In the automobile industry, this would be known as a mid-cycle facelift.

When the Stream Deck was first released, Elgato were admirably very active in discussing software feature requests/changes in Reddit, I remember early on one of the devs noting a couple of my requests regarding hotkeys/profile switching, and they ended up designing the profile switching in a better way than I could have imagined. The community engagement is why the software has ended up so good, not just having the "that'll do, product shipped" attitude and moving straight onto the next product. I haven't visited the Stream Deck reddit threads in a long while now (the product just does what I need it to do), but hopefully the change to Corsair ownership hasn't hampered their proactive approach. Opening up the platform to allow people/third parties to develop their own custom stuff, was also a brilliant move. As an early adopter the launch products focus was a little narrow to me, fortunately a couple of updates later it became incredibly useful for gaming and day to day PC use, and they still seem to bring something cool with nearly every update. Also glad they haven't made too made too many technical changes with the 2.0 product, as cool as the thought of an OLED bluetooth model that does multi-device might sound..

I'm sending this video to people that talk about gear being dead, I always hate it when people claim that matured gear shouldn't be used and you put that in the exact words I was never able to find

A perfect illustration of good gear maturing is the documentary "Sound City". Dave Grohl spent tons of money to harvest a mixer from the '70s.

I hope they come up with a similar XL version. Being able to strip it down and integrate it into a desk at my workplace (a room hired out to different groups of users) would be great.

That was a Linus quality merch segue right there

An awesome video as per usual, Adam 😆👍👍 I bought my stream deck back on July 15th of 2019 during an Amazon Prime Day Sale. I haven't taken it out of the box and started using it as of yet, however, even with that being said, thankfully during that time there has been vast array plug-ins released for it alongside a plethora of awesome really cool updates. On top of all of that within the alloted time that's past since my purchase I've watched a ton of numerous stream deck tips & tricks video as well as hidden or lesser known features - all in all basically boiling down to the fact that I absolutely can't wait to begin using it. ☺👌 Cheers to you, my man! 🍻

your videos are great. very helpful to small streamers that have just stepped into this world.

Points to you for having backup stream decks lying around

Still the most in-depth tech reviewer. Kudos to you bro 🙏

Stream Decks, and specifically the XL, are a space/flight simmers dream peripheral.

Good vid man, liked it! Loved the maturing technology analogy. Gold

thoroughly enjoyed this video as usual my dear sir, but I would like to ask: What would you say are the advantages (other than actual tactile buttons and easier setup) the stream deck has over simply buying a 7" touch monitor and programming macro buttons that achieve the same result? as far as I know it is possible for a fraction of the price, but I would definitely like to hear some ideas from you and other commenters.

"Gear worth buying, matures" NO OTHER SENTENCE WAS TRUER THAN THIS ONE!!! Thumbs up there, mate.

I like that you can easily gut the thing and create/buy an alternative case. Thinking about making something more compact to work with my laptop setup. Great review, thanks as always! I don't even stream.

Honestly, I like the stream deck for hotkeying things for editing. I'm too lazy to get clear custom keycaps and cut out images of what I want and I don't want to memorize things more complex than Ctr+C and similar every day tasks. I don't know what Delete with Ripple is off the top of my head - I just press my button for it lol... Good video, thank you Epos. It is nice equipment I do recommend.

6:13 "Hell...audio mixing boards are often kept around...'til they die." My audio for my current stream setup all goes through my mixing board that I bought in 2007 (my trusty silver Yamaha MW12). The condenser mic is also from 2007. The mic arm is the only thing that's new. It's not dying yet, but sometimes the little-used buttons need a bit of persuasion...

I could not imagine doing my weekly video/podcast of ElectricianLIVE without this Stream Deck XL. It truly made my streaming life so much easier and wish I had gotten it much sooner than I actually did. However, it was well worth the wait.

I've been debating whether or not to get a stream deck for some time. I think its finally time to get one. Love your content and the information you put forth that shows the positives and negatives. This helped me make my decision to get one!

I bought the XL a month ago and can't live without it now

found you through this, thank you for this beautiful, mindful, and mature piece of content subbed

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!

I'm kind of hoping that Elgato will engineer a way to integrate the new magnetic base of the Stream Deck 2.0 with the OG 15 key. Even if it means having to purchase it separately as personally, I think it looks much cleaner & sleek in comparison to the OG stand with the variations of degrees of tilt adjustment. ☺✌✌

I use a Stream Deck for DM online D&D, works great for on the go hot keys for Roll20 and Discord. Also use it for a Voicemod controller. Works great. Would like to upgrade to an XL at some point in the future.

