STREAMDECK USERS? Sharing is caring.

[QVprod]

Anyone know if it loads specific plugin or device, or even open a specific folder? On the Panorama you can load an instrument directly from the controller. Would be cool if you could set up a shortcut to a specific instrument or favorites folder.

Yes, on macOS you can create a shortcut per device by just using the device's full name as found in the create menu
And then I would assume you can assign that shortcut to any of these controllers. Maybe the software for the Streamdeck and Loupedeck bypass the need to create a shortcut separately?

I forgot that was possible. I love Mac OS ! If I can do that then setting the keyboard shortcut to the stream deck is a no brainer. Thanks!

[wendylou]

MakePro xTend Controller for Stream Deck XL

They offer a scalable, customizable controller that works with Stream Deck XL to provide physical motorized faders and rotaries. The scalable device is not tied to any specific application; rather their GLUE software programs its functionality, which can change from app to app. Pretty pricey at $1,139 for the XACT-A8 xAct Controller (other models available) at Thomann Music https://www.thomannmusic.com/makepro_x_ ... roller.htm

https://my.makepro-x.com and https://xtend.makepro-x.com



https://xtend.makepro-x.com/content/con ... _xTend.jpg

[joeyluck]

Yeah if price wasn't a factor, I'd look at the Black Magic consoles and build a hole mixing desk...

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/produc ... e/consoles





I guess there's lots of options when you get into the price range of the Black Magic Fairlight stuff...

[wendylou]

Yeah if price wasn't a factor, I'd look at the Black Magic consoles and build a hole mixing desk...

I guess there's lots of options when you get into the price range of the Black Magic Fairlight stuff...

Good point! There definitely is some allure to control surfaces, and my new Stream Deck got me spiraling down that rabbit hole. What am I thinking... I already have a Nektar Panorama P6 that has awesome Reason control using Remote! Motoraized fader, 9 regular faders, 8 rotaries, 4 buttons. transport control, track switcher, patch switcher color display, function keys, 12 pads with 4th row selector, and 8 encoders & 5 buttons for rack extension mapping control. I'd be hard pressed to get that all that in another control surface.

[wendylou]

Since I get the feeling it will be some time – if ever – before Elgato offers a Stream Deck Plus XL with rotaries, I instead bought a Panorama P1 for mixing, as it has the deepest integration with Reason. I already had the P6 keyboard but wanted convenient desktop access to the faders and rotaries when just mixing. This and the Stream DeckXL make a nice control combo!

stream-deck-xl_p1.jpg (279.72 KiB) Viewed 706 times

[wendylou]

I bought Keyboard Maestro to expand the power of Stream Deck. Here's a quick demo of how Keyboard Maestro can be used to control unmappable controls in any app like Reason. In this example, I have a VST and want to map the Patch increment control, which is not mappable. Keyboard Maestro has a feature where it can find a match on-screen from a snapshot, then click on it. Here I have provided it a snapshot of the Right Arrow on the VST that increments patches. When run, Keyboard Maestro finds it, clicks it, and makes the VST patch change! Macros like this can be mapped to a button in Stream Deck. Other examples I've seen are rapidly assigning colors to tracks. Endless possibilities.

[selig]

Yes, on macOS you can create a shortcut per device by just using the device's full name as found in the create menu
And then I would assume you can assign that shortcut to any of these controllers. Maybe the software for the Streamdeck and Loupedeck bypass the need to create a shortcut separately?

I forgot that was possible. I love Mac OS ! If I can do that then setting the keyboard shortcut to the stream deck is a no brainer. Thanks!

Yes indeed, I created a folder of "quick launch" buttons for my most used devices. You can even use the device icon as the button, making it super Reason friendly!

[selig]

Yeah if price wasn't a factor, I'd look at the Black Magic consoles and build a hole mixing desk...

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/produc ... e/consoles





I guess there's lots of options when you get into the price range of the Black Magic Fairlight stuff...

