6 ms·

4x4 Macro Pad Kit

77 points by 0xC45 6y ago

pomatic 6y ago
Nice work. Now, if only OLED or LCD push buttons were widely available so we could change the logos on the fly... PS. Ye cannae be a 'bit unique' ;-)
- WrtCdEvrydy 6y ago
  This was the dream of mine when seeing the Optimus Maximus keyboard years ago... I saw a feature where every button was just an LCD display.
- sawjet 6y ago
  Have you heard of the stream deck?
  - bonestamp2 6y ago
    I have a stream deck and it's pretty cool as a macropad, but I'm hoping they're working on at least a 60% keyboard. The keys they use on the macropads would be pretty awful to type on, so it will take some work, but I hope they can do it. Art Lebedev had the popularis keyboard which is basically what a stream deck keyboard would be like: https://www.artlebedev.com/optimus/popularis/ https://www.artlebedev.com/optimus/popularis/ Also, Lebedev's Aux concept from 2008 is basically what the stream deck is. I played with an Optimus Maximus once (Booz Allen Hamilton had one), and it was beautiful; however it wasn't particularly nice to type on.
- loansindi 6y ago
  They're available[0], but they're expensive [0] https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/programmable-display-switches/212 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/programmable-disp...
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
chewmieser 6y ago
FYI, the code is difficult to read, at least on FireFox. It shows as black text on a gray background.
- uolot 6y ago
  Looks ok for me (Firefox 81 on Linux): https://i.imgur.com/7Pxmwyn.png https://i.imgur.com/7Pxmwyn.png
  - jefftk 6y ago
    Firefox 81 on Mac: https://imgur.com/a/JQGcfTQ https://imgur.com/a/JQGcfTQ Does not look good. It has something to do with the custom font. If I disable "font-family: AdobeSourceCodePro, monospace" the colors appear: https://imgur.com/a/mcUX5XD https://imgur.com/a/mcUX5XD
    - jefftk 6y ago
      Looks like it's https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1520157 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1520157: I think basically what's happening here is that the font includes some SVG glyphs (for a bunch of emoji, no doubt). This causes us to render it via a "color font" codepath, and color fonts ignore the CSS color property as the glyphs are painted with their inherent colors instead. But in this case many (most) of the glyphs do not actually have color versions, and so they simply paint as black. We need to be making the decision whether to paint "as a color font" (ignoring CSS color) on a per-glyph basis, not per-font-run, so that glyphs without inherent color don't just default to all-black all the time.
adolph 6y ago
I'm amazed that a standard keyboard build still targets the Pro Micro. Here is a build tutorial from 2012. 1Up (used in the article) is certainly more cost effective ($9) than SparkFun ($18). https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/337 https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/337
- leovander 6y ago
  Most group buys/keyboard shops sell the Elite C as an alternative[0]. [0] https://docs.splitkb.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011510839-Why-would-I-want-to-use-an-Elite-C- https://docs.splitkb.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011510839-Why-...
- jrockway 6y ago
  I have made a few custom keyboards with the stm32f103 ("bluepill"). You can get a 5 pack for $10. You get more IO pins and you don't need to suffer through anything Arduino-related. The starter kits often include an ST-LINK clone that makes flashing much easier than dealing with bootloaders and USB serial connections. (I use a j-link, but both are fine.) It is, of course, supported by QMK. If you want to go even cheaper for a 4x4 macro pad, you can just hand-wire the thing and not buy a circuit board. I hand-wired a full keyboard and while it was not the quickest task in the world, it also wasn't that bad. Kind of relaxing. You also don't need to go overboard with mechanical supports for the keyswitches; I just 3D-printed a platform that the keyswitches slot into. Basically, if you happen to have some magnet wire, a microcontroller, and some Cherry clones sitting around... you can make yourself a keyboard. (Diodes are nice, but you probably don't need n-key rollover on a macro pad.)
- numpad0 6y ago
  5V Pro Micro clones from China used to be $1/ea. That was what people were using when lots of guides and builds were written.
colordrops 6y ago
What are these used for exactly? They seem like they'd slow you down as opposed to just using a regular keyboard with software macros or a fancy keyboard with macro support.
- sirn 6y ago
  Controlling scenes while live streaming (e.g. live / "AFK" / switch to "I'm dead" mode during multiplayer live stream / ...) is the most common use case for this type of keyboard I'm aware of. It's much less error prone than pressing a shortcut since it's a single button press. One of the most common commercial product for this particular use case is Elgato Stream Deck.
