Using a trackball for DAW editing
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- KVRAF
- 2068 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
Does anyone use a trackball for his DAW, audio editing, mixing etc. ?
The reason I´m asking is because my desk space is getting smaller and smaller and I reached the point where I can´t move my mouse in any direction without needing to reposition the device itself all the time.
I think I would solve this problem with a trackball. But I´m afraid it could slow down my entire workflow. What are your thoughts guys?
The reason I´m asking is because my desk space is getting smaller and smaller and I reached the point where I can´t move my mouse in any direction without needing to reposition the device itself all the time.
I think I would solve this problem with a trackball. But I´m afraid it could slow down my entire workflow. What are your thoughts guys?
Its over for Bitwig--CUBASE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- KVRAF
- 2719 posts since 2 Jul, 2010
I used to, and it did the job fine for DAW stuff. Was quite nice to know exactly where it will be while keeping eyes on the screen. That said, my workflow involves a lot of keyboard shortcuts and a few MIDI controller buttons. I you like to poke around visual taskbars your mileage my vary.
- Beware the Quoth
- 35481 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
I never really got on with them; I blame Centipede.
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRian
- 1201 posts since 25 Sep, 2002
Using a Logitech M570 here & have done for 4/5 years I’d be lost without it, for me it’s just so efficient to use (music & general PC usage). I tried a couple of different types initially but the M570 just fits for me. I could understand people taking a while to be comfortable but definitely worth it in the long run. Good luck.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2068 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
Thanks, the shortcuts workflow is a good point!imrae wrote: Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:30 am I used to, and it did the job fine for DAW stuff. Was quite nice to know exactly where it will be while keeping eyes on the screen. That said, my workflow involves a lot of keyboard shortcuts and a few MIDI controller buttons. I you like to poke around visual taskbars your mileage my vary.
Last edited by enCiphered on Fri Jan 25, 2019 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Its over for Bitwig--CUBASE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- KVRAF
- 4589 posts since 7 Jun, 2012 from Warsaw
I use trackball with Ableton, no issues. Not only for space saving, but mostly for wrist condition.
The trackball has no wheel tho, so can't scroll screen in place. But turn out handy if you have a PC keyboard or dedicated controller in other hand, you can hold both comfortably.
The trackball has no wheel tho, so can't scroll screen in place. But turn out handy if you have a PC keyboard or dedicated controller in other hand, you can hold both comfortably.
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Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2068 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
You mean the Atari trackball?
Its over for Bitwig--CUBASE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2068 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
Yeah, thats my concern too.. but I really want to be more efficient and faster. Thanks for your reply!don1thedon wrote: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:56 am I could understand people taking a while to be comfortable but definitely worth it in the long run. Good luck.
Its over for Bitwig--CUBASE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- KVRist
- 92 posts since 4 Apr, 2004 from Dorset UK
I have a Kensington Track ball. Has a scroll ring which is really useful and I use it for both my day job and at home. I find it more efficient and quicker to zoom in and scroll etc.
https://www.pcworldbusiness.co.uk/buy- ... lsrc=aw.ds
https://www.pcworldbusiness.co.uk/buy- ... lsrc=aw.ds
- Beware the Quoth
- 35481 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
The Atari video game cabinet with a trackball...
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRist
- 298 posts since 22 Apr, 2008 from Waltham-st-Lawrence.
+1 on the Kensington trackballs, once set up in its preferences its great to use. Cheers Glyn.vincent66 wrote: Fri Jan 25, 2019 11:34 am I have a Kensington Track ball. Has a scroll ring which is really useful and I use it for both my day job and at home. I find it more efficient and quicker to zoom in and scroll etc.
https://www.pcworldbusiness.co.uk/buy- ... lsrc=aw.ds
- KVRAF
- 4749 posts since 15 Jul, 2001 from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, U.K
it would be a struggle to use anything but this for me.

used to use (and still do for video editing) this.


used to use (and still do for video editing) this.

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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2068 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
The first one is the trackpad? Is it wireless? I´m curious to try it out but I am on a windows machine.. Does it behave exactly like the touchpad of a notebook? And what about left and right click, how does it work with it?
Its over for Bitwig--CUBASE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- KVRAF
- 4749 posts since 15 Jul, 2001 from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, U.K
yes bluetooth, not sure it works on windows though. sorry. Mac Here.
enCiphered wrote: Fri Jan 25, 2019 2:26 pm The first one is the trackpad? Is it wireless? I´m curious to try it out but I am on a windows machine.. Does it behave exactly like the touchpad of a notebook? And what about left and right click, how does it work with it?
- KVRAF
- 4080 posts since 28 Jan, 2011 from MEXICO
Trackballs don't stress the wrist, you don't move your hand, so if you do actually edit a lot with the mouse it is a much better input device than a conventional mouse.
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