Master the Speed Editor in 20 min! - COMPLETE DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor Keyboard Tutorial

Unboxing the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor reveals the keyboard unit, a connection cable, and typically includes a complimentary license for DaVinci Resolve Studio. The initial step involves physically connecting the keyboard to the computer using the provided cable, plugging it into the rear port of the device. Once connected and DaVinci Resolve is launched, the software usually recognizes the Speed Editor automatically.

To verify the current battery level, users must navigate to DaVinci Resolve Preferences, select System, and then look under Control Panels where the Speed Editor status, including battery percentage, is displayed. Firmware updates are managed through the Help menu, specifically under DaVinci Control Panels Setup. If connection issues arise, reversing the orientation of the USB cable sometimes resolves recognition problems.

For cable-free operation, the keyboard can be connected via Bluetooth after pairing through the operating system's Bluetooth settings. Once connected wirelessly, the cable can be detached, and the keyboard will activate automatically whenever DaVinci Resolve starts. Activation status is indicated by LEDs on three specific keys; if one LED is lit, the device is active; if none are lit, it is inactive.

The jog wheel is central to the Speed Editor's workflow, allowing rotation left or right to control timeline position or playback speed, depending on the active mode. There are three distinct modes available, indicated by an illuminated letter on the top display: Scroll, Jog, and Shuttle. Understanding these modes is crucial for efficient timeline manipulation.

When in Shuttle mode, moving the wheel right increases the playback speed incrementally, reaching up to six times the normal speed. Conversely, moving the wheel left slows down playback, including reverse playback at fractions of normal speed, such as 0.5x or 0.25x. This control allows editors to quickly scrub through footage or review edits at precise speeds.

Two dedicated buttons located at the top of the keyboard control what is displayed in the viewer panel, specifically allowing toggling between the source clip view and the current timeline view. Clicking the 'timeline' button displays the sequence being edited, while clicking the 'source' button immediately switches the viewer to show the selected source media, which is essential for setting in and out points accurately.

The top-left section of the keyboard features keys corresponding to various methods for inserting video clips into the timeline. The first option, Smart Insert, places the selected source clip at the nearest existing edit point in the timeline, marked by a specific symbol. This operation respects any defined in and out points on the source material.

The Smart Insert key has a secondary function accessible via a double-click, labeled 'Clip' on the key face. This double-click action performs the same insertion at the nearest cut but ignores any specified in and out points, importing the entirety of the source clip instead. This distinction is vital when needing to insert a specific segment versus the whole take.

The Ripple Overwrite function imports the source clip, replacing the clip currently under the playhead in the timeline. Alternatively, if a section of the timeline is already selected, Ripple Overwrite replaces only that selected duration. Following this, the Close-Up function creates a zoomed-in version of the clip already on the timeline, placing the zoomed version directly above the original.

If a face is present on the source clip, the Close-Up function can automatically center the zoom on that detected face.

The Y Position function, activated by a long press combined with the jog wheel, modifies the vertical position of the clip, which is particularly useful after performing a Close-Up to recenter framing. Furthermore, the Place on Top key stacks a selected source clip onto a track directly above the current timeline position. Source Overwrite is specialized for multicam editing, automatically syncing a selected source media with a defined timeline range.

The bottom section of the keyboard holds three dedicated keys for applying the most frequently used transitions near the playhead's current position. These transitions are Smooth Cut, Dissolve, and Cut. To apply one, the editor positions the playhead near an edit point and presses the corresponding key.

The duration of a transition can be modified by holding down the transition duration key and turning the jog wheel. A double-click on this key sets the transition duration to match the currently defined default transition length, which can then be applied to subsequent cuts.

Trimming operations focus on adjusting the length of clips relative to the nearest edit point. The Split Source and Split Destination keys, when held down and used with the jog wheel, allow shifting the content used from the source clip before or after the closest edit point, respectively.

The Ripple Delete function is used to remove a clip or a gap (hole) in the timeline, automatically closing the resulting space by moving subsequent clips forward. If a specific clip is selected elsewhere on the timeline, Ripple Delete targets that selected clip regardless of the playhead position.

The two white buttons above the main function keys are designated for setting time markers on the timeline. Pressing the 'In' key establishes an entry point, and pressing the 'Out' key establishes an exit point. These points define the region of interest for subsequent operations. Clearing these markers is achieved by double-clicking their respective keys.

Several essential editing controls are consolidated on the upper keys. The Escape key functions as a standard exit command, such as leaving full-screen view. A double-click on the Escape key performs a control-Z action, undoing the last operation performed in the software, like removing an accidental cut.

Holding the Audio Level key while manipulating the jog wheel allows for real-time adjustment of the volume level for the current audio track. The dedicated Mark key serves a dual purpose: a double-click inserts a marker, and a single press followed by a long press allows the user to select the color of that marker using the jog wheel.

If an editor is positioned on an existing marker and executes a double-click on the Mark key, the marker window opens, allowing the marker to be named as desired.

The Full View key toggles the video display to full screen and, when double-clicked, enables the preview of transitions by playing a short segment before and after the nearest cut. Furthermore, holding the dedicated Transition key opens a panel where the jog wheel can cycle through various transition types, such as the Crash Zoom, which is applied upon releasing the key.

When a title element is present in the timeline, a long press on the Split key, combined with the jog wheel, allows modification of the font style. A simple press on the Split key performs a standard cut. Activating the Snap key toggles magnetic snapping behavior when moving clips near edit points, and a long press allows resizing the visualization window.

The Speed Editor offers specialized controls for managing multicamera sequences, utilizing the five Bin keys to organize camera sources. While comprehensive multicam editing merits its own tutorial, these keys allow switching between different camera angles during playback, assuming the clips are synchronized.

The Live Overwrite function, activated by a dedicated key, illuminates an indicator light and influences the transition keys. When active, navigating the timeline with the jog wheel while selecting a camera key (e.g., Camera 1) inserts that camera's footage into the timeline in real-time. This process respects the currently selected transition type (Cut or Dissolve) between shots.

The final dedicated key on the keyboard functions as the Play/Stop control, mirroring the spacebar functionality in DaVinci Resolve. This allows users to start or halt playback from anywhere within the interface. This key is especially convenient when using the jog wheel, as the thumb can easily press this key to toggle play/pause during scrubbing.

The Speed Editor integrates familiar DaVinci Resolve functions into a hardware layout designed for speed. The most significant advantage provided by this device is the jog wheel, which enables editors to navigate and control playback effectively, minimizing the reliance on the traditional mouse interface. For those seeking deeper knowledge of the software's comprehensive features, a complete training course is available.