Boost your color grading with Blackmagic Micro Panel

Professional colorists wouldn't be nearly as effective if they had to rely on a keyboard and mouse. Instead, they use specifically designed panels. Here is a review of an entry-level panel for color grading from BlackMagic Design.
More info: tomantosfilms.c...
You can get the BlackMagic Micro Panel on
BH Photo Video goo.gl/uPgybz
Adorama goo.gl/jHai65
Henry's goo.gl/ufzyJC
eBay goo.gl/uWTYUy
Amazon amzn.to/2rrEOWa
Amazon Germany amzn.to/2sdsLPf
BlackMagic Mini Panel on
BH Photo Video goo.gl/i2cmPF
Adorama goo.gl/XhiLub
Henry's goo.gl/EwvNtx
eBay goo.gl/WdFTTW
Amazon amzn.to/2sKWksz
I still have not had the chance to review them, but here are two alternatives from Tangent:
Tangent Element Mf Panel on
BH Photo Video goo.gl/X5EkNP
Adorama goo.gl/1ZTDgs
eBay goo.gl/8hA7Rh
Amazon amzn.to/2tf132R
Tangent Element Tk Panel on
BH Photo Video goo.gl/24V3G7
Adorama goo.gl/gCgAx9
eBay goo.gl/PkdicX
Amazon amzn.to/2rrZz3U
My favorite camera gear! goo.gl/fSWk1X
Check out Amazon for latest cameras amzn.to/2qOWytu
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My name is Tom Antos. I am a film director and cinematographer with over 20 years experience in VFX & animation.
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[@justinburgan]

I love this tool! Super stoked this pretty affordable! It makes color grading so quick. I believe it makes you think less on grading and it just feels more natural and organic.

[@justinburgan]

You make a 6 figure salary and can't shell out for this? Whatever your 6 figure salary is (must be nice) this is 1% or less than what you make.. That's not my point, this is the micro panel at $1,000.. the mini is at $3,000, and the advanced is at $29,000. So yeah, compared to those, $1,000 is pretty affordable. Not the average American is a filmmaker, colorist, or editor. Most of which work for a studio who would easily drop $1k for a quicker workflow, because we all know time is money.

[@scottwilson5993]

You could maybe think about sticking the panel on one of those pull-out trays that hold keyboards and then keep your keyboard and mouse on the desk surface. That way the panel can be there when you need it but tucked away when you don't.

[@filmfiremedia1700]

Quick fix for keyboard and panel issue - Get yourself a desk with a pull out keyboard shelf. Then you can have both in very easy distance without climbing over one another

[@michaelmazzen]

Just pair it with a streamdeck on the side - then you dont need the keyboard at all

[@gerrypi51]

or Touch portal

[@brmoogma]

...by just customizing the keyboard mapping, the add node thing is no problem at all...I set the F1 to F4 buttons with add node function (different kind of nodes)...Th only thing, that is missing is an On/Off switch...

[@doug_EX]

Andreas buy a Xkeys keyboard

[@jbaldsing]

in other reviews people recommend the mini panel instead of the micro as it has more buttons/wheels for advanced users who regularly do advanced complex grading. But having a closer look at the buttons from this review I think the micro will handle the demands of advanced users. Also what u say at 2:42 isn't correct, u can adjust the same areas targeted by lift gain and/or gamma individually without affecting the whole image by using shadows mid tones and /or highlights instead.

[@doug_EX]

Jerome Baldsing I bought the Micro and use it with 2 Xkeys 24, it’s awesome!

[@jbaldsing]

@@doug_EX Thanks for letting me know about this software, I ain't heard of it before!

[@Torranium]

It works fine at my macbook pro !

[@mdfaisalvideo]

ive been waiting for this review... thanks... great video

[@ChuckRiseUp]

Hi Tom, what is the model of your BENQ monitor? Which monitor would you suggest for color-grading 4K and HDR ? Thank you, I really enjoy your channel, keep it up!

[@TomAntos]

Here is my main editing and color grading monitor. Love it! tomantosfilms.com/17865/benq-sw271/

[@lindstrem]

thats crazy that they left out the node button, total deal breaker. THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT. They never fixed that with a firmware update to macro a key?

[@LowOnCash]

Very nice Job!

[@simongentry]

as usual Tom - thank you very much!

[@Vasil.O.]

I have mini panel, that works very well and I even didn't know driver exist 😂

[@mydailyflight]

Very informativ video Tom Antos! I own a Tangent Wave for home use and a Tangent Ripple for color grading on travels. Do you think the new panels from BlackmagicDesign are more usefull and worth to change? Thank you for your good work here!

[@TomAntos]

kupoa kupoa I still haven't used the tangent panels so I can't say. But if they work then don't change.

