So I asked WaveShare about documentation for the MK20 and they sent me a link to the open source “top-computer”. It looks like it’s basically a custom linux build which I don’t really want to get into.
But… I’m looking at this from the perspective of directly controlling the device - not as an end consumer who just wants to connect it to stuff. I’m not really sure what its capable of without digging deeper.
Given what you managed to achieve with the Stream Deck, maybe approaching it as a ‘user’ is sufficient to do good things with it, Information about this device is thin on the ground.
Going further up the cost chain, but thought I’d share this one…
Keyboard with integrated Stream Deck
Normally I wouldn’t entertain anything like this, but it has more buttons than the SD+, a couple of rotaries and a small screen. If only it didn’t come with a keyboard attached!
Maybe worth a look?
Wouldn’t this be a cumbersome device for live performance?
Are we over thinking this?
Would it be simpler to just combine a streamdeck with a macro pad - even a really simple one like this:
To get something like this:
Combine with a 3D printed case, a small usb hub and you can make pretty much whatever arrangement you like. You could even throw in a display panel.
As I said, I wish they’d saw the keyboard off that keyboard and give us the Stream Deck part! It is too cumbersome for live performance, but that SD portion would be perfect.
Once we get into multiple devices I’m back to being happy with what I have - a 15-button Stream Deck for the buttons and an X-Touch Mini for the rotaries.
All this is just me - others will (rightly) differ…
@The_Elf That embedded stream deck has less buttons (12) than the standard StreamDeck 15. If you cut of just that end of the keyboard you’d have less buttons than the XL. I guess you mean keep part of the keyboard?
I’m curious… is the display part of the appeal? eg: if that could be setup to show set lists, states, transport position, small notes etc… and be controlled by touch and/or encoders would that be useful?
I use a standard SD for live - not my XL, which I reserve for the studio.
I think 12 display buttons would be a reasonable compromise - and maybe the rotaries have push-button action too - giving 14 ‘buttons’? The 8 buttons of the SD+ is too few for my liking. Hence why I would love to ‘saw’ that SD from the end of that keyboard!
I really wish Elgato would give us an ‘SD+ XL’ - 15 buttons, a few rotaries and a screen.
For me the small display definitely is appealing. Maybe I could have my flashing cue lights up there and free up more buttons below. That definitely would remove the compromises, as currently I have 4 display buttons of my SD dedicated to cues.
I’d like to know what others think - this isn’t all about me!
I’ve gone rogue and Frankensteined some pieces together… see here.
A bit of an overshoot for a live performance device, I’d say. Frustrating! But definitely one for the studio.
Jeez!
First thought… pity the knobs at the bottom don’t line up with the buttons at the top (6 knobs, 9 columns of buttons).
Yeah, I agree. And 8/9 knobs would have made for a nice MCU-ish device - especially with them bound to my Cantabile mixer rack. But it is what it is, and I certainly can’t complain it doesn’t have enough buttons!
At least the knobs line up with the 6 zones of the display strip.
Are you sure? Surely 12 columns of buttons would be better. 
Brad…seems like you’ve got a new prototype on your hands. One addition by subtraction would definitely be the keyboard. I like your first version with the 32 button Stream Deck. Move the pad to the left enough to fit in the small USB hub on the right and whatever buttons necessary, or incorporate the controls into the Cantabile template.
When 3D printing the case, create a slot on top for a small pad as the monitor and add this or something like this
![ScreenHunter 371|499x499] (upload://9kxrl0QjkWOwwnUasWwlSNLuxjm.jpeg)
Get your Cantabile (we don’t have a name for it yet) now! So, who can do a bit of design modification and has a 3D printer for the case?
Brad, in your spare time 
you could add a series of commands for the Stream Deck template to take the place of the knobs, or some of the knobs, or a keyboard with a number pad (for all the laptop users, including me) something like this
This is where Brad or any of our resident geniuses could easily step up and maybe use 1-9 for whatever, with the 4 keys in the top row for essential commands. Then the keyboard would look more like this:
or…much like the 32 key version vs. the 15…same principal
I just picked up the larger number pad and the dongle for a whopping $42. I have a full size desktop keyboard for the studio rig, but being able to separate the two parts, and place them where they are convenient would be a nice feature.
