Is the Stream Deck + Worth It?

I share my thoughts on the new Stream Deck + and who I think this is right for-and who it's not. I also cover a perk of the Stream Deck + that I didn't expect.
💥 STREAM DECK ESSENTIALS: catmulvihill.com/stream-deck-...
0:00 Intro
0:36 Side-by-side Comparison
0:54 Stream Deck + Overview
1:36 Dial Stacks
2:20 Programming the Stream Deck +
5:04 What I Like
6:28 My Wishlist
8:14 Who is this right for?
9:50 Wave Link Software
13:20 Wave Link as a Virtual Mic
14:30 Reminder
15:20 Conclusion
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[@Narstrand6]

No annoying background music, no fake tv-salesman voice, nice flow and tempo, lots of good-to-know information, mentioning both positives and negatives. This is just one of the best reviews I've seen in a long time. Keep it up!

[@R3DST1CK]

this was aweful static noise in the background with a whiny ass voice

[@8-Bit-Retro]

Really enjoyed watching my first of your videos. Great pace, good content aimed at the right level for an overview, no gimmicks. Keep it up 👍

[@NevL7]

You are a LIFESAVER! I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to control the volume of specific apps like Chrome separately! (Especially since there is no plugin for it and it's harder to figure out how to do this on Mac) Been trying to figure it out for weeks until I stumbled across your video today. Thank you so much!

[@CatMulvihill]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@jfbmusic]

Such a wonderfully enjoyable video to consume, Cat, thanks so much for a polished production. One quality that makes this so delightful to watch, very simply: your smile. Merci!

[@AF9D2]

Hi Cat, Exceptional tutorial! After watching, purchased the Stream Deck+, subscribed to your channel, and 👍 this video. In the words of Arnold, I’ll be back…to rewatch this tutorial when I receive the item as well as your other curated content. I appreciate you.🙌

[@MelissaAtwell]

Thank you for creating this helpful video! Lots of useful info.

[@danielruink5338]

Well done video and presentation. We got a clear overview of the product. Thanks Cat!

[@CWU2006EOY]

Extremely helpful! And understandable. Thank you.

[@grahamgrant6873]

Always clear, precise and engaging. Thank you Cat!

[@CatMulvihill]

You're welcome, Graham!

[@glatznatureproductions]

Well done. Thank you for the review.

[@daggerman-dcgk]

Excellent as always! Thank you for pointing out the wavelength software. I was about to purchase Loopback, but now realize that I might already own this functionality in my stream deck plus. Greetings!

[@jdawg206A]

This is a super helpful, down to earth review of the Stream Deck+. Thanks!

[@EduardoTalaveraMoncada]

I got the Stream Deck +, your video made the purchasing difference. Keep it up!!!!!

[@fwmlp]

I finally found someone who review this device in a way I will use it! Thanks for the great content!

[@CWU2006EOY]

Excellent presentation. It demystified the StrwamDeck+ for me. Thank you. It's much more likely I will purchase one now.

[@JohnVanDeVoort]

Thank you for the demonstration. I've seen the new product out there, but didn't understand the advantages over my existing StreamDeck's (regular and XL) until seeing this. Great info!

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonNH123]

Great vid, thank you! I just purchased and looking forward to integrating into my workflow. :)

[@CatMulvihill]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@drawingarchitecture]

I have both the XL and Plus. Since I have 4 Elgato lights and Wave 3 mic, I’m inclined to to using the Plus. With another 32 extra buttons of the XL, it gives me control of the functions of OBS with extra scenes, and Zoom controls. So the two Streamdecks compliment each other. I got a 4-camera setup, and using two pedal switches to switching to 6 different main camera scenes is quite enough to solve that loud Plus button problem you have. I mainly use my setup for virtual art demonstrations for students, and the decks give me the best optimized controls to showing how to draw with different camera angles.

[@MrModeratorPaul]

Thanks for the video & explanation.

[@CatMulvihill]

You're welcome, Paul!

[@petermcginty3636]

Hi Cat, i bought this unit and it is worth the price for my setup. I have a complicated setup and i use OBS to create my "scenes". I use Stream Deck XL to control my scenes. I know that the SD XL had many pages, but i found that i am too focused on my sessions to swap between pages. So, i use the SD+ to control my Zoom functions. It works quite well. I find that the navigation strip easy very easy. This is clearly a luxury item within my setup, but it has really helped my flow.

[@imdavemtz]

You were the only reviewer from Mac perspective I’m looking into for my work flow as photographer and videographer will continue searching more videos before I buy is expensive for me but if is worth and eases my experience on editing is worth it.

[@drftkng.]

I absolutely my StreamDeck plus, in combination with my XL. The audio routing of the WaveLink software is really easy to use. As for the loudness of the buttons I have found that on the Plus as well as the XL, the buttons are the quietest and most responsive for myself if you press in the upper corner of the button and not in the middle.

