Companion Satellite & Stream Decks - What you need to know

Introduction

I recently consolidated our church's setup by switching from running Companion on four separate machines to using one host machine with Companion and three others running Companion Satellite. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process I followed, share some tips, and provide insights to help you set up your own system efficiently.

Setting Up the Host Machine

The first step is setting up Companion on your chosen host machine. For us, this was our iMac in the live stream room. The setup is straightforward and similar to setting up any new instance of Companion. You just need to select the network interface that has all your connections.

Configuring Companion Satellite

Next, you'll need to install Companion Satellite on your satellite devices and connect your Stream Decks. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Install Companion Satellite: Make sure the Companion Satellite software is installed on your satellite machines.
2. Connect Stream Decks: Plug in your Stream Decks to the satellite machines.
3. Launch Companion Satellite: Open the Companion Satellite software and hit ‘Configure’ on the top toolbar.

Configuration Details

In the configuration window, enter the IP address of your host Companion instance. Ensure the port matches the one used by the host (usually 8000). Save your settings and you should see the Stream Deck connected, showing the same button layout as the host.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When setting up, you might encounter some issues where the Stream Deck doesn’t pull in the buttons from Companion. Here are a few troubleshooting steps:

1. Rescan USB: Try hitting the rescan USB button.
2. Check Stream Deck Settings: Ensure that ‘Enable connected Stream Decks’ is checked in Companion settings.
3. Disable Stream Deck Software: Turn off the Elgato Stream Deck software to avoid conflicts.
4. Reconnect Devices: If all else fails, unplug the Stream Deck and plug it back in. This simple step resolved many of my issues.

Managing Settings

All settings for the Stream Decks connected via Companion Satellite must be configured through the host instance of Companion. This includes button layouts, page settings, and more. Ensure you make these adjustments on the host machine to reflect across all connected devices.

Practical Use Case

The reason I dived into this setup was to use a Stream Deck foot pedal on stage. As I play guitar, I use Companion to control where my MD mic is sent—whether to the band, the media team, or even through the mains. This setup allows me to alert the media team members via their Stream Decks when I need to communicate with them, ensuring seamless coordination during services.

Conclusion

Switching to a single host machine with Companion Satellite has simplified our process significantly. It’s easier to manage and update compared to handling multiple instances of Companion. After sorting out initial setup issues, the system has been running smoothly. I hope these insights help you set up your own Companion Satellite system. If you have any questions or additional tips, feel free to share them in the comments below.