programmable keyboard

condra

Hi guys.

Would anyone be able to advise me where I could buy either a programmable keyboard, or a matrix style keyboard like the one shown here:



Preferably from an Irish source.

Regardless, it might be possible to modify a normal computer keyboard into this format somehow, but I wouldnt know where to start.

Thanks for any pointers

shanethemofo

what will it be used for? There are keyboards with programmable keysets and/or you could buy seperate number pads and program the keys. All depends on the use .
I'd imagine you would need a fairly good knowledge of programming though to undertake such a project.

Shane

condra

Thanks for your reply Shane.

The software Im using is called Ableton Live, and can be used to trigger audio samples from a grid like this:



Each cell in the grid can contain a different sample, and any key can be assigned to play any cell on the grid. The benefit of having a matrix like keyboard would be a better physical representation of the grid.

shanethemofo

yea thought it was gonna be that,

You could try something like the keyboards used on cash registers?
http://www.docustom.com/kb-catalog/cherry/cherry-g80-1950.htm

Or if you really wanted to, and had the money, you could get a touch screen monitor?

shanethemofo

also found this software
http://www.copernic.com/winkey.exe

It means that you can make any windows key combination to have an action.

So...

You could tape down your windows key on your keyboard and then just press the keys you want?

copacetic

how big a matrix do you need? I've used xkeys with some success but only the 4x5 one..

http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys.php

there is a professional one with 58 keys and a 46 key one with a jog and shuttle knob that maybe you can find a use for?

condra

Cheers for the links guys.

Turns out these things are mighty pricey!

Does anyone know an Irish/Uk supplier?

copacetic

i get the xkeys from the US, they are pretty quick to deliver.

condra

Cheers. Ill look into it.

condra

By the way, since you guys are tweakers and modifiers, Ill chance my arm and ask:

How difficult do you think it would be to customise a standard usb keyboard into something gridshaped? Actually, not customise it, but gut it and rebuild it. I just wonder what materials one would use for the new one.

Also I guess its problematic that the circuit boards need to stay intact. Hmm.

Anti

Completly impossible.

PogMoThoin

This could be a cheaper option. Have 1 myself 4 gaming, each key is fully programmable up to 4 times. Available in Argos.