How to setup Stream Deck+ Plus to control Universal Audio Console software via MIDI

Summary

In this tutorial, Gabe Castro, a video game composer, shares his experience with the Stream Deck 2 Plus, a customizable control panel. He explains how he set it up to control Logic Pro for music production and Universal Audio Console software for monitoring purposes. Gabe walks through the process of installing the Stream Deck software and the UA MIDI Control plugin, configuring MIDI settings, and mapping the Stream Deck knobs to control volume, mute, and input gain. His hands-on guide offers a practical approach for those looking to integrate the Stream Deck into their audio production workflow, showcasing the device's potential to streamline control over various functions.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Gabe Castro is a composer who primarily works on video games.
• 📦 He recently received a Stream Deck with buttons and knobs, including the Steam Deck 2 Plus.
• 🔧 His goal is to use the Stream Deck to control Logic Pro for music production and Universal Audio Console for monitoring.
• 💡 The knobs on the Stream Deck can function as buttons, offering additional control options.
• 🖥️ Gabe is using macOS Catalina, which might be relevant for software compatibility.
• 📚 He suggests installing the Stream Deck software and UA MIDI Control, a freeware for controlling the console via MIDI.
• 🔄 The IAC (Input Accessory Component) driver is used to create a virtual MIDI port for the Stream Deck.
• 🎛️ The Stream Deck's knobs are programmed to control volume and mute functions on the Universal Audio Console.
• 🔄 Gabe demonstrates setting up MIDI control change and program change actions within the Stream Deck software.
• 🎙️ He also shows how to map a knob to control the input volume of a microphone on his podcast setup.
• 📝 Gabe emphasizes the importance of changing the MIDI channel for different knobs to avoid conflicts.

Q & A

Who is Gabe Castro?

Gabe Castro is a composer who primarily works on video games and related media.

What did Gabe Castro receive in the mail?

Gabe Castro received a Stream Deck with buttons and knobs, specifically a Stream Deck Two Plus, from Amazon.

What is unique about the knobs on the Stream Deck Two Plus?

The knobs on the Stream Deck Two Plus are unique because they function as both knobs and buttons.

What is Gabe Castro's purpose for getting the Stream Deck?

Gabe Castro's purpose for getting the Stream Deck is to control Logic Pro for music production and to control the monitoring of his Universal Audio console software.

What software does Gabe Castro use for music production?

Gabe Castro uses Logic Pro for his music production.

What is the name of the freeware software Gabe Castro installed for controlling the Universal Audio console?

Gabe Castro installed a piece of freeware software called 'UA MIDI Control' to control the Universal Audio console.

What is the issue with the physical distance between Gabe Castro and his Apollo console?

The issue is that the Apollo console is two feet away, which Gabe finds to be too much effort to reach and control.

What is the first step Gabe Castro takes to set up the Stream Deck?

The first step Gabe Castro takes is to install the Stream Deck software on his Mac OS Catalina.

What does Gabe Castro do to control the console via MIDI?

Gabe Castro uses the 'UA MIDI Control' software to control the console via MIDI.

What is the purpose of the MIDI plugin Gabe Castro installs on the Stream Deck?

The purpose of the MIDI plugin is to enable the Stream Deck to send MIDI messages to control various parameters on the Universal Audio console.

How does Gabe Castro set the MIDI destination for the Stream Deck?

Gabe Castro sets the MIDI destination by opening the Audio MIDI Setup, going to MIDI Studio, and configuring the IAC driver with a new bus named 'Stream Deck to UAD'.

What does Gabe Castro do to ensure the Stream Deck software recognizes the MIDI setup?

Gabe Castro quits and reopens the Stream Deck software to refresh it and recognize the newly configured MIDI ports.

How does Gabe Castro map the Stream Deck knob to control the console volume?

Gabe Castro maps the Stream Deck knob by setting it to control change in the Stream Deck software and then using the 'UA MIDI Control' software to learn the MIDI messages from the knob.

What additional control does Gabe Castro want to implement with the Stream Deck?