[@simongentry]

ps - have you tried the Palette Aluminum Professional Control Surface Kit? what if like most film makers, video and photographers, they're using multiple programs to get their finished product... the tangent looks good from cross app compatibility - but it's 3k to have all three pieces - thoughts Tom?

[@gabrielteran7393]

I think you never saw a colourist suit with the Advanced Panel. I disagree with you, it's small and perfect to set as every DIT have it in the film industry. The keyboard goes on a pullout tray.

[@mohammedhasan6825]

very nice Sir

[@Punjabilivetv]

dear sir which software is best for live streaming​ .

[@marvincolon]

Vmix

[@brmoogma]

..I think the weight is nice, because that thing does not move, when using it....

[@pakkami77]

Great review! Big thanks!

[@nategarcia7694]

ok, got a stupid question. I love the idea of having one of these but my wallet doesn't. 1,000 + bucks is out of the question for me right now. Since this is just a controller/control surface, couldn't I just theoretically map a midi (music)keyboard controller in the same way? lol I know it won't be as good but couldn't you use the sliders and knobs in a similar way? The big plus is I already have this equipment. Probably just wishful thinking.

[@TomAntos]

You can use midi mapping in lots of programs but not in Davinci Resolve. At least not to control the most important functions

[@sambalsamurai9672]

Excellent review +1 If i MUST mention one thing: I lost the number of times you say "LIKE I SAID" becomes annoying / learn to not say it more than once per video even then it can be omitted entirely. For the rest I agree with you on everything that you said (!!!!!LIKE I SAID!!!!!) an excellent review!!

[@TomAntos]

Thanks! Yes I know I am not the best on Camera. Hence why I usually work behind the camera. I do these reviews because it helps people who do similar work like me.

[@SimoBenziane]

I didn’t notice it. This is a technical review , not entertainment

[@SamarG5]

take a shot everytime he says kinda. and let your friend call 911.

[@tomersi]

Mine doesn't Plug and Play either. And it doesn't come with ANY instructions/manual with it. I'm on a MacBook by the way.

[@uplift204]

Did you get the panel to work on your MacBook?

[@bobuk5722]

Hi Tom. Hmm. How about getting, or making a two level stand to raise the key board up to a more ergonomic position? You could do a quick video on it! The lack of a node button is a good point. The weight is what it is, you want quality controls you get weight. You don't want the board scooting about. I don't think your comments about it only working with DaVinci is a valid point. The software is ridiculously cheap and BM make their money on their hardware, making it generic would put the price up at any rate. If buttons don't respond it or the software is faulty, send it back. I can't comment on the laptop driver problem, but it does sound rather strange. I look forward to the Tangent panel review and any comments back from your viewers about button pushes. Er, no, I have no conection with BM! Cheers, Bob.

[@jayanthspecial]

I want to talk to you Tom. Please let me know know how to contact you

[@brmoogma]

the problems maybe the unit or connectivety problems.

[@vasiliyivanishvili9025]

very good tool, but price... it's not for indy operators! sad but true :(

[@petrino]

wow only 1000 bucks?

[@landonp629]

One word: Tangent Wave 2.

[@doug_EX]

Landon Parks I would suggest a Micro panel and a Xkeys. With the Wave you need to go to sub menus all the time. I have the Micro panel and 2 Xkeys 24, it’s an awesome set up.

[@landonp629]

@@doug_EX I have a Tangent Element TK, KB, and BT panels myself. Choose not to use the MF panel, since I already have a Jog/shuttle wheel and a G13 macro.

[@CorecrafterChanel]

Sorry but i think its kind of useless.

[@dawsonboyle99]

affirmative if you do a lot of color grading or you are a pro colorist it's worth every penny

[@fancourtcolour]

Dawson Boyle Steve Scott doesn't use one. he's about as professional as you get.

[@dawsonboyle99]

Justin McDonald I not saying you have to have one it's personal preference and some people want to invest in a physical solution and can help you grade faster and more precise

[@habsrus]

Don't recall Tom or Blackmagic Design ever stating that their customers "need" this tool. Control panels such as these promise to "possibly" speed-up your workflow when colouring/grading. For a vast majority of users, it absolutely does.

[@knocknapeasta]

Then you clearly don't grade professionally, or have had anything professionally graded

[@OzgurAkyildizfilm]

it is useless because it only supports davinci resolve. End of story. Since new toy consumers only use FCPX and Free Resolve they think those are the apps that pros use. Good luck!

[@johnbancroft5242]

I use FCPX and Davinci Resolve Studio, I have been editing professionally for 29 years now, originally was Linear editing and using a genlock for titles ect. then FCP/PREMIERE/AVID. I use Windows and Mac OS, I have used Adobe Premiere but it's too slow and poorly optimised for my workflow, we are seeing a huge shift over to resolve from both Adobe Premiere and FCPX editors.

[@doug_EX]

Özgür Akyıldız well, don’t buy it then. It’s useless to you, not to Resolve users.