Seven years ago, I wrote a post about using a Stream Deck in game audio production. A lot has changed since then, and I still get questions from sound designers about the best ways to incorporate a Stream Deck into their workflow. So, it’s time for an update on how my approach has evolved.

Over those seven years, I’ve expanded my setup to include two additional Stream Decks: a Stream Deck XL and a Stream Deck +. The Stream Deck XL is simply a larger version with a robust 8×4 grid of buttons, while the Stream Deck + introduces a 4×2 grid of buttons, four rotary knobs, and a touch-sensitive LED display. There’s a lot of fun stuff we can do with that!

It might seem excessive, but the accessibility and tactile nature of the setup make a real difference in my workflow.

Stream Deck Functionality

Before diving into my specific layouts, let’s talk about some of the broader features Stream Deck software offers. Elgato has significantly expanded functionality over the years, making these devices even more versatile.

Application Switching

This feature existed in the early days, but it remains one of the best aspects of the Stream Deck: profile switching per application. You can set up the Stream Deck to automatically change its button layout (‘profile’ in Stream Deck terminology) based on which application is in focus. This eliminates the need to manually switch layouts when jumping between applications. I have specific profiles for Reaper and Wwise, along with a default profile for when no particular app is active.

Elgato Marketplace

Elgato now offers a web-based marketplace where users can download plugins and icon packs. Simply click the Marketplace button in the Stream Deck software to browse free and paid options.

Plugins

Plugins extend the functionality of your Stream Deck, often offering real-time responsiveness to their respective applications. Unlike standard hotkeys, these don’t require the target application to be in focus to work.

Here are some really helpful plugins (that are all free!):

Reaper OSC Action

Reaper OSC Action Setup

Reaper OSC Action allows you to create Stream Deck buttons that link directly to Reaper Action Command IDs. This means you no longer have to associate a hotkey combination with a Reaper Action, and then call that hotkey with the Stream Deck. Now, you can invoke an Action ID directly through OSC.

To do this, it requires a little bit of setup. In Reaper, you need to go to Options -> Preferences…

In the Preferences Pane, click on Control/OSC/Web in the left hand column.

Click Add and select OSC (Open Source Control) from the dropdown menu.

Name your device something like ‘Stream Deck OSC’ and select Local Device in the Mode dropdown.

Get the Reaper OSC Action plugin from the Elgato Marketplace and add a Send Command action to a button.

Here you can title your button and set the IP / Host and Port to the same as configured in Reaper.

Now you’re ready to paste in any Reaper Action’s Command ID for that button.

Control any Daw or Midi device using Control Change, NRPN, Program Change, Note On/Off, Pitch Bend, Aftertouch, Sysex, Mackie Control and Midi Show Control messages.

A scripting language is available for advanced configurations.

Win Tools

Control Windows from the Stream Deck. Control the volume of apps or devices, Toggle Bluetooth/Wifi on or off, use the ‘Explorer Scratch Pad’ to quickly cycle between common folders, ‘Multi-Clip’ turns every key to an individual clipboard, Ping servers and see latency, change power plans, Stop/Start/Restart Windows services, Virtual Desktop support, and more

WinTools in particular has a lot of helpful actions for folks that work with audio.

Depending on your setup it can be super useful to have a button that mutes a hardware input (like your microphone), or a specific application.

Furthermore, you can even change the hardware inputs and outputs of Windows or specific applications with a button press.

Icons

There’s an array of icon packs in the Elgato Marketplace to fit any style and aesthetic, which makes it easier than ever to configure your Stream Deck to look beautiful!

Stream Deck XL

Here are some common layouts I use on my Stream Deck XL.

Reaper

For Reaper, I still mainly use my Stream Deck for quickly instantiating plugins on tracks and items. It has become muscle memory for me to reach over and add plugins like Pro-Q 3 or Pro C-2 by pressing the corresponding button. While I still use nvk_Search to add FX and track templates, there’s something satisfying about the tactile experience of using physical buttons.

Beyond simply adding plugins, some buttons trigger more complex actions. For example, pressing the ReaSurround Pan button not only adds the plugin to the selected track but also automatically changes the track’s channel count to six. Additionally, pressing a instrument fx button like Serum or Phaseplant will create a new track with the VSTi on it with the input set to MIDI and the track set to record enabled.

Wwise

When working on God of War: Ragnarok, I created a Wwise layout to streamline project navigation. The layout essentially functions as a custom left-hand keyboard, offering:

• Navigation shortcuts for moving through Wwise structures
• Solo/mute controls for selected items
• Sync Group buttons to open objects in a specified Sync Group (useful for the Capture Log and Search result boxes)
• Quick access to essential windows like the Capture Log, Query Editor, and Multi Editor
• A Build button that runs a custom Build Banks script

Game Debug

For every game I work on, I create a layout with common debug commands. Since many engines bury debug functions in menus or require lengthy console commands to execute, having them accessible via Stream Deck buttons makes a huge difference.

Depending on the development environment, I often use an AutoHotKey script to ensure smooth execution. This script can detect the game window and bring it into focus before the Stream Deck sends the appropriate debug command. By assigning this script to a Stream Deck hotkey step, I can automate the process—ensuring that commands execute intuitively and seamlessly.

Perforce

Like many in game development, I use Perforce daily.

I like to bookmark commonly used directories within Perforce and use the Stream Deck to quickly jump between them.

In my previous post about using a Stream Deck I posted how users can fire off batch commands from a button, specifically to sync a perforce managed directory. I still use batch files occasionally, but more often to mirror directories to cloud services like OneDrive or Box.

Stream Deck +

The Stream Deck + changes the game with its four rotary dials. These dials rotate endlessly and can be pressed like buttons. Their functionality includes:

• Adjusting application and hardware volume levels
• Running hotkey commands
• Cycling through multiple functions using dial stacks

Using the Midi plugin for Stream Deck, I’ve also configured the dials to control various functions of my DAW.

Stream Deck

My faithful companion, the original Stream Deck, sits on the right side of my desk, primarily handling:

• OBS controls (I make a lot of tutorial videos)
• Microsoft Teams shortcuts

Since I frequently switch between two computers, I keep this Stream Deck connected to my primary machine. This allows me to control Teams calls even when my KVM switch (which controls my displays, mouse, keyboard, and other two Stream Decks) is focused on the other computer.

Conclusion

So, do you need a Stream Deck (or three) to be an effective game audio sound designer? Absolutely not. I enjoy using them because they help offload some of the mental bandwidth required to remember key commands and shortcuts. However, I could certainly work without them, and if you’re a junior designer, your money is probably better spent elsewhere.

But if you’re a tinkerer and a gadget lover like me, Stream Decks can be a fun and powerful addition to your setup.

Happy designing!