Gabe Castro wants to implement control for muting and input volume adjustment using the Stream Deck knobs.

How does Gabe Castro differentiate the MIDI channels for different functions on the Stream Deck?

Gabe Castro differentiates the MIDI channels by changing the channel setting in the Stream Deck software for each knob to control different functions.

What podcast does Gabe Castro mention that he is a part of?

Gabe Castro mentions that he is a part of a live podcast called 'The Chicken Coop' with Brent Weinbach and Laura Weinbach.

What is Gabe Castro's final statement regarding his tutorial?

Gabe Castro's final statement is that this is his first and probably only tutorial, and he humorously advises not to subscribe or like because he won't be making more videos.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Stream Deck Setup for Music Production

Gabe Castro, a video game composer, introduces his new Stream Deck, a device with buttons and knobs that also function as buttons. His goal is to use it to control Logic Pro for music creation and to manage the monitoring of his Universal Audio console software. He plans to program the Stream Deck to control volume and mute functions. Gabe is new to using a Stream Deck and begins by installing the necessary software for the device and UA MIDI Control, which will facilitate MIDI control of the console. He guides viewers through setting up the MIDI plugin, configuring the audio MIDI setup, and mapping the Stream Deck to control specific functions of the Universal Audio console.

05:01

🔧 Configuring Stream Deck for UAD Console and Logic Pro

In the second part of the tutorial, Gabe continues setting up his Stream Deck to control the Universal Audio console's volume and mute functions. He explains how to adjust the Stream Deck software to send MIDI signals and how to use the UA MIDI Control software to 'learn' these controls. Gabe successfully maps the first knob to control the console's volume and mute, and then moves on to configure the second knob to adjust the input volume of his microphone. He encounters a minor issue with the MIDI channel but resolves it by changing the channel and relearning the knob's function. Gabe concludes his tutorial by sharing his experience with the Stream Deck's feel and functionality, and mentions his live podcast, 'The Chicken Coop,' where he plans to utilize the Stream Deck for adjusting input volume during shows.

Keywords

💡Gabe Castro

Gabe Castro is the name of the individual speaking in the video script. He is a composer for video games and other media. This keyword is essential as it identifies the main character and his professional background, which is relevant to understanding the context of his use of the Stream Deck.

💡Stream Deck

Stream Deck is a hardware device used for controlling various software applications through customizable buttons and knobs. In the video, Gabe Castro uses a Stream Deck to control Logic Pro and Universal Audio Console software, highlighting its versatility and practicality in music production.

💡Logic Pro

Logic Pro is a digital audio workstation (DAW) used for music production. Gabe Castro mentions using Logic Pro to create music, and he intends to control it with the Stream Deck, demonstrating the integration of hardware and software in the music creation process.

💡Universal Audio Console

Universal Audio Console, also known as UAD Console, is a software that emulates a hardware mixing console and is used for mixing and mastering audio. Gabe Castro wants to control monitoring functions such as volume and mute using the Stream Deck, showcasing its application in audio post-production.

💡MIDI

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol for communication between digital music devices. In the script, Gabe Castro uses MIDI to control the Universal Audio Console software through the Stream Deck, illustrating the use of MIDI for device interoperability in music production.

💡UA MIDI Control

UA MIDI Control is a software that allows for the control of Universal Audio devices and software via MIDI. Gabe Castro installs this software to facilitate the connection between the Stream Deck and the Universal Audio Console, emphasizing its role in enabling hardware control over software parameters.

💡IAC Driver

IAC (Inter-Application Communication) Driver is a virtual MIDI network that allows applications on a Mac to communicate with each other. Gabe Castro configures the IAC Driver to establish a MIDI connection between the Stream Deck and the UA MIDI Control software, which is crucial for the setup he is demonstrating.

💡MIDI Channel

MIDI Channel is a part of the MIDI protocol that allows multiple MIDI signals to be transmitted simultaneously over a single MIDI connection. In the script, Gabe Castro sets up different MIDI channels for separate functions on the Stream Deck, such as volume control and mute, to avoid conflicts.

