Using a jog wheel to scrub Final Cut Pro Editor

tb00928 · March 21, 2025, 7:13pm

Hi All,

I recently picked up a logitech creative console to speed up my regular job's workflow and my FCP hobbyist workflow. If you're unfamiliar with the creative console, it comes with two devices - one is more or less a stream deck, the other has 4 programmable buttons and features two main dials. A large left/right dial and smaller up/down dial. I've enjoyed the console so far, however, the dial leaves a little to be desired. From the keyboard shortcuts that come with FCP, I have it programmed to +/- 10 frames for the horizontal, and +/- One frame for the vertical. Even with the sensitivity of the dials turned as high as they will go I still can not scroll through my editor quickly enough. One full turn of the large dial gets me about 20% through one line of film strip set to 5 second intervals. I would like to use the horizontal dial to quickly scrub through large chunks of the video, and the vertical dial to "zero" it in.

My question is, how can I leverage KM to scrub through videos faster using the dials? Basically I want to create a macro that puts me into the editor where I can breeze through using the dials while setting keyword commands as I go (already have the keywords part figured out). I'm totally dumbfounded as 1 or 10 frames is the most FCP will let you advance or retreat. Even if you dont have the console, has anyone adjusted similar settings on other wheels or dials? Thanks so much for your help.

Airy · March 21, 2025, 7:32pm

I'm not certain, but you may be able to solve this using this action:

That action has four possible directions (up, down, left, right.) You could create four macros, one for each direction. Each macro would use a USB Device Key Trigger (triggered by the two wheels in each direction), and contain this one action (with the appropriate direction and speed of your choice).

I'm not actually certain this will work, but it looks to me like it would work. It's going to be up to you to find the appropriate numeric value for each of your four macros.

I'm not sure if I've explained this clearly or not. If not, just ask me to try again.

tb00928 · March 21, 2025, 8:07pm

Unfortunately no dice with this configuration (have the keyboard command mapped to the wheel). Even tried it without FCP as a trigger and still wouldnt go.

One way to get what I am looking for is to just simply have the mouse go over the video frame in the editor. Is there a way to map the mouse to follow along the entire length of footage and then link it to my wheel?

Airy · March 21, 2025, 9:03pm

Unfortunately you didn't use the USB Device Key Trigger. That's probably why your macro didn't work. Why don't you try using the trigger that I recommended?

I don't own FCP, but if you show some screenshots I might be able to assist. Oh I see you did post a screenshot, so now I will read your request again and see if I can understand exactly what you want.

EDIT: I don't understand what "follow along the entire length of the footage" means. Do you want the mouse to click on the marker and drag the marker to the right until we are at the end of the timeline? Isn't there a keyboard shortcut in that app that takes you to the end? I suspect there is a keyboard shortcut that will do that. I also do not understand what "and then link it to my wheel" means. Since I don't have this app (and since I'm a little dim) it would probably be helpful if you create a video showing what you are trying to accomplish. Even better, you should try my USB Device Key Trigger suggestion, as I think that may solve your problem perfectly.

tb00928 · March 21, 2025, 10:10pm

ah, yes was definitely missing that step. I can only get KM to pick up my mouse, doesn't seem to be detecting the console. Is there a way to add it? and will I also need a keyboard shortcut in addition to the USB modifier?

Im trying to scrub through my footage at a faster pace. Final cut pro has built in keyboard commands for +/- 1 or 10 frames. This is the functionality I want, but is not fast enough for me. I'm wanting to go like +/- 20 or 30 frames for which no current command exists. Would it be possible to just make a command that could combine the +10 frames twice?

Airy · March 22, 2025, 11:17am

You are much closer now, but you are using a button inside the "USB Device Key well" instead of using the wheel. So you are kinda missing my entire point. But now that you have the correct trigger, click on the box in that trigger, (the same box where your Ergo Mouse button is listed) and then while the box is highlighted, rotate one of your wheels one click. That should change the trigger to your wheel. That's what I'm trying to accomplish. You're getting close, but you're not there yet.

I'm still not 100% sure my solution will work, but I am sure that you should TRY to see if my solution will work, but following my instructions in the above paragraph.