Maybe a couple of users can combine efforts…a designer for the case (after finalizing the layout), someone to do the programming by getting the separate number pad to correspond to functions in Cantabile (again after deciding what essential controls will be included), of course a 3D printer is needed. Hopefully someone has a thick wallet and has purchased one. Even if it’s basic, it should be enough for a prototype. A 10" pad (pick your pad). I was on Amazon looking for something and also had the Cantabile forum open as well and it opened to this topic. Obviously you can order something like these from wherever you like to purchase your equipment.
I have never in my life pretended to be an electronics expert, so those in the know can modify these suggestions. These are just raw ideas to get the hamster back on the wheel to churn out your ideas.
In summary, I stole Brad’s pic and went from there. Some of these things may not go together, so if you know your stuff, have at it. I like the beginnings of what Brad displayed, which woke my hamster out of bed. He reluctantly got on the wheel long enough to come up with these suggestions.
I just picked up the number pad and the USB dongle. I have 2 basically brand new pads I bought from Amazon after obtaining software that removes all of the crap Amazon puts on their pads (including Alexa), turning it into just a basic Android pad. I bought both brand new when they were on sale for $50 each. This is just a suggestion monitor wise
And lastly, something to keep it all powered up
This last one may not be the ideal size or configuration needed, but I was more concerned with providing some ideas that would maybe get others thinking about putting something like this together. For the designer…a 15 button “slot” and a 32 button one. If you don’t have both the 15 and 32 button model, here’s the difference
It obviously only works one way due to the size difference. This is the 15 button with its back on in the 32 button frame.
Obviously, the only option is to create the slot for the 32 and the 15 button fits in. It is not held in with anything.
So there you have it with just the basics of an idea. If you’ve got a suggestion or 10, throw your hat in the ring and have at it.
I’ve seen several users on the forum who designed and made custom keyboards that were quite slick. I hope others will offer their expertise, no matter how small the contribution. We all know how busy Brad is redesigning Cantabile, so I’m encouraging others to add suggestions for different or additional equipment. The new Cantabile Stream Deck.
Hi SteveK,
Thanks for the feedback, but looks like one of your photos didn’t post correctly.
My main goal with all of this is really just experimentation to figure out what kind of devices are available and how they might be useful in a Cantabile setup.
Also, I’m not really trying to come up with a one size fits all solution. I’m more trying to come up with something where you can mix and match the keypads, stream decks, displays, MIDI controllers etc… and have them all work together.
What I’m initially aiming for is a set of code modules that can be plugged together to support the different types of hardware. This would be NodeJS/JavaScript and talk to Cantabile via its network API. Later, over the top of this might be some kind of GUI editor to make it easier for non-tech users.
As a side effect of thinking about all this, I’ve been experimenting with various keypads, display panels etc… which is how I came up with this. It doesn’t do anything useful yet, but it looks cool and gives me a hands on way to think about how something like it (or any other concoction you guys might come up with) might interface with Cantabile.
Brad
Brad,
Understood. I haven’t been on the forum anywhere near as much lately due to putting out fires and some recent surgeries. It’s like running out to the rest room in the middle of a movie…you miss the middle and then have to knit the two ends together. I’m playing catch up a bit.
There’s always so many good ideas on the forum and I try at least to learn a little every day. From Show Me Your Rig to Corky’s mini forums to things I’ve never seen. It was more refining what the forum thought were some great ideas for various racks and many things I’m certainly still learning about.
The plan sounds awesome in it’s potential as there are many who frequent this forum who approach things in such a different way…more an exchange of ideas tat can encompass what it is that has you up in your bath robe at 3 am banging out code. And that case is indeed very slick…but what I think we all want to know is…did you have a road crew, or a briefcase? Where’s your grand piano and your B-3? 
I always have too many windows going. At the moment it’s 19
