Performance

All in all, a Palette Gear Expert Kit functions well, but there is the big underlying question: In reality, just how useful is a Palette Gear kit? To what degree is workflow improved?

Well, for isolated adjustments, of course eliminating cursor navigation speeds workflow. But workflow is made up of more than just individual adjustments.

Just how much quicker one’s workflow is when using a Palette Gear Kit is subjective really and hard to measure in numbers. Users are quoted to benefit from an immediate 30% quicker workflow process - a figure that in reality is a pure estimate. 

There is the consideration of time needed to acclimatise to a Palette Gear kit. Remembering what each module does in each profile, let alone multiple profiles, takes time - this does not happen overnight. 

However, once the groundwork has been put in and the Palette Gear Kit is setup to your typical workflow, it is handy addition indeed. Each module responds well and feels great in the hand. 

For us, the reduction of strain operating the mouse/ trackpad is one of the biggest selling points. The module controls are comfortable yet also concise for precise adjustments. 

Using a Palette Gear kit with a few of the compatible Adobe CC apps, we did not encounter glitches. It simply works and that cannot be underestimated. 

Conclusion

Palette Gear markets its kits at professionals, for whom time is money. After all, what is a mere $500 if your everyday workflow is quicker?

Well, the kit looks great, is certainly made very well and it simply does what it needs to. We feel that a Palette Gear kit makes adjustments that much easier, specifically more comfortable. 

The fact that the slider modules are non-motorised is not a deal breaker, especially considering the workaround and that the multi-function dial modules are limitless, rather than the limited rotary kind. 

For Lightroom, the Expert Kit combined with Palette Profile Switching offers an ideal middle ground - the right number of controls to be useful before becoming overwhelming.

With time invested in setting up the modules to your editing workflow and familiarising which modules do what for each profile, then the Palette Gear kit makes editing that much more pleasurable.

When compared to other MIDI controller decks, a Palette Gear kit is a novel but expensive alternative. 

If you are an Adobe CC user, have the space on your desk and the cash to splash, then a Palette Gear kit could well be for you.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4
Ease-of-use	4
Value for money	3

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