"Dials, Dial Stacks, and Stacks of Dial Stacks!" for Stream Deck+ in SF
The Stream Deck+ has 4 dials, and they have intended one use to be "dial stacks" where to set a parameter or do some action, then press through up to 6 layers on the stack. Would SoundFlow be able to leverage this toward a greater number, or "stacks of dial stacks"??
A use example: I imagined going through the default EQ7 plugin (or any plug-in) in Pro Tools and using one single "dial" to input a value, use the tap action to go to the next parameter (like Freq1 to Freq2 or Freq1 to Q1), and so on through a set of desired, configured parameters. In this way, someone might dial, tap, dial, tap, dial, tap, without the same kind of need for the same hand or mouse precision on a graphical UI.
I know the Elgato Stream Deck software and specification refer to "six" actions in a "dial stack" and the "press" just moving between the options. Perhaps through SoundFlow's status as a developer, you'd be able to give more options in a dial stack, such as "dialling an action and moving to the next dial focus or parameter," as well as a greater number of layers in the stack. Also, pressing the dial between layers might be able to "do something along the way" to the next layer... Hmm!
Brenden @nednednerbAnother thing about how to implement things for the Stream Deck+...
I'm wondering how to best configure the SF functionality on an SD+ dial. Would it be an update to the existing "SoundFlow" package on the Stream Deck store with a dial item called something like "SoundFlow Stack" that would enable the dial to be used the way I describe above (especially regarding 6+ layers)? The default Elgato-provided stack has 6. This seems potentially arbitrary.
Through the SF Plug-in and using PT commands in SF with a PT Profile in Elgato Stream Deck, for example, perhaps that would be better than trying to isolate and leave the Elgato stuff "out there" and the SoundFlow stuff "over here, but only over here."
I had a Deck on my iPad that I created entirely within SF, but now that I have a physical SD+ that I've been setting up to use with Elgato software, it makes sense to integrate on their plug-in side. Maybe in the SF interface, you can link to Elgato SD software where needed. Maybe in some places you could "take over" the setup functionality without a link.
I think SoundFlow won't have the ability to insert non-SF plug-ins on a SD+ button or dial, and if you can use the plug-in installed via the Elgato Stream Deck store to hook on SF stacks and access SF commands and scripts, which can be configured in SF software, that might be best. I want the best of both systems, not a trade off except perhaps choosing the SF Stack for a dial in Elgato software, then configuring it in SF.
- In reply tonednednerb⬆:Brenden @nednednerb
Another thing of worthy note:
On the Elgato Stream Deck+ there are 8 buttons and 4 dials. The software allows the config of 10 pages. (80 buttons, 40 dials, right? So many icons to design! Yay haha). I am imagining that the SoundFlow plug-in from within Elgato interface could invoke SF. Allowing seamless handoff between SF configuration and Elgato configuration of the deck, or relevant parts of each connecting to one another, is desirable to me.
Again, this regards my stated desire to not have to sacrifice one set of controls of either Elgato or SoundFlow features. A "Dial Stack" versus an "SF Stack" might very well be distinct, but the idea here is being able to use the conventional Dial Stack on some page on an Elgato "Profile" while also using SF Stacks on same or another page.
It could be quite smooth I hope!
- In reply tonednednerb⬆:Brenden @nednednerb
We had a different sense of what I was talking about in the Weekly Hangout.
There is already this integration on the Elgato store, but the link is Not Found on https://soundflow.org/landing/streamdeck-plugin.
I think what the plug-in adds is the "Custom > SoundFlow Command" which can be placed on a button in an Elgato Stream Deck profile. (Note, I see that plugin dates to 2020. It still makes me curious.)
As I mentioned at length above, I wish for a smooth integration. It may not happen just as I see it, but my ideas are like this:
Will this "plugin" on the Elgato store be part of how the two technologies integrate, along the lines of what I describe above? ... Such as an "SF Stack" in the Elgato Profile Setup, drag to a dial, Hop over to SF, configure? Or, control the whole Deck from SF? Can the "plugin" make both individual dial stacks and command buttons, as well as assign whole profiles? Before I set up Profiles in Elgato's software for this hardware Deck, I used virtual decks on my iPad. I can see benefits to cooperation or sensible handoffs between Elgato software and SF.
Can SoundFlow utilize 10 pages per profiles and 6 layers per stack?
Maybe SF will have to control any decks sent to Stream Deck Plus. I think it would be a shame if SF had to recode everything Elgato already did to give dial stacks in an SF-only UI.
Hmm, these are open questions and ideas. I do not know the best way or best timing to implement all of it.
Kitch Membery @Kitch2023-06-21 20:29:53.610ZHi @nednednerb,
I see where the confusion is now and thanks for alerting us to the broken link.
The Stream Deck app's integration with the devices and SoundFlow's direct integration both assume total control of the devices when in use, so they can't coexist.
If you wish to use Stream Deck's app, instead of using SoundFlow's direct integration, you'll need to use the integration via the Stream Deck plugin.
The instructions are here - skip down to the "Old integration" guide:
How to set up SoundFlow + Stream DeckPlease note that this integration was established long before direct integration was added to SoundFlow and is more complex to set up due to limitations in how the Stream Deck app handles plugins.
To answer your question directly "Will this "plugin" on the Elgato store be part of how the two technologies integrate, along the lines of what I describe above...." This will not be the case... Due to the limitations of the Stream Deck plugin, moving forward we are focusing on adding content to Soundflow and on improving the direct integration. (You can still use the old method though, but know that it has its limitations and quirks.)
Your ideas and suggestions have been noted and will be considered for future updates to SoundFlow.
Brenden @nednednerbIf the control of "a single profile" is what SoundFlow will have control of, that makes sense to me.
If you don't know what I mean by "Stream Deck Plus profile" that is quite important.
My minimal wish, with respect to the limits you express, would be that Elgato Stream Deck software Plus profiles for Chrome or Finder and could be setup and activated when I normally activate Chrome or Finder. Then, when I open up PT or RX, I would definitely want to be using SoundFlow integration for that.
Sliding in Elgato profiles per app activation or SF profiles would be slick! Does that make sense?
If that were true, then my wishes would be quite accomplished.
If separate profiles could co-exist, maybe it could present an error if a user tries to send a profile to the hardware for the same app trigger from Elgato software or SF. Both at once would not be possible, so I think a single profile would need "complete control," but maybe profiles could be distinct. That is, don't set up Chrome Deck in SF and Chrome Deck in Elgato and expect them to show up at the same time. That much is clear.
My brain says to push it from the start because I don't want to have to give up all my other uses of the hardware and software in other apps just to turn it on for PT and SF. The word integration implies that each set of features prospers.
Whatever happens, I am sure to live with it. Thanks for listening to the feedback.