Resolve Keyboards

One thing I know is that to be efficient, learning and using keyboard shortcuts in Resolve is essential. I have built some muscle memory for a number of them, but I certainly don't want to memorize them, or for that matter having to do things from memory. For a long while now I have been looking at Resolve shortcut keyboards like the Astra, from LogicKeys, and of course BMD Keyboard.

I have the Speed Editor that I use at times for the cut page, but I really want a keyboard that has the shortcuts, some ergonomics, nice short key travels, and illuminated when I am grading in my dimly lit studio. Recently, I got hold of a company near Los Angeles that makes keyboards for NLE software. They have been making a version for Resolve. I offered to test them as I wanted to see how well it will work for my workflow.

The person at the company, Bruce, was so nice to offer me 3 of their most recently design keyboards for Resolve. In the process, I gave him my feedback. I have nothing to do with his company nor was I paid to evangelized it. After all, my all-time keyboard is a pro mechanical one, which I'm sure a lot of you editors can attest to the feel. Being used to mechanical keys, this was a bit of a change because the keys were soft and had no tactile feedback like a mechanical key. So, I had to get some use to typing on it. It didn't take long since I had the Magic Keyboard, and the feel was the same.

I surely did like the short travel from one key to the next - one thing that I immediately noticed. For my aging vision, I opted for the illuminated white keys. The big difference here was that the whole key was illuminated, not just the dome. It made it easy to see in a dimly lit environment. It had tiny flip legs that angled the keyboard. I like that because it gave a slight edge in helping not strain my wrist during those long edit hours. The biggest thing was how much short cuts they were able to pack on the keyboard - I think somewhere around 192 shortcuts that can be used in the Edit and Color page.

I was able to even adjust the RGB mixers with the numeric keypad because they had the Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, and Master luminance labeled and works just so well with the controls in +/-1/4 increment. It was first overwhelming but after using it, which I did while working (editing and grading) on a recent teaser, I got a hang of it. I really think it helps and as I go and able to find the respective shortcuts and keys to press, I started remembering them.

I guess it's helping me build my muscle memory too. Anyway, if this interest you like it was for me, it might worth looking at investing in them. It's a fraction of the cost for a BMD keyboard but just to be fair, I am not comparing them with one another. So, let's not debate the merits of one over the other. If you find that you need the short cuts visible as you're typing, this might be a keyboard for you.

I'm posting some pictures that I took of the keyboards I got to try out. I end up keeping the one with the white and illuminated keys. They have a version with black keys that is illuminated too. But I found the white had better visibility for me. They also have a slim version if that's what you fancy. Anyway, I hope this was informational. They make other keyboards and keyboard covers too. I was only interested in the Resolve version. I tested them using DR 7.4.4 and recently with 7.4.5.

resolve_keyboards_small.jpg (48.23 KiB) Viewed 6770 times

EDIT: For some reason I am unable to upload a larger file so sorry for the pic size. If you want more info on these keyboards, the manufacturer's website is http://www.kbcovers.com.

Ellory,

I am interested in your keyboard exploration.

I'm a hobby video editor so am always going to be behind the speed of those using Resolve daily for a living.

I felt I ought to use more keyboard shortcuts and a year, or so, ago bought the Editors Keyboard. I'm in my early eighties and now need light strength glasses for reading and for my computer work. I have two pairs - one for each need. The first thing I had to get myself was a pair of bifocal glasses so I could see the screen and then look down to see the writing on the keyboard.



My bifocals worked but I never got past the stage of having to 'search' for a particular key. I am sure that if I persisted for long enough I'd get the hang of where they were. But my cynical mind suggested that if I knew where the shortcuts were I did not need a fancy keyboard covered in text.

You mention 192 shortcuts. I am sure a Hollywood salary editor probably uses them!

I'm at the stage where I probably need/use a quarter of those so what I have done is to put Touch Portal on a redundant Android tablet and set up pages for the six tabs I use. For as long as I don't need too many shortcuts I can keep the icons large enough for me to see them using my normal computer glasses.

I had a keyboard that is a bit smaller than my day to day one so I dug that out of retirement. Once I get enough icons on my Touch Portal I suspect the only time I'll need the keyboard is for labeling and doing things like renaming timelines.

I have just taken a couple of pictures. You'll see I use the Speed Editor and I still need a mouse.

I am not saying this is the perfect solution and I am sure it would never suit the gurus. I merely post this to (a) keep the conversation going and (b) maybe, or maybe not, stimulate some more ideas.





Tony
London UK

Hey Tony, I'm in the same boat with bi-focal glasses and an aging vision. The Editor's Key was one of the keyboards I was looking into. The issue with that keyboard is some of the labels were incorrect at the time when I was visiting them. For example, the I and O keys, had icons that were wrong and did not correspond to the Mark In/Out. As I have said, the black colored caps did not have enough illumination for me to see the keys well compared to the white colored caps which is show here in a much clearer pic.

