Bro is designing custom keyboard PCBs and has no understanding of diodes and matrices. I love it. You could learn it if you wanted, it would take you all of maybe 30 minutes to completely understand, but the way you approached this you dove in and solved each problem in front of you and never encountered that problem. I absolutely love it. I want to build a setup like yours with split boards on articulating arms.
Ideal case would be exactly with no diodes and matrices. Each key should match exactly 1 input of microcontroller. He is basically right to build the best possible solution.
you know the great thing about these custom keyboards is that the firmware will never get out of date for them since you don't need to change anything about it. once I had all my stuff configured and saved to my keyboard it just works I don't need to change anything about it.
Have you considered looking into stenograph, I feel like your boards are currently a similar size and it reduces the movement heavily in comparison to a standard keyboard. Also with enough practice the speed can become incredible. I love the boards massive fan of small form factor and ergo setups.
Omg, you use the same rotating locking arms things I used for getting the perfect hand angles for my upside down under the chair keyboard setup I made. I did some wielding on mine to attach to the chair. If you look up raysworks keyboard it should show up.
This whole journey has been so wild and fun to see, and the quality just keeps on getting better. I've tried to reduce the amount of keys a lot on my keyboard, however, I need to be able to type at over 110WPM for quite a few things, and even after months, I can't type that fast when the alpha keys are divided into different layers. I wonder how fast, and maybe even more importantly, how accurate you are with this 18-key layout?
Accuracy is definitely my main issue. I'm still not 100% sure if it's because there is such a natural lack of resistance to movement, as in it's very easy to hit the keys very quickly so it's easy to be in the wrong order. It feels a bit like I'm tripping over my own feet sometimes. The burst rate when I get the keys in the right order can easily be over 100 but to sustain it without mistakes is currently still very hard. Using the repeat key is also quite a barrier to that - it is extremely fast but also quite hard to learn to use it when you're used to just hitting a key twice. I'm still hopeful I'll learn to get the accuracy up in time and when I do I do still think it has the potential to be pretty fast, certainly given the effort. The other thing I keep coming back to is that when I used the 16 key version on my Card design, I'm sure it was easier to type accurately at speed on that. So it's either the repeat key confusing me or the less closed hand position. I'm tempted to revisit the card design for further testing.
I started using a 20 key layout on my Plank about a year ago as my daily driver. Then 4 months ago I started tinkering with a design. Ergogen did not click with me so I opted for KiCad only. I'm typing this on this on the keyboard I designed, thank you so much inspiring me to go down this path! PS: I find it funny how similar yet different our boards look. PPS: My previous comment containing a link to a picture of the keyboard seems to have been removed by TH-cam. Guess that is what I get for including a link to a random image paste bin.
Thanks for your videos. Since I started watching them, my dactyl manuform 5x6 (4 main rows, but only 4 for the pinky) layout evolved so that the top row (number row) is now only custom macros (volume, mic mute, hold to change virtual desktop, etc), so that I don't use it when typing. It helps with ergonomics and is in line with what you say about the pinky stagger (I can reach the 3 main rows of the pinky without moving too much, but not the top one).
Lovely design ! I just bought a Reviung34 (non-split) kit and have still to solder it, but it is a very similar concept (unibody, V-shaped). I like that yours is diode less, I'll give that concept a try once I'm made my way to master the 34-keys Reviung. That would make a great keyboard to go to the office when I'm not working from home.
Great to see another keyboard video. I found unibody, ortholinear 34 keys using MX switches to be my sweet spot at the moment. Any chance you might do another video walking through your 18 key layout?
Happy New Year. The new keyboard looks great. I’m went as far as a 32 key layout on the planck and then picked up the moonlander with the new tenting platform. That moonlander is configured based on your idea of reversing the halves to get the “thumb keys” on the main portion, since I removed the thumb clusters and wings. Basically created a split version of my planck to reside on the desktop.
Ben, have you ever typed on an IBM / Lenovo Thinkpad with a trackpoint? I find the trackpoint to be even more ergonomic than a trackball, as I'm not moving my right hand at all, both hands stay right on the keyboard. The split ergo implementations I've seen with a trackpoint all seem to leave a little bit to be desired, but I think having a functional mouse / pointer as an integrated part of the keyboard with zero hand movement like the Thinkpad trackpoint is my own keyboard endgame.
