FCP keyboard at DVinfo.net

Ryan Wachter · February 18th, 2003, 10:16 PM

Alright, after looking at these keyboards i first wanted to know if its worth it to get one. Another question i had was if i could just plug it into the USB port in the side of my normal keyboard, would that be possible?

Vic Owen · February 18th, 2003, 10:53 PM

I've also considered one, but in the interim, a MUCH less expensive solution is this excellent keyboard guide:

http://www.lafcpug.org/dvd_keyguide.html

That should hold you over until you make a decision. This key guide also comes with Tom Wolsky's FCP-3 Workshop book, also recommended.

Ryan Wachter · February 18th, 2003, 11:16 PM

well what im kinda asking is, if i hook it into my alrady exsistant keyboard, will it work if i just started typing on it as well as the letters working on the orginal keyboard....i guess this is kinda hard to explain :)

Thanks for the link

Ken Tanaka · February 18th, 2003, 11:47 PM

In my opinion, the keyboards outfitted with color-coded FCP command keys are an outrageous profit grab designed to exploit the initial enthusiasm of new FCP users. If you're truly committed to mastering FCP's keyboard commands get Tom Wolky's Final Cut Pro 3 Editing Workshop, which Vic noted, and use its very thorough pull-out keyboard guide.

The efficiency of mastering the keyboard shortcuts lies principally in your ability to keep your eyes, and your mind, on what you're doing rather than how to do it. For a time you'll have to be distracted to look down, either at the color-coded keyboard or at the Wolsky guide, to perform the dextrous gymnastics required for keyboard commands. But after a while you'll probably settle-in with mastering 8-12 such maneuvers without eye-cheating, leaving the rest to the good ol' mouse. At that point, if you went the FCP-custom keyboard route, what you'll be left with is a silly-looking spongy 3rd-party keyboard, with a true value of around $25, that you may not even like to use. If you buy Tom's book you can simply tuck the guide back into the book for future reference and you'll still be left with an excellent reference to FCP...for a fraction of what the junky keyboard cost you.

Ryan Wachter · February 19th, 2003, 12:35 AM

thank you for your insight....and not just saying the keyboard is a waste of money but actually explaining yourself....its extremely appreciated.

Ivan Hedley Enger · February 19th, 2003, 01:54 PM

I have purchased a Logic-Keyboard, which basically is an Apple keyboard with the colored FCP keys on. I must say that I think they are too expensive, but I also think they are very great help.

But, I did a test and plugged in my original keyboard in the USB port in the side of the other keyboard, and I´m sorry to tell you that it didn´t work. I got an error message stating that it was not enough power from the USB port to run both of them.

But I guess that it could work if you used an USB HUB, because the HUB usually got their own power.

Ivan

Jeff Donald · February 19th, 2003, 02:28 PM

In my experience, most professional editors use the keyboard for the majority of their editing. It is much faster to use simple keyboard commands and shortcuts than to use the mouse. The keyboard follows CMX style editors and allows me to sit down at an AVID, Premiere, FCP etc. editor and not fumble around for menus. The color coding groups the commands together for ease of learning. I bought the replacement FCP keys for my Apple Pro Keyboard. They are very pricey, but I like the feel of the Apple keyboard. They are just an aid and if you can learn the commands and shortcuts without the special keys you'll save some money.

I do my editing with my left hand on the keyboard and my right hand on my Microsoft Trackball Explorer. When I log and capture I use the Shuttle Pro for some projects and keyboard and mouse for others.

Vic Owen · February 19th, 2003, 07:18 PM

If you decide to try out Loren's key guide mentioned above, the one at the LAFCPUG link is laminated, so you can also use it as place mat for your beer -- also, it will not curl-up from tears of frustration when FCP performs some of its more annoying "features"!

Ken's point is a good one -- once you get used to the keyboard commands, you won't even bother to look at the keys, no matter what their color.

There are more commands listed on the guide than you can stuff onto the keycaps, and it also looks cool just sitting on the desk!

