Loupedeck Live Photo Editing Console

Pros:-Build Quality-Portable-Many Different API available right out of the box. No need to pay for extra API integration anymore you get all for free so disregard the other bad review-Useful for all types of content creation-Integration for internet browsers and Windows functionsCons:-Software is not very user friendly not awful but could use some work-Different profiles load automatically so you need to lock the ones you need.Build quality is nice, the tactile feedback in the touch screen buttons is great. Overall layout is fantastic. Software could be a little more user-friendly but I understand its difficult due to how much the loupedeck can do. Customization for buttons etc has a long way to go. Nothing I really hate about it however for the twitch and Spotify ... MorePros:-Build Quality-Portable-Many Different API available right out of the box. No need to pay for extra API integration anymore you get all for free so disregard the other bad review-Useful for all types of content creation-Integration for internet browsers and Windows functionsCons:-Software is not very user friendly not awful but could use some work-Different profiles load automatically so you need to lock the ones you need.Build quality is nice, the tactile feedback in the touch screen buttons is great. Overall layout is fantastic. Software could be a little more user-friendly but I understand its difficult due to how much the loupedeck can do. Customization for buttons etc has a long way to go. Nothing I really hate about it however for the twitch and Spotify integration I had to login to my account in two different locations which is strange. In the profile and the software. The price point is more expensive than the competition streamdeck but I feel the loupedeck offers more functionality specially now that all the api integration with come with it for ever. Api integration of many creative apps. As a streamer its import to make content on many platforms. I love the dial knobs that are a perfect fit to control audio just wish there was a way to create virtual audio inputs for better mappingNeeds More customization of the screens. Let us use gifs, animations etc. The ability to have one big picture cover all the buttons at once. Different icons etc. Either the integration for windows to control any audio source or simply a way to add virtual audio inputs to route to specific applications would make the loupedeck shine above the competition streamdeck

Update to review Ive given up trying to get this stable. Switching users or locking the workstation will freeze the unit. Applications that are being controlled by it Davinci, Teams, Outlook would crash randomly, but are now stable since I removed the Loupedeck software.Ive returned it to Amazon and received a refund great service, as ever, Amazon! and have bought a dedicated BlackMagic Design surface for Resolve - its more expensive, and only works with Resolve, but at least it works.I did want to like the Loupedeck, especially being able to use it with multiple apps, but its let down by unfinished software.===Original review follows:I bought this to help me with Davinci Resolve video editing software and, as a bonus, to increase productivity in other apps.The ... MoreUpdate to review Ive given up trying to get this stable. Switching users or locking the workstation will freeze the unit. Applications that are being controlled by it Davinci, Teams, Outlook would crash randomly, but are now stable since I removed the Loupedeck software.Ive returned it to Amazon and received a refund great service, as ever, Amazon! and have bought a dedicated BlackMagic Design surface for Resolve - its more expensive, and only works with Resolve, but at least it works.I did want to like the Loupedeck, especially being able to use it with multiple apps, but its let down by unfinished software.===Original review follows:I bought this to help me with Davinci Resolve video editing software and, as a bonus, to increase productivity in other apps.The supplied software promises a lot but usability and reliability is very poor. First off, trying to understand how to map control inputs to application inputs is extremely cumbersome. You have to jump around the interface and set up several intermediate steps to then create a task that can be attached to a button.There is no simple way to apply labels to buttons or rotary inputs, which seems a really basic miss.Certain capabilities are hidden behind a veiled wall, in that these are available for specific applications in closed profiles with no hint how to use this functionality in other applications.The biggest bugbear, though, is reliability. The app really doesnt like or understand having multiple profiles or users on the same computer. Hibernating, or even switching users, confuses the app causing it to lose contact with the switchbox. The only solution is to unplug and replug the device, and then restart the app.There are other quality issues, such as adding a function to a control losing the label until you go and edit the label, but these are not as crucial as the app not withstanding a lock, logoff or switch-user action.I want to like this device - it wasnt cheap - and the hardware is.

A learning curve but worth it!

My original attraction to Loupedeck is that I have a neurological issue that makes manipulating a mouse difficult. That said, WOW! It is far more than just a mouse replacement.This device is far more versatile than I could have imagined. Once you get past the original trepidation of an entirely new sort of workspace, you discover just how versatile the Loupedeck Live is and I've just scratched the surface.The device appears to be optimized for Lightroom Classic and works wonderfully with it. Other programs require some configuration and I'm still learning this. I mention this because it may explain other's complaints regarding compatibility.All in all, I'm very pleased. So much so, in fact, I just ordered the Loupedeck CT for use at work.

