[sensorfreaky]

I just got this thing and I'm having second thoughts. It's fun to use but in my very inexperienced and short history of editing with FCP, I have managed to get by so far with using a scroll-mouse to scrub through clips and "back" and "forward" buttons built-in my mouse to move frame by frame. The Apple store has a 10-day return policy but it seems that it will take much longer for me just to get used to all the other programmable buttons in order to increase my productivity and potentially realize the Shuttlepro's usefulness or lack thereof. Currently, my use of it mostly parallels my use of the mouse scroll, back, and forward buttons to navigate clips. It is a well-constructed and impressive design but I fear that my editing skills may not mature to the level it was designed for. I fear that it might collect dust and become an expensive paper weight since video-editing is just a hobby and not a job.

Any thoughts, experiences from casual FCP/iMovie/etc users with Shuttlepro? Has its usefulness matured together with your editing skills?

[AssassyN]

Well our Sound Technician that does all the audio editing, recording, mixing, etc. with our band uses one, and he loves it. He can scroll through entire songs and find the peaks and curves and whatnot very easily, and he's Macro'd the buttons to perform common tasks, and he personally feels it sped up his productivity quite a bit, but of course, actual mileage will vary.

[JB72]

I wouldn't say the Shuttle is essential for FCP at all, although I do like them. It would come into play if you get really into the program down the road, and are more of a mouse person than a keyboard person. Some people gravitate almost %100 to keys as they gain experience. Actually, I would list the FCP keycaps as more essential than the Shuttle. At least to me. Do keep in mind that the Shuttle can be used with any program though (fun with games.) And it also provides a neat use for those cool FCP key stickers that come with the software (they tend to slide off after a while when placed on top of normal keys.)