Razer is all about streaming and content creation these days (who isn’t?), and it looks like they’re targeting Elgato directly with their latest streaming decks. In fact, when I first saw the new Razer Stream Controller X, I thought Razer had ditched his partnership with Loupedeck and turned to Elgato (but Elgato is owned by a quasi-rival gaming company). I realized that it doesn’t make much sense because of that). pirates). But the new stream controller X is Elgart Stream Deck MK.2?
This is the second collaboration between Razer and Finnish streaming deck maker Loupedeck. Razer Stream Controller (released in July 2022) One of Loupedeck’s existing consoles, the new stream controller X looks like a brand new product. (Well, it looks a lot like Elgato’s MK.2, so it’s brand new.) The Stream Controller X is a small, chunky deck with 15 tactile LCD buttons. It’s powered by Loupedeck’s software, comes with a removable magnetic stand and replaceable magnetic faceplate, and is available now for $149.99.
Stream controller X design
Stream controller X looks like many From 15 tactile LCD buttons to interchangeable magnetic faceplates, like the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2. However, it is not an exact replica. Stream Controller X is slightly smaller at 4.37 inches (111 mm) wide and 3.17 inches (80.7 mm) deep. Highest height without stand is 1.18 inches (30 mm) and with stand is 3.1 inches (78.9 mm). For comparison, the MK.2 is 4.6 inches (118 mm) wide, 3.3 inches (84 mm) deep, and 1 inch (25 mm) high (without stand) (with 3 inch / 76 mm stand).
The Stream Controller X is listed as weighing 0.39 lbs (177 g), but I’m not sure where that number comes from. My review unit weighed 0.32 lbs (147 g) without the stand or cables, 0.02 lbs (200 g). ), with cable and without stand, with stand and without cable, and 0.81 lb (369 g) with cable and stand. For comparison, the MK.2 weighs 0.32 lbs (145 g) without cables or a stand, and 0.6 lbs (270 g) with a stand (but no cables).
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The Stream Controller X is housed in a sturdy matte black plastic chassis with raised rubber feet and a rectangular cutout in the back to accommodate your device’s USB-C cable. The magnetic, easily interchangeable faceplate has Razer’s wordmark printed at the bottom center, with glossy accents surrounding the device’s 15 clear plastic tactile LCD buttons.
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Stream Controller X can be placed horizontally (slightly angled) on your desk. Alternatively, you can place your device at a 50 degree angle on the included V-shaped magnetic stand. The stand has a cutout for the device’s USB-C cable. This works but probably could have been implemented better as it seems to put some stress on the cables. Loupe Deck Live S —and the deck snaps into place very easily.
The stand is fairly heavy, so I don’t think it will slide on your desk when you press the buttons. Apparently he Razer/Loupedeck had this concern, but the bottom of the stand is lined with non-slip micro-suction tape.
Inside the box is a detachable magnetic stand, a 6.5-foot (2 m) coated USB-C to USB-A cable, and an instruction manual (and of course the Razer logo sticker). .
specification
| button (tactile) | 15 |
| button (touch) | 0 |
| Dial | 0 |
| software | louped deck |
| interface | USB-A |
| cable | 2m USB-C to USB-A |
| Dimensions (width x height x depth) | 4.37 x 3.17 x 1.18 inch/111 x 80.7 x 20mm |
| weight | 0.39 pounds / 177 grams |
| system requirements | Windows 10 64-bit / macOS 10.14 (or newer) |
| MSRP / Price at time of review | $149.99 / $149.99 |
| release date | April 13, 2023 |
Stream controller X button
Stream Controller X has 15 “switchblade” buttons. that’s right. Razer has finally found a way to upcycle the remains of its ambitious Switchblade concept. (In fact, the company’s first Stream controller I’m sure he called the Switchblade buttons buttons as well, but these are much closer to the original Switchblade design.)
