Stream Deck MK.2 – Studio Controller, 15 macro keys, trigger actions in apps and software like OBS, Twitch, ​YouTube and more, works with Mac and PC

Spoiler alert. This device is awesome and invaluable if you regularly use different Mac and PC software programmes, especially for editing audio & video. You can stop there or read on for a bit of a story and the actual review - your choice. The story This device sat on a shelf for well over 12 months. It was a compulsive purchase based on a video I watched on YouTube and possibly at the end of a night out with friends, erm… I had almost forgotten about this purchase, not because it wasn’t of use, I just didn’t think I needed it at the time; my mistake! Let me explain… As mentioned, this was an impulse purchase because it looked cool and I told myself I’d use it…eventually. It must have struck a chord of sorts because I was sure to buy the upgraded MKII version with a detachable/replaceable USB cable. I didn’t use it. Jump forward 12 months and video editing is now a main focus and keyboard short cuts are all the rage. As my editing skills develop and my editing frequency increases and as ridiculous as this sounds (it did to me when I heard other editors say it) multiple key short cuts were becoming a pain in the backside and in particular the blade cut and delete (yes, Final Cut Pro X on the Mac) Enter the Elgato Stream Deck. The Review The Elgato Stream Deck is a fully customisable macro keypad that allows you to set single key inputs for what would normally be multi-keyboard/finger short-cuts e.g. ctrl+cmd+arrow up to lift a clip from the timeline in Final Cut Pro, is now a one button press and with a nice vibrant pic displayed on the very smooth LCD buttons to boot. More on that in a bit. This little device works across a variety of apps for both Mac & PC and not just editing software. It also comes with Elgato (via download) free software for optimising and customising the macro keys and shortcuts. This is a super tidy unit (specs below) and well built. It won’t take being bounced off the floor, but oddly enough, that’s not its intended purpose. The main icon panel can sit directly on your desk or in the angled case. The USB cable is attached under the unit, but flat and right angled so that the unit can sit flush with your desk regardless of preferred set-up. The 15 macro key version I have sits just about right for my needs at the moment, but you may wish to look at the 6 or the much bigger 32 key versions, depending on your own needs. I will say that after finding out just how useful this piece of equipment can be, I am looking at the 32 key version for in the not too distant future. As an example of the speed of work flow, I’ll use another FCP application - I have the mouse on the right and the Stream Deck on the left. I select the point I wish to cut. Press the centre macro key and then press the macro key underneath its it is set to delete. This finger/thumb quick action is so convenient and time saving. The LCD keys are also customisable via the previously mentioned Elgato software. This option also allows you to assign set functions to keys and also assign an icon. A pleasant surprise was that there are loads of free icons available in the Elgato icon library. One of my main hotkey shortcuts is for YouTube (yes, you can assign URLs to the macro keys too) and there was a YouTube icon in the library along with multiple community created ones, which for the most part are great! There are even animated icons if you want them, but I personally prefer the static icons, but it’s your choice. The next pleasant surprise was that you can set different profiles or ‘pages’ of icons for the different software you are using. If you are jumping from Premier Pro to Microsoft Office or Final Cut Pro to Light Room, then you can set up you own pages, hotkeys & icons as you wish which equals fantastic versatility! All good so far, so now a couple of minor gripes… Every once in a while the unit won’t boot up properly, but this is pretty rare. The angle of the stand is great visually, but for my (left) hand it’s too steep at roughly a 60 degree angle, when half that would have been much more comfortable whilst still allowing you to see the icons. You can take the unit off the stand and as you get more used to and with more frequency, you won’t even look at the buttons. This is the best way to go in my opinion, but again it’s nice to have the option of stand or no stand. One last note and this is nothing to do with the unit; I would suggest you learn some main/most used keyboard shortcuts before you use the Stream Deck. Reason - if the deck stops working in the middle of an edit and you don’t know/remember the actual keyboard ones, then you’re stuck. Again, this is unlikely, but worth considering. On the whole an awesome and effective idea, executed fantastically by Elgato. Side note: Elgato have also released the + version which features 8 macro keys, a touch stripe and dials, which can be incorporate into a streaming set up. I cannot comment on that device at the moment, but perhaps in the future… Specs: Size: 11.8 x 8.4 x 2.5cm without stand Weight: 145g Connection: USB 2.0 (cable is roughly 1.5 metres) Stand angle: Approx. 60degrees Materials: Plastic