A nice controller for photo editing, a bit of a luxury item

I am using the Loupedeck Live for photo editing. It's not an essential piece of gear for editing, but I am finding I enjoy editing with it. I use it with several non-Adobe products (e.g., Capture One, Affinity Photo, Photo Mechanic). Most of these products are not native Loupedeck apps ... meaning the Loupedeck interacts with the software by issuing keyboard shortcuts. If the program has a keyboard shortcut for some feature, you can assign it to a button or dial on the Loupedeck.Here's what I like about it.(1) The dials are great for brush controls [size, opacity, flow, feather] and zoom controls. It's also nice being able to click a dial and have it perform a function ... e.g., I have set my zoom dial to zoom to fit.(2) The touchscreen buttons are great for ... MoreI am using the Loupedeck Live for photo editing. It's not an essential piece of gear for editing, but I am finding I enjoy editing with it. I use it with several non-Adobe products (e.g., Capture One, Affinity Photo, Photo Mechanic). Most of these products are not native Loupedeck apps ... meaning the Loupedeck interacts with the software by issuing keyboard shortcuts. If the program has a keyboard shortcut for some feature, you can assign it to a button or dial on the Loupedeck.Here's what I like about it.(1) The dials are great for brush controls [size, opacity, flow, feather] and zoom controls. It's also nice being able to click a dial and have it perform a function ... e.g., I have set my zoom dial to zoom to fit.(2) The touchscreen buttons are great for keyboard shortcuts as I no longer have to recall the specific shortcut for the particular app I'm using [e.g., some use x for toggling foreground/background color, some use shift-x].(3) It's nice being able to group shortcuts into pages. For example, you might have a page of buttons devoted to tools (brush, gradient, heal, etc) and a different page devoted to layer controls.(4) It's very customizable and will work with any app, as long as there are keyboard shortcuts.(5) It feels well built. Dials have a nice subtle indent feel as you rotate them. It's fairly compact and doesn't take up much space on my desk.Here are the things I've struggled with.(A) Set-up takes awhile, especially with non-native apps as you have to add each keyboard shortcut. Then you have to figure out what layout/grouping of buttons makes the most sense for your workflow. This isn't a ding against the Loupedeck ... it's just figuring out what works for you. The software it pretty easy to use, but I do wish it allowed you to move pages between workspaces ... I found myself recreating pages as I fiddled with the layout.(B) You can have multiple pages per workspace and you swipe on any of the little touchscreen squares to move between them. But, the squares are pretty small for swiping and sometimes I end up touching instead of swiping. I've frequently got around this by assigning one of the dials to page navigation, so I just turn a dial to move between the pages.(C) I do miss not having modifier keys as those are often paired with pen/mouse movements in photo programs ... e.g., hold the space bar when dragging to temporarily activate panning, or option-clicking to set a sample point. You can use the row of 7 physical buttons for this, but then you have to remember which modifier is assigned to which button as there are no visual cues. The touchscreen buttons don't work for this as they issue a single command, not a holding down command. The dial buttons do work for this, but I have found them a little awkward to hold down, plus you have to give a decent push on them initially. I've ended up assigning the modifiers to the buttons on my drawing tablet or keeping my keyboard within reach if I'm using a mouse. The larger Loupedeck CT has more physical buttons and can toggle the row of 7 buttons to be modifiers ... but that alone isn't enough justification for paying almost twice as much in my mind. I wish there was a way to toggle the 7 buttons on the Live and have the modifier keys printed below them (like the CT).I'm happy with the Loupedeck Live. I like having one hand on it and one hand on my drawing tablet when editing photos. I've lived for years using the keyboard and could continue to do so, but the Live is a nice replacement and I find myself pushing the keyboard out of the way as I adjust to the new workflow. I think I'd have a harder time convincing myself that the Loupedeck CT was worth it given it's much higher price point. I've also found uses for the Live that I didn't expect, such as shortcuts for opening files into specific apps from the MacOS Finder and using it for style sheets in a text editor.

Good productivity boost

Easy to setup and get using right away, but sometimes shows as disconnected in Photoshop (quick reconnect fixes it). The profiles for LR and PS are good and immediately help speed things up. It does not come with a DaVinci Resolve plugin/profile, but there is a paid profile available online.Build quality is good with good tactile feedback and easily readable screen buttons. You can turn down the brightness and turn off the vibrate too (I would recommend this). It's a real beauty to use!

