We recently had an early look at the Cooler Master MasterHub, a streaming deck with a unique twist. It’s modular, got a lot more utility and targets every content creator on the block.

Stream decks have become incredibly popular due to the Twitch streaming boom, and after four years, they have proven to offer much more utility than just simple shortcuts for streamers. Traditionally, Elgato’s Stream Deck has been a standout for its customizable shortcuts that can be changed on the fly. However, several competitors have attempted their own variations, and Cooler Master recently entered the stream deck market, taking it to the next level with the MasterHub.

Cooler Master showcased the MasterHub at Computex last year and is finally releasing the device this summer. The MasterHub is a unique board that is fully modular giving you the full freedom to go beyond shortcut buttons. What sets it apart is that it has several modules that give you an extra layer of hardware customization.

Cooler Master’s MasterHub is a content creation tool designed to fine-tune your streams with a versatile, modular design. Streamers can swap and attach modules at will, allowing them to customize the MasterHub to their specific needs on the fly.

Swapping made easy

One of the standout features I’ve found is the simplicity of swapping out modules, thanks to its built-in magnets and easy-to-align pins. It’s just a matter of replacing one module with another to expand the deck’s functionality. I also appreciate that the modules are designed to easily identify their orientation when you move it around.

There are several modules to choose from. The preview kit that Cooler Master sent included a triple dial module, a knob module, roller controllers, fader control modules, and a 15-key button module, each key featuring an individual IPS display. The icons look particularly slick when they appear on these displays.

You can customize icons on both the 15-button controller and the knob for various utilities, to display information, or simply to suit your personal style. All customizations are managed through Cooler Master’s MasterCTRL software, which is user-friendly and straightforward.

Cooler Master has also thoughtfully considered the device’s orientation; the MasterHub includes a total of four USB-C ports for power and data—two on both the horizontal and vertical sides—allowing you to position the board according to your preference. True to its gaming roots, the MasterHub features that classic RGB backlighting, adding a stylish glow to the base.

A Hub to rule them all?

The current modules available for the MasterHub are tailored towards streaming and content creation. With a full suite of modules, you might find yourself swapping one out for another. Based on feedback, it seems Cooler Master might be considering a larger board with more modules for additional utilities.

The modules are compatible with popular streaming software like OBS, StreamLAB, Twitch, and utility software like Discord, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro, with support for more apps expected in the future. This would be an excellent opportunity for Cooler Master to open source some of this utility, potentially bringing a new community to life.

It will also appeal to hardcore creatives such as photographers and video editors who desire physical controls for precise adjustments. So you can expect different packages of the MasterHub to launch towards different creators.

The MasterHub offers an unprecedented level of customization in the market, representing a serious investment that is likely to be highly rewarding for full-time creators. I’ve only had a small taste of this device’s potential, and it remains to be seen how much support it will receive in terms of hardware and software especially when you compare it to what Elgato has.

But there’s simply no comparing the two, the MasterHub is a class of its own and it definitely represents a significant leap forward in streamlining and enhancing the creative process and giving more power to creators on a hardware front.

Stay tuned as we do an extensive review on the device when we get the final retail product!