Too many clicks
ATEM Software Control and Companion can do a lot, but mouse-driven operation becomes stressful during live production.
ATEM + Companion Workflow
Turn ATEM and Companion into a control surface your team can trust.
ATEM handles switching. Companion handles cross-device actions. A dedicated AVCLUE panel turns both into visible, tactile, repeatable show control for churches, studios, classrooms, and event teams.
Why It Matters
The problem is not only switching. It is repeatable live operation.
Macros are powerful but hidden
If macro buttons are not mapped to a clear hardware surface, only one technical person knows how to run the show.
Different tools are not unified
ATEM, OBS, vMix, Zoom, audio, graphics, and stream actions often live in separate windows or devices.
Recommended Flow
A clean ATEM + Companion control path
ATEM switcher
Program, preview, transitions, keys, and camera inputs stay in the ATEM production core.
Companion
Companion runs macro-style actions for ATEM, OBS, vMix, Zoom, stream tools, graphics, and utilities.
AVCLUE control panel
A tactile panel makes repeatable show actions visible and easier for operators to trust.
Streaming / recording
The operator triggers show scenes, overlays, stream actions, and recording without hunting through windows.
Product Fit
Choose the panel by how wide the workflow is.
KD50B
Best when the workflow is mainly ATEM + Bitfocus Companion and the team wants a compact hardware surface.
KD50X
Best when the same compact panel needs to move between ATEM, vMix, and OBS workflows.
KD60A2
Best when switching, Companion, MIDI, PTZ, macros, and wider production control should live on one surface.
Macro Examples
Good buttons follow the show, not the software menu.
The strongest Companion layouts are built around moments the operator repeats every show.
- Start stream, start record, and set opening scene
- Cut to camera 1 and recall lower-third state
- Switch to slides and mute unused audio path
- Trigger break screen, timer, and background music
- End stream workflow with record stop and backup check
Best For
Teams that need repeatable show actions.
- Church services with volunteers rotating weekly.
- Studios that run the same show format often.
- Events where one operator needs fast, predictable actions.
Not Ideal For
Do not add macros before the basic workflow is stable.
- If camera, audio, and streaming paths are not stable yet, fix those first.
- If operators have no fixed show flow, button layouts become messy.
- If you only need basic ATEM switching, a focused panel may be enough.
Related Pages
Use these pages to complete the decision.
FAQ
Common ATEM + Companion questions
Do I need Companion if I already use ATEM?
Not always. ATEM can switch video by itself, but Companion becomes useful when you need repeatable actions across multiple devices and apps.
Which AVCLUE panel is best for ATEM + Companion?
KD50B is the focused ATEM + Companion option. KD50X is better when you also use vMix or OBS. KD60A2 is best for larger multi-system workflows.
Can one operator run ATEM and Companion?
Yes, if the button layout is planned around the show flow instead of every possible technical feature.
Should churches use ATEM + Companion?
It can be a strong setup when volunteers need simple, repeatable buttons for service start, camera cuts, graphics, streaming, and recording.
When should I choose KD60A2 instead of KD50B or KD50X?
Choose KD60A2 when the control surface needs to cover ATEM, Companion, MIDI, PTZ, macros, and wider production control instead of one compact workflow.
Next Step
Send your ATEM, Companion, and show-control needs.
Tell us your switcher, software stack, number of cameras, operator count, and the actions you want on physical buttons.
Ask AVCLUE on WhatsApp