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Everything You Need to Know About the OxygenTec ProPanel

By Tristan Kneschke

Published: June 11, 2015 Last Updated: September 13, 2016

The new OxygenTec ProPanel is aimed at the traveling colorist or the beginning colorist on a budget. Is it the right device for you? Let’s take a look.

Top image from icolorist

The new OxyenTec ProPanel’s relatively simple interface comes with the most important features for a control surface: the triple rings and dials for controlling shadows, midtones, and highlights. These are commonplace to every single control surface out there, including Blackmagic’s premium surface, which features all the bells and whistles. At only around $800, OxygenTec’s panel is definitely a cheaper alternative to the JL Cooper Eclipse, the Avid Artist Color, the Tangent Element and even the older Tangent Wave model.

The ProPanel is available now and integrates natively with DaVinci Resolve, connecting via USB. Aside from the main dials and trackballs, several buttons line the top of the control surface. From left to right, you have commands for:

Undo
Redo
Grab Still
Play Still
Previous Node
Next Node
Start Dynamic
Mark for Keyframing
Base Memory (resets just the node you’re on)

There are also reset buttons for the dials and trackballs. The list of commands available means you’ll still be navigating around the timeline with your mouse, and likely using a lot of keyboard commands in general. Still, even just having the dials and trackballs will make you much faster at grading. A panel is a must in any session, since making adjustments on the color wheels inside DaVinci Resolve’s software tends to be cumbersome. It’s not really my idea of fun.

Here’s a video review from fellow colorist Warren Eagles and his thoughts on the ProPanel:

In my opinion, the Tangent Element is a better purchase since it’s expandable. The beginner colorist requires the dials and trackballs that come standard on every control panel to approach grading seriously. The other panels in the Element set can be purchased at a later date as business expands. They’re also easy to transport and lightweight to boot. Since OxygenTec’s ProPanel is a new product, I’m hoping the company aims to release several additions similar to the Element which seems to be its main competitor. As of now though, at this price point you’re better suited to investing in a product from Tangent.

Interested in learning more about the colorist lifestyle? Check out these articles from PremiumBeat:

Think you might get an OxygenTec ProPanel? Tell us why (or why not) in the comments below!