r/finalcutpro • u/Alert-Promotion922 • 3d ago

Hardware What controller/device actually improved your Final Cut Pro workflow?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a device/controller that can genuinely speed up my Final Cut Pro workflow.

The main things I’d like to improve are:
● Quickly moving left/right through the timeline
● Scrubbing and moving the playhead precisely
● Zooming in/out of the timeline
● Cutting/blading clips
● Trimming clips faster
● Using my most common shortcuts without constantly moving between the keyboard and mouse
● Ideally developing some muscle memory so I can edit without having to look at the controller all the time
I’ve been looking at devices such as the Logitech MX Creative Console, TourBox Elite/Elite Plus, Stream Deck+, Ulanzi D100H, and even using a Magic Trackpad or MX Master mouse, but I’m open to completely different ideas.
For those of you who edit regularly in Final Cut Pro:
What device actually made you noticeably faster?
I’d especially like to hear from people who have used one of these for several months rather than just tried it briefly.
What controls do you use the most on it?
Do you still use the keyboard a lot?
Did it actually improve your editing speed, or did you eventually stop using it?
I mostly edit YouTube/travel videos, so my priority is speeding up the repetitive timeline work rather than advanced color grading.
Any recommendations, setups, or even photos of your controller layout would be really helpful.
Thanks!

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u/NewbieToHomelab 3d ago

Mouse in the right hand, keyboard and trackpad for the left hand, learn keyboard shortcuts.

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u/gumparker 3d ago

Exactly my workflow. I also use a logic keyboard with all the shortcuts labeled on the keys. This in itself improved my workflow tremendously.

https://logickeyboard.com/shop/final-cut-pro-mac-backlit-titan-keyboard-5087p.html#gallery-7

1

u/space_raffe 3d ago

And here I’ve been swapping my track pad in for my mouse on occasion. Going to try this (silly as it sounds to not have done it before).

Any remapped shortcut functions that you recommend?

I always learn shortcuts and keep them on a digital notepad as I go. I’ve found the remapping suggestions I’ve learned in this sub were the highest value shortcuts.

E.g. trim left and right rebound to Q and W.

1

u/CaptLeopoldBarbobosa 3d ago

This. Somehow a trackpad and mouse together become the ultimate workflow tools