Great Concept, Nicely Made, but Software Needs Polish

I feel like this is the auxiliary input device I have been looking for for years. The concept here is outstanding: add application-specific programable tactile controls to augment normal input devices. I'm working in After Effects primarily, and this is mainly serving to replace a series of keyboard shortcuts, and to replace what would otherwise be numerical inputs or slider controls with tactile knobs. It is a HUGE enhancement. I have only had it for a week, it has definitely sped up my workflow. I have gotten wicked fast operating AE with a keyboard over the years, but when I hit Premiere, which is not my forte, the speed and precision increase the Loupedeck provides is even more pronounced.The other thing this is nice for is to be able to sit back in a chair ... MoreI feel like this is the auxiliary input device I have been looking for for years. The concept here is outstanding: add application-specific programable tactile controls to augment normal input devices. I'm working in After Effects primarily, and this is mainly serving to replace a series of keyboard shortcuts, and to replace what would otherwise be numerical inputs or slider controls with tactile knobs. It is a HUGE enhancement. I have only had it for a week, it has definitely sped up my workflow. I have gotten wicked fast operating AE with a keyboard over the years, but when I hit Premiere, which is not my forte, the speed and precision increase the Loupedeck provides is even more pronounced.The other thing this is nice for is to be able to sit back in a chair and make fine adjustments with the dials. For color correction, this is very helpful. Before, to tweak Lumetri settings I had to enter a three-stroke key command to bring up the effects controls and then use the pointing device and/or arrow keys, whereas with this guy I just click one button and then twiddle the knobs. It is a huge productivity enhancement, and provides finer control. It pairs well with a Wacom Cintiq, and basically provides the controls that really should be built into that device (but aren't). You can keep your pen in your dominant hand and use this with your non-dominant hand. For me, this works better than trying to feel out key commands.The build quality is solid, the knobs have a good tactile feel with a little resistance and a smooth but positive detent- feels like about 30 positions (12 rotation per detent). The screen is sharp. Also it looks super cool on your desk, like the poor person's DiVinci panel.It's not perfect. The Mac software is buggy. Getting it to launch after closing it once involves going into the package contents and using the included utility to reset the thing. This is apparently a known issue, I found this workaround on a four-month-old Reddit thread. The haptic feedback on button press is a little excessive out-of-the-box for my tastes, and your only options are 3 times more excessive, or off completely. The riser to set it at an angle is chintzy plastic, and only sets it at one position.In spite of these shortcomings, is ultimately a great upgrade to my workflow. For anyone who uses keyboard shortcuts to operate software with a zillion input commands like AE or Premiere, there is a lot to like here. If you have also been craving tactile knobs for control inputs, this is your jam.

Much better than expected!

Like everyone else who Lightrooms, using a keyboard is an incredible time saver when it comes to sorting. Picking, rejecting, ranking, color labels, your standard keyboard is excellent for this and pretty hard to beat when it comes to cost since you already own it. When a series of dials came out that were Lightroom compatible a few years ago I got really excited and then I saw the price tag and, well, it was a lot for some physical dials.Enter the Loupedeck Live. I know a lot of people who use the aforementioned expensive option, others who use MIDI controllers with some software hoops to jump through, and others who still use the mouse. If you are one of these people and very happy about your workflow I'm certainly not the one to tell you to do something ... MoreLike everyone else who Lightrooms, using a keyboard is an incredible time saver when it comes to sorting. Picking, rejecting, ranking, color labels, your standard keyboard is excellent for this and pretty hard to beat when it comes to cost since you already own it. When a series of dials came out that were Lightroom compatible a few years ago I got really excited and then I saw the price tag and, well, it was a lot for some physical dials.Enter the Loupedeck Live. I know a lot of people who use the aforementioned expensive option, others who use MIDI controllers with some software hoops to jump through, and others who still use the mouse. If you are one of these people and very happy about your workflow I'm certainly not the one to tell you to do something different.However, if you want to run through a shoot library, picking and rejecting and ranking as you go, flip over to the develop module, spin a few dials to do some initial quick adjustments, and keep working without having to look to the right panel to see where the sliders are, well, this might be for you. This has sped things up surprisingly and I'm happy to spend less time in front of my computer. My workflow is still similar to before, sort, rank, develop the ones I picked, but I do find myself looking at some images on the edge of being picked and just doing a quick adjustment to see if they can be saved and then flipping back to the library. Having it all done with two hands on the small controller is incredibly time saving. It does all that I was really looking for it to do and very well at that.The software is fully adjustable, you can tweak it to assign keyboard commands to buttons or dials (and the dials also work as buttons!) and the lower eight buttons work to change modules. You can also use it in other programs, I use it in Photoshop and in a few flight simulators for keyboard commands and I imagine you can use it with Capture One without issues as well. I know there are concerns with the earlier software where you had to buy extra packages to allow the Live to work with more than two programs and they had structured control over what buttons did what but this is fully functional at this point.The major negative that I have experienced is in the lag for brush size or image zoom, but I cheat and use a Wacom tablet for actual zooming and adjusting. I do absolutely see where some commenters have found the Live to be frustrating though, it's a very reasonable complaint for a device that is designed to do these things. However, it's less than half the price of the competition and a very small footprint on my desk, I don't usually bother to put it away.