- stan_rogers 6y ago
  The biggest use I've seen is four-key and awkward three-key shortcuts in software where one hand is occupied with another device (generally a digitizer stylus, but it could be any controller or mouse). A macro keypad can be extremely handy when editing photos, for instance. Not everything one does with a computer can be done effectively with two hands on the keyboard.
  - Washuu 6y ago
    I have one I built[1] out of a key switch tester and other spare parts. It saves me some awkward hand flexing and key stroke positions to reduce the chance of a repetitive stress injury. [1] https://twitter.com/Azxiana/status/1285402557846781952/photo/1 https://twitter.com/Azxiana/status/1285402557846781952/photo...
- SkyPuncher 6y ago
  I'm considering building one of these. I optimize my keyboard to programming. I already have a second layer for programming specific functions. I could add a third, but it's more mental load. It's not worth it. Things that I'd put onto this: * Mute/Unmute for Zoom * Screenshot key * Bind to a few key apps so I can switch between them quickly * Media and volume keys (so I can use a smaller keyboard, but have these within react) * A few emojis just for fun. * I'd likely have a toggle so it could serve as a num pad
kennywinker 6y ago
Not to dismiss someone's passion project, but every time I go into a thrift store or used electronics shop I see a couple of those usb numerical keypads for a few dollars (or buy one new for a $10 donation to the bezos fiefdom) - I assume there is software that could be used to re-route the number keypresses to run macros edit - instructable for doing exactly that: https://www.instructables.com/Making-a-powerful-programmable-keypad-for-less-tha/ https://www.instructables.com/Making-a-powerful-programmable...
- formerly_proven 6y ago
  Keyboard controllers are usually ROM (perhaps even fixed function, they certainly used to be) controllers, so these solutions are generally software macros, like the one you linked, which works for some things, but not others.
  - kennywinker 6y ago
    Right, but what's the difference? I.e. if the keyboard sends "9" but software captures that and sends out "cntrl-shift-3" it's the same outcome as if the keyboard sent "cntrl-shift-3" - is it not? If we really want custom hardware involved, the most economical solution would probably be a USB repeater that did the re-interpreting in hardware.
    - OJFord 6y ago
      Then keycode & keysym correspond to different characters (or whatever) and whether or not you get the desired outcome depends on the implementation of the software capturing it at any given time. Took me a while to work out that the reason my pasted passwords would occasionally not work was the remapping of a couple of symbol keys. (I'm accustomed to a weird mashup of USA/UK layout, thanks mainly to Apple's non-standard 'UK' layout donating Americani?ms, but then useless prominent keys I swapped for something more helpful (backtick & pipe I think, off the top of my head, for things so useless that I literally never use them and don't know their names.))
    - bonestamp2 6y ago
samatman 6y ago
Here's a helpful little snippet for fellow QMK warriors: #define SEND(case_enum, string) \ case case_enum:\ if (record -> event.pressed) {\ SEND_STRING(string);\ }\ return false;\ break Looking at the OP article, I don't know if the `return false;` is really necessary? I copied it from elsewhere. This lets you just say `SEND(MIC_MUTE, SS_LCTL(SS_LALT(SS_LSFT(SS_TAP(X_F10))));` or what have you. I left off the final semicolon because it looks more natural to me.
- TheSoftwareGuy 6y ago
  Looks useful! Pro tip, as a professional C/C++ dev, for macros: Wrap the body in a do-while loop, to force a semicolon after it’s called https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1067226/c-multi-line-macro-do-while0-vs-scope-block#1067238 https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1067226/c-multi-line-mac...
  - account42 6y ago
    That wouldn't work here (well it wouldn't without the return) as that would mean the break would apply to the loop and not the switch statement. In genereal, I think hiding control flow in macros is a bad idea.
noizejoy 6y ago
I really like projects like that. Another way of getting to similar results without hardware hacking is via using midi controllers combined with software to translate midi messages to keystrokes (and/or macros).
analognoise 6y ago
I was thinking of doing something like this, connected with a small screen, and UART send/receive (because it's simple) - so that I could use it just to keep ibuffer in Emacs up and help me move through buffers. ...still need to do that project. Just a small, single use device to make my Emacs life easier.