I just got the old stream deck, just prior to the release of the new one. In fact, I have not even used it. Do you think it is worth returning it and spending the extra money on the new model? I mean the cord seems slightly better.

Honestly, the only real gripe I have with my Stream Deck Mini is that sometimes pressing one button triggers another one and it's not really clear why. Like I've gone to change a scene and it ended the stream, too.

Okay, being able to strip it down to the bare internals is absolutely a huge upgrade. I suppose all that is missing is first party support for 3D printable models for the case, as I would love to just replace it with something with a cooler color to start with.

I’m thinking of buying a Streamdeck, but there is a sale on the “old” version of 119€ and the MK2 is on 150€, so you think the old is good enough and worth to Safe the money ?

Help! - In the 15 key v2, how long is the detachable USB cable? Lots of places say it's longer than the original, but nowhere does it seem to say how long this new cable is.

I was looking for just a lill comparation between both, or a easy reaview... i got somothing SO MUCH better! subbed.

I bought my 15/32 button decks for use with flight simulators. Very useful. The refresh... Well, I literally hated the folding base on the 15 key deck so much that I mounted the deck on a monitor arm with velcro. The cable, while short, wasn't an issue for me because I have USB hubs for flight sim gear. I don't need the refresh.

Excellent video, my friend. I have the new iMacPro M1Max with USB-C connections, in your opinion would the mark 2 15 button deck work if I were to use a USB-C on both ends?

I enjoyed the voice. Well done, radio/podcasts/series

I just got the original version a couple of days ago. When I saw Amazon had it on sale last week for $100, I don't think I've ever hit "add to cart" so quickly and I bought it immediately, it was too hard to pass that up. I knocked off an additional $18 in Amazon rewards points and I got it delivered for $90 (incl.Tax)! This device has been on my Amazon "save for later" list for ages, just waiting for a good deal. I'm an OG (Old Geezer) myself and some of the new tech gets me scratching my head. But this thing is as simple to setup as it comes. :) As far as the Mk2 version goes, I do like the detachable cable idea. Not a fan of that new stand though.

Thank goodness for the detachable cable! Permanently attached cables are *bad!*

What mic are you using, i dont see it in you gear list or past list

Is that a Sierra Dawn stream in the background?

I peep the CAD E100S. Love mine! Make sure to hold on to that. They got discontinued relatively recently.

I was hyped for a level uo of the streamdeck. We’ve seen other companies innovative in this space. For the price there are other alternatives. Elgato has a great product but it should innovate. I’ll try the XL version if you have a link. Thanks!

Me just buying an old gen stream deck: 😐

I had to get it when i learned about it. I havent scraped the surface but during the pandemic it was on back order at best buy so 1st chance i got to cop it i did, with intentions of learning all it can do. And since the update.. wicked! Wish i had the removable wire though.. good video..

I use it for almost every application I use. It is amazing for my workflow in my primary job, photo editing. I have made a button for each action and most key press combos. My only gripe would be having some function to cross platform the profiles. I have to copy then redo all key combos from Mac to PC even though most of the modifiers are just swapped, like Command and CTRL.

Thanks for the resource. I was attempting to connect Loopback Aggregate with the Soundboard in Stream Deck so that I can play BGM through OBS, however, I can't seem to locate the device name or the device itself to add to the Source in Loopback. Could you please advise...? thx

Wait, is that Sierra Dawn's stream running in the background!? If so, that's hype af!

elgato releases new products every months theses days. it seems that they're growing faster and faster, bringing more innovations at an incredible pace.

God i love that retro styled merch !

yes i prefered the andjustable angles, was glad to use it at the same angle than my keyboard is, next to it. @2:58

Can it switch between webcams? Thanks.

you matched really well with your beautiful background :) that is all.

I run 2 Stream Decks on either side of my racing wheel, and use them EVERY DAY, and still predecessors such as a Logitech G13. I didn't know what was different about the MK2's I really like the ability to strip it down and make it more minimalistic, as I have a very complicated setup, but, These old ones are not going anywhere anytime soon. And don't feel bad for "spare new hardware" :P I have a spare G13 for when this beast finally decides it's done. :P it would be more than Fair after 12 years of service.

I bought the XL. , now that was a great buy plus the wave 3

Great review, deserves a sub

so is it worth to buy the mk2 $150 or just the old one$130? let me know plz.

Hey Professor - Just got the Mk 2. Not a gamer or streamer. Do music and videos 😱 for YT channel but have poor eyesight so hoping to set it up to do some of the things I struggle to see on screen. We'll see 😀 how it goes.