💡Program Change

Program Change is a type of MIDI message used to select different sounds or presets on a device. Gabe Castro uses a Program Change action in the Stream Deck software to control the mute function in the Universal Audio Console, demonstrating a specific application of MIDI messages.

💡Control Change

Control Change is a MIDI message that communicates a parameter change, such as a knob or slider position. Gabe Castro configures the Stream Deck knobs to send Control Change messages for volume control, showing how this MIDI message type can be used to manipulate software parameters.

💡Audio MIDI Setup

Audio MIDI Setup is a utility on macOS that allows users to configure MIDI devices and connections. Gabe Castro uses this utility to set up the IAC Driver and create MIDI ports for communication between the Stream Deck and the UA MIDI Control software, highlighting its importance in the setup process.

Highlights

Introduction of Gabe Castro, a composer for video games.

Received a Stream Deck with buttons and knobs from Amazon.

Knobs on the Stream Deck function as buttons.

Purpose of the Stream Deck is to control Logic Pro and Universal Audio console software.

Desire to control volume and mute functions remotely.

Instructions for installing Stream Deck software on MacOS Catalina.

Recommendation to install UA MIDI Control software for console control.

Explanation of the UA MIDI Control software interface.

How to set up MIDI plugin for Stream Deck.

Need to open Audio MIDI Setup and configure IAC driver.

Instructions on creating a new MIDI bus named 'Stream Deck to UAD'.

Importance of closing and reopening Stream Deck software after MIDI setup.

Configuring the Stream Deck knob for volume control via MIDI.

Setting up percentage value display for the knob.

Adding a mute function using program change in Stream Deck.

Demonstration of controlling console volume and mute with Stream Deck.

Adjusting input volume of a microphone using the second knob.

Solution for the issue of controlling input volume on the same MIDI channel.

Final remarks on the tutorial and Gabe Castro's live podcast.

