Editors and post-production professionals of all stripes love their gear. They love ‘workflow enhancing’ gizmos, particularly in the event that they’re customisable and have dazzling lights or cool options.
And I confess I’m certainly one of them.
However I’ve come to find {that a} sure sub-group of those post-pros like to take issues a step additional and both create their very own customized gadgets, or take an current machine and hack it a couple of bit to make it do one thing new.
On this publish I’m going to offer you a guided tour of the most effective customized made video modifying and color grading gear I’ve seen over time.
You probably have one thing that needs to be on this listing – get in contact!
My best contribution to this world of customisation is to (badly) chop the highest off a £4 IKEA iPhone stand to make use of it as vertical stand for my Loupedeck CT. Which truly does the job fairly properly and makes it much more useable, from an ergonomics perspective.
When you’re fascinated by exploring different movie modifying and color grading peripherals then take a look at these earlier posts:
Customized Movie Enhancing Controllers
The genesis of this publish dates again to 2016 after I noticed this superb customized modifying controller created by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot director Glen Ficarra, in this equally excellent insider article from FCP.co.
Glenn enjoys working FCPX with a trackpad due to the a number of gestures it could possibly interpret.
I constructed my very own controller ‘cradle’ across the trackpad with further keys and encoders across the trackpad to make it even sooner.
All this happened as a result of my accomplice John misses the jogwheel, however I didn’t need one other piece of outboard gear, as I have already got one hand on the trackpad.
Glen Ficarra
Glen 3D printed the enclosure after designing it in Sketchup and wiring it with Cherry MX switches, rotary encoders and a jog/shuttle wheel slightly below his thumb.
When you bounce over to the complete article on the modifying of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot over on FCP.co you may even seen the (very neat) wiring on the underside of the controller.
The usb interface is a Leo Bodnar DIY joystick board and it’s all mapped with “Joystick Controller” app.
The encoders management quantity/soloing/nulling, timeline look, zoom, subframe and body nudging and the twin encoder within the center navigates the inspector and controls values.
Glen Ficarra
I’ve written extra about modifying with multi-touch gestures by way of BetterTouch Instrument, on the very backside of this publish on The Finest Mouse for Movie Editors.
Construct listing:
DIY Shuttle Wheel
Mazze (see final part) pointed me to this glorious tutorial from Alan Latteri that includes a $30 USB Quantity knob, which could be reprogrammed with a easy textual content editor to make an affordable job wheel on your edit suite, utilizing hotkeys to make it do your bidding.
You want this particular machine from iWit.me, which additionally hosts useful assist documentation.
D-Warp 3D Printed Break up Keyboard
Darren Hallihan shared this nice picture of his modifying arrange that includes a bespoke D-Warp split-keyboard primarily based on a gaming keypad like design, plus a Stream Deck XL, Loupedeck Stay and customized key-capped quantity pad.
You’ll be able to obtain the 3D printed designs from Thingaverse right here and skim extra about Darren’s construct course of right here.
Customized Gaming Keypad for Movie Enhancing
My mate, Editor Simon MacKenzie created this tradition modifying controller by altering out the keycaps on a gaming keypad.
I’m at all times slicing in Avid. My present set-up is that this gaming keypad with customized keys and my small Wacom pill.
I convey it in every single place I’m going. I’m lucky to be on again to again lengthy contracts so I simply convey my equipment in on day one after which it’s all arrange for the subsequent few months.
Simon MacKenzie
Initially he lower up an EditorsKey’s silicone keyboard cowl, to check out and refine his structure earlier than shopping for the actual printed keycaps from WASD.
You’ll be able to customized design the keycap colors of full keyboard shortcut cherry MX keycaps for Avid Media Composer, Ultimate Lower Professional and Adobe Premiere Professional over on the WASD website.
When you’re switching out the keycaps on any mechanical keyboard you’ll wish to get certainly one of these low cost keycap remover instruments, right here’s Amazon’s alternative for a couple of bucks.
I’ve included some clear keycaps within the listing under in case you wish to print your personal labels and pop them beneath the keycap whereas you determine your remaining structure.
Construct Checklist
Simon’s Allreli gaming keypad is now not out there so listed below are some reasonably priced gaming keypads that needs to be appropriate with Cherry MX keycaps.
- Motospeed K23 Backlit Mechanical Numeric Keypad, Crimson Change, Wired, 21 Keys
- Ok-700 One Handed Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, RGB Led Backlit, Crimson Switches, 41 Keys, Removable Wrist Relaxation and USB Kind C Cable
- Redragon K585 DITI One-Handed RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, USB Kind-C, 7 Onboard Macro Keys, Removable Wrist Relaxation, 42 Keys (Black-Blue Change)
- Koolertron One Handed Macro Mechanical Keyboard, RGB LED Backlit (23 keys)
Customized Keycaps
WASD Customized Keyboard Designs
WASD Keyboards appears to be the go-to firm for customized constructing your personal mechanical (clicky) keyboard.
