Last year, Logitech entered the content creator market by acquiring Loupedeck, a company known for its control surfaces for applications such as Adobe Lightroom. Recently, Logitech introduced its first branded control panel, the MX Creative Console, a $200 device featuring a keypad, dialpad, and plugins for popular Adobe software like Premiere Pro.
Logitech’s new product positions itself against competitors like the TourBox Elite controller and its own Loupedeck CT. The MX Creative Console, priced lower than the Loupedeck CT and more aesthetically refined than the TourBox Elite, sports a modern design with dual control dials and dynamic display keys that adapt based on the application in use.
The MX Creative Console offers a sophisticated design and ease of customization. It has been praised for its quality, smooth operation, and user-friendly layout. However, it may lack sufficient controls for some applications. The console is available on platforms such as Amazon for $200.
Testing of various control panels, including the original Loupedeck from 2017, consistently highlighted one key consideration: the ease and speed compared to a traditional keyboard and mouse setup. After over a week of testing the MX Creative Console, it demonstrated both powerful capabilities and certain limitations.
Logitech’s console is compact, available in pale gray or darker graphite, and includes a stand that angles the keypad or dialpad towards the user for better visibility. The keypad has nine customizable display keys, whose functionalities change with the application, and two buttons for page navigation. The dialpad features a large contextual dial, a scroll wheel, and several buttons for additional controls, and it includes a Bluetooth pairing switch and power switch.
Constructed with 72% post-consumer recycled plastics and other environmentally considerate materials, the MX Creative Console utilizes AAA batteries, which can last a few months.
Setup is straightforward, especially for Adobe apps, with customizations facilitated by the Logi Options+ app. The app enables users to create custom profiles and change settings within compatible applications. Additional support is provided for VLC media player, Spotify Premium, Capture One, and Ableton, further expanding its utility.
The console was tested extensively with Lightroom Classic, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects on both Windows and Mac. It proved particularly effective for applications like Premiere Pro and Lightroom Classic, where functionalities such as timeline scrubbing and color correction were notably enhanced.
In summary, the MX Creative Console competes with devices like the TourBox Elite and Loupedeck CT by offering a polished design suitable for both novices and experienced users. It also compares favorably to Elgato’s Stream Deck+ and other high-end editing tools. While it may require fallback to the keyboard and mouse for some tasks, it has the potential to significantly enhance productivity in supported applications. Priced at $200, it is set to ship next month and includes a free three-month subscription to Adobe’s Creative Cloud.
