TourBox Elite Plus Review: Smarter, Faster Editing

The TourBox Elite Plus represents a welcome upgrade over its predecessor, offering iPad compatibility for creatives.

This review breaks down its key features and how it integrates with compatible software like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop.

Let’s take a look.

TourBox Elite Plus Specs

• Operating Systems: Compatible with macOS (10.13+), Windows (7/10+/64‑bit), and iPadOS (13+)

• Connectivity: Dual‑channel Bluetooth 5.0 (switch between two paired devices), or USB‑C wired connection

• Power: Runs on 2× AA batteries (approx. 2‑month life); when wired, draws 5 V DC @ 100 mA; Bluetooth mode draws 3 V DC @ 50 mA

• Controls & Buttons: 11 physical buttons plus 3 clickable knobs (knob, dial, scroll wheel); haptic feedback on knobs/scroll wheel

• Physical Dimensions: 116 × 101 × 44 mm (≈ 11.6 × 10.1 × 4.4 cm)

• Weight: ~376 g without batteries (≈420 g with)

• Build: Matte, translucent plastic shell with non‑slip rubber feet

• Software support: TourBox Console software for Windows and Mac, TourBox app for iPad. Provides preset workflows, HUD overlays, and deep integration with various software applications (e.g., Photoshop, Lightroom, Procreate, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, etc.).

• Customization: Fully programmable buttons/knobs (single/press+hold/double‑press), macros, combinations, adjustable haptic intensity and dial speed

• In‑box contents: Device, 2 AA batteries, Quick Start Guide; optional cable and travel case available separately

Build & Appearance

The TourBox Elite Plus is an impressively sturdy device with responsive, quality components.

Unboxing the TourBox Elite Plus reveals its substantial weight, with a solid feel that ensures the device remains securely in place during use.

The array of controls is all made from high-quality plastic, complemented by the overall robust casing and premium manufacturing feel.

This sturdy build quality is complemented by rubber feet, further enhancing the TourBox Elite Plus’s functionality and ensuring it remains securely in place when in use.

Surrounding the exterior of the TourBox Elite Plus are a discreet USB-C port for direct connection to a computer, with the power switch and battery compartment on the underside.

While the device doesn’t feature a dedicated rechargeable battery, it does come with two AA batteries included, which deliver extended performance.

A versatile selection of dials, knobs, buttons, and a scroll wheel are presented on the TourBox Elite Plus, each positioned for optimal access through left-handed use.

Each button features a responsive tactile feel when engaged, along with multiple functions for clicking and scrolling, allowing for customized processes and combinations.

While the selection may appear daunting at first glance, the intuitive nature of the layout becomes evident when using the device’s presets and creating complex macro operations.

This configuration enables an impressive scope of optimization for various content creation workflows, allowing users to control tools without needing to look at the device.

Ergonomics & Handling

Button combinations and haptic feedback make the TourBox Elite Plus intuitive across multiple workflows.

The sturdy build quality and carefully considered arrangement of the various controls of the TourBox Elite Plus deliver a consistently engaging user experience.

Its chunky size and the separation between knobs, wheels, and multiple buttons makes it easy to operate without having to check hand positions once presets or macros are applied visually.

Thanks to the ability to include button press combinations for more extensive functionality, the TourBox Elite Plus is ideal for streamlining complex operations when editing videos and images.

Button input responsiveness also shows no disparity between wired and Bluetooth modes, with instant reactions that are enhanced with the haptic mode enabled.

In total, the TourBox Elite Plus offers eleven customizable controls that can be further refined with single and double-click functions, along with additional combination actions for multiple buttons.

For example, rotary controls like the dial can be combined with the side button, allowing for quick transitions between rotating the canvas or adjusting brush sizes depending on the combination.

Paired with the included software’s heads-up display, which visually maps out commands, it’s a powerful and versatile tool that transforms many keyboard shortcuts into simplified button presses.

This streamlined user experience is further enhanced by additional features, including adjustable speed modes for the knobs and dials, which allow users to refine and fine-tune parameters.

Likewise, the hover adjust setting allows for parameters to be quickly controlled with the TourBox Elite Plus without requiring a mouse click within the software to activate.

This degree of customization and application across multiple software platforms does lead to an inherently steeper learning curve to master the TourBox Elite Plus.

However, experimentation with various presets and applying dedicated settings enables the creation of intuitive and responsive, personalized setups for content creation.

Software & Customization

Applying presets and customizing functions is straightforward through the TourBox Elite Plus console.

The TourBox Elite Plus is controlled via a dedicated console app that requires installation to operate its various functions across different software platforms.

Setup is incredibly straightforward, with the console app instantly recognizing compatible software installed on the host computer.

Selecting specific software in the left-hand panel displays the associated presets, each of which is visualized through the controller in the bottom left-hand corner of the interface.

Scroll to the bottom of the presets, and users can apply their customized controls, ranging from single-click functions to combinations that enhance their versatility.

The console opens with a handy tutorial that quickly guides users through the core features, while the option to import presets from other users is an invaluable resource.

This community-focused approach to preset libraries can be a real time-saver for content creators looking to use the TourBox Elite Plus to satisfy a familiar workflow on projects.

Likewise, the ability to turn the haptic feedback on and off, fine-tune its setting, and apply the same degree of finesse to dial rotation speeds further adds to its customization potential.

