Razer's Stream Controller Takes on Elgato's Stream Deck XLl

Razer’s Liquids Controller Takes on Elgato’s Stream Deck XL

As part of its effort to beef up its game and broadcast tools, Razer’s partnered with Loupedeck to take on Elgato’s fan accepted Stream Deck XL with its own Razer Liquids Controller. Devices like these let you quickly launch applications and rule settings, and they were initially created for complex, time-sensitive tasks such as live liquid mixing and game broadcasting. Now they’ve evolved into more general-purpose accessories, notably for aiding with video editing and other creative work.

The Liquids Controller is essentially a custom version of the Loupedeck Live. The two devices seem to be similar, right down to comic the same software. Razer’s model does have some puny integration with the company’s Synapse utility, however, such as the sect to control the company’s Chroma lighting.

The Razer Liquids Controller (left) looks a lot like the Loupedeck Live (right).

Razer, Loupedeck

The Loupedeck software brings two big benefits, though. One is Mac compatibility, something Razer has never really had afore, and the other is Loupedeck’s broad support for creative apps, which it’s been nurturing for more than five existences. The Stream Controller offers 12 customizable haptic keys, six stepped analog dials and eight mappable buttons; the latter let you swap workspaces (entire sets of key and dial setups) for whatever tasks you need them for.

A downside, however, is that not everyone is enamored of Loupedeck’s software, as the Amazon reviews for it demonstrate.

It’s slated to ship sometime starting throughout September for $270. We don’t have overseas pricing, but given Razer’s history I’d demand it to be priced around £270 and AU$460.