I use an 8 channel flying fader mixer on my Avid - a JL Cooper model MCS-3000X. It communicates to the Avid Audio Mixer. Now instead of having to mouse click and move a fader, I can simply move the fader on my mixer to raise or lower the level of a clip. Or, I can activate the Audio Mix mode. Then the JL Cooper becomes a true mixer. As you change the faders, key frames are added in your timeline, and the audio is rebalanced. Don’t like the results? You can trash can that mix pass and do it again. Or you can move individual key frames.

Macintosh computers seem to be preferred by many post editors. But sometimes we need to work on Windows PC's. One solution for those who have to work on Windows PC’s and hate the keyboard arrangement is KeyTweak.

The KeyTweak utility allows you to remap any key on your keyboard. I have changed the PC Alt key (located where the ⌘ key should be) and remap it with the Control key. So now my hand / keyboard arrangement is the same on both Mac and PC. Best of all, KeyTweak is free.

I can never have enough programmable keys. I purchased the Avant Stellar keyboard for use on a PC Adrenaline. It not only has two sets of function keys, but every key can be remapped. Avant also has ergonomic keyboards, and programmable keypads for added functionality.