First time posting a deal
The standalone Stream Deck Plus is currently on sale for around $239.
Buying these separately will cost: $431.63
Cheapest ever this bundle has been, according to camel: $356
CamelCamelCamel.
Huge +1 on volume control capability. Really helps deal with the shitshow that is microsoft audio.
Microsoft audio control is better than mac, no mixer controls
Can't usefully respond about the mac side, but no mixer sounds bad (and surprising for a platform with a rep for audio work!).
My comment was about the disaster that is the underlying Windows audio subsystem, rather than specifically about the mixer. Microsoft audio is an appalling mishmash of broken drivers and inconsistent apis. Having a single top level mixer doesn't fix the problem of having an audio system that is brutally unreliable, and which MS themselves have habit of breaking in new and exciting ways with operating system updates.
I'll concede it's a lot better than it was in the bad old Windows 3.11 days, but it still really really needs a proper rework and a single coherent set of internal standards.
A simple example: Audio drivers can override power saving sleep functions. Which, fine, that's a sensible function if you work in audio. But, if you want to disable this override because you are not an audio engineer and your streaming service is keeping your PC awake when you are away from it, then you need admin privileges to override it. But that only works if its a particular type of audio device that honours the override. And even if you can get it to work, you may need to do it after each and every reboot.
This is typical of the problems that come up if you have more than one audio device and/or want to do anything slightly outside MS defined lanes.
@EthicsGradient: take a look into "eartrumpet" .. it's my goto audio control for windows at the moment.
if you want to do something with multiple inputs that can be individually controlled on outputs and volume, give voicemeeter and vb-cable (separate "program") a try.
note:
voicemeeter = 2 inputs
voicemeeter banana = same program 3 inputs
voicemeeter potato = same program 5 inputs
vb-cable = create virtual "line-in" and "line-out" to redirect audio from apps
I played with voicemeeter quite a bit before I settled for something simpler. It just made things interesting (like streaming music into my chats without having to "broadcast") .. but it was an overkill for a mixer.
@lamb: With you on most of that - been using ear trumpet with APO equalizer (which sorts out some amplification problems for me) for a long time now! Both are excellent.
Both voicemeeter and elagato's wavelink hit me with the sleep problem, so until I can hack a fix for that, I live with manually rearranging inputs and outputs. The latest steam deck plugins make this even easier than using ear trumpet!
If you're going by "pure" microsoft vs mac controls .. yes.
but there is a piece of software (on mac) from a 3rd party (rogue amoeba) called "soundsource" that makes controlling the mixer one of the best experiences I've used.
the closest alternative I've found for windows is a program called "eartrumpet". the interface isn't as good (because it lines up active apps horizontally you may have to scroll if too many). but it is free from the MS store.
alternatively (for windows) .. there is a GREAT soundboard(?)/mixer from vb-audio called voicemeeter. it has an outdated interface but it's functionality (I feel) is for pros. definitely an overkill for "simple" needs but can do so much more (if you wanted it to).
only caveat, that program MUST be running in order for sound to be "distributed" correctly. if you boot up without running the app, you won't hear any sound from the device. =D
i would be curious to see if/how this could match up with something like a streamdeck tho.
Anyone know of any deals for the Streamdeck+ with the USB hub instead?
I can see that being more useful for me being that I needed to google what XLR was. =D
You're better off getting one of many USB hubs available on Amazon
The elgato one isn't great becuase its unpowered, and you are basically taking one USB port, and splitting the USB speed by 6. So if you are using a 4 or 8k mouse, it will suffer. If you are using it for USB sticks, transfer speeds will suffer
Only good thing is it keeps things tidy on the desk, but even then, the USB ports are facing away from you which makes it a hassle
I don't know much about streamdecks (I'm not an artist or streamer) .. only the quick review of Streamdeck+ XLR I just saw on yt.
you are right, I really should be looking for an actual dock .. but the docks available have been un"appealing". They are either small and underpowered or big and overpowered. (I don't need the 4K video port things now that I finally have working eGPU.)
I've never wanted a Streamdeck, but the temptation of Prime Days and the appeal of physical controls for things like volume, brightness, etc.. along with some button to launch apps were overwhelming. l just really have no need of the XLR bit. lol.
(if u have any recommendations for docks, please feel free to message it to me .. i don't want to clutter up this thread with unrelated things.)
Thanks .. =)
In defense of the Streamdeck hub - it'll be stable when plugged into the plus (already solid), and I like the cables out of the back. I haven't got one yet, but if prices drop to $50-60, I'll go! I've absoluted hated having light weight hubs dragged around the desk by their cables.
Cons - not many USB outputs, needs external supply for high power devices - but at least it supports them, unlike many cheaper hubs.
Big con: Way too expensive still!
Dropped further to $284.05
Insane price for this deal
![[Prime] Elgato Stream Deck Plus XLR - Audio Mixer & Controller $284.05 Delivered @ Amazon AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/72/914772.jpg?h=b28e6f64)
I love my streamdeck plus, this is a good deal if you need the XLR add-on. Many audio extensions so you can control headphone or mic volume as well as independent application volume with the knobs.