Stream Deck DIY
A fully homemade Stream Deck: ESP32, a 12-key mechanical matrix, hand-written firmware and a desktop app built with Tauri.
An off-the-shelf Stream Deck costs between 100 and 150 euros. Since I stream on Twitch from time to time and had hot-swap switches left over from my custom keyboard build, I decided to build my own from scratch, from the electronics all the way to the software.
The hardware: twelve mechanical switches wired as a matrix on an ESP32, keycaps matching my keyboard, and a case I modelled and 3D-printed. The case is angled so it falls naturally under the hand, and it connects to the PC over USB.
The firmware: I wrote the embedded code myself, scanning the key matrix and handling debounce. Mechanical contacts physically bounce on each press and would otherwise register several presses for a single one. The goal was imperceptible latency and zero ghost presses.
The desktop app: built with Tauri, it bridges the device and the operating system. It listens to the events sent by the ESP32 and triggers the action mapped to each key, for example an OBS command (switch scene, mute the mic) or a Windows and macOS keyboard shortcut. Since every key is configurable, the device isn't limited to streaming: it adapts to any workflow, from video editing to development shortcuts.
It's the most complete project I've built on my own: electronics design, 3D modelling, embedded firmware, a communication protocol and a configuration interface. All for a fraction of the price of a commercial unit, and fully tailored to my needs.