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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 14:49:17 GMT -6
Those are just icons though. You'd still have to do all of the underlying work to create your own macros that would be initialized by the buttons you place those icons on. So, basically, this is a bunch of pretty pictures, and that's it. I'm not saying it's not useful to have icons that somebody has already made, but they won't do anything other than identify what a specific button does. You'd still have to create the underlying shortcuts or macros. Where as with those packs I mentioned earlier, they actually offer the underlying shortcuts and macros. This is speculation, but it wouldn't surprise me to find out that a pack doesn't/can't exist for Sideshow because Avid is Avid. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 13, 2024 14:49:57 GMT -6
If I got the 15 key one - are there different pages? Is there a limit to the number of shortcuts you can have?
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Post by ragan on Feb 13, 2024 14:51:00 GMT -6
What kinds of things can you program? Could I have a button that creates 12 drum tracks, with routing, plug-ins and inserts set up?
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 14:51:46 GMT -6
If I got the 15 key one - are there different pages? Is there a limit to the number of shortcuts you can have? Personally, I'd get the XL model, which is the 32 key model. Yes, there is basically an unlimited number of pages (profiles) that you can make. So shortcuts are then also essentially unlimited. I think there are a total of 999 available button positions. So it's not UNLIMITED, but that's 1,000 buttons you could create, per Stream Deck. I don't think I could come up with 1,000 buttons. |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 14:54:59 GMT -6
What kinds of things can you program? Could I have a button that creates 12 drum tracks, with routing, plug-ins and inserts set up? You can make it do almost anything. You just have to create the macro that does the work in the background. That's where Keyboard Maestro comes in. You don't even really need to know coding. It's all based on menu choices in Keyboard Maestro. If/then statements, image identification, variables, menu navigation, OS shortcuts, DAW shortcuts, etc. If you can do it with a mouse or keyboard, KM can do it with a macro. It's not that complicated. KM even does MIDI. I'll see if I can find a good KM video where some of this stuff is demonstrated. Granted, something like you describe would take some effort to put altogether, but, as time has worn on, I've come to realize that it truly is possible to do almost anything with KM. It's basically kiat limited by your creativity. The easiest stuff is for when a shortcut already exists within your DAW. Then you can just tell a button to type those keystrokes. That's sort of the most basic application. But you can the tell KM to run macros which do a bunch of actions, all in series. Something that might take you five minutes to do by mousing around and menu diving might take KM 5 seconds to do, once you've got the macro created. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 13, 2024 14:55:28 GMT -6
So, I could make one for Pro Tools and use the pretty icons and then also have one for Cubase/Luna/Studio One in case I want to use those DAWS. Do you select the "profile" on the Stream deck app - like I'm using it with Pro Tools and have all the PT icons - then the next day, I can change it to the Cubase profile and use it with Cubase? Or is it like Pro Tools first two pages...scroll down then there's Cubase...etc...
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 13, 2024 14:56:14 GMT -6
This seems like one of those things that I should no longer live without.
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Feb 13, 2024 14:57:23 GMT -6
If I got the 15 key one - are there different pages? Is there a limit to the number of shortcuts you can have? Personally, I'd get the XL model, which is the 32 key model. Yes, there is basically an unlimited number of pages (profiles) that you can make. So shortcuts are then also essentially unlimited. Since you're the resident Stream Deck expert (Quint is to Streamdeck as Dan is to Tokyo Dawn) what unit would you recommend? The XL model feels like it could get overwhelming fast but that's coming from someone who has never used it. What do you think of the Stream Deck + with the knobs? Also, they have a pedal? How did I miss that, that might be my first purchase for livestream camera switches. |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 14:57:40 GMT -6
So, I could make one for Pro Tools and use the pretty icons and then also have one for Cubase/Luna/Studio One in case I want to use those DAWS. Do you select the "profile" on the Stream deck app - like I'm using it with Pro Tools and have all the PT icons - then the next day, I can change it to the Cubase profile and use it with Cubase? Or is it like Pro Tools first two pages...scroll down then there's Cubase...etc... Correct |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 15:04:42 GMT -6
Personally, I'd get the XL model, which is the 32 key model. Yes, there is basically an unlimited number of pages (profiles) that you can make. So shortcuts are then also essentially unlimited. Since you're the resident Stream Deck expert (Quint is to Streamdeck as Dan is to Tokyo Dawn) what unit would you recommend? The XL model feels like it could get overwhelming fast but that's coming from someone who has never used it. What do you think of the Stream Deck + with the knobs? Also, they have a pedal? How did I miss that, that might be my first purchase for livestream camera switches. I recommend the XL, but I suppose that depends on how many different functions you want to do. The nice thing with the XL is that you can have all of your navigation links available at all times without eating up all of your button real estate. You can see my navigation buttons on the right side. It was important to me to be able to get to all of my various profiles/pages without having to do any menu diving. I wanted direct access to nearly all of my pages, so I could quickly get where I wanted. Yeah the pedal seems cool. I hear good things about the SD+. It does have knobs, which is nice. Also, FYI, you can use multiple Stream Decks together. So you could, for example, use a 15 key SD for navigation, a 32 key for a bunch of shortcuts, and a SD+ for knobs and things. It's whatever you want.