77 points by 0xC45 6y ago

Nice work. Now, if only OLED or LCD push buttons were widely available so we could change the logos on the fly... PS. Ye cannae be a 'bit unique' ;-)

WrtCdEvrydy 6y ago
This was the dream of mine when seeing the Optimus Maximus keyboard years ago... I saw a feature where every button was just an LCD display.
sawjet 6y ago
Have you heard of the stream deck?
- bonestamp2 6y ago
  I have a stream deck and it's pretty cool as a macropad, but I'm hoping they're working on at least a 60% keyboard. The keys they use on the macropads would be pretty awful to type on, so it will take some work, but I hope they can do it. Art Lebedev had the popularis keyboard which is basically what a stream deck keyboard would be like: https://www.artlebedev.com/optimus/popularis/ https://www.artlebedev.com/optimus/popularis/ Also, Lebedev's Aux concept from 2008 is basically what the stream deck is. I played with an Optimus Maximus once (Booz Allen Hamilton had one), and it was beautiful; however it wasn't particularly nice to type on.
loansindi 6y ago
They're available[0], but they're expensive [0] https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/programmable-display-switches/212 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/programmable-disp...
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]

chewmieser 6y ago

FYI, the code is difficult to read, at least on FireFox. It shows as black text on a gray background.

uolot 6y ago
Looks ok for me (Firefox 81 on Linux): https://i.imgur.com/7Pxmwyn.png https://i.imgur.com/7Pxmwyn.png
- jefftk 6y ago
  Firefox 81 on Mac: https://imgur.com/a/JQGcfTQ https://imgur.com/a/JQGcfTQ Does not look good. It has something to do with the custom font. If I disable "font-family: AdobeSourceCodePro, monospace" the colors appear: https://imgur.com/a/mcUX5XD https://imgur.com/a/mcUX5XD
  - jefftk 6y ago
    Looks like it's https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1520157 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1520157: I think basically what's happening here is that the font includes some SVG glyphs (for a bunch of emoji, no doubt). This causes us to render it via a "color font" codepath, and color fonts ignore the CSS color property as the glyphs are painted with their inherent colors instead. But in this case many (most) of the glyphs do not actually have color versions, and so they simply paint as black. We need to be making the decision whether to paint "as a color font" (ignoring CSS color) on a per-glyph basis, not per-font-run, so that glyphs without inherent color don't just default to all-black all the time.

adolph 6y ago

I'm amazed that a standard keyboard build still targets the Pro Micro. Here is a build tutorial from 2012. 1Up (used in the article) is certainly more cost effective ($9) than SparkFun ($18). https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/337 https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/337

leovander 6y ago
Most group buys/keyboard shops sell the Elite C as an alternative[0]. [0] https://docs.splitkb.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011510839-Why-would-I-want-to-use-an-Elite-C- https://docs.splitkb.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011510839-Why-...
jrockway 6y ago
I have made a few custom keyboards with the stm32f103 ("bluepill"). You can get a 5 pack for $10. You get more IO pins and you don't need to suffer through anything Arduino-related. The starter kits often include an ST-LINK clone that makes flashing much easier than dealing with bootloaders and USB serial connections. (I use a j-link, but both are fine.) It is, of course, supported by QMK. If you want to go even cheaper for a 4x4 macro pad, you can just hand-wire the thing and not buy a circuit board. I hand-wired a full keyboard and while it was not the quickest task in the world, it also wasn't that bad. Kind of relaxing. You also don't need to go overboard with mechanical supports for the keyswitches; I just 3D-printed a platform that the keyswitches slot into. Basically, if you happen to have some magnet wire, a microcontroller, and some Cherry clones sitting around... you can make yourself a keyboard. (Diodes are nice, but you probably don't need n-key rollover on a macro pad.)
numpad0 6y ago
5V Pro Micro clones from China used to be $1/ea. That was what people were using when lots of guides and builds were written.

colordrops 6y ago

What are these used for exactly? They seem like they'd slow you down as opposed to just using a regular keyboard with software macros or a fancy keyboard with macro support.

