Elgato Stream Deck Mini Review – The Perfect Tool for Streamers?
Performance
When you first load the software, you’re presented with a single button on the Stream Deck controller (pictured above). This simply reads “welcome” and takes you to a page with their intro video on it.
Check it out below, but turn up the speakers as their audio is really quiet.
Configuration
The interface is so easy to use, anyone can do it. Heck, even using the above welcome video seems excessive, as everything is very intuitive. It can pair with your accounts like Twitch and YouTube. Furthermore, it’ll simply prompt you for the login to pair when you drag on a command that requires them. That means you don’t have to log into everything just to set up basic commands.
You simply drag and drop commands from the right onto the button you require. What’s most impressive to me is the Stream Deck device updates instantly, no clicking save, no waiting, it just works immediately. As you can see, the layout above now appears on the Stream Deck pictured below.
Multi-Action
This is a powerful tool indeed, it’s basically a macro of macros. Drag a multi-action into place, and then string together multiple commands. You can have one tap of a button post in chat, change the scene, play a soundbite, spin wheel in Streamlabs, and more and more.
It’s awesome if you’re running Twitch, YouTube, Discord and more software at once, as you can basically post something to all of them at the same time. When you’re limited to 6 buttons, this macro like feature is a real powerhouse. As you can see, the multi-action shows in the bottom right. You can change colours and icons too, so if you want to make something more suitable for your needs, you can do that too.
Trolling Power Tool
You can create some truly annoying creations too. I mean, annoying to everyone else in the office (apparantly) but I had a mountain of fun with this aspect. You can use it to post gifs, launch music and more importantly soundbites, websites and more.
I mean, even if you’re not a streamer, it’s a great power tool for trolling and, dare I say it, productivity. Video of my Homer Simpson soundboard, gif, swearing text extravaganza below. No regrets.
The unit is quite nice, and the buttons are membrane not mechanical, so they’re quiet and easy to press. The LCD displays are great, really bright and clear and extensively customisable. When you trigger a command you get a tick when it’s completed successfully.
If there was an error, typically launching a macro that isn’t set up correctly or without the required program such a Twitch loaded, it’ll throw up a ! error icon.
Again, there are so many options here. All of them are easy to understand too. From launching an ad, posting in chat, changing your stream name, sending a Tweet, the options are pretty extensive, but far from intimidating. You can use multiple profiles too, so set up each one for each game, streaming platform, or day of the week for all it matters. Six buttons may seem like a limitation, but the power and control it unlocks truly something to behold.
