At MyStudioHire in South London, we’re always searching for the best tools to streamline workflows and provide the highest quality editing for our clients. Recently, I had the chance to test out the Logitech MX Creative Console for a couple of weeks, putting it through its paces with Photoshop and Lightroom—two essential programs for any professional photography studio. Here’s my honest take on whether this creative console lives up to the hype.
The Keypad: A Powerful, Customizable Addition to My Editing Workflow
The MX Creative Console is a two-part device, and the keypad instantly became a star in my workflow. With nine customizable buttons that display different icons, the keypad reminded me of the Elgato Stream Deck I’ve used previously, but with a more refined, professional feel. Each button offers quick access to tools and functions I frequently need in Photoshop and Lightroom—think of functions like Dodge and Burn, Lasso, Magic Wand, and Brush Size Adjustments.
For a South London studio juggling multiple projects, time is essential, and I found the keypad to be a huge time-saver. Logitech’s pre-created profiles, especially for Adobe software, allowed me to skip digging through menus or memorizing endless keyboard shortcuts. If you’re not a shortcut wizard, this is a lifesaver, as it lets you tap a button to access the most-used tools instantly.
While the keypad has fewer buttons than the Stream Deck (nine versus Stream Deck’s 15 or 32 options), it makes up for this with “page buttons” that allow you to access multiple profiles per app. This came in handy during multi-layered edits, as I could keep different toolsets organized on separate pages.
The Dial: Not Quite There Yet
The second part of the console is the dial, which, while promising, didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The concept is that you can fine-tune settings like brush size or image zoom by rotating the dial, in theory making for smoother, more precise edits. While it worked beautifully for certain tools, such as the Burn tool in Photoshop, it didn’t always respond with others, like the Healing Brush, which was frustrating.
Another feature, the Actions Ring, brings up a menu overlay with options like brightness, contrast, and vibrance. However, navigating this felt clunky—I had to switch between the dial, mouse, and keypad to make adjustments. For a fast-paced photography studio environment, having to pause and juggle devices felt counterproductive.
In essence, the dial has potential but is currently a bit awkward, especially compared to the seamless control I’m used to with a mouse or tablet.
Verdict: Is the Logitech MX Creative Console Worth It?
For £199, the Logitech MX Creative Console isn’t the cheapest option, but it does come with a three-month Adobe Creative Cloud voucher, which adds excellent value if you’re a heavy Adobe user like me. For MyStudioHire, where Adobe tools are essential, the keypad alone is worth the investment. It’s incredibly intuitive, especially for those who want to enhance their photo-editing workflow and save time in the studio.
However, if you don’t primarily use Adobe’s suite or if you’re looking for a console with broad app compatibility, you might feel limited. The Stream Deck still provides more customizability for general users at a lower price. But if you’re running a photography studio in South London and rely on Adobe for high-quality edits, the MX Creative Console is a solid addition to your setup.
In summary, the Logitech MX Creative Console could be a true asset for photographers and editors looking for efficiency and seamless integration with Adobe programs. It just may not be the best all-around option for those outside the creative professional sphere.
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