Hercules Stream 100 audio controller review: "A little bit empty"

GamesRadar+ VerdictStreaming mixers hardly ever feel like an exact science even the best brands get right all the time. Nonetheless, there are much better options out there if you’re willing to spend a bit more. Average build quality, software limitations, and a few other issues let this audio interface down.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$91.75at Amazon$149.99at Dell$149.99at WalmartPros+Compact size+Large LCD screen+Solid basic control of audio sourcesCons-Average build quality-Can’t handle complex tasks-Limited to just 2 pages of sources-No external integrations GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Streaming mixers hardly ever feel like an exact science even the best brands get right all the time. Nonetheless, there are much better options out there if you’re willing to spend a bit more. Average build quality, software limitations, and a few other issues let this audio interface down.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$91.75at Amazon$149.99at Dell$149.99at Walmart Streaming mixers hardly ever feel like an exact science even the best brands get right all the time. Nonetheless, there are much better options out there if you’re willing to spend a bit more. Average build quality, software limitations, and a few other issues let this audio interface down. TODAY’S BEST DEALS$91.75at Amazon$149.99at Dell$149.99at Walmart TODAY’S BEST DEALS$91.75at Amazon$149.99at Dell$149.99at Walmart TODAY’S BEST DEALS$91.75at Amazon$149.99at Dell$149.99at Walmart TODAY’S BEST DEALS $91.75at Amazon$149.99at Dell$149.99at Walmart $91.75at Amazon $91.75at Amazon $149.99at Dell $149.99at Dell $149.99at Walmart $149.99at Walmart Pros+Compact size+Large LCD screen+Solid basic control of audio sources Compact size Large LCD screen Solid basic control of audio sources Cons-Average build quality-Can’t handle complex tasks-Limited to just 2 pages of sources-No external integrations Average build quality Can’t handle complex tasks Limited to just 2 pages of sources No external integrations Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Streams are famously noisy things and trying to keep everything in balance can often be a tricky boss to battle. From microphone levels to game sound and music, there’s a lot to contend with and many gamers will turn to a physical mixer for support. With a range of favored brands likeRazer, Rode, and Elgato in the market that already make thebest capture cardsand other streaming gadgets, Hercules is unlikely to be a name that quickly comes to mind. With a background in DJ equipment, Hercules has a history with audio, but the Stream 100 arrives as their first offering for home PC users. A plug-and-play USB controller, the Stream 100 aims to simplify live stream audio management with a range of physical inputs and a dedicated LCD screen. A $149.99/£119.99 price tag makes this a cheaper choice than existing options but does it offer enough to be considered among some of the best streaming controllers and audio mixers? Design & Features Desktop real estate is often at a premium in-home streaming setups so the Hercules Stream 100’s relatively compact footprint is a welcome one. Despite its small size, it doesn’t feel cramped though and the generously sized 4.3” LCD screen and neatly spaced inputs all feel like they have their own room to work. The included USB-C cable also features a right-angle connection to keep it neatly tucked behind the unit which is a thoughtful touch. Like almost all of the build, the Hercules Stream 100’s four dials are hard plastic with no grip texturing or rubberization. It’s a disappointing level of finish that leaves the unit feeling cheaper than it should, even at this more palatable price point than its XLR counterpart, theHercules Stream 200 XLR. I also found a strange difference in resistance level across the four dials, each was already easier to twist than I would expect but some dials were even slacker than others. (Image credit: Future / Alex Berry) Things do improve when you interact with the buttons below however and almost make the dials feel worse in comparison. These are pleasant-feeling full rubber buttons that emit a satisfying click and have an alluring backlight. The force required to fire them off is just right and despite the quite large size, I had no issues with mis-clicks no matter which part of the button I prodded. My main concern with the design of the Hercules Stream 100 however is that it’s all a little bit empty. It’s noticeably light and even feels hollow to pick up, there’s nothing grand about it. Tapping on anything other than the rubberized buttons gives a horrible cavernous clack to remind you there’s not much going on in there. I wouldn’t usually advocate for sneaky tricks, but even if Hercules had filled the Stream 100 with a little concrete in a couple of places it would have massively improved the feel. Performance (Image credit: Future / Alex Berry) In testing, I found the Hercules Stream 100 a slightly curious device to use. What it can do, it does just fine and I don’t have any major complaints; the problem is it doesn’t quite do enough to become a solution worthy of investing £120 in. When you consider the cost of thebest microphones for streaming and gaming, you want the best value you can get for any additional add-ons. The goal of the