Video editing has never been easy on the left hand. You juggle keyboard shortcuts, timelines, and modifier keys while your right hand is glued to the mouse. Hours on DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro highlight this dissonance, and professionals have long awaited a seamless solution.
Enter the XPPen Pilot Pro, the brand’s debut editing console, designed with precision and purpose. This device features 16 customizable buttons, three dials, and an all-directional joystick, all crafted for one-handed, eyes-off operation.
Precision meets design in the Pilot Pro
Borrowing the layout from gaming controllers, the Pilot Pro operates like a finely tuned instrument. At its core, an 8-way joystick manages footage navigation, color adjustments, and clip selections, depending on your software. Three rotary dials provide tactile feedback, adjustable via a linear motor to meet personal preferences.
Distinguishing itself with a sculpted 3D key layout, the device allows you to operate by feel rather than sight. Each control has a unique shape, promoting intuitive use. Ergonomic features like the hypothenar support keep your palm stable, a design win that earned the Pilot Pro a Good Design Award 2025.
Adapting to your needs
The Pilot Pro’s haptic feedback ensures intentional interactions, essential when deep into editing. You can customize up to seven themes for shortcuts, facilitating a personalized workflow. Plus, profiles can be shared in the XPPen community. Hand-picked presets from experienced editors streamline your transition to new software without reconfiguring controls.
The joystick’s prowess lets you navigate long timelines or batch grade with fluidity, while the dials adjust intricate values smoothly. The 16 buttons, meanwhile, handle complex commands, banishing the need to constantly cross the keyboard.
Staying connected effortlessly
The Pilot Pro supports wired USB-C and Dual-Channel Bluetooth 5.4 Low Energy. A USB dongle is available for devices lacking Bluetooth. Its 1,900 mAh battery overdelivers, lasting over 15 days with four hours of daily use. Compatibility includes Windows 10, macOS 11 or later, and popular software like Premiere Pro and Photoshop.
Weighing only 251g and measuring roughly 130mm x 93mm, the Pilot Pro fits snugly on any desk, priced competitively at $209.99. For devoted editors, this device keeps all crucial commands within reach, comfortably changing the editing pace.
Sources & Links
Source: yankodesign.com