Yea, no. There are only 14 user programmable buttons on that controller, the rest are all Resolve specific functions. Same for the other controllers in the line, so I'm not sure how much beyond faders and transport (and mute/solo maybe?) would actually work with Reason. That a lot of cabbage for a little control...

[selig]

I bought Keyboard Maestro to expand the power of Stream Deck. Here's a quick demo of how Keyboard Maestro can be used to control unmappable controls in any app like Reason. In this example, I have a VST and want to map the Patch increment control, which is not mappable. Keyboard Maestro has a feature where it can find a match on-screen from a snapshot, then click on it. Here I have provided it a snapshot of the Right Arrow on the VST that increments patches. When run, Keyboard Maestro finds it, clicks it, and makes the VST patch change! Macros like this can be mapped to a button in Stream Deck. Other examples I've seen are rapidly assigning colors to tracks. Endless possibilities.

This looks very powerful, checking it out for sure!

[PhillipOrdonez]

I'm thinking of getting one, but not sure which one to get. I've already begun mapping my profiles, reason is the only one I've not yet mapped, and I presume i will only do favorites on it.

I'm a sucker for these things that speed up your workflow. I already got something similar going on with my pen tablet where i press one button and click on a menu that pops out and that creates a device or performs a task. But the stream deck with the customizable buttons is much better cause you almost don't even need to look at it once you get used to it; a quick glance and you know where to press. Plus it is far deeper in terms of programming with the multi action and switch toggles, etc. It's amazing and I wish I had gotten into it earlier

[crimsonwarlock]

I'm thinking of getting one, but not sure which one to get.

Be sure to look at Touch Portal as well. You can have a lot more buttons, and also sliders. Runs on a tablet, but most people have one.

I made a Reason template, it is available here on the forum: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7527141

[PhillipOrdonez]

I'm thinking of getting one, but not sure which one to get.

Be sure to look at Touch Portal as well. You can have a lot more buttons, and also sliders. Runs on a tablet, but most people have one.

I made a Reason template, it is available here on the forum: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7527141

Thanks. Don't have a tablet though. And the free version is pretty limited (you are limited to a grid of 4×2 (2×4) and you can create only one extra page extra to extend your buttons.) I also don't like the idea of having my phone screen on all day every day which is why I'm looking into the stream deck

[crimsonwarlock]

Thanks. Don't have a tablet though. And the free version is pretty limited (you are limited to a grid of 4×2 (2×4) and you can create only one extra page extra to extend your buttons.) I also don't like the idea of having my phone screen on all day every day which is why I'm looking into the stream deck

Yeah, the free version is basically a demo

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the option

[guitfnky]

I use a Stream Deck+ (the one with knobs) to control Cubase and a bit of Live. it’s awesome for hotkeys/shortcuts, and lets you stack multiples into simple macros—for example, I can have Stream Deck rename, enter the name, and trigger a track color Max 4 Live device in Ableton, with one button. it’s awesome. it also does MIDI, with a plugin you get from their marketplace. I haven’t used it in Reason, but the knobs are great in Cubase, which lets you pretty easily assign a rotary knob to control a knob on the currently-selected track. I use that to tweak track volume, pan, and EQ. works really well. I haven’t had as much success with that particular knob setup in Live, due to how it handles MIDI and control surfaces—but I think that’s just an Ableton limitation.

Stream Deck is great, but I would temper some expectations—it’ll get you thinking about lots of stuff you want to do, but it does have its limitations, and you’re going to run into stuff it can’t do yet.

oh, and the angle is fine. I thought it would bother me too, but it really works well at the angle it’s at. the only real complaint I have about it is that even with a rubbery base, it still results in a little bit of sliding backward when I push the buttons. a flatter angle would have helped there—still, that’s very minor, for me.