These aren’t precisely low cost at round $170 – $220, though a full-size ‘magic’ Apple keyboard will set you again $179.
On the WASD website you may utterly customized design your personal bespoke keyboard from the color of the keycaps to the print on their tops, which I’ve began to do, within the picture above.
As an editor I’m torn as a result of I just like the look of the compact structure however I do know that I’m going to be hamstrung with out the arrow keys, and to be sincere the quantity pad. So a full-size structure could be a a lot smarter alternative.
Right here’s a fast information to constructing your personal customized keyboard.
First select between an ANSI or ISO QWERTY keyboard structure (US vs elsewhere).
There are three measurement choices to select from:
- Full measurement 104/105 keys (together with numpad, perform keys and arrow keys)
- Medium 87/88 keys (full measurement minus numpad)
- Compact 61/62 keys (pictured above)
From there you may both purchase a ‘common’ keycap print (e.g. all black/white keys with the standard letters/symbols) with just a few customisations, such because the OS legends or font styling.
You’ll even have to decide on the kind of Cherry MX switches you need beneath your fingers primarily based on their color names, which all have a barely completely different really feel and sound.
One factor that’s value doing to be sure you get probably the most pleasure out of your customized keyboard is to pre-order a tester unit from WASD which options every of the Cherry MX switches you may select from, so you may really feel and listen to the distinction for your self.
From there you may utterly craft your personal color mixture of keycaps for his or her common keyboards utilizing their very useable on-line designer.
My tip could be to create a login so it can save you your designs and are available again to them, particularly when you’ve invested a good period of time perfecting your look. In any other case it’s a problem to re-do it each time you wish to make a change.
If you wish to go the entire hog, you may even add your personal customized keycap icons to have printed or purchase bespoke single keycaps from their library so as to add to your design.
You can too purchase customized pre-designed keycaps or complete pre-built keyboards from their library of Maker Designs, a few of that are fairly cool.
Additionally they have pre-made keyboards with customized printed keycaps for these artistic apps:
- Adobe Premiere Professional
- Avid Media Composer
- Ultimate Lower Professional
- Professional Instruments
On this earlier publish you may catch a glimpse of The Outdated Man and The Gun editor, Lisa Zeno Churgin’s customized WASD keyboard she had made to assist her transition to Premiere Professional from Avid Media Composer.
Customized Stream Deck Cradles
Like nearly each editor and colorist I do know who has one, I’m an enormous fan of the Elgato Stream Deck.
It’s a workflow enhancing machine that truly, really makes modifying and grading, simpler, sooner and extra enjoyable. I’ve reviewed in it element right here, together with some pre-set layouts you may obtain.
The Stream Deck presently is available in three sizes:
When you’re undecided the place to begin with designing your personal icons, pop over to SideShowFX for a ton of free and paid icon kits.
However when you’ve gotten a Stream Deck and customised it to your coronary heart’s content material, the subsequent step is to create a customized cradle, stand, holder to get it arrange simply the place you need it.
Right here’s some inspiration on your personal design, or due to the magic of 3D printing you may obtain and take a look at out a few of these for your self.
If 3D printed plastic isn’t your factor then perhaps you may persuade Matthias Aderhold (Mazze) to make you one other certainly one of his machined aluminium, double Stream Deck cradles, which lets you take away the highest and backside plates to suit two single Stream Decks within the chassis.
These match superbly subsequent to a full suite of Tangent Factor panels.
Stream Deck and LoupeDeck Cradles You Can Purchase
Editor Darren Hallihan shared his glorious trying Stream Deck and Loupedeck cradles with me on Twitter. They’ve rave evaluations from his prospects up to now and look fairly slick.
- Twin Stream Deck XL Stand
- Decrease Angle Stream Deck XL Stand
- Loupedeck CT Console Stand (3 out there angles)
- Loupedeck Stay 45 levels Stand
- Loupedeck+ Console Stand (3 out there angles)
Test them out on his Etsy retailer, 3DPostProduction right here.
2022 UPDATE – 3D Printed Loupedeck cradles
Darren was beneficiant sufficient to ship me just a few completely different examples of his 3D printed Loupedeck cradles and I’ve to say they’re glorious! Light-weight, but sturdy. An correct and cushty match, but simple to clip on an off.
I actually admire the eye to element, the place there are two indentations on the within of cradle to suit to the small rubber pads which are on the bottom of the Loupdeck itself.
Darren’s adhesive rubber toes ship a strong grip, irrespective of how a lot you push and prod the Loupedeck. All in all, far superior to my very own IKEA hack and a lot better trying!
