It’s a subject that we get asked quite often so I though it worth spending 20min to explain the difference between the Logic PRO and ADV (Advance) series keyboards. Clients often ask:
What’s the difference between the logic Keyboard Pro and Advance series?
Why does the Pro series cost a bit more than the Advance series?
How can I tell the difference between the Pro and Advance series Logic Keyboards?
First up, for those that may not be familiar with the logic keyboards. logic make custom keyboards for all Audio, Video, Film and graphics applications. Perhaps more widely used for Avid's Media Composer and Apple’s Final Cut Pro Editing applications. Logic keyboards generally make two different models for each application, the Advance series and the Pro series, each at slightly different price points. The Advance series is the entry level line and the Pro series is the top of the line.
In this blog we’re looking at the Media Composer keyboards for the Mac in both the Advance series (part No. LKBU-MCOM4-AM89-US) and the Pro Series (part No. LKBU-MCOM4-M89-US). You’ll notice the part numbers are also very close, no wonder so many people get confused on this subject!
At first glance the both look very similar so one might ask “Why should I spend a bit extra to get the Pro series?”. This is the questions we are going to answer
Can you spot the difference from the above image? Lets take a closer look at both..
Here’s a closer up look at the PRO series. You’ll notice each of the individual keys is made up of a solid color and the color is uniform. If we take a close up look of the more cost effective Advance series you’ll notice the color is only on the top of key and it’s not as ‘clean’ as the PRO series.
I have highlighted the edges of the keys where you will see this best. Unlike the PRO series which has had fully colored keys installed in place of the original white keys, the Advance series have had the colors and text printed on the top surface only of the original keys.
The PRO series gives a very clean look as can be seen above.
The other thing you can notice is the Advance series has a sort of almost mosaic look on the top of keys.
OK, you should now be able to spot the difference and understand why the Pro series is slightly more expensive. Personally, I’d pay the extra for the Pro series as if I’m going to the expense of purchasing a dedicated keyboard then i want it to look good!
One extra point that’s worth mentioning is that electrically and mechanically both keyboards are exactly the same. They operate the same and the feel is the same. you can therefor expect both to last as long as each other.
OK, that’s enough on the keyboards, lets take a quick look at the Logic Skins
Logic Keyboard Skins
Logic also produce a wide range of skins and these are great for MacBooks where you can install the skin and leave it on the keyboard, even when you close the lid!
This time we’re looking at a Final Cut Pro keyboard skin installed on a Macbook Pro keyboard. When I say installed, it’s not really the best word to use as it’s just a matter of laying the skin over the top of the keyboard, being sure to line it up with the keys.
It fits like a glove and the ‘feel is great’.
Where some keys are not used, as can be seen above, the skin is clear and you can see the original MacBook Pro keyboard underneath.