Chris | Sept. 14, 2023

Dan | Feb. 11, 2023

Riley | Sept. 6, 2022

Paul | April 5, 2022

Love this Thing!

It was pretty easy to put together and program given the documentation and the youtube video. I originally just wanted something to tinker with, but I've found I actually use it all the time for some quick short cuts to do various things. really nice product!

Response from RyanBates | April 7, 2022

Thank you Paul.

Charles | Oct. 7, 2021

Erwin | Aug. 31, 2021

extremely fun and surprisingly useful

I have been planning to build a macro keyboard, and then Ryan already did the work...
Sourcing the keys and caps was a bit of a thing, but it all worked out in the end.

The source code is somewhat spaghetti, but workable. I split these into separate keyboard layout files and that helps. :) I will do a push-request on github with this code.

Highly recommended!

Response from RyanBates | Sept. 5, 2021

Thank You Erwin!

Lukasz | June 5, 2021

Impressed and happy. With small suggestion.

As others already pointed out, the pcb is really good and works perfectly. Just as the sample code as well.

So my only suggestion is to actually sell this as a kit. I had to chase all the components around the internet (the bill of materials helped a lot) but as stated in the video (at three times the price) it cost me additional few tens of dollars to have everything shipped. Plus the lead time for some of the components was pretty long (I am waiting for rgb leds ordered on aliexpress).

So to conclude: This has a big potential for being good business if sold as kit.

I did it the hard way and ordered multiple pcbs, multiple types of cherry switches, multiple caps and played with them so please consider my conclusion:

For this purpose the only difference in cherry switches I see is blues (clicky) vs all other (they are more or less indistinguishable for me while using this keypad).
I like white translucent caps for mode button and the rest can be just clear (i recommend having clear or blackish-clear ones as option).
Encoders are nice option.

So the kit should come in few options:
-pcb alone - just as it is now
Option:
+full cherry mx blue
+full cherry non clicky
+cherry mx blue+encoders
+cherry non clicky+encoders
+arduino pro micro
+all diodes, resistors, reset switch, potentiometer, jack
+leds

This way every enthusiast will be able to craft the macro keypad easy and not that expensive. And Ryan can still jack up the price a bit as there will be only one shipping cost.

Anyway! Its great product and I cant wait till the leds will be added!

Response from RyanBates | June 6, 2021

Thank you Lukasz!

Carlos | June 5, 2021

Fantastic pcb

Video is very well documented covering parts and alerts.
May be the encoder places are very close to the rest of the Keys. I had to put a lower caps to access the rotaries.
Thank you very much.

Response from RyanBates | June 6, 2021

I appreciate the kind words Carlos!

James | April 16, 2021

Tom | March 10, 2021

Angel Lyn | Feb. 25, 2021

Love the product!

I love Ryan! I've been corresponding with him via twitter and on here since his PCB are often out of stock since this is a great product! So I actually bought 25 pcs for me, my friends and possibly to resell this (low chance but it depends!) I'm very satisfied with the PCB and the settings is easy too its already on his site.
I was skeptical to buy at first because the shipping to the Philippines is always a pain. but then ryan was very understanding and helpful with my inquiries.

till next transaction!!! thanks ryan!

Response from RyanBates | March 4, 2021

Thank you Pan!

Richard | Feb. 23, 2021

Excellent value for the price

This is a great way to get involved in keyboard building. The price is great. Documentation is excellent. Demo program actually runs perfectly. You can use Cherry MX keys or some cheaper varieties. I got my Arduino pro micros on ebay for less than $2 each. I wish that the board supported standard through hole components as well, but it does not. Even so, the smt components are not crowded and I had little difficulty (besides my old-man eyes) in soldering them to the board. Arrow electronics has everything in stock and they're great with low quantities. I also have the smaller version of this board and it is also excellent. Wouldn't hesitate to buy either again.

Response from RyanBates | Feb. 24, 2021

Thank you Richard for the kind words!

Mayank | Feb. 9, 2021

Andrew | Nov. 19, 2020

Really great simple and flexible mini keypad.

I've wanted to make a macro keyboard for about a year or so...never finding the time to really dig in to it. Then I ran across this PCB and a week later, I've got three of them. Works like a champ, is super super flexible, and has some decent documentation.

Response from RyanBates | Nov. 19, 2020

Thank you Andrew for the kind words!

Raul | Nov. 18, 2020

Dustin | Oct. 29, 2020

Perfect PCBs for learning about DIY keyboards

These PCBs are a great intro to DIY keyboard building. They also have diode bypasses which are great if you don't have any diodes yet.
I've built two macrokeyboards with these PCBs so far and am enjoying the ability to use a volume knob to turn up my computer's volume.
I used standoff screws and rubber feet to make the board more practical since I don't have a 3d printer to make a case.

Response from RyanBates | Oct. 29, 2020

Thank you Dustin! I appreciate it.

