What is it?
When I first came across the Elgato Stream Deck whilst browsing the web mindlessly, I was instantly intrigued. But, I kept asking myself… how would I use this and why do I need it?
I don't stream.
So… at first glance, it seems kinda stupid for me to pick up yet another piece of tech to clutter the makeshift desk in my tiny Shanghai apartment. But upon doing a little research I bit the bullet and picked one up to see what the hype was about.
And boy-oh-boy was that hype well deserved.
This isn‘t a deep dive into all the features and options available for a Stream Deck— there are plenty of those around the web. Instead, I just wanna show you some of the workflows I’ve set up using the Stream Deck and get your mind thinking about the endless options you might be able to utilize with it.
If you even remotely care about making computer tasks easier, and like me, have an impossible time remembering keyboard shortcuts past CTRL+V, then you should seriously consider picking one up.
Launching Apps and Websites
Embarrassing—but unashamedly, my favorite use for the Stream Deck is the simplicity of just sitting down and pressing a button for what I want to do.
Watch some Youtube? Button. Open Photoshop? Button. Play some games? Button. Check Bitcoin prices? Well, that’s always on the Stream Deck for me to monitor 24/7.
Jokes aside, it’s a totally unnecessary use but it really does speed up the work when something like launching an app or navigating to a website from anywhere is made so simple.
Having this tool around has made my laptop feel clunky and I have truly noticed an increase in my productivity and focus.
Custom Application Profiles
The Stream Deck can be configured in a way that automatically changes what profile is displayed on the buttons based on which application you are using.
This makes it not only insanely powerful when it comes to using programs that have hundreds of keyboard shortcuts, but also very easy to multitask when all the buttons change just by clicking into a new app.
I’ll admit, making custom profiles for each app can be quite time intensive. The good news is that you can download third-party profiles and upload them directly onto your device.
Not every program you might use has profiles out there, but I have been able to download a variety of 100+ button profiles for Illustrator, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Microsoft Office, and Ableton.
Music and Audio Control
I use an audio interface with my computer to get lossless wired playback and external microphone support. The Stream Deck taps into my preferences and allows for quick switching between the two.
This might not be the most practical use for everyone, but it makes jumping between a computer mic and a studio mic much easier. There is no longer a need to go into system preferences to make the change.
If you don’t use an external mic or wired headphones, the Stream Deck can still provide some value for music listening though.
It has built-in support for Apple Music and Spotify which makes viewing the currently playing song, liking/skipping tracks and adding songs to playlists possible without having those applications running in the foreground.
Elgato seems to constantly be adding more third-party support for the device which is a huge added benefit and gives the deck some longevity.
Lighting and Smart Home Control
Stream Deck software integrates with numerous smart home lighting accessories including Phillips Hue, LifeX, and Cololight.
This allows me to create profiles with various color combinations, scenes, and dynamic settings to easily control the vibe with the push of a button.
Being able to easily manage my scenes and turn on and off lights around the house from my desk is a great application of the Stream Deck.
You can even use IFTTT to set up more complicated home automation, unlocking a whole new range of setup options.
Finder and Documents
I spend a lot of time browsing through my finder looking for specific documents or photographs. Having several different workspaces, my finder has quite a few folders that I often jump between.
When I’m working in Photoshop and need to quickly pull up a document saved in my photography folder, the Stream Deck allows me to jump into that folder and find exactly what I need.
No need to navigate from “Documents > Photography > Years > Country > ……” when I can just set up “Shanghai 2021” as a button on my deck. This way I can stay organized on my computer while saving time jumping into sub-folders.
Stream Deck allows me to set whatever folders/subfolders I need and have them all available to access in one easy-to-reach place. This alone has saved me loads of time clicking through folders to find the file I need.
Concluding Thoughts
I‘ve been using this thing for about half a year now and I can honestly say it's hard to get on a computer without it. Scrolling on my laptop at work feels slow and inconvenient without the Stream Deck at my fingers. I may not use it to its full potential, but knowing there are so many things I can still do with it keeps me wanting to build more.
The main drawback is the amount of time you can sink into setting it up. Having unlimited folders and options really makes it unstoppable, but expect to spend hours on hours building profiles, making button icons, and cooking up new uses. The good thing is that several creators have shared custom profiles that can be downloaded saving you the hassle of setting it up yourself.
If you think you may want to pick one up I’d run a quick search of Stream Deck + (the use case) you might be using it for. See what’s already out there for you to download and weigh the pros and cons of how long you have to spend setting it up.
Either way, I enjoy making new actions and icons and could easily dump hours just messing around with setup and customization.
Seriously consider this thing.
-Hess 2021
If you feel like picking one up, you can support me by grabbing one through the affiliate links below.
Comentários