After years of seeing Cooler Master teasing the potential, I finally have their new MasterHUB in my hands, and I could not be more excited. Made to be a companion device similar to the Elgato Stream Deck or the Loupedeck, the MasterHUB takes the concepts seen on those devices and elevates it to a much more customizable formula, one that feels built for the modern creators that find themselves dabbling in a little bit of everything as they work on countless projects. It is a novel concept, one that, now having tested it for a few weeks, feels filled with potential, even if the software side of things is still being ironed out.
I have tested a few versions of the MasterHUB up to this point, but the concept has remained the same: a creator dashboard that can be adjusted to fit your needs. In the retail box, depending on the version you buy, you will find the baseplate that works to the main area you connect your models to, a selection of modules, the cables, and everything else you need to get up and running.
Cooler Master has built a remarkably simple concept that instantly evokes a sense of creativity as you work to personalize your MasterHUB. The base has different contact points that the modules fit into, but as long as there is a connection, the configuration potential is vast, giving you the ability to adjust and build out your content creation command station however you choose.
The modules vary in usefulness based on your needs, with some that range from an option for a 15-key customizable set of IPS buttons, a tactile button with a customizable screen, a selection of knobs, a dial for precise control, and even a fader module to give you a tactile interface for a range of creative software. You are presented with a vast level of control over what the Cooler Master MasterHUB will look like, and you can even go beyond what you get in the box to make something that fits your exact workflow.
“I have been impressed by the concept of the Cooler Master MasterHUB since I first saw it at CES a few years back…”
If it was not clear up to this point, I have been impressed by the concept of the Cooler Master MasterHUB since I first saw it at CES a few years back, and now that I have it in my hands, I am finally getting a taste of what is possible with the interface. With the ability to use it in a vertical or horizontal arrangement, with a wide variety of configurations depending on your needs, it quickly found a place in my day-to-day workflow.
I have been looking for a solution to bring a level of tactile control to the many creative software suites I use daily in my job. I have been using a keyboard and mouse for as long as I have been interacting with a PC, but even after all that time, there is something to be said about having a direct analog to the task you are doing to help the process.
Be it a knob to adjust the opacity or a tactile dial that lets you scrub through footage, it brings a different level of control that helps a range of tasks, and it is something that I honestly find hard to give up once it was an option for work. This is the promise the Cooler Master MasterHUB brings, and it is something I am amazed has not come sooner.
How useful each component is to your creative workflow depends on how you plan to use the MasterHUB. Each offers a different level of control, and many can be customized for different tasks. Starting with the most recognizable module, the 15-key module, you can assign each button to various tasks, with each button offering a mini IPS screen that can be customized to your heart’s content. If you have used an Elgato Stream Deck before, there is nothing too revolutionary here.
Beyond being a Stream Deck alternative, the big selling point for me was the precise control of the various editing software I use. I have to say Cooler Master made the ability to scrub through a video look cool, thanks to its encoder with an IPS display module. This was the component that made me stop and look while walking through the various components Cooler Master had on show at CES.
The Encoder Dial Module gives the right level of resistance, all while feeling like an intuitive aspect of your software. The fact it has the ability to display a range of information on the little screen makes it that much more exciting. You can have it display details about your PC, sound information, or even details about a song playing. It is a nice touch that elevates the MasterHUB above a simple Bluetooth dial you can buy online at various retailers.
Moving beyond the flashy IPS screens, the range of modules currently available at launch run the gambit of being useful for streaming, editing, or even just controlling your PC. The range of tasks the MasterHUB can adapt towards is fantastic, and more than that, it makes a case for its existence within minutes of setup and customizing it to the various tasks you may need.
The MasterHUB software allows you to assign any program, pre-programmed function, or customizable key combination to each button and customize it to suit your needs. The buttons work as you would expect, but I will say the feel of the buttons is not as refined as you can find on the Stream Deck.
You will need to be more deliberate with your button presses, but it gets the job done, since it is not something you will be typing on as you would a keyboard. I do wish this felt a bit more responsive, but I will say that it looks fantastic when all is lit up, with the mini IPS screens giving the right level of vibrancy next to the built-in RGB.
“The Cooler Master MasterHUB brings to the table a wealth of features…”
Oh, did I mention that the MasterHUB has RGB built in? While not every module has it, there are enough to give the peripheral a subtle glow that works well with other gaming PC components. The software makes it easy to adjust these settings, offering the usual array of options, including Breathe, Wave, Glow, etc. Is it a necessary addition to the MasterHUB? Absolutely not. But that does not mean that it is not a fun addition, especially for streamers. It adds a nice splash of light that adds to the overall aesthetics of the device.
The Cooler Master MasterHUB brings to the table a wealth of features, and it quickly felt like it would be a go-to device I used whenever I was working on editing content of any kind, but then I got to the software. This is where I hit a few roadblocks. Now, don’t get me wrong, the MasterHUB software is not horrible, and for the most part, it is intuitive enough to get some basic settings up and running quickly; it is more when you want to tackle complex tasks with software not currently baked in.
While most of the settings are a simple matter of dragging the function to the button or dial you want it assigned to, when you want a function not currently supported, you need to rely on the keyboard command settings that let you assign any button to a command. In theory, it is a good solution, but due to some crashes and odd issues where commands did not save properly, this simple task quickly got very tedious and, sometimes, caused me to lose a full setup I had taken time to program.
“The Cooler Master MasterHUB has easily become one of the most popular new peripherals I have seen in the content creator space in quite some time.”
I will note that for the review, I was using pre-release software, and Cooler Master has promised updates for the launch, but as it was, while incredibly powerful, it ended up being a test of my patience rather than an intuitive way to get the MasterHUB set up perfectly for my needs. I expect the software to evolve over time and address many of the issues I faced while reviewing the MasterHUB. I just hope these updates release quickly after launch, making sure to highlight what the device does right other than how simple issues can hold it back.
Thankfully, Cooler Master is planning a solid initial offering for support at launch, including Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator, along with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Twitch and Discord, giving a solid selection out of the gate. Cooler Master also promises a marketplace for users to download profiles, so even if it is not supported out of the box, there may be ways to get it up and running quickly. I have not seen the marketplace yet, so I can not speak to how useful it will be, but the potential it could add to the MasterHUB is huge. I just hope Cooler Master can deliver on it.
Even with my gripes, the Cooler Master MasterHUB has easily become one of the most popular new peripherals I have seen in the content creator space in quite some time. The modularity is a great way to ensure that creators can customize their MasterHUB to fit their specific needs. It brings a wealth of options, all with a unique flair that sets it apart from the competition. While the software is still a bit rough around the edges, the potential is undeniable.
If Cooler Master can deliver on the software front and see it evolve with support for more of the tools creators use most, I could see this being the next must-have accessory. Cooler Master has a winner with the MasterHUB. It is a content creator’s dream come true, and I just hope the support keeps it going strong for years to come.