Due to the use of a plugin system for this device, you can almost find a use for anyone. Although the device primarily caters to gamers, more specifically those within the entertainment / content creation niches, macros can be customized to perform in almost any fashion, and plugins can be found on the official marketplaces, and on third party stores. Although the price can be high, if you snag this on a sale, you will soon justify it to yourself when you simplify otherwise tedious or time consuming tasks into a simple button press. For streaming, the stream deck can be configured into a stream controller (controlling the software such as OBS, stream labs and more), or can be used to alternatively control twitch reactions, animations and more. For other applications (to name a few), coders can benefit by using VSCODE plugins, casual gamers who enjoy listening to music can hook it up to Spotify and the list just goes on. Using the actual stream deck is simplistic and can be done with a simple button press to activate a macro / plugin function. This can be configured in the software, and you can have multiple pages of folders of buttons that you can lay out, and you can assign each a unique function. This really speeds up almost any process, and there is no real noticeable lag between pressing a key and a function being performed (although this is dependent on the plugin being used). (just to clarify, you can store hundreds, possibly thousands of different macros, and have a button set up for pagination, switching between pages or subfolders of other buttons).

Essential tool. I got this thinking 'I wonder if will make use of it' in the 'productivity' arena. I don't think I would manage without it now. I came across Loupedeck after I purchased this, as it was on offer. I do like that Loupedeck has physical rotary knobs and a push button or two on them, maybe something Elgato can consider. I didn't get the scissor button version, but I would recommend you do if you are able to. The keys do have a slight feeling of cheapness to them, but they work well enough. The only issue is the grip on the base bottom is not grippy enough, I usually push downwards so it stays still (and yes I removed the plastic cover). I love the streamdeck software. Easy, intuitive, configurable. All in, go for the 32 key version. I manage with the Mk2 15 key, but wish I had more. The mobile and on screen version on the app are nice to have too. I'm well happy with it.

I've had this device for less than a week but I'm using it for gaming and photo editing. It adds a great level of immersion to Euro Truck Simulator 2 (someone has created custom icons for it too if you Google it), efficiency to Defense Grid 2 (I created icons including the tower and the prices, as well as uprades etc.) and I made a quick and dirty setup for Paint.Net, which made the icon creation much faster. In addition to this I'm using it for: - Philips Hue lighting in the room it's in - Spotify control on my computer and an Echo device - Train Sim World 2 (this was free and seemed like a good test) - Starting a Linux VM in VMware Workstation (there are further control I could add to this) - Starting specific applications I can definitely see me using this on more games, especially simulators and strategy games, possibly binding scripts for easier automation and finding efficiencies for repetitive tasks in different apps. There are a fair few plugins, but these are mainly geared towards streamers (no surprise there) but there are a few for graphics related apps too. The hotkey, hotkey switch, multi action and multi action switch really make up for this. I've not pushed these too far but they seem great so far e.g. in ETS2 I press a key to turn on the ignition, delay for a second and then starts the engine, if I press the button a second time it turns the engine off, the two states have different icons. You can even use animated gifs for the icons, although I've read that the overuse of these can cause performance issues (unsure if that's the case on the MK2). It's perfect for a hazard light indicator in ETS2 though! If I had to add one criticism, it's that it could do with a bit more anti-slip by either being grippier or heavier, it's not terrible on that front and I could probably find a solution myself but worth mentioning for a fair review. The 15 seems to be a perfect size, the XL is tempting but at that point it almost a keyboard from a finding-the-right-key perspective, though not having used to XL you can take my opinion with a pinch of salt and it'll really depend on how you want to use it. As well as having profiles (that auto-switches when an exe is running and selected) each icon can be a folder which can contain other folders, I'm not sure if there are depth limits. All-in-all this piece of kit is so customisable that it'd be difficult not to find a use for it if you are a regular computer user. Highly recommend!