So I can program every button to perform any keystroke if I want? Also can I use my own artwork to show up for each individual button?

I am using the Software version on my iPad ... I hope they will make an mk2 of the XL version too. :)

I still have the old version of the stream deck and I've never streamed I just use it for launching things and use it as a sound mixer for voice meeter

Is it a video capture device or do I still need one

My 11yo just bought a stream deck for his birthday. It's the older model as I didn't know there was a mk2. He loves it and figured out the connectivity right away. He has it set to play favorite songs and control his apps. It's pretty cool.

I sold mine years ago, just as easy using the keypad on the right to utilise all the binds and scene changes etc

Waiting for it to hit Amazon.

Still missing a MIDI control input for musicians that would be great feature

Got my XL today from multiple donations on my twitch streams 😊

Where did you get your icons?

I fkn love my streamdeck xl. It is the control center for my streams.

What about the Stream Deck Mini? Does it come as a Mk2 with detachable cable?

You mentioned a link to what custom clamps or whatever for your Streamdeck..but didn't see it, did I miss it? I'm a teacher, got a stream deck last year, used with OBS...but it really is fun to use with all the other tools I use for my classes (opening up software like a graphing calculator or whiteboard software, a magnifier, lesson plans, do nows, 'breaking news alerts') which I was using all the time. So, yeah...I would recommend for anyone to get one, to use with workflow (and of course streaming). I do wish Elgato had come up with a cooler version of the streamdeck...like a different shape or something. But, if I wanted to spend the time and buy the new version...I guess (with some limitations like key placement)...someone could make a new casing...with LED lights...clear case...with sound changing...*ponders*

I can honestly say I was so reluctant to by this bought one yesterday and it’s absolutely insane how much time I can save with this makes me literally want to use my. Computer more I think the 15 key version I bought best you can make endless pages or profiles I can drag and slide button placement hot keys awesome I recommend taking it of dock and just using it flat if your right handed keep it on your left and used left handed is best

2:02 Those are OLED screens... I use a couple of them as a button box for my racing rig.. and they are showing burn in from displaying the same image..

Sad to hear that the buttons are the same. I struggle with "double-clicks". But still would not want to miss it. Daily use.

Can I use the new stream deck software with the old stream deck?

Sorry, I just spelled Steam Deck wrong.

might look weird, but because i'm considering having 2 stream deck, having different faceplate is awesome to indicate clearly that the 2 products serves 2 different purposes. find lot of faceplates on etsy, even dual stand for wave xlr on top of stream deck, dual stream deck faceplate, but all thoses faceplates are handcrafted, so super expensives. elgato provide cheap ones, but choices are very limited. also faceplate is cool to remove elgato branding and put your own logo, and "make it yours" like epos sennheiser said.

the stream deck is so good you don't need to be a streamer to have one its brill for just gaining

My dude you are SUCH a good content creator

I bought the 15 key stream deck mk2 (in 2022), I was (am) using it for so much more then just streaming that I went and bought the XL. I hate a cluttered desktop, I always want my wallpapers to be on display on my desktop (why have a nice wallpaper to cover it up with icons). With Win 11 having such limited pinned apps (without having multiple pages), the stream deck XL keeps my most used apps and games easy to find, right at my finger tip. the 15 button now controls my audio, so even when I am not streaming, I can adjust the balance of my game sound and music/video that I usually have running as well. Honestly if I couldn't use it outside of streaming I wouldn't have bought it, as even now when streaming all the stream deck does for the most part is control Lioranboard, and I was using a midi controller to control my audio. It was a combination of smaller form factor and the functionality outside of streaming that made me decide to buy a stream deck.

Basically it's a zapier with physical keys. Or IFFFT but in hardware form

Hey dude I am new to the channel and never streamed before (I didn’t even know what a stream deck was until today), so maybe I’m not an important audience… but I feel like as your channel grows and more normies like me start watching, if there was more explanation of a product in some of these videos that could be awesome. Like even just another 30 seconds of you showing an example of how it works for a streamer. Because I am definitely in that shopping mindset so seeing more demo could be really nice. All in all I love your videos a ton though and I will probably watch them all! Just wanted to give my noob two cents :)

Speaking of freebies, one that is super useful but has a bit of a learning curve is Liornboard

Yesss Update ELGATO STREAM DECK

I feel like this guy is filming in a video game themed Mos Eisley.

