This IS the Avid L2: Re: [Avid-L2] Avid Color panel vs. Tangent for Resolve

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Re: [Avid-L2] Avid Color panel vs. Tangent for Resolve

On Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 8:51 PM, Dylan Reeve <dylan@dylan.wibble.net> wrote:

>
> The main thing I disliked about the Wave was the panel feel and the use of
> "jog" dials for the Lift/Gamma/Gain controls. They were very easy to bump I
> found.
>

Right. Those dials can a bit to get used to. I found that after a day or so
I stopped bumping the dials.

I have ZERO problems with that on the Element. In fact, come to think of
it, I didn't accidentally bump the Element's trackballs in two days of
grading... which is unusual. I guess chalk that up to a good design.

> I also tend to have a laminated copy of the Artist Color button reference
> sheet with me when using Resolve - I've not really developed muscle memory
> for it, but then I'm not using it often.
>

Yeah, the way it's programmed it's a complicated panel jam-packed with
controls. It's those shifted states that drive me nuts. In a few hours I
can nail the primary actions of the un-labelled buttons. The JL Cooper has
the same problem (but shifted states are ALWAYS temporary on that panel). I
guess I've trained myself on that panel in a way I haven't on the Color.

Dylan, do you ever have a problem with Artist Color's shifted state
sticking when you don't want them to (or vice-versa)?

> I can also use the Artist Color with Symphony, but I find the experience
> fustrating and don't usually bother - the control is laggy and lacks the
> finese that the same surface has in Resolve. Although it does make fine
> adjustments of curve points remarkably easy.

Agreed. The Artist Color surprised me with how well it works with curves on
Symphony. I was very impressed. But the rest of the controls were so
terrible I actually pulled a long sidebar on the topic for the Avid Color
Correction book I contributed to last year. As much as I love control
surfaces... I can't recommend the Artist Color for Media Compser /
Symphony.

How long has Avid had the Euphonix product line? I think I noticed they
updated those drivers for the first time in two years about a week ago. I
haven't checked if it has improved the experience.

Jeff - Getting back to your question... There's no curves controls on any
of the sub-$10k panels. DaVinci's $29k panel is surprisingly good with
curves and once you get the hang of it you rarely go back to the mouse for
making curves corrections.

You may find working with contrast rings will eventually be faster for
you... but then I'd never tell a curves colorist to stop using curves! I'd
just suggest they consider the alternative and give it a shot on a job or
two.

My biggest disappointment with the Element has nothing to do with the
panel, but again how it's programmed. I love using the RGB Lift/Gamma/Gain
sliders and none of the sub-$10k panels have individual controls for those.
And there's no reason not to have it on the Element. There's plenty of room
to put them there. Maybe at NAB they'll unveil new mappings - which haven't
been touched in 2 years.

- patrick, control surface junkie

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