Generative AI is getting better at creating images and videos, but if you want professional-looking, not to mention correct, content, someone still has to put in the work. Software tools are also becoming more powerful and more sophisticated, but sometimes that creates even more complexity, with more features hidden behind incomprehensible sequences of keys. That’s not even considering how a single person might have to juggle different apps, each with their own set of functions. There are now tools like customizable keyboards or buttons that try to alleviate some of that pain, but there really isn’t a “one size fits all” solution. Instead, Cooler Master takes a different approach by providing not a single tool but a toolkit, allowing creators, streamers, gamers, and power users to build their own control panel that adjusts to their needs and workflow rather than forcing them to adapt to simply pushing buttons on a box. Given the novelty of this proposal, we took the MasterHUB for a spin, a roll, and a push to see if it can really take a load off creators’ already heavy shoulders.

Designer: Cooler Master

Aesthetics

If you judge the Cooler Master MasterHUB solely based on its appearance, you will probably be disappointed. Right out of the box, the different modules look pretty ordinary, even uninteresting. Sure, you have a variety of physical controls, more than competing brands that offer only programmable buttons with tiny displays, but the quality of the design and the material themselves are nothing to write home about.

The MasterHUB is a completely black affair, which seems to be the standard for control panels like this. It’s also mostly made of plastic, and not the premium kind either. Different areas of the modules have different textures, with some smooth and reflective, while others have a rougher matte surface. To be fair, this particular market isn’t exactly known for stylish designs and premium materials, so it’s in good company as well.

Cooler Master does make up for it with plenty of LED colors, whether on the display of the dial and the buttons or beneath some of the controls. You have a great degree of freedom when it comes to customizing the MasterHUB’s RGB lighting, except for one module that oddly doesn’t have any kind of lighting. Hopefully, it’s just some oversight, because there’s really no logical reason for this inconsistent design.

In the final analysis, the Cooler Master MasterHUB isn’t exactly something great to look at, but its true value lies in its performance. Unfortunately, it shouldn’t be a choice between form or function, when you can and should have both. And with something as big as the MasterHUB always in your field of vision, something more aesthetically pleasing could do wonders for your mind as well.

Ergonomics

The MasterHUB is already a league above other keyboard decks and controllers for offering a more tactile experience that goes beyond pressing buttons. Some actions, like scrubbing through timelines or changing the size of a brush, just feel more natural if you use a dial, a slider, or a roller instead of repeatedly mashing a single button. It isn’t just about intuitive controls either, as having your fingers actually manipulate something tangible adds a certain depth and enjoyment to the action.

At the same time, however, Cooler Master’s default package isn’t exactly ergonomic because it practically lies flat on your desk. There’s a low magnetic foot included in the box, but that barely lifts the controller at a comfortable angle. This can be especially problematic when you need to see the icons on the buttons or the display. There is a stand available, but it’s a separate purchase rather than a part of the entire ensemble. Depending on how you use the MasterHUB, it might not be a deal-breaker, but it’s still something that logically would be included or even built into the base.

Performance

The Cooler Master MasterHUB immediately sets itself apart from the likes of the Stream Deck and the Loupedeck with its modular design. While some brands and models might offer knobs in addition to buttons, it doesn’t stop there nor does it presume it knows best what creators need. Just like LEGO, it provides the building blocks for you to arrange your own setup, whether that means using two 15-key modules or having two Encoder dials.

The MasterHUB currently has six modules, starting with the innovative Base module that makes all of these possible. This unassuming flat box holds the pogo pins that connect the other modules to one another as well as magnets that keep them in place. Of course, you can set the base horizontally or vertically, adding another layer of customization.

In theory, you’re free to put any of the other modules in any position as long as they’re connected to those pins and held down by magnets. In practice, however, you’ll probably want to have the modules fit snugly inside the boundaries of the base, which means you have a limited number of arrangements considering the sizes and shapes of those modules. You can’t also fit all five other modules on the Base, so you’ll have to choose which ones you need for a given task.

