Logitech MX Creative Console Review: The Ultimate Editing Tool?

For years, I’ve relied solely on a posh net of keyboard shortcuts to muscle my approach by means of Premiere Professional and Lightroom. Whereas quick, it’s hardly ever intuitive. When Logitech acquired Loupedeck and subsequently introduced the MX Artistic Console, it caught my consideration. Promising a streamlined, modular strategy to inventive workflows at a comparatively accessible value level, it appeared like the right bridge between an ordinary keyboard and a massively costly, specialised modifying suite. I built-in this two-piece system into my each day manufacturing setup to see if it may genuinely pace up my modifying or if it was simply one other piece of desk muddle.

Execs & Cons

• ✅ Modular Freedom: The break up design permits you to place the dial unit on one facet of your keyboard and the LCD keypad on the opposite, maximizing ergonomics.
• ✅ Deep Adobe Integration: Works seamlessly proper out of the field with Premiere Professional, Photoshop, Lightroom, and After Results by means of native plugins.
• ✅ Premium Tactile Really feel: The strong aluminum dial and easy curler present wonderful, granular management for timeline scrubbing and shade grading.
• ❌ Battery Operated Dial: The wi-fi Dialpad runs on two AAA batteries quite than using a contemporary, built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
• ❌ Wired Keypad Requirement: The Keypad module with the LCD screens requires a relentless wired USB-C connection, which provides a cable to your desk.
• ❌ Software program Studying Curve: Whereas organising primary instruments is straightforward, constructing complicated, multi-layered macros in Logi Choices+ requires endurance.

My Expertise

Unboxing the MX Artistic Console, the Logitech design language is instantly obvious. It completely matches the aesthetic of their MX Grasp mouse and MX Keys keyboards. The choice to separate the console into two separate modules—a wi-fi Dialpad and a wired LCD Keypad—is a stroke of genius. In contrast to monolithic modifying boards that drive your palms into particular, usually cramped positions, I may place the Dialpad on the left facet of my keyboard to deal with timeline scrubbing with my left hand, whereas retaining my proper hand free for mouse work and tapping the LCD keypad. This ergonomic freedom utterly eradicated the shoulder pressure I often really feel after an extended modifying session.

The bodily {hardware} is a pleasure to work together with. The outsized aluminum dial on the wi-fi module has a satisfying weight to it. When shade grading in Lightroom, assigning the dial to publicity or distinction changes felt considerably extra exact than dragging sliders with a mouse. The curler wheel, located simply above the dial, turned my go-to for adjusting brush sizes in Photoshop. In the meantime, the wired Keypad options 9 extremely brilliant and sharp LCD show keys. Having my most-used instruments dynamically replace with visible icons primarily based on whichever app I at present have open is an enormous time-saver, utterly negating the necessity to memorize obscure key mixtures.

The software program spine, Logi Choices+, clearly advantages from Logitech’s acquisition of Loupedeck. The native integration with the Adobe Artistic Cloud suite is extremely deep. With none sophisticated setup, the console knew precisely what to do the second I opened Premiere Professional. Nevertheless, stepping exterior the Adobe ecosystem requires a bit extra effort. Whilst you can map commonplace keyboard shortcuts to the console for purposes like DaVinci Resolve or Remaining Minimize Professional, you lack the deep, API-level integration discovered within the Adobe suite. Organising customized profiles for these apps is completely doable, but it surely requires spending some critical time within the software program.

There are a few {hardware} quirks that irked me. First, whereas I recognize that the Dialpad is wi-fi, the reliance on AAA batteries as a substitute of USB-C recharging feels a bit dated for a contemporary, premium system. Second, as a result of the LCD Keypad requires substantial energy to run its screens, it should stay tethered by way of USB-C, that means your desk won’t ever be solely cable-free. Regardless of these minor complaints, the MX Artistic Console has essentially smoothed out my each day workflow. It brings the high-end tactile expertise {of professional} studio tools to a surprisingly accessible value level.

Who is that this for? / Alternate options

The Logitech MX Artistic Console is designed primarily for photograph and video editors, digital artists, and energy customers deeply entrenched within the Adobe Artistic Cloud ecosystem. For those who simply want easy macro buttons for streaming, an Elgato Stream Deck is likely to be extra simple. In order for you a extra compact, all-in-one tactile controller, the TourBox Elite is a formidable competitor, although it lacks the dynamic visible suggestions of the MX’s LCD keys.

Fast FAQ

Does the console solely work with Adobe software program?In no way. Whereas the native integrations are constructed for Adobe, you’ll be able to map commonplace keyboard shortcuts and multi-step macros to the system for completely any software utilizing the Logi Choices+ software program.

Can I exploit each modules wirelessly?No. The Keypad with the LCD screens requires a steady wired USB-C connection for each knowledge and energy, whereas the Dialpad operates solely wirelessly by way of Bluetooth.

Are the screens on the keypad customizable?Sure, extremely customizable. You possibly can make the most of Logitech’s expansive built-in library of icons or add your individual customized graphics for full personalization of your workspace.

Product Photographs

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