[PhillipOrdonez]

I use a Stream Deck+ (the one with knobs) to control Cubase and a bit of Live. it’s awesome for hotkeys/shortcuts, and lets you stack multiples into simple macros—for example, I can have Stream Deck rename, enter the name, and trigger a track color Max 4 Live device in Ableton, with one button. it’s awesome. it also does MIDI, with a plugin you get from their marketplace. I haven’t used it in Reason, but the knobs are great in Cubase, which lets you pretty easily assign a rotary knob to control a knob on the currently-selected track. I use that to tweak track volume, pan, and EQ. works really well. I haven’t had as much success with that particular knob setup in Live, due to how it handles MIDI and control surfaces—but I think that’s just an Ableton limitation.

Stream Deck is great, but I would temper some expectations—it’ll get you thinking about lots of stuff you want to do, but it does have its limitations, and you’re going to run into stuff it can’t do yet.

oh, and the angle is fine. I thought it would bother me too, but it really works well at the angle it’s at. the only real complaint I have about it is that even with a rubbery base, it still results in a little bit of sliding backward when I push the buttons. a flatter angle would have helped there—still, that’s very minor, for me.

Yeah i have already done a rename folder for tracks and groups that works wonderfully! Please tell me more about the color picking, though; can this be done to individual clips as well?

[PhillipOrdonez]

Thanks. Don't have a tablet though. And the free version is pretty limited (you are limited to a grid of 4×2 (2×4) and you can create only one extra page extra to extend your buttons.) I also don't like the idea of having my phone screen on all day every day which is why I'm looking into the stream deck

Yeah, the free version is basically a demo

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the option

for that matter, the stream deck mobile app gives you 6 buttons and I think unlimited profiles/pages all for free, so...

[crimsonwarlock]

for that matter, the stream deck mobile app gives you 6 buttons and I think unlimited profiles/pages all for free, so...

Hmmm... there's a free trial, but subsequently, you pay at least $25 annually for Elgato Mobile, at least on Android. Touch Portal is about half that price once for a perpetual license with unlimited free updates.

[PhillipOrdonez]

for that matter, the stream deck mobile app gives you 6 buttons and I think unlimited profiles/pages all for free, so...

Hmmm... there's a free trial, but subsequently, you pay at least $25 annually for Elgato Mobile, at least on Android. Touch Portal is about half that price once for a perpetual license with unlimited free updates.

No. The free version is free forever. The limitation is you can only have 6 buttons at a time (but you don't need to use one button to change pages). The paid version unlocks up to 64 buttons at a time.

[PhillipOrdonez]

Additionally, there is a perpetual license as well which costs I think 49. But I'm not interested in paying for any of it cause i don't want my phone screen on all day. Would be different if I had an old phone or a tablet. But even then the 6 buttons would be enough as an extra set of buttons to the hardware stream deck, imo

[crimsonwarlock]

No. The free version is free forever.

Maybe on iPhone. The Android version has 15 buttons on a page, and the play-store shows this information:

Stream Deck Mobile is available monthly for $2.99 or 12 months for $25. Payment will be charged to your Google Play account after the free trial period. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial will be forfeited if you purchase a subscription. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings after purchase.

I leave it at that, as I don't have any interest in Elgato stuff myself. Touch Portal is an extremely cheap, yet powerful solution if you have a tablet available, so that does it for me.

[guitfnky]

I use a Stream Deck+ (the one with knobs) to control Cubase and a bit of Live. it’s awesome for hotkeys/shortcuts, and lets you stack multiples into simple macros—for example, I can have Stream Deck rename, enter the name, and trigger a track color Max 4 Live device in Ableton, with one button. it’s awesome. it also does MIDI, with a plugin you get from their marketplace. I haven’t used it in Reason, but the knobs are great in Cubase, which lets you pretty easily assign a rotary knob to control a knob on the currently-selected track. I use that to tweak track volume, pan, and EQ. works really well. I haven’t had as much success with that particular knob setup in Live, due to how it handles MIDI and control surfaces—but I think that’s just an Ableton limitation.