Stream 100 is to help simplify the process of balancing your audio output, allowing for quick adjustments to individual inputs on the fly to keep everything in check. If your setup is simple with just a couple of consistent audio sources to manage, it’ll achieve this pretty well. Using the Stream Control app to assign individual sources to dials I was able to play with levels without diving into UI menus or tabbing out of a game. All the while the LCD screen offered a visual indication of how the volume of each of my sources sat against each other and whether my microphone was actually picking up audio. You’re able to personalize the experience with a different background image, custom icons, and colors for individual sources as well as labels above the buttons; all of which worked well and were quick to change. (Image credit: Future / Alex Berry) What the Stream 100 can’t do though is handle complex setups or split audio feeds between a personal mix for my speakers and a stream mix for my viewers. You’re also limited to just two pages of four inputs with no way to bundle sources together under common titles. The Stream Control app did make it simple to assign these sources and the list was comprehensive but the two-page limit feels needless given it’s handled on a software side only. The four buttons are equally easy to assign to basic actions, but again, their functionality is limited. For things like muting and unmuting sources or launching an app they’re great but despite OBS integration their use as anElgato Stream Deck+alternative is minimal. You’ll also need to allocate a button to changing pages, so like theRazer Stream Controller X, you’re down a button already thanks to the software (six in total). There’s no external marketplace for additional plugins, dynamic swapping based on which app is running, or custom hotkey support. It all just feels a little undercooked. Should you buy the Hercules Stream 100? (Image credit: Future / Alex Berry) Ultimately, the Hercules Stream 100 is fine but fails to impress in most areas. For taking control of basic audio sources in a simple streaming setup it’ll do the job, but most creators are likely to quickly outgrow its capabilities. There’s no custom audio routing and the eight individual input limit is a peculiarly limiting one. Today’s best Hercules Stream 100 deals$149.99$91.75View$149.99View$149.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Today’s best Hercules Stream 100 deals$149.99$91.75View$149.99View$149.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Today’s best Hercules Stream 100 deals $149.99$91.75View$149.99View$149.99View $149.99$91.75View $149.99$91.75View $149.99$91.75View $149.99$91.75 $91.75 $149.99View $149.99View $149.99View $149.99 $149.99 $149.99View $149.99View $149.99View $149.99 $149.99 Show More Deals Show More Deals We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices How we tested the Hercules Stream 100 I added the Hercules Stream 100 to my gaming PC and streaming setup for a week. Throughout testing, I used it to control audio levels both while live streaming on Twitch, and for day-to-day use, attempting to run my microphone and most audio sources through the app. For more on how we test the latest content creation gadgets, take a look at ourhardware policy. Looking for more streaming gear? Take a look at thebest webcams, thebest ring lights for streamers, and thebest green screens. Hercules Stream 100: Price Comparison $149.99$91.75View$149.99View$149.99View$149.99View$187.99$149.99View $149.99$91.75View $149.99$91.75View $149.99$91.75View $149.99$91.75 $91.75 $149.99View $149.99View $149.99View $149.99 $149.99 $149.99View $149.99View $149.99View $149.99 $149.99 $149.99View $149.99View $149.99View $149.99 $149.99 $187.99$149.99View $187.99$149.99View $187.99$149.99View $187.99$149.99 $149.99 Show More Deals Show More Deals We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices TOPICSTwitch TOPICS Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"Squid Game season 3: Everything we know about the Netflix show’s final seasonSquid Game season 2 post-credits scene explained: Does episode 7 have a post-credits scene?See more latest► Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"Squid Game season 3: Everything we know about the Netflix show’s final seasonSquid Game season 2 post-credits scene explained: Does episode 7 have a post-credits scene?See more latest► Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"Squid Game season 3: Everything we know about the Netflix show’s final seasonSquid Game season 2 post-credits scene explained: Does episode 7 have a post-credits scene?See more latest► Latest 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"Squid Game season 3: Everything we know about the Netflix show’s final seasonSquid Game season 2 post-credits scene explained: Does episode 7 have a post-credits scene? 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” Squid Game season 3: Everything we know about the Netflix show’s final season Squid Game season 3: Everything we know about the Netflix show’s final season Squid Game season 2 post-credits scene explained: Does episode 7 have a post-credits scene? 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Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim 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the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”