FCP Specific Keyboard?

I've got the logic keycaps. They DO save you time when you're learning the keyboard, but after you do, it only serves to impress some clients.

I'm with Jim. Logickeyboard makes the most elegant solutions, IMO.

I'm not quite as fond of the keyboard skins for the more recent Apple aluminum keyboards, but what else can you do with those?

http://www.logickeyboard.com/

It can be either a complete keyboard, or just the caps (for older keyboards.) As Brian notes, the new keyboards only accept a skin.

That depends on what keyboard you have now. If you have a 2008 Mac Pro and an Apple thin aluminum keyboard, then your only choice is what logickeyboard calls a skin. It is one piece, rubbery, and fits completely over the keyboard

If you have a 2007 Mac Pro, then you have a choice: either a complete keyboard with the color coded keys, or just the color coded keys that you install on your existing keyboard. This package includes a key puller that you use to remove the current white keys.

For my FCP clients, I spec the keycaps for an older Apple Pro Keyboard, and the skin for the 2008 aluminum KB. I would only choose the complete keyboard is the client wanted to have a backup keyboard in case of failure, and I've never had to do that.

Color / Icon coded app specific keyboards are double edged ... if you are new to the app then with the dedicated keyboard you will probably learn the shortcuts more quickly and be generally more productive, but you'll also probably find that you're soon lost without it ie you become somewhat dependant on that color coding to guide you're fingers to shortcuts you thought you knew. If you expect to work on multiple systems where you may not always have access to a dedicated keyboard then I'd tend to advise against it.

That said, both the dedicated logic keyboard and the keyboard skins have their pro's and cons.

Trouble with dedicated keyboard (only) are that they are less useful for other tasks ie word-processing etc as the large color / icon coding on the keys somewhat obfuscates the original lettering. If you're edit system is multifunctional then you might want to consider a skin which can be overlaid or removed as necessary (some find the tactile response from a skin is less than desirable, for those then a separate dedicated can be added) but if you;re ok with the skin its a fine addition (and it also keeps dust, coffee and toast crumbs out of your keyboard too)

As far as brands go I've had great experience with the Logickeyboards and I absolutely hated the Bella that I used for a while ... but thats a personal choice, I know many others who feel quite passionately about their Bella keyboards! For skins I like the kbcovers.

Just to throw in a different viewpoint: I have used one and found it really didn't help me.

The main problem is that the key combinations that are most important for you are unlikely to be there - beyond the most basic ones which are easy to lean.

Another is that it's a lot harder to set up your own keys if you have to worry about the keycaps going extinct.

Yet another is that, as a terrible typist who does have to glance at the keys, it makes typing much more difficult. Not a problem for true touch typists.

What has been very useful for me is the laminated keystroke maps which actually fit all the key combos. You refer to it and learn the combos as you need them, then you don't need it for a while. In fact I can't find it right now to tell you who puts it out.

One other thing I do is to use a standard cheap Windows keyboard and mark just a few of the most important or hardest to remember keys on it.

With all respect for those who do find the colorful ones useful.

by the way, just to be clear, I personally don't use either a dedicated keyboard or fcp skin ... but when I edit on an avid system I'm completely lost without a color coded keyboard

Bella makes a FCP dedicated keyboard (Professional Series 3.0) that includes colored key caps, a shuttle/jog control (twist type) and macro key capabilities. It was around $180. I really like the macros that allow multiple commands to be executed with a single key stroke. It even has a led light on a flexible stick that plugs into the back of the keyboard. I though I was fast but this keyboard has made me lighting fast. It is fully customizable using their supplied software. My only complaint is that the 4 key is sticking. I will have to find a keycap pull tool and clean the key.
Google Bella to order online.

Actually, checking out that site, you can get the keyboard itself if you don't want the skin but it's pretty pricey.

Agreed on both counts, which is why I didn't mention it.

Are you saying that the new aluminum keyboard by Logickeyboard does not work the 2008's? I don't see that anywhere on their website.