Macro pads are well-liked amongst streamers, and for good purpose—mapping shortcuts to a single button press makes life simpler. The one of many best-known pads is the ever-popular Elgato Stream Deck, however its time because the reigning accent could be over. Cooler Grasp simply unveiled its MasterHub machine at Computex, and it takes the idea of a macro pad to a complete new degree.
In contrast to the Stream Deck, the MasterHub is modular—a working theme at Cooler Grasp’s sales space this yr. You snap completely different modules onto a base (i.e., the “hub”), creating your individual customized mixture and format to fit your wants. Macro keys, bodily quantity sliders, management knobs, scrub bars, and contact display shows are simply a few of the choices. It supplies loads of flexibility, sufficient in order that you may swap modules based mostly on how your work adjustments through the day. Paul’s {Hardware} took the {hardware} for a spin, which you’ll be able to see beneath.
At launch, three MasterHub bundles can be out there—one for streamers, one for video editors, and one for photographers. Every has a distinct configuration, tailor-made for the standard wants of every type of creator. If you wish to regulate your setup, you should buy further modules from Cooler Grasp; the corporate says 9 varieties can be out there for particular person buy on its web site. Cooler Grasp additionally plans to ultimately provide a wide range of base sizes, which might assist get rid of the necessity for several types of management decks at your desk (Stream Deck, quantity controller, and many others). You’ll be able to have only one central machine.
To tweak settings on your MasterHub, you’ll use Cooler Grasp’s upcoming MasterControl software program, which is able to arrive first in mid-July (Paul took at peek at it earlier than the hub within the video above). The MasterHub will comply with in late November. Value has but to be introduced, however Cooler Grasp’s plans are bold for this new piece of equipment. Controlling your PC is simply the beginning—ultimately, that can develop to your room surroundings in 2024, then full sensible dwelling automation, in 2025. The ultimate price ticket might replicate these ambitions.