Richard | Oct. 10, 2020

Perfect For So Many Projects

Was looking for inspiration to create some new control input options for Kerbal Space Program. This seemed like a good option and did not disappoint! Soldering was relatively straight forward, I am no expert and even the surface mount was doable. Flexibility of hardware options is well thought out and should adjust to anyone's macro key input needs. For KSP I ended up only using 2 of the 4 available macro stores, so plenty more options ahead. One observation about the 32u4 USB HID capabilities, it seems that there is no straight forward way to simulate holding a key down. It could be I have not yet found the right way to do it but this should be of note to those looking for a WASD breakout. However, for KSP staging and thrust this board was phenomenal especially using the rotary encoder for thrust!

Pros:
- Low cost
- Ease of construction
- Flexibility (Multiple hardware options with 4 switchable macro settings)
- Designer support, every question answered with enthusiasm (Thank you)
- Rotary encoders add a neat slew of options
- Sample code is easy to follow and adapt

Cons:
- Surface mount can be fiddly for inexperienced solderers (Low cost way to test your skill perhaps)
- Arduino limitations around holding down buttons (can limit some keyboard input simulation)
- No others really

Response from RyanBates | Oct. 10, 2020

Thanks Richard! This code should help with press+hold keys. Make sure you change the ROWS and COLS constants and the "char keys[ROWS][COLS]" array to match this macro Keyboard PCB layout... (I've been testing some macros for a slightly different PCB)

//---begin code----------------
#include <Keypad.h>
#include <Keyboard.h>

char previousPressedKey;
boolean hasReleasedKey = false;

const byte ROWS = 2; // rows
const byte COLS = 4; // columns

//define the buttons of the keypad
char keys[ROWS][COLS] = {
{'1', '2', '3', '4'}, // the keyboard hardware is a 2x4 grid...
{'5', '6', '7', '8'},
};

byte rowPins[ROWS] = {4, 5}; //connect to the row pinouts of the keypad
byte colPins[COLS] = {6, 7, 8, 9 }; //connect to the column pinouts of the keypad

Keypad keypad = Keypad( makeKeymap(keys), rowPins, colPins, ROWS, COLS );

void setup(){
Serial.begin(9600);
delay(1000);
}

void loop(){
//delay(50);
keyHoldLoop();
}

void keyHoldLoop() {
char key = keypad.getKey();
KeyState state = keypad.getState();

if (state == PRESSED && key != NO_KEY) {
previousPressedKey = key;
hasReleasedKey = false;
Keyboard.press(key);
}

else if (state == RELEASED && !hasReleasedKey) {
// Multiple RELEASED events occur when there had not been HOLD
//Keyboard.release(key);
Keyboard.releaseAll();
hasReleasedKey = true;

}
else if (state == HOLD) {
Keyboard.press(key);
Keyboard.press(previousPressedKey);
}

}

Samuel | Sept. 23, 2020

Thanh | Sept. 2, 2020

Great products

The products were shipped in a timely manner. I purchased 3 pcb for my wife and friend hoping I'm able to make one for each of us.
I'm currently not be able to make it to work after soldering all the components. I'm pretty new to build a Macopad and trying to figure out the cause of the failures.

Do I need to flash the pcb before use or is it just plug and play after soldering ?
Would love to listen to any guidance from you guys.

Thank you

Response from RyanBates | Sept. 2, 2020

Thanks Thanh! I saw your email: I'll give more details there. Some basic trouble shooting for everyone:
1) This PCB is not plug-and-play. You have to write at least the example code linked from this product description. Check my youtube video for details.
2a) Use the Arduino IDE to program. (see arduino.cc for help with adding libraries and getting the software to program the Arduino).
2b) Make sure you have these libraries added:
#include <Keyboard.h>
#include <Encoder.h>
#include <Keypad.h>
3) Make sure the Arduino Micro 32u4 is selected when programming this board. Tools> Board> Arduino Micro.
4) Make sure all the solder jumpers are soldered! You'll get really weird results (phantom keys) if you miss a jumper.
5) You may have to hold down the reset button, hit upload sketch, wait for the IDE to try to 'upload' to the Arduino, then release the reset button.
The boot-loader for uploading is a short window in the Arduino Pro Micro. The Pro Micro wants to default to the USB HID mode. Catching the short window for uploading a program might take a few tries; i.e to get a feel for the timing (my experience).

Best,
Ryan

Shreyas | Aug. 28, 2020

All good!

After watching one of Ryan's videos on YouTube, I bought two boards which arrived within a reasonable time frame.
As I don't have the greatest of soldering skills, it took about 2 hours to get all the parts soldered on one of the boards.
Along the way, I had a couple of dry solder joints that took a while to diagnose but it all worked well in the end.
While I wouldn't classify this as a beginner build, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to any enthusiasts.

Response from RyanBates | Aug. 28, 2020

Thanks Shreyas! Glad to hear about your experience.

David | Aug. 13, 2020

This is awesome!

Just what I was looking for!! Great product and the documentation / YouTube video were extremely helpful

Response from RyanBates | Aug. 14, 2020

Thank you for the kind words David!

Scott | June 28, 2020

Just WOW

Works and described. Easy to make changes to fit your needs. For me, I chanced one of the keys to toggle between HID and com. I use the analog pot as the mode selector.

Response from RyanBates | June 29, 2020

Thank you Scott.