DaVinci Resolve: Best Control Surfaces and Panels
Thanks to this valuable article, you will discover what a control surface is, how it works, and what are the best options available for DaVinci Resolve.
DaVinci Resolve is one of the most widely used video editing software in the world.
This software, produced by Blackmagic Design, offers a wide range of features that allow you to create high-quality projects. One of the most interesting features of DaVinci Resolve is the ability to use a control surface to control the software.
What is a control surface?
A control surface, or control panel, is a hardware device that allows you to control software more quickly and efficiently than using a mouse and keyboard. Control surfaces are equipped with a series of buttons, knobs, and faders that allow you to control various parameters of the software. Control surfaces are particularly useful for audio and video applications where precision and speed are essential.
Why use a control surface with DaVinci Resolve?
DaVinci Resolve is a very complex video editing software. Although the program offers a wide range of features, its use can be quite challenging for users who are not experts. Using a control surface can help simplify the video editing process, allowing you to control various parameters of the software more quickly and efficiently than using a mouse and keyboard.
In addition, using a control surface with DaVinci Resolve can also help reduce the time required to complete a video editing project. Control surfaces are equipped with a series of buttons that allow you to quickly perform the most frequent operations. In addition, the knobs and faders allow you to adjust the settings very precisely and quickly. In summary, using a control surface with DaVinci Resolve can help improve the efficiency and quality of color correction and grading work.
What are the best control surfaces for DaVinci Resolve?
There are many control surface options available for DaVinci Resolve. Below are some of the best options available on the market.
Here are some models that I recommend:
Budget ($)
Tangent Ripple
The Tangent Ripple is particularly appreciated for its low cost, precision, and real-time response to changes made to the editing software settings. It is very popular among video professionals for its extreme portability and ease of transportation from one location to another.
Tangent Wave2
The Tangent Wave2 is a control surface compatible with DaVinci Resolve and other video editing/color grading software. This control surface is equipped with three high-quality trackballs, rotation knobs, and buttons.
In addition, it has an integrated LCD display that allows you to view software parameters in real-time. The Tangent Wave2 is a great option for users working with a limited budget and need a control surface compatible with different video editing software.
DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel
The DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel is a compact and portable control surface that allows you to control DaVinci Resolve quickly and efficiently. This control surface is equipped with three high-quality trackballs and 12 rotation knobs. In addition, it has 18 buttons that allow you to quickly perform the most frequent operations. The DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel is a great option for users working with a limited budget and need a compact and portable control surface.
Budget ($$)
DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel
The DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel is a larger and more complete control surface compared to the Micro Panel. This control surface is equipped with three high-quality trackballs, rotation knobs, and buttons. In addition, it has an integrated LCD display that allows you to view software parameters in real-time. The DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel is a great option for users working on more complex projects and need a more complete and functional control surface.
Budget ($$$)
DaVinci Resolve Advanced Panel
The DaVinci Resolve Advanced Panel is the largest and most comprehensive control surface available for DaVinci Resolve. This control surface features an integrated LCD display and a full keyboard that allows for entering text and commands directly from the control panel. The DaVinci Resolve Advanced Panel is the ideal option for professional users working on highly complex projects who need precise and complete control of the software.
It has a cost of around $28,000.
Bonus:
Adding another small control surface like the Stream Deck can be very useful for improving the video editing workflow with DaVinci Resolve. The Stream Deck is a compact and customizable device with programmable buttons that allows you to create and assign custom shortcuts for greater efficiency and speed during video editing.
For example, the Stream Deck can be used to create shortcuts for the most common functions of DaVinci Resolve, such as cutting and moving clips, adjusting exposure or color temperature, adding effects, and much more. This allows users to avoid having to search for specific functions in the software, saving time and simplifying the editing process.
Additionally, the Stream Deck can be used to assign custom shortcuts for your specific needs. You can create dedicated buttons for the most frequent or complex functions that you use during video editing or color grading, thus customizing your control surface to adapt to your specific needs.
Creating a Stream Deck profile from scratch, however, can take a lot of time and be quite frustrating if you don't know how to link all the various shortcuts, create icons, but above all, if you don't know which functions a professional colorist actually uses every single day.
After receiving many requests about the secrets of my personal Stream Deck profile, I made a very important decision: to make my Stream Deck profile public.
I have decided to give other creatives access to the exact same Stream Deck profile that I have been using on all of my projects every day for years. The same profile I have used to color global commercial projects for brands such as Lamborghini, Volkswagen, SAP, Smirnoff, and many others.
It is a ready-to-use profile: you download it, install it, and start coloring.
Here you can find more information about my Stream Deck profile.
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