Kyno has returned with version 1.9, the first significant update in years. Now under the ownership of Signiant, the software shows that one of the most practical video workflow tools is still maintained.

Apple Silicon done properly

The most obvious change is support for Apple Silicon processors. Kyno now runs natively on M1 and M2 hardware, avoiding the translation overhead of Rosetta. However, users must download the dedicated installer from the vendor’s site, since the auto-updater still delivers only the Intel build.

A darker, sharper interface

The update also refreshes the interface. Kyno now uses a darker look with higher contrast in selection colours, a larger system font for better readability, and smoother scrolling on macOS. Buttons have moved: the drilldown function is now placed in the general toolbar, while activity progress is linked directly from the status bar. These are minor shifts, but they help when navigating large collections of footage under time pressure.

Staying current with RAW

For camera workflows, the Blackmagic RAW and RED RAW SDKs have been updated to match the latest camera models and firmware. For editors and DITs handling recent cameras, this alone makes the update worth considering.

Metadata and shared storage

The new release introduces volume settings that allow users to store technical metadata and thumbnails directly within a shared file system. Indexing behaviour can now be optimised for shared storage environments, which should reduce inconsistencies when multiple workstations access the same material.

Background analysis and smarter proxies

Pre-analysis of media now runs in the background without blocking the interface. Proxy workflows gain smarter presets that automatically create batches of proxies with scaling. For teams managing large projects, these refinements mean fewer interruptions and more predictable file handling.

Small details that matter

Some changes are less visible but still useful. A new context action, “Show in Enclosing Folder,” helps locate media quickly when working in drilldown mode. The refresh button has been improved; holding Shift while clicking forces a hard refresh, useful if the interface shows inconsistent file states. These small adjustments address long-standing workflow irritations. Not all features survived the update. Integration with Frame.io and Archiware P5 has been removed.

Fixes and maintenance

Security updates and a series of bug fixes round off the release. Copy-paste shortcuts work again, macOS users can now send to Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 without issue, and Windows users benefit from a more reliable update installer. Stability fixes cover problems ranging from broken keyboard shortcuts to folders being incorrectly marked as offline after macOS upgrades.

Still a favourite, cautiously

Kyno remains a favourite among professionals for previewing, transcoding and metadata management. Version 1.9 is no revolution, but it proves the tool is alive and slowly evolving. For users who have invested in Kyno as part of their daily workflow, that alone is significant.

We will be speaking with the developers at IBC and will report back on their plans for the software. Until then, consider this release a maintenance update with a few useful surprises. As always, test before deploying in production.

The post Kyno Update: Still Alive, Still Useful first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

SGO has released Mistika 11 for Mistika Boutique and Mistika Ultima. The central addition is The Gallery, a new UI panel designed for storing, applying, and managing looks, effects, and snapshots. Presets can be saved at the effect or full stack level and applied across projects.

The upgrade is available immediately in the Downloads section of user accounts, and a series of tutorials on YouTube demonstrates the new tools in practice.

The Gallery: Unified, Central, Preset-Hungry

At its core, the Gallery is an all-new UI layer for clip navigation, grading presets, and effect stack management. SGO pitches it as “a unified interface designed to elevate the colourist’s workflow” with:

• Rapid clip navigation
• Instant preset creation by drag-and-drop or right-click
• Smart snapshots for quick look management
• A streamlined panel that can be docked, undocked, or switched into strip mode

The Gallery is not just a storage bin for looks. It is designed as a working hub, connecting timeline navigation, effect reuse, and reference shot organisation.

Unlimited Galleries and Cross-Project Presets

Mistika 11 allows unlimited galleries. Each can be customised independently, pulling material from projects, external folders, or internal preset libraries. Colourists can build dedicated galleries for each show, or mix multiple sources in one place. Presets can be saved at either the effect level or as an entire effect stack. To apply, users drag them onto clips; holding Alt applies the full stack. This flexibility enables rapid testing of different looks and re-use of established stacks across projects. SGO has demonstrated workflows where full stacks can be copied and pasted between looks in seconds. This aims to reduce repetitive grading and effects work.

Open Timeline, Folder, and FX

The Gallery supports three external modes:

• Open Timeline: Recover effects, snapshots, or stacks from any timeline.
• Open Folder: Bring in reference stills or test shots from a media folder.
• Open FX: Load previously saved presets directly from a path on disk.

Multi-Directional Drag-and-Drop

Mistika 11 introduces multi-directional drag-and-drop, which lets users move and apply effects in any direction across the interface. Unlike the previous single-axis handling, this system is built for speed and aims to keep the grading process fluid.

Colourists who prefer mouse-driven workflows will find this feature most visible in large sessions with many clips. Effects, stacks, or references can be moved into the Gallery, across the storyboard, or directly back to the timeline with one continuous gesture.

Family Mode: Cohesion With No Extra Work

The new Family Mode automatically groups related shots to maintain visual consistency across projects. By linking clips into families, Mistika 11 ensures that changes applied to one member propagate consistently across the group. This reduces the manual effort often needed to track related scenes or multi-camera angles, making it easier to maintain an overall project look.

Albums, Tags, and Metadata

Mistika 11 also replaces the Gangs system with a more flexible Albums feature. Albums act as collections of clips that can be tagged with metadata and retrieved quickly. Clips can be sorted and filtered by format, clip name, source timecode, and custom tags. With tag-based searchability, users can isolate specific shots or categories within a large timeline. For productions with complex conform workflows, this upgrade promises finer control over clip organisation.

Advanced Filtering

The Gallery integrates filtering tools directly into both the timeline and Gallery interface. Combined with Albums, these tools create a granular organisational layer that allows large projects to remain manageable. Users can:

• Sort and view clips by technical metadata (format, timecode, etc.)
• Search for clips by name or tag
• Apply metadata filters for precision grading control

Smart Snapshots and Look Management

The Gallery also adds Smart Snapshots, a quick method for capturing looks at a given point in the timeline. These snapshots can be reused, compared, or modified to build look libraries inside a project. Snapshots are stored visually, making them easy to recognise and drag onto other clips or projects. This feature extends the traditional still-store model found in other grading systems but adds metadata and tagging for retrieval.

Available Now

Mistika 11 is available immediately to all existing customers of Boutique and Ultima, and to new users via trial download. As with any major upgrade, Digital Production recommends testing the Gallery and metadata changes in non-critical environments before rolling them out into production pipelines.

The post Mistika 11 Adds “The Gallery” for Colourists Who Hoard Looks first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.