Paralleled with the exciting announcement of the brand new DaVinci Resolve 17, Blackmagic has also introduced its brand new toys: The Resolve Speed Editor and the Fairlight Desktop Console. Both of them are meant for one thing: Simplifying your post-process and thus accelerating it. Read the highlights below.
DaVinci Resolve 17
The new DaVinci Resolve 17 constitutes a major improvement over the last versions (16.3). As stated by Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty, Resolve 17 is “The biggest update in the history of DaVinci”. The improvements are in almost every aspect and segment of the software and include enhanced capabilities of the grading process, sound design, SFX, and editing. Make sure to read our article that covers that announcement: DaVinci Resolve 17 Released: “The Biggest Update in the History of DaVinci”. In this update, Blackmagic Design has proven that it’s a company full of innovation and drive, as the clear goal here to strengthen DaVinci as the all-in-one software. Blackmagic wants you to use its Resolve for all your post-production workflow, from arranging and organizing the media, till delivering. Paralleled to the presentation of Resolve 17, Blackmagic introduced two major products to help you utilize the software in a more efficient way. Those products are related to editing and sound design. Let’s elaborate more on that.
DaVinci Resolve 17 is the biggest update in the history of DaVinci
Grant Petty, CEO at Blackmagic Design
DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor
The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor features a machined metal search dial in a design that includes only the specific keys needed for editing. It also has Bluetooth with an internal battery for connecting wirelessly, or you can connect via USB-C. That means it’s more portable than the full-sized keyboard. This is the baby brother of the large and heavy Editor keyboard, and also much more affordable ($300 compared to $1,000). The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor includes the essentials editing functions in a small compact device, so you can speed up editing in a more efficient way.
Key features
- Source tape allows faster clip searching.
- Large trim in and out buttons.
- New keyboard modes for intelligent editing.
- Buttons to allow search dial to live trim.
- Buttons to change the transition type.
- Integrated search dial control.
- Keypad for direct timecode entry.
Important note
According to the press release, for a limited time, every customer who purchases DaVinci Resolve Studio from a Blackmagic Design reseller will get the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor included free of charge. I won’t be so sure about that, but if this true, it could be a winning deal!
Fairlight Desktop Console
Blackmagic has also announced the new Fairlight Desktop Console, a portable audio control surface featuring an audio mixing control surface for mixing multiple tracks at once, with the help of 12 touch-sensitive flying faders, built-in LCDs above each channel strip for pan and effects control, and full automation control. The Fairlight Desktop Console also features an HDMI interface for connecting a monitor to view an expanded graphical interface with audio status and metering. For direct visual feedback, customers can add an HDMI display to the Fairlight Desktop Console. This allows customers to see an extensive graphical display of everything happening on the console.
Price and availability
The Fairlight Desktop Console will be available in December from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$3,495.
Initial thoughts
As said, Blackmagic Design has proven once again to be the queen of innovation in our industry. The Fairlight Desktop Console and the Resolve Speed Editor are both supposed to complement DaVinci Resolve 17 in the goal to improve the post workflow. The thing is that they both are not dedicated to color grading which is the bread and butter of Resolve, and that’s a fascinating fact. These products help to set Resolve as not just a grading suite, but as the one-stop-shop for post professionals.