If you do what I said in my top paragraph, it will probably work.

That's exactly what I'm trying to do. But I need you to follow my instructions.

tb00928 · March 22, 2025, 11:30am

Unfortunately I tried many times to turn the scroll wheel in this screen with the device key field selected, it just wouldn't get detected. Tried multiple other buttons on the console as well after turning the wheel just for haha's and only my mouse could be detected. I might be overthinking this, but I'm not certain that KM is detecting/talking to the console as it is configured in its own Logi Options+ software.

Airy · March 22, 2025, 11:48am

Okay. That always has worked for me when attaching a USB device to my Mac.

Hmm, perhaps the Logi software is intercepting the console's USB keys and not letting KM see them. Maybe there's a pass-through option in the Logi software?

I suspect that your enemy here is the Logi Options software. Thanks for telling me this, as now it's less likely that I will buy that product.

tb00928 · March 22, 2025, 12:12pm

So I have the entire suite of Logi products, mouse, keyboard, (was not using the keyboard when trying to complete this task, was just using my mac) and console. They're all connected through the logi+ options app. I concur with your suspicion that the Logi's software is intercepting/blocking the macros from KM, however, wonder how my mouse can still get through and not the console if they're both Logi's, both operating on the same software platform, and connected via bluetooth (Besides the "stream deck" device, which is actually wired via usb-c). Are you aware of anyway to make the devices discoverable in KM?

Another thing worth mentioning is that with a legit stream deck you can create your macro in KM and export straight to stream deck. Logi Options + has their own internal mechanism for creating macros which is not as robust as KM (Screen Shot Attached)

. Thats why my objective was to make a more "complex" macro using KM and activate it using a more simple macro (or keyboard shortcut). I'm guessing Logi probably wants you just using their software, not a third party.

Then again its always possible I have donkey brains and there is a very simple fix to this that I just can't see.

EDIT: If I can get this to jive with KM I would recommend the product. Basically if Final Cut Pro had the ability to just set how far forward/back you could jump frames I'd have have 0 complaints, pretty good product other than that, technically isn't the devices fault that FCP lacks the functionality to make it faster.

Airy · March 22, 2025, 1:02pm

The answer is simply that that's how the product was designed.

Precisely. "Follow the money" applies.

I decided now to ask ChatGPT for ideas. Here's what it said:... maybe one of these ideas will work for you...

Yes, Final Cut Pro allows you to speed up scrubbing in a few different ways:

Use “Fast Skimming”

By default, scrubbing in Final Cut Pro is linked to skimming speed, but you can enable Fast Skimming for even quicker navigation:

Enable Skimming (S key toggles it on/off).
Enable Fast Skimming :

• Go to View > Skimming > Fast Skimming

• OR use the shortcut: Shift + S

Effect: This increases scrubbing speed when moving the mouse over the timeline.

Adjust Playback Speed with JKL Keys

You can increase scrubbing speed dynamically using the JKL keys:

• Press L multiple times → Faster forward scrub

• Press J multiple times → Faster backward scrub

• Press K + L → Slow-motion forward scrub

• Press K + J → Slow-motion backward scrub

Effect: Allows you to scrub at variable speeds without using the mouse.

Change Mouse Sensitivity for Scrubbing

If you’re using a trackpad or a mouse with a scroll wheel, try increasing your mouse’s tracking speed:

• System Settings > Mouse/Trackpad > Increase Tracking Speed

• In Final Cut Pro, hold Shift while scrubbing to make it more responsive.

Effect: A faster mouse means faster scrubbing.

Use a Hardware Controller (Optional)

If you want ultra-fast and precise scrubbing , consider using:

• A Jog/Shuttle Wheel (e.g., Loupedeck , Contour Shuttle )

• An iPad with Sidecar (using gestures for scrubbing)

Effect: Gives hardware-level control for fast scrubbing.

Best Method?

• For quick timeline scrubbing → Use Fast Skimming (Shift + S).

• For precise control → Use JKL Keys .

• For an extra boost → Increase mouse tracking speed or use a hardware jog wheel .