An affordable entry point into edit panels
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Last year, Logitech jumped into the content creator market by acquiring Loupedeck, which makes control surfaces for apps like Adobe Lightroom. Now, the company has introduced its first Logitech-branded control panel, the MX Creative Console, a $200 device that includes a keypad, dialpad, and plugins for popular Adobe apps like Premiere Pro.
Logitech is competing with competitors like the TourBox Elite controller and even its own Loupedeck CT, but its new offering is cheaper than the latter and sleeker than the former.
The MX Creative Console has a modern design and a pair of sleek control dials, as well as dynamic display keys that change depending on the app and page you’re viewing.
I’ve tested a number of control panels, starting with the original Loupedeck in 2017. For me, it always comes down to one main thing: Is it easier and faster than just using a keyboard and mouse? After spending more than a week with the MX Creative console, I found it to be powerful in some respects and very limited in others.
Hardware
The console comes in light gray or dark graphite and takes up very little space on your desk (3.8 x 3.1 inches for the keypad and 3.6 x 3.7 inches for the dialpad).
A stand that places the keypad or dialpad at about a 45-degree angle toward you is also included. I prefer to keep it flat on a table for speed, but the stand makes it easier to see the controls. The keypad has nine display keys, with the content changing depending on the page and app you’re using. There are two regular buttons below for changing pages and a USB-C port below.
Meanwhile, the centerpiece of the dialpad is a large “context dial” as its function changes depending on the selected action. Also, there’s a scroll wheel in the right top corner, two buttons in the top left corner, and two buttons on the bottom in each corner. The bottom right button activates the dialpad’s “action ring,” an on-screen circular display that gives you another way to change things like colors and text.
The keys require a light touch and have a smooth, clickless feel. The wheel on the dialpad has a good amount of friction for precise work and lets you easily advance frame-by-frame in Premiere Pro or quickly shuttle through the timeline.
However, it doesn’t have any haptic feedback like the TourBox Elite. There’s a Bluetooth pairing switch on the bottom and a power switch on the back. It can connect to your computer via LT Bluetooth or Logitech’s Bolt dongle that’s also used on its mouse and keyboard (not included).
Logitech says the products are made from 72 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, low-carbon aluminum, micro textures instead of paint, and FSC-certified responsible packaging. However, the Dialpad uses AAA cells, which can be both disposable or rechargeable. According to Logitech, they’ll last up to 18 months, but that’s an odd choice for an environmentally friendly product.
Setup
The MX Creative Console is plug and play for Adobe apps, so you can start twisting the dials right out of the box.
It’s also customizable, allowing you to change settings within apps, create custom profiles, and more. To set it up, I installed the Logi Options+ app on my PC (and Mac, I tested it with both), then connected the keypad via USB-C. I installed the Dialpad separately by connecting to my computer via Bluetooth.
Once the device is recognized, clicking “All Actions” installs the Adobe plugins. There’s also direct support for apps including VLC media player, Spotify Premium, Capture One, and Ableton. You can also use it to control apps without a plugin, like your browser for system volume, YouTube videos, emojis, screenshots, and more. I found it useful only for system volume (hello, terrible Windows 11 audio controls).
Changing the default settings is as easy as it gets. When you open the customization page, it shows the devices (dialpad, keypad, and action ring) on the left, while all the possible settings are on the right. To change or add a new setting, simply select the setting you want from the list and drag it to the virtual keypad on the left. Keys can be rearranged on the same page, but it’s not easy to move settings from one page to another.
As a Premiere Pro user, I first created a new keypad page and added buttons to switch between source, program, and timeline to avoid mouse clicks for those actions. This was relatively easy to do, thanks to the search function and intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
If you don’t want to mess with customization, Logitech has a plugin marketplace in the Logi Options+ app. I wasn’t able to use it before launch, but it allows users to purchase or share plugins, profiles, and icon packs.
Operation
I work primarily in Lightroom Classic and Premiere Pro, while occasionally using Photoshop and After Effects. All of these apps are natively supported by the MX Creative Console on Mac and PC.