It’s the overall approach to customization that truly expands the controller’s functionality, allowing for multiple button interactions to be blended depending on the desired function.

The app console offers a range of hotkeys to save time setting up the controller. At the same time, the ability to create complex macros will significantly reduce time for batch processing and other actions.

There’s also the option to include a HUD display over the specific program being used, complemented by a D-pad HUD to save time referencing your settings.

Given the potential complexity of the controller and the associated time required to familiarize yourself with the setup, these HUD displays are a welcome addition to the system.

Overall Performance

D-pad and other HUD options are excellent additions that further streamline functionality.

The TourBox Elite Plus’s highly customizable nature has an ongoing learning curve, but thanks to the streamlined user interface and workflow, getting up and running is a breeze.

The controls feel natural and well thought out, with smart positioning that makes it easy to switch between dials, buttons, and other features.

Available presets and custom settings shared by other users offer a great starting point for personalizing the tool to suit your own editing workflow.

Using the TourBox Elite Plus for image editing and art, its time-saving utility is instantly evident, whether using it to browse through libraries, adjusting brushes and canvas view, and other functions.

While art-based software is one of the core user bases for the TourBox Elite Plus, it’s equally impressive when integrated into video post-processing workflows, whether for editing or color grading.

The combination of dials, scroll wheels, and buttons makes scrubbing through and trimming footage effortless, with dedicated functions for cutting, ripple deleting, and other operations.

Grading is also streamlined, allowing for quick switching and fine-tuning between multiple parameters, from initial color corrections for white balance and exposure to creative final touches.

Buttons can be mapped to add nodes to the DaVinci Resolve grading suite, then work through the node tree and quickly apply changes using the wheel and other buttons.

The D-pad integration and menu system are another area where the TourBox Elite Plus shines, particularly for rapid photo editing and altering global and local image values.

It’s here that the macro creation tools come to the fore, further enhancing the controller’s ability to shave time off complex or repetitive workflows.

Over extended use, it’s easy to see an expanded set of customized settings being incorporated into a workflow, particularly when used in the professional content creator context.

The result is an essential controller for any video or image editor who wants to integrate multiple keyboard shortcuts into an engaging and tactile device that covers all processes.

How I Tested the TourBox Elite Plus

Testing the TourBox Elite Plus on DaVinci Resolve

For this TourBox Elite Plus review, I tested the controller on multiple hardware combinations and various compatible software platforms.

For the DaVinci Resolve and Photoshop tests, the software was used via both Bluetooth and a direct connection on a Windows 10 PC equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 3400G processor and 32 GB of RAM.

The device was tested for multiple video editing workflows, including clip editing and manipulation, as well as additional post-production color grading processes.

Additional tests for Photoshop and Illustrator were conducted using a Microsoft Surface Pro laptop with an Intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU and 16GB of RAM, connected to a Wacom Cintiq 22 drawing tablet.

The TourBox Elite Plus was assessed for its suitability for left-handed illustrators and how the control orientation can be modified without restricting its overall utility.

Across all platforms, various presets were applied to assess their suitability for workflows, along with the creation of dedicated settings for specific processes.

Alternatives to the TourBox Elite Plus

There’s an impressive range of dedicated controllers available to help creatives streamline their workflows and instantly apply keyboard shortcuts.

TourBox offers a budget-friendly alternative to the Elite Plus with the Lite, which provides a similar experience with a pared-down selection of buttons and dials.

Another option for budget-conscious creators is the Contour Design Shuffle Pro V2, which takes the traditional mouse format with assignable buttons for streamlining complex tasks.

If you’re more interested in alternatives for video editing, DaVinci Resolve provides a dedicated editing bank with the Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor.

The manufacturer also produces the high-end alternative, the Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel, which is specifically designed for the professional editing and grading market.

There’s also the more affordable Artist Transport controller for one-handed video editing in Adobe Premiere, Pro Tools, Media Composer, Logic Pro, and Final Cut Pro.

While these controllers provide an extensive range of mappable buttons and dials, they lack the portability of the TourBox Elite Plus, and are best suited to dedicated studio setups.

Value for Money

With its rugged build quality and versatile range of editable controls, the TourBox Elite Plus delivers a significant amount of value for its price point (around US$300—check latest pricing here).

While casual content creators may find it overkill, the portability and extensive range of software compatibility deliver plenty of scope for creative applications.

Used with the iPad, it’s a game-changer for swift illustration workflows on the move, with equal flexibility when installed in a dedicated office setup.

Professional artists and video editors, in particular, will benefit from the TourBox Elite Plus, saving countless work hours in the long run.

This value is enhanced over the long term, thanks to the ability to continually refine button combinations for additional processes as needed.

TourBox Elite Plus Review | Conclusion

The TourBox Elite Plus is a welcome upgrade over the previous edition, blending a rugged build quality with an impressive array of controls for all types of content creators.

While it takes some time to master fully, this is a testament to its versatility and the ability to create fully personalized button combinations for individual workflows.

The ability to quickly switch between software makes it suitable for professional use, streamlining image editing across Adobe software through presets and robust macros.

With its straightforward integration and customization, the TourBox Elite Plus is a must for serious creatives looking to save hours and drive their productivity.

Highly Recommended

TourBox Elite Plus

Versatile editing tool that shaves hours off your workflow with intuitive, customizable controls.

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