Stream Deck is great, but I would temper some expectations—it’ll get you thinking about lots of stuff you want to do, but it does have its limitations, and you’re going to run into stuff it can’t do yet.

oh, and the angle is fine. I thought it would bother me too, but it really works well at the angle it’s at. the only real complaint I have about it is that even with a rubbery base, it still results in a little bit of sliding backward when I push the buttons. a flatter angle would have helped there—still, that’s very minor, for me.

Yeah i have already done a rename folder for tracks and groups that works wonderfully! Please tell me more about the color picking, though; can this be done to individual clips as well?

the color assignment is done with a Max 4 Live device called TBT Track Organizer—you can find it on gumroad for like $10 or something, I think. I keep it on the main channel. it can look at the track names and assign color accordingly (it does also allow coloring of clips). you can map a key to trigger it. so basically, the Stream Deck does the rename, then also triggers the key mapped to the M4L device, doing both steps with one button.

[PhillipOrdonez]

Yeah i have already done a rename folder for tracks and groups that works wonderfully! Please tell me more about the color picking, though; can this be done to individual clips as well?

the color assignment is done with a Max 4 Live device called TBT Track Organizer—you can find it on gumroad for like $10 or something, I think. I keep it on the main channel. it can look at the track names and assign color accordingly (it does also allow coloring of clips). you can map a key to trigger it. so basically, the Stream Deck does the rename, then also triggers the key mapped to the M4L device, doing both steps with one button.

Aha! Dope

[PhillipOrdonez]

Happy to help with any questions!

Hey Selig,

Watched your stream. It was a very long time ago and I wonder if you've settled on a workflow that fits your needs? How much has it changed since?

I'm still pretty new to it, and at the moment feel they the best use for this device is to launch apps and devices and to perform multiple repetitive tasks. I'm loving using it on my daw to load devices with one button press. Both in reason and live, being able to press one button and loading any instrument and effect is such a time saver and efficiency, workflow boost for me!

[selig]

Happy to help with any questions!

Hey Selig,

Watched your stream. It was a very long time ago and I wonder if you've settled on a workflow that fits your needs? How much has it changed since?

I'm still pretty new to it, and at the moment feel they the best use for this device is to launch apps and devices and to perform multiple repetitive tasks. I'm loving using it on my daw to load devices with one button press. Both in reason and live, being able to press one button and loading any instrument and effect is such a time saver and efficiency, workflow boost for me!

I'm still totally relying on it, to the point I'm forgetting the key commands in some cases (not a huge deal, but realize it comes with the territory I guess). One thing I totally appreciate is having things be consistent from app to app. I have zoom in/out buttons for Reason, LUNA, Fuzz Measure, even KeyNote. I'm almost always using these buttons now, along with other common functions such as aligning or distributing objects in drawing apps.

In Reason, my "three page" approach, which aligns with Mixer View, Rack View, and Sequencer View, is still making sense because as you navigate to the different screens the buttons follow. Which just means the zoom buttons appear in the sequencer page, the Flip Rack or Reduce Cable Clutter only appear in Rack View, and New Bus or Create Parallel Channel appear in the Mixer View, etc.

Some of the most used buttons are (in no particular order): Mix/Rack/Seq buttons, Browser show/hide, Sort Selected, App Zoom 120/200% toggle, Reset Device, Combine, Auto Route, and ALL of the zoom related buttons such as in/out, taller/shorter, and Zoom to Selection.

It really is easy enough to make new buttons on the fly that I've done that a few times now, or sometimes just dragging things into a better layout/order or changing a font size/color to fine tune the "experience". About my only complaint would be that on the stand it is too "sloped" (and slides forward when you push a button!), and without the stand it is too flat to read the buttons well from my seated position. I'm considering contacting a one man shop that 3D printed some synth stands and see if they can make one that is "just right"!