Loupedeck CT Review
Our Verdict and Review Summary
The Loupedeck CT is a great companion for any desktop or laptop computer, even if you're not working with DAWs or recording software, though especially useful in that context. It's also an incredibly helpful tool for streaming, podcasting, and recording instruments/vocals.
So the Loupedeck CT has a pretty wide range of use cases. If you do any of the following, it will be extremely helpful:
- Recording
- Podcasting
- Streaming
- Instrument monitoring
- Recording cover songs (perhaps YouTube) with an instrument in your hands
Basically the Loupedeck lets you map out control to just about anything you need to do on a computer, Mac or Windows. For example, when I'm playing guitar I like to pull up YouTube videos to practice and/or play along with.
I can map the URL to the Loupedeck so I can pull it up with a single button, and map the controls so I can work everything from the Loupedeck without having to use a mouse. Using a mouse is a pain when you have a guitar slung around your shoulder.
Volume, playback, and just about anything you can think of can be easily controlled from one spot.
In this Loupedeck CT review, I'll primarily focus on that process with screenshots from the Loupedeck software.
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For most of our product reviews we take our own photos, in-house. Thank goodness for portrait mode. For those interested in using these photos, that is completely fine with us as long as you give us credit and don't claim the work as your own. Simply linking to guitarchalk.com near the photo is totally fine.
The Loupedeck CT is kind of like the programmable keyboard to end all programmable keyboards.
Review Card
IDEAL FOR: Recording/streaming software control, playing an instrument and trying to use a computer at the same time (never goes well with a mouse)
We do not provide numbered ratings for this product category.
TONE
n/a
CONTROL
n/a
VERSATILITY
n/a
PRICE/VALUE
n/a
- Can be mapped to almost anything that can possibly happen on a computer
- Works with DAWs, browsers, and simple programs like Audacity and Windows/Mac native recording apps
- Really slick interface
- Wheels and buttons are high quality and move/function really smoothly
- Makes working a computer with an instrument in your hands significantly easier
- Very expensive
- A bit of a learning curve to really take full advantage
Loupedeck CT Price Guide
Prices updated Mon, September 25th, 2023.
Sweetwater Pricing
Price Alert
Price History
Price History for Loupedeck Live S Customizable Streaming Console
Statistics
| Current Price | $179.00 | September 20, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $179.00 | July 12, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $179.00 | July 12, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $179.00 | July 12, 2023 |
How to Assign Functionality and Control
The first step is to download the Loupedeck software and start the program. It'll link up to your CT once it's plugged into a USB port.
Pretty straightforward.
The simplest way to describe the CT is that it will allow you to map control, sort of like a MIDI controller. For my example, I'm going to map it to open Audacity and the Guitar Chalk URL through the push of a single button (one for each function).
In the software, click the three-button icon in the square you want to assign, then go to "Create Custom Action."
You can customize the functionality of each control on the Loupedeck CT.
Alternatively, you should also see these options on the right panel.
Click "Open Applications" then search for the app that you want to open with the search bar in the bottom right-hand corner of that menu on the right.
Use the software to assign functionality. In this case, I'm assigning the button shown (highlighted in a purple square) to open the Audacity app in Windows.
Once you select the program you want, the square will display the logo of the application. If it's set to launch a URL, you can give the square a title that will be displayed.
The application will now be launched by this button. No mouse navigating or clicking needed.
Here's a very poor quality photo (my apologies) of the Audacity logo and Guitar Chalk displayed on the glass buttons.
Buttons assigned.
Here's the same process for the URL. You'll just select the "Web Page" option and type in your URL.
Assigning a web page works pretty much the same way.
Once you click save the button will open the URL in your default browser and will be titled whatever you put in the Name entry. Note that I left it "New Web Page Action" by mistake, but you get the idea.
The knobs you see can be assigned media controls like volume or scanning. The same is true of the larger wheel with the clock in the middle of the front panel.
The knobs can function as turning dials or push buttons.
Use Cases
This is truly just a good tool to have for anyone using a computer a lot. I took it to work and was able to speed up a lot of processes, simply by quickly being able to do things like open applications, scan through videos, adjust volume (I have headphones on a lot at work), and even locking my computer.
A mouse, while it's necessary for a desktop computer, is actually not the most efficient way to get around in a lot of instances.
To summarize, there are a ton of use cases for this device.
I'd say recording software and DAW users will stand to benefit the most, but I also really liked it to get me free of my mouse when playing guitar and trying to record/work on cover songs.
It's a great way to use your mouse less and trim time for computer-based workflow.
Price and Value
To be clear, I've only scratched the surface and shown a basic framework of what the Loupedeck can do, so there's a lot of value here that I can't cover in a short review.
But for the situations I described, it'll definitely make your life easier and make your workflow more efficient.
The cost of admission is fairly high though.
I think value goes up if the following conditions are met:
- There's a lot you do with a mouse that would be quicker with single button control
- You often find yourself trying to record with instruments or microphones in your hands
- You're a streamer or podcaster
For garden-variety computer use, I probably wouldn't recommend it. But if these other situations apply, it's a great add-on, if not a luxury item.
Pricey, but high-value in the right situation.
Wrap Up and Questions
I understand I did not get particularly deep into the functionality here, but this gives you the general idea.
If you have questions that go beyond what I've covered, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help out. I might have to refer you out to the Sweetwater techs since they carry this product, but either way we can help get your questions answered.
Thanks for trusting our reviews.
We'll see you in the comments section or for the next one.
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