Not Without Quirks, But Great Overall

This is basically exactly the auxiliary interface device I have been looking for forever. Or, I guess, at least since I gave up my c. 2005 Wacom Intuos4 with the programmable touch strips and buttons and little OLED labels (oh, the sweet memories). This does exactly that, but with more real estate, knobs, and color screens. The build is solid, the kickstand is a little chintzy but otherwise no complaints. The knobs have a great tactile feel and nice smooth detents, feels like about 15 degrees per detent. You can use it to lean back and twiddle knobs instead of operating slider controls, which is a joy for color correction in Premiere. Or you can use it for keyboard shortcuts- it is a BIG time-saver in After Effects. The software comes with really nicely thought-out ... MoreThis is basically exactly the auxiliary interface device I have been looking for forever. Or, I guess, at least since I gave up my c. 2005 Wacom Intuos4 with the programmable touch strips and buttons and little OLED labels (oh, the sweet memories). This does exactly that, but with more real estate, knobs, and color screens. The build is solid, the kickstand is a little chintzy but otherwise no complaints. The knobs have a great tactile feel and nice smooth detents, feels like about 15 degrees per detent. You can use it to lean back and twiddle knobs instead of operating slider controls, which is a joy for color correction in Premiere. Or you can use it for keyboard shortcuts- it is a BIG time-saver in After Effects. The software comes with really nicely thought-out preload functions. It's spendy, but if you spend all day operating software with complex key commands, it pays for itself rapidly in time savings, and being able to keep my dominant hand on the trackball or Cintiq instead of punching for far-flung keys is a huge ergonomic improvement too. Looks great on the desk, too.

Photo Editing Awesomeness

This is a very cool tool. I had a Loupedeck CT before this and liked it a lot, other than the size (needing to move arms slows down editing) and not having the dials where they worked best for me. With Loupedeck Live, I didn't pay any attention to the pre-set up modes that it came with, and jumped right in and created my own personalized editing panel. Every dial and touch button is completely customizable so you can put all of your favorite adjustments (wb, exposure,crop, rotate, clarity, etc) exactly where they make most sense to you. The numbered buttons along the bottom can be customized as well so '6' and '7' can be used for forward/back- in case you were wondering :)

Poor design, and it is just is not as good as a keyboard

Having listened to the WEX video review, I purchased the Loupdeck Live in the hope that it would help my Lightroom, Premiere and After Effects workflows, but with the added benefit of using within some other apps, notably OBS. I have previously owned the original Loupdeck (flimsy construction), the Loupdeck+ (much better construction, but too big for me). I wanted a compact unit that would sit neatly adjacent to my keyboard and provide useful functionality. It is neat and quite well built and the stand is nice addition. But that is it for the positives!The design is terrible. Resolution of the screen is low - text pixelated and graphics nasty. I am providing images here of the Loupdeck Live in AE. See how the "Select Keyframe" is cropped. Just looks terrible with ... MoreHaving listened to the WEX video review, I purchased the Loupdeck Live in the hope that it would help my Lightroom, Premiere and After Effects workflows, but with the added benefit of using within some other apps, notably OBS. I have previously owned the original Loupdeck (flimsy construction), the Loupdeck+ (much better construction, but too big for me). I wanted a compact unit that would sit neatly adjacent to my keyboard and provide useful functionality. It is neat and quite well built and the stand is nice addition. But that is it for the positives!The design is terrible. Resolution of the screen is low - text pixelated and graphics nasty. I am providing images here of the Loupdeck Live in AE. See how the "Select Keyframe" is cropped. Just looks terrible with lousy colours as well. Only a US language option so all buttons use US spelling. The haptic feedback does not provide any actual feedback just an audible buzz - why did they bother!A final note on the design is the obvious issue with finger marks all over - it is difficult to clean due to individual button frames.So over to actual functionality - in most cases I found I had to select the page buttons (1-7) under the screen to get to the required shortcut or switch back, by the time you had done this you might as well have used the keyboard shortcut.It is such as shame as I wanted to like this unit, as I am sure there are ways to improve workflows for the Adobe apps - but in short Loupdeck seem to provide solutions for problems that don't exist. As with the Loupdeck+ I just found myself reverting back to a keyboard and mouse.I might have forgiven the unit, if the software design was good, but it is so poor in comparison to the apps it serves, I just found it back in it's box, unused!