Single Stream Deck (15 buttons)
Single Stream Deck horizontal stand with wrist relaxation – Thingverse.com
Stream Deck Cradle to match Tangent Factor Panel – Thingaverse.com (Pictured above)
A number of Stream Decks (15 buttons)
Stream Deck XL (32 buttons)
Obtain Joey D’Anna’s Stream Deck XL for the Blackmagic Design Mini Panel, pictured above.
(Fully irrelevant however cool) – Stream Deck XL Button Field
Colorist Juan Salvo, shared this image of his bespoke twin XL winged arrange round a Blackmagic Design Mini panel, that are supported by customized 3D printed bases.
Luxurious Wood Stream Deck Cradles
MixingTable.com makes this beautiful, strong wooden, Stream Deck XL cradle, out there in mahogany, oak or walnut. Each is constructed to order, so there’s a 4 week lead time, however positively value it for some desktop luxurious!
The web site says there’s presently a ready listing for his or her work, so e-mail in ultimately if you wish to snag certainly one of these dangerous boys.
Customized DIT Controllers
DIT Jamie Metzger shared this picture of his customized StreamDeck and Decimator MD-Quad controller to be used on-set.
Colored buttons management an MD-Quad so I can see A/B/C/D or the 4-up.
Jamie Metzger
Customized Color Grading Management Surfaces and Cradles
The King of DIY Tasks – Offended-Face
If there’s anybody who’s arguably the king of DIY modifying gear initiatives it’s Mazze from Offended-Face.com.
We’ll begin with the principle factor that Offended-Face affords, which is a technique to pimp out your color grading suite with some customized alterations to the Tangent Factor color grading panels.
Proper now, that features customized made metallic rings to interchange the rubberised originals, and petrol black trackerballs to interchange the intense crimson signature originals too.
If you wish to go one-step additional you can too have the floor of your panels remodeled with a deep black powder-coated end. All three of those customisations are pictured above.
Prior to now Offended-Face has additionally provided some enjoyable color alternate options for the rings too.
Additionally they make the Rageboard which is an entire customized console comprised of Tangent Factor panels and a pen pill. Just a little just like the FilmLight Blackboard for Baselight.
Through the years Mazze has undertaken a variety of artistic customisations of the Tangent panels. Right here’s a fast listing of a few of these initiatives, lots of which embody DIY directions for these daring sufficient to attempt it themselves.
Up-cycling Factor Panels with an aluminium foil end (seen above)
Sandblasted and Anodised Tangent Factor Panels
3D Printed and Illuminated Buttons on the Tangent Factor Bt (consists of free obtain)
Avid Artist Colour Panel Refurbishment – Step by Step Information
Quantel eQ Color Panel Rebuild
Mazze rebuilt this Quantel eQ color grading panel, primarily from scratch, and he makes it sound a lot simpler than I’m certain it was…
The slight draw back is that I needed to exchange all of the encoders via low cost new ones, because the outdated ones had been damaged.
However the coronary heart of all of it is a little bit arcade controller, known as U-HID.
I stuffed two of them in there and linked all trackerballs, buttons and encoders. A number of soldering.
However ultimately, all controls behave like both a keyboard, or a quadrature machine (mouse, primarily: X/Y axis).
So if in case you have a U-HID controller, all you want is a chassis and trackerballs / encoders / knobs and you’ll solder stuff collectively.
It’s tremendous simple, actually.
Mazze
Utilizing a MIDI Controller with DaVinci Resolve
Some people wish to brew their very own color grading controllers by cleverly hacking collectively a MIDI controller {hardware} and ControllerMate software program.
Created by Glenn Venghaus, there’s a extremely developed model of this arrange for the APC40 Mk1 and Mk2 midi controllers that are round £255/$299.
You’ll additionally want the €100 arrange from Glen in addition to a replica of Controllermate for $25 for all of it to work.
There may be additionally a extra compact version of the arrange created for the Arturia Beatstep midi controller.
So for about $400+ you may have this sort of complete color grading arrange, which when you’re keen to study it’s methods and intricacies, would possibly ship some nice return on the funding.
That is much like the Midi Grade with a DJ Fighter Tornado arrange, which you’ll examine it extra element right here.
Tangent Wave Booster with AutoHotKey
André Rodrigues has created a Home windows AutoHotKey software program mapping to boost the extent of management you’ve got in DaVinci Resolve when utilizing Tangent Wave or Factor color grading panels.
Tangent Panels has a really restricted assist for DaVinci Resolve today and there’s no sign that Blackmagic will do one thing about this, as a result of we all know, they need promote their panels. So I created TWB that provides your Tangent Panel much more management over DaVinci Resolve than the unique assist.
André Rodrigues
You’ll be able to take a look at the complete particulars on André’s website and obtain the mapping for $199 right here.
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