Exploring the Elgato Stream Deck Plus with SideshowFX Color Panel Profiles

Using and customizing the Elgato Stream Deck + to control Resolve’s HDR Panel

The new Stream Deck + panel from Elgato is an interesting control surface on its own, since it combines keyboard shortcuts with mouse control. But when paired with SideshowFX’s  Color Panel profiles, we can control every parameter on the Colour Page of Resolve. And the best part is it’s completely customizable so users can configure shortcuts and dials in almost any way they want.

Why my focus on Resolve’s HDR panel?

Ever since the HDR Tool was introduced to DaVinci Resolve I’ve been using it to retain and enhance details in highlights, skies and clouds, etc. The problem I have is that, when I’m on my home setup using my BlackMagic Design Micro panel, the HDR tools are rather fiddly and awkward using a mouse. Even the Mini Panel isn’t perfect – and the $30K Advanced Panel still requires a couple of extra button pushes.

So when I saw that SideshowFX were previewing their Stream Deck Plus Color Panel  I was very interested to see if it lived up to its promise. The Stream Deck + isn’t perfect, and some might say their solution for controlling sliders using rotary buttons is a bit of a ‘hack’, but the result is something that could save many DaVinci Resolve Colour Page users hundreds of button clicks a day!

Beyond the HDR panel

Of course, this doesn’t stop at the HDR Tool – whatever tasks you find yourself doing on a regular basis in Resolve, you’ll be able to use the Stream Deck + to configure all the controls you need into a custom set of keys and dials. The Stream Deck + hardware and accompanying software, combined with SideshowFx profiles as a starting point, is a cost-effective way to speed up your colour grading workflow – without forcing you to start from a completely blank page.

About the SideshowFX Color Page Profile

In the short time I’ve been experimenting and using the Stream Deck + I’ve only scratched the surface of what users may want to do with it. The Profiles come pre-configured for all the parameters in the Colour Page, including all the Dolby trim values, and there are Custom screens built in as well.

SideshowFX have two products for the Stream Deck +:

• STREAM DECK PLUS PRO PROFILES FOR DAVINCI RESOLVE – This offers practically every default keyboard shortcut in Resolve, and can be customized with your own keyboard shortcuts.
  
• Davinci Resolve Color Panel Stream Deck Plus for Windows – At the time of this writing, the estimated time for release for a Mac version is end of February 2023.  This product takes control of your mouse pointer and changes numerical values using the dials in the Stream Deck +.

I think the Color Panel Profiles is a good value for your money – even if it might be a little clunky in some respects and not perfect. Time will tell if there are any drawbacks in using this daily, as I’ve just started on it. My initial thought is to use the Stream Deck + as my custom HDR controller and never change it to anything else – but I reserve the right to change my approach.  

Key takeaways from this Insight

By the end of this Insight you should understand:

• The SideshowFX mouse controls
• How to revise the default settings provided by SideshowFX profiles
• Using F-Keys to map custom mouse actions for the Stream Deck with SideshowFX profiles

Additional Links

• El Gato YouTube channel: What is Stream Deck +? Introduction and Overview
  
• SideshowFX YouTube channel: Davinci Color Panel Stream Deck Plus Windows Navigation
  
• SideshowFX YouTube channel: Davinci Color Panel Stream Deck Plus Windows Installation
  
• Additional Stream Deck Insights on Mixing Light

Questions or Comments? Leave a comment!

Is this Insight useful to you? Let us know! Mixing Light is all about community discussions and we’re curious if you found this helpful, if you have something to add, or if you have more questions you need answered?

– Jamie