See below for a couple of profile pages I created for my Luna profile. The 8 buttons on the left, on both pages, is for opening/closing inserts in Luna. These insert buttons update real time with whatever plugins I have on the selected channel, as I change channels. The top page shows various compressor shortcuts that I can use to easily load a plugin in an empty insert. No mouse needed. ![]() ![]() Attachments:
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 13, 2024 15:05:02 GMT -6
Personally, I'd get the XL model, which is the 32 key model. Yes, there is basically an unlimited number of pages (profiles) that you can make. So shortcuts are then also essentially unlimited. Since you're the resident Stream Deck expert (Quint is to Streamdeck as Dan is to Tokyo Dawn) I laughed... |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 15:20:07 GMT -6
By the way, I have my SD (in KM) macros for opening inserts configured to also automatically put my hardware controller (SSL UF8) into plugin control mode. So when I hit an insert button, it opens up the plugin GUI for that insert and also changes my SSL to display the plugin parameters above the Vpots, ready for knob twisting. Hit that insert button again, and the plugin GUI closes and the SSL goes back to displaying track names.
And that's all with one button push, each time.
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Feb 13, 2024 15:37:01 GMT -6
Since you're the resident Stream Deck expert (Quint is to Streamdeck as Dan is to Tokyo Dawn) what unit would you recommend? The XL model feels like it could get overwhelming fast but that's coming from someone who has never used it. What do you think of the Stream Deck + with the knobs? Also, they have a pedal? How did I miss that, that might be my first purchase for livestream camera switches. I recommend the XL, but I suppose that depends on how many different functions you want to do. The nice thing with the XL is that you can have all of your navigation links available at all times without eating up all of your button real estate. You can see my navigation buttons on the right side. It was important to me to be able to get to all of my various profiles/pages without having to do any menu diving. I wanted direct access to nearly all of my pages, so I could quickly get where I wanted. Yeah the pedal seems cool. I hear good things about the SD+. It does have knobs, which is nice. Also, FYI, you can use multiple Stream Decks together. So you could, for example, use a 15 key SD for navigation, a 32 key for a bunch of shortcuts, and a SD+ for knobs and things. It's whatever you want.
See below for a couple of profile pages I created for my Luna profile. The 8 buttons on the left, on both pages, is for opening/closing inserts in Luna. These insert buttons update real time with whatever plugins I have on the selected channel, as I change channels. The top page shows various compressor shortcuts that I can use to easily load a plugin in an empty insert. No mouse needed. ![]() ![]() So maybe I'll dip my toe in the water with the pedal and the SD+ because I can already think of uses for those that will not overwhelm my caveman brain. Should I use coupon code "QUINT" for my discount? |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 15:43:59 GMT -6
I recommend the XL, but I suppose that depends on how many different functions you want to do. The nice thing with the XL is that you can have all of your navigation links available at all times without eating up all of your button real estate. You can see my navigation buttons on the right side. It was important to me to be able to get to all of my various profiles/pages without having to do any menu diving. I wanted direct access to nearly all of my pages, so I could quickly get where I wanted. Yeah the pedal seems cool. I hear good things about the SD+. It does have knobs, which is nice. Also, FYI, you can use multiple Stream Decks together. So you could, for example, use a 15 key SD for navigation, a 32 key for a bunch of shortcuts, and a SD+ for knobs and things. It's whatever you want.
See below for a couple of profile pages I created for my Luna profile. The 8 buttons on the left, on both pages, is for opening/closing inserts in Luna. These insert buttons update real time with whatever plugins I have on the selected channel, as I change channels. The top page shows various compressor shortcuts that I can use to easily load a plugin in an empty insert. No mouse needed. ![]() ![]() So maybe I'll dip my toe in the water with the pedal and the SD+ because I can already think of uses for those that will not overwhelm my caveman brain. Should I use coupon code "QUINT" for my discount? Ha! Yeah, I'm nobody special in the SD world. Hell, six or seven months ago, I'd never even really heard of Stream Deck. But I locked in pretty quick, once I realized what you could do with it. And the nice thing is that you don't need to be a coder. I'm not a coder. Anybody can pick this stuff up in Keyboard Maestro. The Keyboard Maestro forum has a lot of good discussion and people post macros all of the time that you can take and then modify for your own use. There is also a great KM Wiki that does a good job of explaining all of the various actions you can do with KM. SD is cool, all on it's own, and still worth getting, even if you never mess with KM. But if you're willing to spend a little time learning how to make macros in KM, you can really do some cool stuff. It's a real problem solver and time saver. |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 15:46:22 GMT -6
Also, the Stream Deck store has various plugins (not DAW plugins) you can buy or get for free that add extra functionality to the SD. A good and very useful one is the Stream Deck MIDI plugin by Trevliga Spel. You'll want that for sure. It has full Mackie MCU capability. It even has faders. It's free, but he does ask for donations. Easily worth $20 or whatever.