Thanks for getting me into this! Been about 6 months since I first built a Corne keyboard (using Colemake-DH) after discovering it from you, and I'm finally getting profecient with it
I have to say that I really like the style of your videos. The background setting is very elegant. Subtle yet not too bright. The plant is a nice touch that helps reduce the effect of a black void. Same goes for the lights whose arrangement and shine direction I really like. Your posture is very upright and not too stiff. The natural calm way you talk and the use of modulation in your voice definitely convey your message in a trustworthy manner. (Not fake, overly-excited like some other TH-camrs.) The video title is very important to me as well as the thumbnail. I love honest natural titles and thumbnails. I hate that clickbait style that many (even some reliable youtubers) use. The title should accurately describe the video. It can raise interest but should never create an expectation within the viewer that the video cannot match. As well as intentionally overdramatize a subject (even if I am interested in the topic of a certain video I often refuse to watch it if the title sounds too inflated). Your editing style is certainly pleasant. I enjoy those smooth transitions from seeing you, to a clip of the subject you are referring to. It is not too hectic which is good. The cinematography is very nice, you use many different angles and different lighting techniques. I have to say, even though I just discovered you today, I am already a fan of your channel and look forward to seeing more interesting videos such as the one about the leatherman alternatives which was really nice.
I'd like to give this unibody keyboard a try, have you posted the PCB anywhere? I'm currently a Dvorak home-row mods Moonlander user but this really looks appealing for its portability!
I keep thinking about a tablet or handheld gaming machine with your kinds of keyboards on the back, facing away from the user. Have you thought about analog sticks for your thumbs? You would need to be more dexterous with your thumbs but you could get a lot more function out of each button by having stick directions trigger layers or combos.
don't worry fam, I'm a professional hw engineer, and I've been guilty of getting the mating pinout of two connectors backwards more than once.. It's just one of those trial-by-fire things everyone's gotta learn the hard way :p.
Ortho user here. Please do share a video of your current layout and how you go about typing. Would love to go smaller. Got used to typing on grid layout where my wrists are still curled inwards where I realised my pinkies are easier to reach on tab and backslash so i changed them to Shift when held down. Hyper + whatever keys to launch automation to change common apps I used without using Maestro.
Here's the basic layout - th-cam.com/video/5RN_4PQ0j1A/w-d-xo.html&t - I added a repeat key and direct to caps second alpha layer (as I proposed in the linked video).
That is a really striking design, and quite a beautiful keyboard. Some kind of 3D printed case for it would be really interesting to see. I'm working on a keyboard design to be compatible with an old 60% case I've got, and I'm highly considering chopping off the number row and creating this sort of angled design for it. It should go without saying, but an excellent video as always! Information dense, excellent presentation and some interesting ideas for the future
👋 love watching your videos, wondering how your getting on with this setup? Would love to try this layout for myself, did you ever release the gerber files for this one ?
Hey Ben, I really like your desings. Have you thought about adding a touchpad or small trackball in a future design? I think this may be able to greatly decrease moving your hand to a mouse or tuchscreen.
Hi Ben, been enjoying your videos over the last couple of years. I am thinking of having a go at a split wireless keyboard with the Nice!nano V.2. What is the maximum number of keys you can have on each half with needing diodes? I am thinking of going to 36 keys, but not sure if that will work. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Just discovered this channel. What a dude. I love your clear obsession with ergonomics, biomechanics and mechanical design. Cheers for being an inspiration.
Hey Ben! I noticed you said you havent gotten to designing a 3d printed case! I've designed a couple now for a macropad and I'd be happy to design one for yours.
What surface finish did you choose and did you work with lead free oder lead based solder? Especially for having it exposed without case I was thinking about lead free but it seems to be more complicated. So I would be very interested in what you did and if possible your reasoning behind it?
Ben have you done any video about i. framwork laptops or ii. Linux OS? I am about to go fro a new macbook pro, but it worries me the fact of 'everything glued together'. And if I go for Framework laptop I have to choose between Windows and Linux (my comment is not related to the video, sorry. I just tried to write somewhere a bit related).