February 18th, 2003, 10:16 PM	#1
Ryan Wachter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 164	FCP keyboard Alright, after looking at these keyboards i first wanted to know if its worth it to get one. Another question i had was if i could just plug it into the USB port in the side of my normal keyboard, would that be possible?

February 18th, 2003, 10:53 PM	#2
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	I've also considered one, but in the interim, a MUCH less expensive solution is this excellent keyboard guide: http://www.lafcpug.org/dvd_keyguide.html That should hold you over until you make a decision. This key guide also comes with Tom Wolsky's FCP-3 Workshop book, also recommended. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

February 18th, 2003, 11:47 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	In my opinion, the keyboards outfitted with color-coded FCP command keys are an outrageous profit grab designed to exploit the initial enthusiasm of new FCP users. If you're truly committed to mastering FCP's keyboard commands get Tom Wolky's Final Cut Pro 3 Editing Workshop, which Vic noted, and use its very thorough pull-out keyboard guide. The efficiency of mastering the keyboard shortcuts lies principally in your ability to keep your eyes, and your mind, on what you're doing rather than how to do it. For a time you'll have to be distracted to look down, either at the color-coded keyboard or at the Wolsky guide, to perform the dextrous gymnastics required for keyboard commands. But after a while you'll probably settle-in with mastering 8-12 such maneuvers without eye-cheating, leaving the rest to the good ol' mouse. At that point, if you went the FCP-custom keyboard route, what you'll be left with is a silly-looking spongy 3rd-party keyboard, with a true value of around $25, that you may not even like to use. If you buy Tom's book you can simply tuck the guide back into the book for future reference and you'll still be left with an excellent reference to FCP...for a fraction of what the junky keyboard cost you. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 19th, 2003, 02:28 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	In my experience, most professional editors use the keyboard for the majority of their editing. It is much faster to use simple keyboard commands and shortcuts than to use the mouse. The keyboard follows CMX style editors and allows me to sit down at an AVID, Premiere, FCP etc. editor and not fumble around for menus. The color coding groups the commands together for ease of learning. I bought the replacement FCP keys for my Apple Pro Keyboard. They are very pricey, but I like the feel of the Apple keyboard. They are just an aid and if you can learn the commands and shortcuts without the special keys you'll save some money. I do my editing with my left hand on the keyboard and my right hand on my Microsoft Trackball Explorer. When I log and capture I use the Shuttle Pro for some projects and keyboard and mouse for others. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 19th, 2003, 07:18 PM	#8
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	If you decide to try out Loren's key guide mentioned above, the one at the LAFCPUG link is laminated, so you can also use it as place mat for your beer -- also, it will not curl-up from tears of frustration when FCP performs some of its more annoying "features"! Ken's point is a good one -- once you get used to the keyboard commands, you won't even bother to look at the keys, no matter what their color. There are more commands listed on the guide than you can stuff onto the keycaps, and it also looks cool just sitting on the desk! __________________ -- Vic Owen --

February 18th, 2003, 11:16 PM	#3
Ryan Wachter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 164	well what im kinda asking is, if i hook it into my alrady exsistant keyboard, will it work if i just started typing on it as well as the letters working on the orginal keyboard....i guess this is kinda hard to explain :) Thanks for the link

February 19th, 2003, 12:35 AM	#5
Ryan Wachter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 164	thank you for your insight....and not just saying the keyboard is a waste of money but actually explaining yourself....its extremely appreciated.

February 19th, 2003, 01:54 PM	#6
Ivan Hedley Enger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Vestfold in Norway Posts: 103	I have purchased a Logic-Keyboard, which basically is an Apple keyboard with the colored FCP keys on. I must say that I think they are too expensive, but I also think they are very great help. But, I did a test and plugged in my original keyboard in the USB port in the side of the other keyboard, and I´m sorry to tell you that it didn´t work. I got an error message stating that it was not enough power from the USB port to run both of them. But I guess that it could work if you used an USB HUB, because the HUB usually got their own power. Ivan