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The buttons are arranged in a 3-by-5 grid (similar to the MK.2 buttons), and each button is a 0.63 inch (16 mm) square. Unlike the buttons on the first stream controllers, they are touch sensitive with haptic feedback. I’m a big fan of the tactile buttons on my streaming decks and these give good feedback (they’re pretty similar to Elgato’s tactile LCD buttons). Elgato Stream Deck+although slightly smaller).
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Stream Controller X’s haptic buttons do not integrate the touchscreen functionality of the first Stream Controller. The touch-sensitive buttons on the first stream controllers were basically one big touchscreen, and you could use swipe gestures on the touchscreen to page through the stream controllers.
On Stream Controller X, the bottom left and bottom right buttons are dedicated to navigation (bottom right is first page only, bottom left is last page only). These dedicated navigation buttons cannot be reprogrammed, but the icons can be changed. Therefore, Stream Controller X does not have 15 programmable buttons. Some pages have 13 or 14 buttons. Loupedeck’s software supports up to 14 pages — minus the navigation, that’s still 184 programmable buttons, which is probably enough for most streamers. It’s a bit annoying that it can’t even be placed.
Stream Controller X software
Loupedeck software is required to run Stream Controller X. (It also appears as a module in Razer Synapse 3, but all that module does is go to Loupedeck.)
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Streaming decks are all about customization, but don’t worry. Stream Controller X is not a complete blank slate out of the box. It comes preloaded with a handful of presets, including four ready-made screens (featuring Razer’s signature green icons) set up for streaming, social media, Twitch chat, and sound effects. Of course, you’ll eventually have to spend some time customizing Stream Controller X for your specific needs, but the preloaded content will get you up and running quickly with the device.
Loupedeck is all about dynamic profiles and workspaces, collections of tools (buttons) tied to a specific application or game. In “dynamic mode” Loupedeck’s software automatically switches to an app-specific profile when the user is using that app. So the console is basically what you need all the time. Loupedeck works with several apps using pre-made profiles for streaming apps (OBS, Twitch, Streamlabs, etc.) and creative apps (Ableton Live, Final Cut Pro, VMix, Adobe’s creative suite, etc.). It has native profile/plugin support.
Of course, this is only a starting point. You can fine-tune these pre-made profiles in Loupedeck’s software, or create your own and assign them to open in specific apps.
After all, a profile is just a collection of button actions. You can program your buttons with predefined actions (found natively or in third-party plugins) or create your own custom actions using Loupedeck’s software. Use the macro function (single button press to run all actions in sequence) or multi-toggle function (single button press to run the first action, second press to run it) to A single button can chain multiple actions. You can multi-toggle up to 5 actions, such as the second action is executed).
Loupedeck’s software also includes the Loupedeck Marketplace, which features additional free and paid assets from Loupedeck and third-party authors. These assets include plugins, profiles, stream overlays, emotes and badges, presets and styles, icon packs, and sound packs. There are currently only two Razer plugins of his on the marketplace, the Razer Key Light Chroma and the Razer Audio Mixer.
Conclusion
The first Razer Stream Controller was the Razer branded Loupedeck Live. The Razer Stream Controller X isn’t technically a Razer branded Elgato Stream Deck MK.2, but that’s because it’s not made by Elgato. Otherwise it’s kind of… It all comes down to whether you like Loupedeck’s software and plugin support more than Elgato’s (and whether you like Elgato’s tactile LCD buttons more than Loupedeck’s haptic touch buttons). Elgart Stream Deck MK.2 Razer logo on the front.
ok it’s not that’s right same. The Stream Controller X has a well-designed and sturdy stand, even if the micro-suction tape is probably overkill. However, the design is very close, and I think Razer will have interchangeable faceplates in the near future. Because I like it. The Stream Controller X has a nice compact size (yet very sturdy), the buttons are bright, crisp and tactile, and Loupedeck’s native support for Photoshop is my personal trade maker over Elgato’s Stream Deck software. .
