A devoted video modifying keyboard may seem to be overkill for many informal customers, however don’t write it off till you’ve tried Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor. This little gadget packs a lot effectivity, together with the model’s Studio software program, in a single small package deal that it would simply be well worth the cash. 

Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve is well the most effective free video editor yow will discover. Seasoned editors may discover the migration just a little robust for the reason that program has some workflow quirks which are simply totally different sufficient to journey up muscle reminiscence, however in my expertise, changing my workflow was nicely well worth the transition.

The Speed Editor, one in all Blackmagic’s proprietary editing boards, is a devoted machine designed to combine easily with Resolve. It has six units of buttons mapped to capabilities contained in the editor, plus a large wheel to clean by means of clips. If you’ve ever hung out in an modifying bay, it would look acquainted (if very small). For of us occupied with shooting indie movies and beyond, a instrument like this will help.

The $395 sticker value might sound surprising, however the firm additionally throws in a replica of DaVinci Resolve Studio, which normally prices $295 by itself. While the free model is already greater than sufficient for most individuals, Studio provides a large library of visible results instruments, help for 10-bit video, and the DaVinci Neural Engine to make plenty of results instruments sooner. 

A Portable Editing Bay

The most placing side of the Speed Editor other than the attention-grabbing dial—extra on that under—is how compact it’s. It’s barely smaller than an iPad (although clearly a lot thicker) however options six units of keys that cowl a stunning quantity of the necessities that the majority video editors want, like primary cuts and multicamera controls.

On the rear, it has a single USB-C port for each connecting to an modifying rig and charging. Yes, this modifying board is wi-fi, however there’s neither an influence swap nor any methodology of Bluetooth pairing with out connecting it to your pc through USB-C first. This is especially annoying if you happen to edit on a number of gadgets. I exploit a Windows desktop and a MacBook Air, each of which have DaVinci Resolve put in. Technically, the board is appropriate with each, however swapping them is sufficient of a ache that I’d advise in opposition to making an attempt. The solely manner to take action appears to be to unpair the board completely, however even that’s flaky. It would have been good to have a board that helps a number of methods the best way most wi-fi keyboards do.

While this quirk is disappointing, the Speed Editor is a incredible instrument for transportable modifying in any other case. It is gentle sufficient to throw in a bag and sits comfortably subsequent to a laptop computer on small espresso store tables, and I used to be even in a position to make use of it whereas modifying on an airplane. The flexibility to take studio modifying bay-level instruments with me wherever is tough to understate.

The Dial 

Portability apart, the dial is the star of the present right here, and I can’t categorical how significantly better modifying video is if you use it. The machined steel knob in the course of the machine rotates easily however nonetheless permits for very exact controls. You can flick it to ship it spinning (not that you should) and cease it on a dime. A single dimple allows you to transfer the dial with as little as a single finger, and a rubberized rim makes positive you by no means lose your grip on it. 

The dial has three modes: Shuttle, Jog, and Scroll, every enabled by buttons simply above the wheel. Each of them has a purple LED to point which mode you’re presently in. These may be acquainted to veteran video editors with skilled expertise, however for everybody else, right here’s how they work: 

Shuttle: In this mode, the dial controls playback pace. This can vary wherever from 0.25x to 32x, relying on how removed from the preliminary level you flip the dial. This works in each instructions, so you possibly can scrub by means of the timeline in reverse at as much as 32x.