Transcripts

hello uh my name is Gabe Castro I'm a

composer for mostly video games and

stuff

um I got a stream deck I want to say

steam deck stream deck uh two plus in

the mail today from Amazon and it's the

one that has the buttons and it has

knobs and what's cool about the knobs is

they're also buttons

if you can hear that I don't know

um my purpose in getting this was to

control logic pro which I used to make

music

but not only that I want to control the

monitoring of my universal audio console

software that you see here basically I

want to move the the volume and the mute

and a few other things but just I want

to start off basic because I've never

had a stream deck before and I'm just

figuring this all out my Apollo is off

to the side here and I can do it there

like so

but it's like two feet away and that's

just like way too much work right so I'm

going to program the first knob of this

to be the volume and the mute by pushing

it

let's just go this is Mac OS Catalina if

that makes a difference I don't know uh

first thing first you want to install

the stream deck software and also I

don't know I don't make videos that I've

never made a video like this so pardon

the low production or whatever I'm just

going to be dragging things in and out

of frame uh install the stream deck

software

should be pretty obvious another thing

you want I don't know if you can see

yeah okay uh

install a piece of software called UA

midi control it's kind of this freeware

software it might be a time trial I'm

not sure because I just got it a couple

days ago it's a great piece of software

UA midi control and that will allow us

to control the console via midi and when

you install when you open that it looks

like this and you can see this is my

Apollo x8p here these are my guitar amps

I mean this is my labels but we're going

to go down here second to last thing

Monitor and we're going to mess with the

volume and mute that's going to control

this right here so volume and mute I

mean I can just leave that there

I'm sorry it's gonna be kind of a mess

so uh I said first things first already

so second things second

um lettuce this is a blank slate we need

to install the midi plug-in now the guy

who made this plug-in made a great video

showing the features of the plug-in but

he doesn't actually show how to set it

up and a lot of comments are like we

need a setup video and I agree but I

went through those other videos and I

kind of pieced information together a

lot of great videos but this is just a

concise

how to hopefully concise how to set up

the stream deck to control the UA

console that's it so click on this it's

kind of like the app store for the

stream deck hit midi search for Midi I

click install and you got to confirm it

over here

um that's all we got to do here and then

hit that so this is the layout obviously

the stream deck so click on the knob and

then you see down here it's got this

midi section so we're going to want to

add a generic midi thing

it's going to do its thing here just and

if we even try to do it it'll error out

because the midi has no destination yet

so let's fix that so what you want to do

is open the audio midi setup if it's

under applications and utilities folder

and you want to go to the midi studio so

go to window if you don't see it show

midi Studio

and we want to double click on this IAC

driver thing here if you don't see it

mine was off to the side you can click

on this to like zoom zoom in and out

if you still don't see it just click on

new configuration or something but

they're grayed out these aren't online

this is my complete control you know I

have all these keyboards only a few are

midi but I just I just set up the studio

a few days ago

my new place and the only thing I have

connected is my complete control

too many words so just double click on

the IAC driver and this is important I

missed this

click where it says devices online and

you'll see now it's bright and working

and then we go to Ports and if you don't

have any ports here just hit the plus

sign let's rename bus one to stream deck

to

uad and it'll default to MIDI channel

one that's fine and apply and we're

pretty much done there this is important

to me quit quit the stream deck app I

had to do it from the menu bar that you

can't see in this capture but

close the stream deck software it just

needs to be refreshed because of the

midi ports at least in my case it does

and let's um

open up the stream deck software again

and there it is we're good to go click

on the knob we made and see now it

doesn't error out but um that we got to

double check this maybe where it says

midi ports down here this is the port

you should see this midi in Port we

don't need it this is an old one that I

made no midi input midi out Port

that's the thing we just made so make

sure that's there and if I'm going to

use this for logic I'm going to have to

make new buses in that audio midi setup

later but we're not worrying about that

now this is just for controlling the

audio con the uad console so

that's all good there

so by default it puts the knob at

control change that's what we want

that's good and we can give it a title

just call it I don't know something

original like volume and value display

instead of one to 127 0 to 127 I like a

percentage and you can see it changes to

a percent there

um that's just how I like it and so now

for the mute function we have to go down

here where it says dial press action uh

we're going to want a program change

here not control change because that

really makes things messed up

program change and that's pretty much

all we have to do here in the Stream

deck software so now I'm going to the UA

midi control

software and like we went down here to

the monitoring section monitoring volume

so now I should be able to learn midi

and it'll work so let's hit start to

learn midi I'm just going to rotate the

first knob boom it reads it hit stop and

now it should work so you see I'm

controlling my

console volume there and that works and

it's awesome this device feels nice too

it's nice good weight to it knobs feel

nice and clicky

so let's add the mute function too so

mute start I'm going to press that same

knob boom hit stop and there we go so we

got muting and volume and that's it

that's how you do it um

that's how you do it so hopefully this

helps some people

this is very handy now I don't have to

like you know extend myself by another

foot to do it

do it from here oh God that's the worst

but look at this right here and it feels

the same like the resolution of the knob

feels very similar to my Apollo

so it's very nice actually let's add one

more thing while we're here am I

actually recording this yeah good

um well I do like a live podcast on

Monday it's called the chicken coop with

Brent Weinbach and Laura Weinbach

um the I often during the show have to

adjust my input volume

this up here so let's just

um let's just add the second knob to do

that so click on the second knob there's

a little thing I want to point out so

this is why I'm doing this so we have

that there

um

that's all ready to go really so let's

just go to that first channel mic preamp

um and gain so let's do that I'm

rotating the second knob stop and see

that see that works there I think my

volume was down but I'll fix it in post

but you see it's actually controlling

the input volume of the mic and the

monitor volume watch

that's no good so the problem is it's on

the same midi channel so on the second

knob all you got to do is come down here

Channel make channel two and watch these

that didn't work

oh I got so we change the channel so now

we got to

remove we got to re-map the midi so

remove selected and just make it relearn

it basically so move the knob stop

and there we have it

and it's separate than that one so

what are you gonna do

that's uh that's my tutorial my first

and probably only tutorial don't

subscribe don't like because I'm not

going to make any more videos that's how

you do it and I hope that helped and uh

peace