[@JoeCasa]

Great video Cat! I'm definitely going to look at the Wave Link software. I think I'm set with my Rodecaster Pro II, but it's nice to have options 🙂

[@CatMulvihill]

Gotta love options 😂

[@haies09]

RODE needs to integrate UNIFY with the RodeCaster 😊

[@wilsondarren]

OOooh! I bought the 15-key StreamDeck last year after seeing the great ways you were using it. The swipe gestures, knobs, and tap controls look like really great additions to enable more eyes-free operation. Very cool!

[@CatMulvihill]

I'm definitely still looking down but I think it's faster!

[@IndiaDelgado]

Always a great presenter! Thanks for the info! I finally caved and picked one up last night!

[@LivinginPlymouthJenSylvester]

Great video! It’s been challenging to find content that talks about setting up the Stream Deck+ with Wave Link on a Mac. Have you found a work around for controlling sound effect volume on the Stream Deck (while using Streamyard)?

[@Adamsgotgame]

I'm sold!

[@bctlink]

Excellent overview. I have a Stream Deck +. Works great . Yes, the Wavelink software is the plus.

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you. Nice review. I use the XL and I use about 12 buttons for my scenes. The XL is a better fit for me.

[@romeshkulasegaram8452]

Well thought out presentation and explanations. Since you have reviewed both the Elgato Steam Deck+ and the Rode Streamer X, are these 2 units positioned that different from each other? In a use case where the user was starting out and setting up, vs upgrading from existing, does the inclusion of the more robust audio section of the Streamer X come into play, or are labelled buttons and swipe control between menus on the Stream Deck + something that make using the features easier? Maybe a head to head comparison of the features and outlining the ideal user/use case in the furture since both devices are relatively new?

[@Joker69s]

I love it, is my forst stream deck and it helos me alot. Also the wave link software is amazing

[@petermcginty3636]

Thanks Cat. I really liked the idea of this unit but. your video confirmed that it is impractical for me. I livestream and the Streamdeck XL is perfect. The Streamdeck + would work, but I would always be looking away from the camera in order to work out what I was doing next. However, if I was recording video and normally spent a lot time in edit mode, this unit would be very handy.

[@CatMulvihill]

The XL is great for running a live! I'm excited to see what updates they have coming next with the dials. There may be more functionality outside of streaming and helpful for day-to-day uses.

[@elaxis2965]

Thanks Cat! Great review. But I think Im still happy with my Stream Deck XL.

[@CatMulvihill]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[@dnd8007]

Came here for the Steam Deck! Was amazed that you use the steam deck daily for presentations!😂

[@PhatNutz]

i kind of like it and might be able to use it, but i want to actually need it before buying another piece of gear. thanks cat!

[@CatMulvihill]

I think that's a smart approach!

[@lookingatdaisies9901]

Thanks for sharing! Im trying to decide between this and the 15 button one, I've been thinking that as a digital artist, i could, in software, have the dial mapped to zoom in by turning to right, zoom out by turnjng left etc, but what you said in 07:47 sounds like i cant map it to do whatever and there's only a few provided options by elgato for what the dials can do ? Did i understand that right?

[@DavidHunte]

Yes! IT Is Worth It. I'm going to get one soon

[@CatMulvihill]

That's exciting 🙌🏻

[@dowsky5093]

Nice video

[@xmonstar420x]

I was in love the entire video until you said you were a mac user.. damn... Serious note: can you control a daw with this as a 'midi controller' or is it more proprietry in regards to control i.e., wave link for the mixer. I personally bought it to stream studio sessions but thought itd be cool to be able control the daw using a separate page.. not sure how extensive your audio software knowledge is, but figured it wouldnt hurt to ask. Thanks for the video, great job presenting. 👏👏👏

[@martinhovorka69]

I used to use two Stream Deck XL devices including Elgato lights, but it overwhelmed my desk so much and macros set to buttons sometimes worked and sometimes didn't, which was flustering during the presentation. Now I only use OBS and Voicemeeter, everything is software only, totally reliable, no physical buttons requiring me to take my hand off the mouse.

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad to hear you figured out the setup that works best for you!

[@JimmyJinIA]

5 months later, no additional dial functions...just got mine and ready to return it. I was excited to get it but sadly disappointed when trying to apply it to my use case.

[@curtisbme]

Very neat additional capability. Not happy to see that they are still using the deep buttons that cut off part of the picture if not viewed dead-on. Need to bring the lcd much closer to the service (move the surface much closer to the lcd).

