Streamdeck for the DAW

wardores · 2021-08-01T13:12:03.849Z

Just curious if anyone has used an Elgato Streamdeck as a DAW controller. I came across these Cubase profiles and I have to admit it looks really slick. I have a buddy that uses a Streamdeck for software dev shortcuts and macros, but I can see it being doubly useful in a DAW environment.

KristofferLislegaard · 2021-08-01T13:30:25.340Z

I have used mine mostly for streaming, but it is very nice! I recommend the XL.

michelstirner · 2021-08-01T14:09:02.124Z

i had the exact same idea when i first got introduced to a stream deck, so i got one to try it out.
i set it up to use with ableton, basically to have quick access to plugins with presets, creating tracks with midi instruments already loaded into them etc.
it looked really cool as you can customise the button backgrounds, create sub menus and everything, but it didn’t bring the ease to my workflow as i hoped it would. i’m so quick with shortcuts and finding things with the ableton browser, and if you already developed a habit in doing things it’s hard to change that if the other option doesn’t save you a good amount of time.

then i thought about using it in my live rig to arm tracks or toggle effects, but you do not get visual feedback of the state of a button from ableton, so it’s not that useful. maybe this is possible somehow, if someone uses it that way i would be really interested in how to set it up!

shellfritsch · 2021-08-01T15:12:19.152Z

I’ve been interested in this as well - often thinking about how to make computers more tactile… in my early searches for sending ableton clip feedback to the streamdeck i was led to this:

https://bitfocus.io/companion/

wardores · 2021-08-01T17:07:26.613Z

Yes this is great stuff! Visual feedback is definitely what I’m looking for, record and monitoring states of my live recording tracks, plus basic transport controls. Seems like there are options out there. My use case is virtually identical to yours: be able to set it up in front of the modular/guitar setup and be able to get stuff recorded without too much back and forth between the computer/equipment.

michelstirner · 2021-08-01T17:27:04.523Z

uhuu, this looks interesting! thanks for sharing!

jedgar · 2021-08-01T19:03:54.600Z

Not a Streamdeck, but I built this* to use a macropad for Ableton – the clip state LEDs stay in sync using the MIDI messages Ableton sends when you tell it your controller is a Launchpad (you could pick others, that was just what I went with). Pretty much any microcontroller that does USB MIDI could be a good starting point for this type of project.
*Full disclosure, I do contract work for Adafruit.

timp · 2021-08-02T05:09:15.538Z

I use Streamdeck lots when working between DAW (PT) and RX, often triggering Keyboard Maestro scripts… Its a life saver/rsi avoider when doing repetitive tasks!

shellfritsch · 2021-08-02T17:38:33.992Z

if anyone makes progress getting 2 way communication between streamdeck and ableton please share here. i’m very interested in this, but don’t have the bandwidth to take on a project like this rn.

found some efforts here:

cycling74.com

Elgato Stream Deck? - Gear Forum | Cycling '74

Hello max friends! As like many of you are Im sure, I am constantly on the lookout for new and interesting human-interface peripherals ...

OSC Remote Control
Remote triggering can be done by sending OSC commands to port 
12321
.
Commands
/press/bank/ <page> <bank>

Press and release a button (run both down and up actions)
/press/bank/ <page> <bank> <1>

Press the button (run down actions and hold)
/press/bank/ <page> <bank> <0>

Release the button (run up actions)
/style/bgcolor/ <page> <bank> <red 0-255> <green 0-255> <blue 0-255>

Change background color of button
/style/color/ <page> <bank> <red 0-255> <green 0-255> <blue 0-255>

Change color of text on button
/style/text/ <page> <bank> <text>

Change text on a button

fuzboxz · 2023-03-03T14:52:06.249Z

Elgato released Stream Deck Plus with 8 buttons, 4 push encoders and a bigger screen. I have it and use it as a productivity tool for my work, but haven’t set it up for DAW control yet. Anyone else who has it?
Stream Deck Plus

davey · 2023-03-03T17:49:09.944Z

The Streamdeck integration with SoundFlow is incredible! (*with Pro Tools)
SoundFlow has some direct integration, a Stream Deck plug-in, or support using the Stream Deck app!.

timp · 2023-03-03T21:09:35.042Z

Thanks for the heads up - just ordered one. I’ve used the older StreamDeck for ages, especially when working between ProTools & RX. I use it with Keyboard Maestro for mapping keys & basic scripting etc…