IMG_3549_illum_small.jpg (397.52 KiB) Viewed 6407 times

That has made it a lot easier for me. I'm not saying the black keys won't work. They're nice looking and has the same number of shortcuts. It will probably suit those whose eyesight are 20/20.

Before I used this keyboard, I had the Touch Portal as well. It's a cheap and low cost alternative. Unfortunately, they do not have the templates for Resolve and I had to custom my own. I used it on my Android desk tablet too, and also had the Tangent Vue app. My issue with them are (1) having to have another device that I have to get out of my touch typing rhythm which inconvenient me because I have to move my hand and look at when I need to reach it, and (2) the tablet display gets reflection from the screen that causes the tablet screen to have glare. Yes, I could have move it somewhere else but it's my workflow so that was my preference. I also didn't like not having the feel of a keyboard tapping when tapping on the glass. Touch Portal is a good option and if that works for you, then that's great. We all have different working habits and wants. Just to show you what my previous setup was with the Android device that I used Touch Portal, here's a pic of it too. Moving to the keyboard with the shortcuts kept everything in one place and less traveling of arm, wrists, and fingers.

InkedIMG_2174_mk_LI_small.jpg (13.78 KiB) Viewed 6407 times

I have the BMD Speed Editor. It's in my drawer right now. I rarely use the Cut Page and I spend most of my time in the Edit and Color pages. Maybe someday I'll resurrect it.

Ellory, do you have a link for the product?

Walter,

It is at the bottom of his post.

Tony

Hi Ellory,

Touch Portal have the Resolve icons now. For me it was too much info. So many shortcuts I'd never develop the skill to use. In fact they are supplied by a third party chappie.

https://www.sideshowfx.net/touch-portal-products

And there is someone called Arbi who comes up with Google.

I will probably bash on with my Touch Portal and maybe develop enough speed to justify digging the Editors Keys out again.

You have a jazzy mouse. What does it do for you?

Tony

the issue with the EditorKeys, is the new layout: the older one was very readable (I also I have bifocal), the new one (the current one) is not. I complained with the manufacturer (I bought 5 of the old series and one of the new one and I will NOT recommend that to anyone, while I recommended the old design).

So, i was looking for a replacement and I cannot have another device (We have scores of machines and it must be a normal keyboard...)

I use a logic Keyboard designed for DaVinci, it's illuminated and labeled. Light is dimmable.

https://logickeyboard.com/shop/davinci- ... 4626p.html

I use this with the countur design shuttle.

Contour Design ShuttleXpress

Ricardo Marty

Being used to mechanical keys...

I can't ever go back. If you're still in touch with the company, tell them this.

Ellory, do you have a link for the product?

Walter, here is the link to the PC version but this is the older product.

https://kbcovers.com/davinci-resolve-keyboard/

The new ones that I tested are not on the website yet. I'm told by Bruce that it will be up soon. I guess just give it a few days.

I will probably bash on with my Touch Portal and maybe develop enough speed to justify digging the Editors Keys out again.

Tony, like Walter said, the Editor Keys, and I am referring to the brand/make of that keyboard is not something I felt comfortable with. As I said, it had some incorrect markings. The keyboard from KB Covers has the right icons on them and with the white keys, were well illuminated for me... again the caveat always is that this is subjective to the user. Nevertheless, I've been using Resolve since V9 and have tried so many keyboards, so I think I have an idea of what works. Part of my feedback are the added track shortcuts and tri-combination key selectors that previous DR keyboard didn't have.

You have a jazzy mouse. What does it do for you?

I have the Contour Shuttle V2 which I used with the edit timeline. It's kind of like what the BMD Speed Editor/BMD Keyboard has to scroll through the timeline. The other is just a trackball mouse. I prefer the trackball especially when I am using it with the LGG controls... giving me something like (not the same thou) what are on the control panels. This is the poor man's version.

I use a logic Keyboard designed for DaVinci, it's illuminated and labeled. Light is dimmable.

I have tried the Logic Keyboard as mentioned in my previous post. Even it's being illuminated around the keycaps, the illumination was not giving enough visibility to the labels. I had to look at the keys to be certain that it was the shortcut I was selecting. As I said, my vision is aging but this may not be an issue with those who has better vision than I do.

Being used to mechanical keys...

I can't ever go back. If you're still in touch with the company, tell them this.

Jim, I agree with you. I'm still getting use to not having the mechanical keys. At one point during the test, I said to myself that I couldn't go back and was hoping that there would be a mechanical switch version. That would be great. Right now, the closes and best thing is the BMD keyboard, albeit at a cost more that these 3rd party keyboards. I pass along your message in case. Nevertheless, I'm getting used to it and it is working fine for me. That might be because I've been using other devices like Chromebooks and Apple MBP which have similar softkeys. But yes, a mechanical would be pro grade.

the issue with the EditorKeys, is the new layout: the older one was very readable (I also I have bifocal), the new one (the current one) is not. I complained with the manufacturer (I bought 5 of the old series and one of the new one and I will NOT recommend that to anyone, while I recommended the old design).