[@timstringer6384]

Thanks for a great video, Cat! I have both the Stream Deck XL and the Stream Deck+. I manually switch profiles in the Stream Deck XL based on what type of work I'm doing. The Stream Deck+ switches profiles automatically when I switch apps. For example, I have Zoom, Keynote, ScreenFlow, OmniFocus, and Mail profiles. One tip: if you press the buttons in a corner instead of the middle, they make much less noise. I notice that Ecamm Live is showing up as one of your dial options. I have the Ecamm Live plugin installed and I can assign features to buttons but not to the dials. Is there another version of this plugin that supports dials?

[@CatMulvihill]

Thanks for the tip in the sounds! The Ecamm plugin is part of the Beta, although Ecamm is releasing v4.0 this week, so I'm guessing it will be included in that update.

[@timstringer6384]

@@CatMulvihill You're very welcome. I'll keep an eye out for the new Stream Deck Ecamm dial plugin when I upgrade to Ecamm v4.0 later this week. Thanks and warm wishes from Vancouver!

[@DevaPoints]

Does it work as a high quality interface for audio recording?

[@theancientvoice9272]

The versatility of it makes a good investment anyway. It’s the type of device you’ll use as long as there are computers as we know it. Just like keyboards. Logitech makes keyboards with assignable keys already, which I found very useful, and elgato just took the next step. The value of it is we get too much information to handle these days, so every keystroke I don’t have to remember is a win, and every solution to counter or help with this will be successful.

[@haies09]

Imagine if it had another row of buttons and a few more dials 😊

[@HomesickMac]

Great overview Cat, thank you! Loupedeck is still more interesting for this guy, but I'm also still staying with the StreamDeck XL..

[@CatMulvihill]

I'm all for the multi-accessory set up if it suits your budget 😉

[@wrathofskoll]

Once elgato announced the stream deck + I was like score. So bought it and been using it ever since. I use it easy functions when streaming and for productivity uses as well, like when I do programming and 3D stuff.

[@CatMulvihill]

That's awesome! The more time I'm spending editing (all very new to me) I can't imagine not having the dials to zoom in and out.

[@awantex7930]

How will it work with a PTZ CAMERA

[@KennyKennTV]

can you remove the mount so the stream deck sits flat on my desk

[@petermcginty3636]

Yep. I could hear you press the buttons.

[@tommyellison2]

"Buttons are too loud"... I have found that gently pressing (not punching) the bottom half of the button silently changes the scene or button function. Try it! You'll thank me later! [Tommy Ellison]

[@lancemechaneck4677]

So the Wavelink software would work with any USB microphone too, such as the ATR 2100 or Blue Yeti?

[@CatMulvihill]

When you add a microphone, it will list all available mics, including USB and your built-in mic.

[@REJECKTID]

For streaming and content creation I brought my grandsons a streamdeck xl, a streamdeck plus and a wave XLR. Should I have considered any other options?

[@CatMulvihill]

Sounds like you got them covered! The Loupe Deck is another option I've tried, but since you've already got them set-up, I wouldn't worry about it 😊

[@TheGuin]

Which do you think is better for a productivity setup, the Stream Deck + of the 15 key Stream Deck?

[@CatMulvihill]

It's really dependent on the person. I would say I use the buttons way more for my daily tasks. The dials have been more for audio levels/volume. If you edit videos, though, I think dials are helpful.

[@stevenriveravideos]

My stream deck software keeps saying "Please launch Wave Link" even though its open and working. Is someone experiencing the same thing? Or knows how to fix this issue, anything would be helpful. Thanks.

[@CatMulvihill]

I have had this happen, and restarted the computer helped it.

[@rory2000]

Sounds like they should launch a Streamdeck XL +

[@CatMulvihill]

🤣

[@CharlotteDrew]

in white, of course!

[@cristiat]

The clock is a prop? It stays at 10 to 3...

[@caryt59]

As far as loudness goes, I didn't hear a thing when you pressed the button.

[@squirralien1863]

Is there a way to switch cameras on it?

[@CatMulvihill]

Depending on what you are using it for, you can program a camera switcher. For example, in Zoom, there is a keyboard shortcut you can program directly into the Stream Deck or add a custom action using the Zoom plugin. If you are using a streaming software like OBS or Ecamm, you can set-up scenes with different camera sources and switch between scenes.

[@squirralien1863]

@@CatMulvihill Thank you for the reply, My wife does use Zoom at this stage so it might be a good addition, thanks

[@alexkreisel6075]

🇩🇪 hi habe das Problem das Alt+1 im Game nicht geht sondern nur 1 wir angekommen mach ich es auf einen Dreh Regler alt+1 und Dreh schnell geht alt+1 wenn ich langsam drehe wird nur 1 angekommen Bor Hilfe möchte eine Taste Alt+1 nur haben er hält alt nicht

[@Glass_Of_Tea]

Dude Your music is not playing !!

[@maxluther6190]

No, it is not. You've got 102 keys on your keyboard, you can do any hotkeys you need. Instead of that people buying some sh*t, but it looks like a candy.

[@STEAM_PLAY]

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