sirn 6y ago
Controlling scenes while live streaming (e.g. live / "AFK" / switch to "I'm dead" mode during multiplayer live stream / ...) is the most common use case for this type of keyboard I'm aware of. It's much less error prone than pressing a shortcut since it's a single button press. One of the most common commercial product for this particular use case is Elgato Stream Deck.
stan_rogers 6y ago
The biggest use I've seen is four-key and awkward three-key shortcuts in software where one hand is occupied with another device (generally a digitizer stylus, but it could be any controller or mouse). A macro keypad can be extremely handy when editing photos, for instance. Not everything one does with a computer can be done effectively with two hands on the keyboard.
- Washuu 6y ago
  I have one I built[1] out of a key switch tester and other spare parts. It saves me some awkward hand flexing and key stroke positions to reduce the chance of a repetitive stress injury. [1] https://twitter.com/Azxiana/status/1285402557846781952/photo/1 https://twitter.com/Azxiana/status/1285402557846781952/photo...
SkyPuncher 6y ago
I'm considering building one of these. I optimize my keyboard to programming. I already have a second layer for programming specific functions. I could add a third, but it's more mental load. It's not worth it. Things that I'd put onto this: * Mute/Unmute for Zoom * Screenshot key * Bind to a few key apps so I can switch between them quickly * Media and volume keys (so I can use a smaller keyboard, but have these within react) * A few emojis just for fun. * I'd likely have a toggle so it could serve as a num pad

kennywinker 6y ago

Not to dismiss someone's passion project, but every time I go into a thrift store or used electronics shop I see a couple of those usb numerical keypads for a few dollars (or buy one new for a $10 donation to the bezos fiefdom) - I assume there is software that could be used to re-route the number keypresses to run macros edit - instructable for doing exactly that: https://www.instructables.com/Making-a-powerful-programmable-keypad-for-less-tha/ https://www.instructables.com/Making-a-powerful-programmable...

formerly_proven 6y ago
Keyboard controllers are usually ROM (perhaps even fixed function, they certainly used to be) controllers, so these solutions are generally software macros, like the one you linked, which works for some things, but not others.
- kennywinker 6y ago
  Right, but what's the difference? I.e. if the keyboard sends "9" but software captures that and sends out "cntrl-shift-3" it's the same outcome as if the keyboard sent "cntrl-shift-3" - is it not? If we really want custom hardware involved, the most economical solution would probably be a USB repeater that did the re-interpreting in hardware.
  - OJFord 6y ago
    Then keycode & keysym correspond to different characters (or whatever) and whether or not you get the desired outcome depends on the implementation of the software capturing it at any given time. Took me a while to work out that the reason my pasted passwords would occasionally not work was the remapping of a couple of symbol keys. (I'm accustomed to a weird mashup of USA/UK layout, thanks mainly to Apple's non-standard 'UK' layout donating Americani?ms, but then useless prominent keys I swapped for something more helpful (backtick & pipe I think, off the top of my head, for things so useless that I literally never use them and don't know their names.))
  - bonestamp2 6y ago

samatman 6y ago

Here's a helpful little snippet for fellow QMK warriors: #define SEND(case_enum, string) \ case case_enum:\ if (record -> event.pressed) {\ SEND_STRING(string);\ }\ return false;\ break Looking at the OP article, I don't know if the `return false;` is really necessary? I copied it from elsewhere. This lets you just say `SEND(MIC_MUTE, SS_LCTL(SS_LALT(SS_LSFT(SS_TAP(X_F10))));` or what have you. I left off the final semicolon because it looks more natural to me.

TheSoftwareGuy 6y ago
Looks useful! Pro tip, as a professional C/C++ dev, for macros: Wrap the body in a do-while loop, to force a semicolon after it’s called https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1067226/c-multi-line-macro-do-while0-vs-scope-block#1067238 https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1067226/c-multi-line-mac...
- account42 6y ago
  That wouldn't work here (well it wouldn't without the return) as that would mean the break would apply to the loop and not the switch statement. In genereal, I think hiding control flow in macros is a bad idea.

noizejoy 6y ago

I really like projects like that. Another way of getting to similar results without hardware hacking is via using midi controllers combined with software to translate midi messages to keystrokes (and/or macros).

analognoise 6y ago

I was thinking of doing something like this, connected with a small screen, and UART send/receive (because it's simple) - so that I could use it just to keep ibuffer in Emacs up and help me move through buffers. ...still need to do that project. Just a small, single use device to make my Emacs life easier.