@@BenVallack I am looking forward to this. I really like your design, and I want to dive into layout customization which I did 18 years ago just through MSKLC (Win) and Ukelele when I switched to Mac in 2010, but this layers, combos, tap dance and build-your-own-keyboard concepts are really new to me, since back in 2005, the only ergonomic design I could find was Kinesis Advantage, which I bought in 2008. Unfortunately, I am far away of being a handy man in electronics, so for me soldering and designing PCBs and their connections, POS, GND, NEG, hole sizes etc. are like dark magic for me... So I am so excited I can get my hands on this design, click it in switches and key caps and start my own journey of an 18-key Colemak based layout... I know I will have to learn ZMK or QMK, but there must be plenty of tutorials in TH-cam (considering of making your own 😁?) and, since I take it as hobby, I am more than happy to step into the learning process and turn my MSKLC & Ukelele deadkey states for symbols to fully state of the art layers; moreover, I will be able to use my layout on my iPad (more than happy to ditch my Magic Keyboard). Thanks for sharing your journey and your knowledge. Cheers from Colombia.
How did you attach those clamps to the boards in 2:33? This setup is exactly what I was looking for for my tiny home office space and my Ferris Sweep. Considering the slickness of the Piano keyboard I'm actually considering trying it out :)
::Ben:: I'm curious to know if adding that one line of code back into your split board's shield helped solve your connectivity issues. I'm considering taking the plunge and buying a pair of Nice!Nano's for my Ferris Sweep and wondering if it would be worth it to use them, or should I just save some money and go for turning my Reviung34 into a wireless board instead. I would prefer the split board, to be honest as the pair of them are a nicer fit to my hand, but I don't mind the unibody board in the long run. In truth, I think I'd actually like to build myself a Reviung35, if I could bring myself to design such a thing. Actually, I think a small alteration of the Reviung41 design that would allow the outer columns to snap off like most Corne pcbs are designed to do would probably do the trick...
@@BenVallack excellent! I’m not sure I’m gonna be capable of learning zmk-ADHD (and possible autism tendencies) sometimes prevents me from being able to learn from some people’s workflows and documentation, but I might just take the plunge anyway.
What's your wpm with this? I'm at ~120 on a corne and noticed that I feel *that* ache when typing on the sofa with the macbook's builtin keyboard after a rather short amount of time. Probably lost the tolerance I built up over decades. Looking for alternative and this looks like exactly what I'd want. But wonder about the typing speed. Saw monkeytype a few times in the vid, but no result. :D (looked fast enough tho)
80-100wpm - still not super fast - it’s very clear to me that every word you type needs to be memorised as the pattern - it’s not enough to just think in terms of one key after the next. The relationship with the second layer toggling within each word is crucial to the speed. This is what’s hard because some words just aren’t common enough to have been learnt properly and they then trip me up.
Yep all uses the same format as the builds in my other videos. Little battery under the controller. Lasts a few weeks. Not using it all of the time though. You could use a bigger battery though.
Why no tilt though? You could've used ribbon cable to make it fold or with long enough pins no microcontroller to solder it onto two part at an angle(i myself for development boards use angled pins for tension). I think you could've had at least 10-20 angle of tilt with the controller hidden underneath board tent. Though I personally don't see why you'd want a non split keyboard, seeing as you aren't using it as a stand and\or to hold down an Ipad when typing.
Yeah some kind of tent would be cool. I really just wanted something that is stable when placed on a surface/my lap. Splits on laps just get a bit fiddly with elastic to hold them in place etc!
Ben I look at your latest mini keyboard layout and y'know what it reminds me of? Courtroom stenographers and their chorded keyboards, with chorded lettering schemes designed to keep up with the speed of English spoken speech. Stenography keyboards, in other words... Have you heard of the Plover Open Source hardware steno keyboard project?
Hey have you checked out AR glasses like Nreal Air, Rokit, and the one by TCL. I feel like they will go perfectly with your setup of ipad and split mech keyboard.