And the Keyboard Maestro and KM Link plugins if you want to use Keyboard Maestro. These two plugins control the KM software in the background.
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 16:45:21 GMT -6
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Feb 13, 2024 16:51:10 GMT -6
And theres the OS app too right? Maybe that's the right way to enter.
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 16:52:24 GMT -6
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 16:56:56 GMT -6
And theres the OS app too right? Maybe that's the right way to enter. There's a SD app that you can use with an iPad, that I think can give you up to 64 keys on one screen. That would be cheaper than buying a physical SD, if you have an iPad laying around and don't mind the non-tactile nature of using a touch screen versus real buttons. I personally prefer the physical buttons by a large margin, but it would cost more than the iPad app. I think It's worth the $250 ($200, regularly on sale) for the physical SD XL. But that's a personal preference thing. You might like the app or you might be good with one of the smaller physical models. |
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Feb 13, 2024 16:59:35 GMT -6
And theres the OS app too right? Maybe that's the right way to enter. There's a SD app that you can use with an iPad, that I think can give you up to 64 keys on one screen. That would be cheaper than buying a physical SD, if you have an iPad laying around and don't mind the non-tactile nature of using a touch screen versus real buttons. I personally prefer the physical buttons by a large margin, but it would cost more than the iPad app. I think It's worth the $250 ($200, regularly on sale) for the physical SD XL. I think I would want the tactile buttons too, especially for livestreaming. But I'm gonna set up the iPad tonight cuz my big fear is dropping $200 and not using the device. |
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 17:07:59 GMT -6
There's a SD app that you can use with an iPad, that I think can give you up to 64 keys on one screen. That would be cheaper than buying a physical SD, if you have an iPad laying around and don't mind the non-tactile nature of using a touch screen versus real buttons. I personally prefer the physical buttons by a large margin, but it would cost more than the iPad app. I think It's worth the $250 ($200, regularly on sale) for the physical SD XL. I think I would want the tactile buttons too, especially for livestreaming. But I'm gonna set up the iPad tonight cuz my big fear is dropping $200 and not using the device. Yeah, I hear ya. FYI, I think the free iPad demo app is limited to six buttons or something. I'm not sure what the app costs, but I imagine it's not that much, and then, of course, you'd be free to do a bunch of buttons after you got the paid version. |
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Feb 13, 2024 17:09:59 GMT -6
I think I would want the tactile buttons too, especially for livestreaming. But I'm gonna set up the iPad tonight cuz my big fear is dropping $200 and not using the device. Yeah, I hear ya. FYI, I think the free iPad demo app is limited to six buttons or something. I'm not sure what the app costs, but I imagine it's not that much, and then, of course, you'd be free to do a bunch of buttons after you got the paid version. Bastards. They always get you in the end! Haha. 6 is enough to find out if I'll use it. |
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Post by ragan on Feb 13, 2024 17:11:21 GMT -6
This sounds pretty cool. Thanks for the heads up Quint I can imagine hitting an Electric Guitar button and getting 4 tracks with the correct inputs (for my cab mics) routed to a monitoring aux routed to my electric guitars bus. Or same (but more complex) for Drums button. |
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Post by ragan on Feb 13, 2024 17:12:37 GMT -6
I wonder how far back they go on iOS support. I’ve got an old iPad doing jack shit in my studio closet. Used to use it for the Slate version of this.
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Post by Quint on Feb 13, 2024 17:14:22 GMT -6
This sounds pretty cool. Thanks for the heads up Quint I can imagine hitting an Electric Guitar button and getting 4 tracks with the correct inputs (for my cab mics) routed to a monitoring aux routed to my electric guitars bus. Or same (but more complex) for Drums button. Which DAW you using? I haven't attempted something like this, but I imagine you could create four sub macros, one for each track, and then have the main macro, which is triggered by a SD button, execute the four sub macros, in order. For example, I have macros running sub macros, which run sub macros, which run sub macros. Many of them with if/then statements inside or other dynamic state type caveats that do one thing or another based on the value of a variable I've created. You might have to get a little image recognition involved too. |
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