First up, I'm not a streamer. I bought this to use with video editing, motion graphics and 3D packages. I tried the trial of mobile app first to see how useful it could be, and thought having actual tactile buttons would be a major step up from a touchscreen. It's super simple to add in any shortcut you can think of, for any software you use. I don't replace all of the keyboard shortcuts, but I do have the shortcuts that use more keys, or require delving into menus, added to the Stream Deck. The only thing I'm not convinced about is the buttons, they're just not that great. I was expecting more of a mechanical keyboard feel, but they're spongy membrane instead. Instead of a satisfying, accurate press, it's more of a make sure you hit it square-on and hard. They're a disappointment and not quite the step up from the touchscreen I'd hoped for. I'm still getting used to it in my workflow, but being able to precomp, time stretch, change label colours, create cameras or null objects with one button press is great. Having the device automatically switch between profiles when you're jumping between Premiere, After Effects and C4D is a godsend. No thought, it just does it. The software makes it easy to export profiles and use across multiple machines. Also a nice touch. I switch between 2 machines frequently, and having the exact same setup on both is a must have. It comes with a USB C to USB C cable, so be prepared to buy an adapter if your machine can't handle that. If you're using any kind of USB hub, make sure it's a powered one. I switch between machines frequently and have them both connected to the same switcher hub, so it does work this way... Just be mindful the hub will need power. All in all, it's a great device. I bought it during Prime Day, so a whole bunch cheaper. Would I buy it full price? Probably not. The buttons do let it down in my eyes and it's only really value for money when you buy it at a lower price.

The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 has completely transformed how I manage my livestreams and creative workflow. With 15 customizable LCD keys, I can launch apps, switch scenes in OBS, control my lights, send chat messages, and even post to social media—all with a single tap. Setup was incredibly easy. The Stream Deck software is intuitive and powerful, allowing me to create folders, assign multi-actions, and even use custom icons. I love that it works seamlessly with OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Spotify, Discord, and more. It’s also fully compatible with both Mac and PC, which is a big plus for my hybrid setup. The MK.2 version adds some nice upgrades: a removable USB-C cable, a solid adjustable stand, and interchangeable faceplates for a personalized look. The build quality feels premium, and the keys are bright, responsive, and satisfying to press. ✅ Pros: 15 fully customizable LCD keys with visual feedback Works with a wide range of apps and platforms Easy drag-and-drop setup with powerful automation Detachable USB-C cable and sturdy stand Sleek, professional design with swappable faceplates ⚠️ Cons: No built-in audio controls (you’ll need to assign them manually) Might be overkill for casual users or beginners

Best piece of kit ever! I debated a cheap clone instead of the Elgato version for my sim rig and decided to go with the actual thing. It has made day to day use of Windows some much simpler, using Foobar2000 much easier and no longer needing to change focus. Also used in iRacing and Euro Truck Simulator 2. Once again, game changers. Navigating iRacing's black box and pit options have never been easier. Less time messing with buttons on the wheel, one button press on the Stream Deck and sorted. Similar for ETS2, all the extra buttons make it easier to navigate the various buttons and menus. I regret not buying one sooner and tempted to pick up the XL variant.

Sits nicely on my desk - if you use an Elgato Wave XLR, the Mk2 stream deck is the exact same size, so they fit nicely next to each other. It has great integration with Discord, Spotify, Hue lights, and even tools like Home Assistant and Homebridge. If you want to see what plugins exist, or what devices you own that would work with it, you can use the stream deck app and use a trial - or use the limited 6 button version - to have a look at what it works with. Has great integration with Key Lights, the Wave family of devices, and the Facecam - as with a lot of relatively high-end products, it works wonderfully with other devices from the same brand. You can take the faceplate off for customisation, which by itself is pretty nice. You can also take the actual Stream Deck out of the casing, giving you a much smaller footprint if you want to 3D print a casing for mounting puroses, or if you want to build it into a desk for whatever reason. Overall, it's a great little product and it gives a lot of options for customisation - and far more plugins than any of the existing competition, so if you're worried about having not enough plugins, theres a very small chance of it not having what you need.