I had the same issue with the EditorKeys so completely understand. BTW, I am just sharing my observations and test of the keyboards I mentioned. This is not an endorsement. I find it useful for my purpose. If that is interesting and you think it will have your workflow and efficiency, then check it out.

So, i was looking for a replacement and I cannot have another device (We have scores of machines and it must be a normal keyboard...)

Do you mean a mechanical keyboard? Yes, I agree. Most editors I know, including myself, are comfortable with a standard mechanical keyboard. I have not found a manufacturer that has such an extensive keyboard shortcuts, or even any shortcuts, of Resolve on a mechanical keyboard. That would be awesome. BMD had it right, however their keyboards have limited shortcuts, and I believe just pretty much those found on the speed editor. I'm not sure why but like you that's my preference. Meanwhile, most of them are the soft keys similar to those on the Apple Magic Keyboards.

Are you using a mechanical keyboard for your NLE and if so which manufacturer and model?

Corsair K70.

Corsair K70.

I think we are discussing keyboard with shortcut labels for resolve, not just keyboard.

The latter, I looks the wireless Logitech kb+mouse combo.

Edit for silly typo

I think we are discussing keyboard with shortcut labels for resolve, not just keyboard.
The latter, I look the wireless logorroico kb+mouse combo

Yes, we are. I wanted to pass along Jim Simon message to the KB Covers folks regarding mechanical keyboards and about having shortcuts on mechanical keyboards. I was asking what mechanical keyboards are being used by editors in this forum. In my circle, the Logitech G613 is pretty popular. I have the Tesorro Harpe TL but mine is an older model these days. It would be nice to have the same shortcuts with illuminated white key standard mechanical keyboard with wrist pads, preferably wireless.

Are you using a mechanical keyboard for your NLE and if so which manufacturer and model?

Bejoy GM219 (Cherry MX Red)

A mechanical keyboard with backlit white keys will be my preference as a base for a manufactured Resolve shortcut keyboard. Something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keybo ... =1-14&th=1

I'm just using this as an example. I don't know about its quality. Of course, something that has the quality of higher end gaming keyboards.

Except...definitely not white.

Except...definitely not white.

Jim, based on my test, for aging vision, the illuminated white keycaps make it easier to see the shortcut icons. However, the black ones works well too if you've got good vision and just need the keys illuminated. This is subjective to the user and their need so it's best if the manufacturer can offer in both white and black.

I've been consistently using the Resolve shortcut keyboard. I've noticed that I have, unconsciously, been building new muscle memory on shortcuts that I have not used before but lately have started using since I used the keyboard. I guess it helps.

Ellory. You say "I've been consistently using the Resolve shortcut keyboard."

By that do you mean the one sold by BlackMagic or the one you tested at the start of this thread?

Tony

Ellory. You say "I've been consistently using the Resolve shortcut keyboard."

By that do you mean the one sold by BlackMagic or the one you tested at the start of this thread?

Tony

The one that I tested and some others previously. I got one of the ones I tested at the start of this thread and have been using it since.

Great thread.
I also have crappy eyesight. While I prefer the look of a black keyboard - I will take function over form every time.

I do prefer mechanical keyboards but would be fine switching out to mechanical keyboard for other tasks (word, gaming etc). Not hard to do

ellory I looked at https://kbcovers.com/davinci-resolve-keyboard/ and when selecting windows, US keyboard, backlit - it only offers a black option?

MICE

As for mice i just bought a logitech MX Master 3 mouse which is comfortable has several additional buttons and scroll wheel and hopefully I'll be able to make that work well for me in Resolve.

I have a similar fadding eye sight problem so I use one of these
https://www.corsair.com/uk/en/Categorie ... 9226715-UK

I know it ia not mechanical but I like it. Also I am not hammering the keys like a gamer nor full time editing. I have to shoot the stuff I edit :-

The keys are individually lightable though I have mine in 5 custom blocks with a couple of individualy lit keys
.
One of the highlights, if you will pardon the pun, is that it has 6 additional programmable keys for macros. 12 would have been nice but I will live with 6 (and the Speed Editor.)

I origionally got a K55-RGB-PRO (which doesn't have individually programable keys) liked it and wen to get another to foind the K55-RGB-PRO-XT was on sale for £2 less than the non XT version. So I was happy!!!

ellory I looked at https://kbcovers.com/davinci-resolve-keyboard/ and when selecting windows, US keyboard, backlit - it only offers a black option?

That's the old model. The ones I have are the new keyboards with a lot of improvements to the shortcuts and white backlit caps. They also have it in black as well. I would wait for the new ones if you're interested. I'm not sure when they are putting the new models on their website. I think they are manufacturing it in time for NAB since they will have a booth there - I am told. It might be in the next week or so. I emailed Bruce this morning and asked when it will be on their website or 3rd party online stores. I will post if and when I hear anything back.