The 15-key IPS module is probably going to be familiar to users of other control panels. Each key can be mapped to almost any action or combination of actions, a.k.a. macros, through the MasterHUB software. You can also select different icons or make your own to assign to that key. On an amusing note, pressing each key makes the icon shrink while it’s depressed and jumps back to its normal size once you release the button, adding a bit of visual feedback to the action.

There’s a 3-knob module you can use to adjust minor settings like lighting, opacity, and the like. For bigger or major adjustments, you might want to use the Econder with an IPS display module, which is just another way of calling a big dial with a circular screen in the middle. Just like with the buttons, the display can be customized with complete freedom.

The 5-Fader module is not a common sight on controllers like these, but it’s a standard device for many tools related to multimedia work. Perhaps the most unusual of the group is the 2-Roller module, which is perfect for scrolling or going through undo and redo histories quickly. These five pretty much offer everything you need to work with almost any creative suite, though you can’t fit them all at the same time, as mentioned earlier. You can, however, use as many of the same modules you can fit, as long as you buy those additional modules, of course.

If the modular hardware was already impressive, the MasterHUB software doesn’t disappoint either. It has almost limitless possibilities in how you can set up and control the device, almost to the point of being overwhelming and confusing. Some things, like visually dragging and dropping actions to the controls, are easy, but some require digging through layers of options. The user interface could do a bit of polish, and thankfully that’s easier to pull off than a hardware upgrade.

Even if it doesn’t have a head-turning design, the Cooler Master MasterHUB’s functionality is pretty mind-blowing. If you’re a creative who juggles multiple apps, a streamer who needs to have every control under their finger or a gamer who can’t afford the latency of a string of keyboard combos, the flexibility that this modular controller offers is unbeatable. The power it offers is both outstanding and overwhelming, so it’s kind of exciting what Cooler Master will cook up next for future modules and software improvements.

Sustainability

Despite its heft, the MasterHUB is thoroughly made of plastic. It might be resilient, but it’s not completely durable nor hardened against accidents. It’s also not a sustainable material, though Cooler Master thankfully uses post-consumer recycled or PCR plastics for some of its products, though it doesn’t indicate if the MasterHUB benefits from this program. It might also be good if it used other materials like rubber, both for protection and tactile properties, though it could still do so in future iterations.

The MasterHUB’s modular design does bring one indirect advantage over the likes of the Stream Deck, which is that it’s more future-proof. Cooler Master could put out revised and improved versions of the modules, expand the selection of modules or even add new features that it didn’t have at launch. In fact, there are DisplayPort ports on the Base module, teasing the possibility of new features. Of course, that will all depend on Cooler Master actually continuing to push the envelope in the foreseeable future.

Value

Cooler Master definitely struck a chord with creators, streamers, and gamers with the modular design of the MasterHUB. It offers not only flexibility but also power, putting users in complete control of their workflows. Even Logitech’s new MX Creative Console barely scratches the surface of what this control panel is capable of, especially when you consider the possibilities of future modules and features.

That said, the MasterHUB isn’t an inexpensive kit, which is probably to be expected considering how much more it offers compared to similar products. That’s why you’ll probably want to take advantage of discounts, like the current pre-order campaign that’s offering the basic kit, which includes only the 15-key IPS, 5-Fader, and 2-Roller modules, for only $299 instead of the $399 SRP. If you really want more flexibility, the Pro bundle adds the Encoder with IPS display and 3-Knob modules for $399, a rather steep $150 discount from the $549 SRP. Whichever bundle you pick, though, the stand will cost an additional $17 (SRP $19) if you want it.

Verdict

With great power comes great responsibility, or in this case, more keyboard shortcuts. Content creation shouldn’t be a dreadful and tiring task, and tools should be making people’s lives easier, not harder. As software becomes more sophisticated, the need for better and more efficient controls also increases. Rather than forcing users to shoehorn their workflows into a grid of LCD buttons and a few dials, the Cooler Master MasterHUB offers professionals and hobbyists the freedom to design their own tools and define their own strategies that let them focus on the most important task: creating their best content.

The post Cooler Master MasterHUB Controller Review: Complete Control Over Your Creative Pursuits first appeared on Yanko Design.