I have found it useful for capturing from my DVCAM deck (you can zip around the tape and mark I and O points and control the Log and Capture window) it hasn't really found much use outside that. It's good for performing repetitive tasks that require a small number of actions, which describes Log and Capture perfectly. However for general use, the keyboard is handier. If I need to play, I hit the spacebar or K. Go faster with more Ks. Frame advance with arrows and so forth. The keyboard is always at my fingertips whereas I have to make a reach for the Shuttle Pro.
In addition, you can map any key to any function. While that is flexible, you need to memorise yet another key position in addition to everything else FCP is making you learn.
Nifty idea, just not an essential part of how I do things. Looks cool though
http://www.editorskeys.com/
There's something cool if you want a cheaper solution that still looks great and you can take off.
There's something cool if you want a cheaper solution that still looks great and you can take off.
When I did FCP training, the trainer said "dedicated FCP keyboards with coloured keys are great ... to show the client. But that's about all."
Like LW said, you'll memorise the keyboard shortcuts without the colours. Better to print out the shortcuts and stick that up on your wall.
Having said that, they do look good ... and they're not that expensive... Uh-oh, looks like my alter ego, Compulsive Gadget Buyer, is waking up
I went ahead and ordered a plain old apple keyboard, I just wanted to look like a poser, how shallow can you get?! thanks for saving me some dosh
Keyboard Shortcut Guide
http://www.focalpress.com/books/film_and_video/final_cut_pro_keyguide.aspx
This laminated keyguide is pretty useful, cheap and thorough. I keep one posted on the wall in easy view and little by little I'm learning the shortcuts I've just started to use more regularly.
http://www.focalpress.com/books/film_and_video/final_cut_pro_keyguide.aspx
This laminated keyguide is pretty useful, cheap and thorough. I keep one posted on the wall in easy view and little by little I'm learning the shortcuts I've just started to use more regularly.
I like the silicone key covers not just for the shortcuts, for the reasons already shown, but for the fact that they also prevent grime build up on your keyboard. Both handy things to have. It's amazing how much grime and crud from clean hands can accumulate on there.
IMHO, you should just use a silicone overlay (like the ones KB Covers make) until you're comfortable with the shortcuts, which you'll probably more or less master within a couple of months. You can usually get those for $20-30, as opposed to $100+ for a dedicated FCP keyboard.
There are a lot of companies out there that sell modified Apple keyboards with the colored keycaps, but they're sold at a pretty significant premium and to a lot of users become a nuisance once they've mastered the keyboard layout. Plus, it's pretty safe to assume that you'll be working in other applications (each with their own set of shortcuts), which only makes things more confusing.
There are a lot of companies out there that sell modified Apple keyboards with the colored keycaps, but they're sold at a pretty significant premium and to a lot of users become a nuisance once they've mastered the keyboard layout. Plus, it's pretty safe to assume that you'll be working in other applications (each with their own set of shortcuts), which only makes things more confusing.