only problem i see, that Touchportalhave solved by using a screen directly on a tablet or phone, is the mushy feel when you press a button. I have the original and the XL SD and they both feel like worn out membrane keyboards that should have been in the garbage a decade ago, I get it's how they are build but it's still a shitty feel. The only thing that could make a StreamDeck better would be to get rid of the mushy physical keys and do it touch portal style by free form the display and do haptic feedback instead. I often press a key just to realize that i need to press it more direct to activate it. Where as when I use the Touchportal, not only do I have a clear visual i also have haptic feedback to tell me i pressed a button which is nice in the heat of the moment. I've always been a StreamDeck guy and always said screw TouchPortal, but when a friend choose TP over SD because of money and i had to make some stuff for him work on his stream, I was really impressed and now after almost a year they have added almost every single feature i thought was missing at the time. At this point Streamdeck hardware in my opinion is like buying an iphone, you buy into the ecosystem and then your kinda locked in. TouchPortal is like a mix between iOS and normal Android where you get the easy setup from SD but can easily do advanced stuff almost like lioranboard. Then you have Lioranboard, it's like rooting you android phone, heck enven like running a custom ROM. You need to know your shit before you do anything and you almost feel like life is being sucked out of you at times. So now I only say go SD if you have static stuff and don't mind paying out the nose for it, to do what you need to do. But if you want creative freedom, go with TP because they will give it to you for a sweet price compared, and most families have old/spare tablets laying around that can be used. By not being a hardware solution this is also what is talking agains using it in professional studios, not saying it's not, but it isn't widespread like SD is. Every single person who I've talked to have a spare device of some sort be it phone or tablet so your large investment have already been made, if you don't want to use your daily driver phone. For me i combine both SD and TP because I already invested into SD, but was the canvas blank and I had to choose with the knowledge i have now, then SD, unless you are doing very specific things where a dedicated device to that thing is important, then SD is obsolete because of it's price and button limitation when compared to TP. Even their expensive software edition for phones adds virtual button, to conform to their software and it's a reoccuring payment thing. TP is $13 once for the pro version and your set on unlimited pages and buttons on those pages.

I don’t care for hype. To me, it’s a fun time streaming and watch streams with it, what makes a game good. Easy as that.

what arms do you have your stream decks on cant find them any where

You know are a new content creator its easy to get lost in the hype of things but where you earned my absolute trust is where you said first try these free options to see if you can use it

Disapointed in SD. It feel like Corsair are letting this IP go stale. Was realy hoping for a Orbweaver type gaming key pad with an SD type interface built in by now.

I currently use the stream deck app but honestly I think I’m gonna need to get the OG stream deck, on Amazon right now the mark 2 is like £40-£50 ($55-$70) more expensive, and while it has some nice improvements over the OG one it’s not worth that much more

Completely unrelated but where do I get that shirt??

Do you know if the XL face plate comes off?

@EposVox Can I configure the icons etc on one Pc like my personal one and still use the stream deck with another Pc(work), where they block me downloading third party apps? Thank you.

Love my XL, from mundane things like spin up/shut down program groups (work, studio, games) to highly specific tasks (Cubase actions). Would have loved a wireless version (similar to my Harmony remote) for the upgrade as right now it’s the only wire on my desk. Nothing else I’d change. Faceplate change is useless for me but I acknowledge embedding has become even more seductive now.

Waaa... that talk with streamer, gamer, etc was interesting and its most likely true and anouing xD 😙👌

Great review, I'm a first time viewer and I have subscribed. You have helped me get off the fence and thank God that I did not purchase my first Stream Deck last week. It looks like good things do come to those who wait 😉 Thanks brother and God bless.

loupedeck live is what I want but since this just dropped idk who to go for

How do you use this with dual monitors? If I want one set of buttons to correspond to one monitor and another set to go to another monitor.

thanks for the "review". "Still worth, buy the mk2 and here's some background info" - exactly what I wanted to know :)

how much

It is a real shame they have no love for linux. It looks like a great and convenient macro box, but I use linux exclusively for my streaming, online lecturing and seminar/workshops and podcasts. I went and bought an ergodox EZ programmable keyboard and made basically a streamdeck layer on it. If elgato ever natively support linux I'll buy one, but I aint holding my breath.

I thought it had an individual lcd screen behind every button. Def love my XL.

The real power or stream deck is unleashed by the "Bitfocus companion", before that addition, stream deck is "fine"... but with that it becomes the central piece or large scale studio productions. Come to Finland behind almost any live broadcast and you'll see tons and tons of stream decks running companion and communicating across network to control anything from PTZ-cameras, vMix computers, play-out computers to audio mixers. Stream Deck hardware is mature and reliable enough, it's the bitfocus companion, the software, that makes it a professional piece of kit.