Thank you for your enlightening and entertaining video series of your journey. Mine isn't that far yet although I started back in 2005 with Dvorak with deadkey (layer) customization; I stayed there till Dec-2022 when I discovered Colemak, which took me like 1.5 months to master, and in the meantime, I found your videos of full 35+ key keyboards. During this time I customized my layout to work with layers in Mac & Windows (VM), but on the laptop original keyboard, which only leaves me Alt + Ctrl + deadkey as layers. Long story short, yesterday I found your video about a 16 key keyboard and here I am working with layers and 20 keys of my laptop keyboard, but I haven't been able ever to find a way to customize the iPad's hardware keyboard layout, how do you do it? Thanks in advance.
Possibly a silly question but I'll ask anyway. When you program this type of keyboards, does type programming live on the keyboard itself? I'm interested in building one but my work wouldn't let me use 3rd party software to run the macros. Not looking for anything super minimal just the custom shape. Don't want to go through all the effort to find out it only works at home. Thanks.
Thank you. I know all of this is with the purpose to not using a mouse, but I would be curious on what mouse you would use (or even build) if you were using one. Trackball?
To me, the elephant in the room for alternative keyboard layouts is that every keyboard you encounter except your own will be a standard keyboard. The only thing worse than the learning curve for a new board is switching back and forth. If you travel, you need to be able to bring your keyboard with you. If you have an office job, then the keyboard has to be either portable or you have to have two of them. If you have multiple computers at home, then you need to either be able to quickly switch from one to another, or again have multiple keyboards. So, the ideal workflow kind of implies portability (and, ideally, also cheap and quickly swappable between machines). From what I understand, PCBWay (and others) have a minimum order quantity. This annoyed me at first, but realistically you'll want to have more than one keyboard. You don't buy switches singly, either, so if it's a small layout like yours, then it doesn't cost much more to do two keyboards than one. The new frontier for this tech is the custom mouse. We're not there yet, but a mini-touchpad, trackpoint, or joystick mouse would give you the whole user input suite in one package and readily at hand.
Yeah multiple boards is pretty essential, once you know you’re covered though it’s just a case of taking your own everywhere. Obviously there are some jobs where it’s not going to work like hospitals etc.
When I learned to swim and ride a bike I didn't forget how to walk or run. Honestly Ben, with a wireless dongle and a keyboard for each hand mounted on your belt, why couldn't you make it work?
@@BenVallack That's fair! For what it's worth, they do sell both blanks and a "Linear A" option for that reason (visible from the products > Model 100 page). But of course they are still very proprietary.
@@BenVallack Hmmm I could definitely try that, it just seems a bit more error prone and intimidating. Is your video on designing and building a custom one what you would recommend doing if I go that route? Thanks again!!
Just a PSA to anyone who is thinking of checking out ergogen, ergogen updated the online configurator and the repo to 4.0 release which is a significantly different update to the version Bens boards use so dont be surprised if Ben's keyboard yaml's do not work...
Fantastic video! I'm a little confused though, how does one actually type on a 18 key keyboard? Are there like combos to generate words like a characorder?
I've always had Bluetooth issues on even Android, PC, and Mac as well with NiceNanos on my splits. I'm curious if adding that line "CONFIG_ZMK_HID_CONSUMER_REPORT_USAGE_BASIC=y" has also improved the connectivity on your split keyboards (or on macos)?
@@ryanwwest Yeah a third nice!nano connected over usb to the Mac - then both halves of the split talk to that nice!nano using the low power connection stuff. It's not in the main branch of ZMK. The branch I reference in my ZMK configs is all set up for it though.
@@BenVallack that's really interesting and I happen to have an extra nicenano as well. I'll check out your configs, do you know if there's any articles or other info on this setup? As the single biggest detriment to me using splits and zmk it is constant Bluetooth issues, especially when switching between devices, so that might fix it.
I still havn’t sorted that as I’m only using it with the beanbag. But a thin layer of foam would probably work well. Might need two layers, one to build up thickness around the controller and hot swap sockets, with holes cut out. Then a flush one to finish.
@@BenVallack I'm planning to use the cantor. It uses the blue pill. So it needs no diodes. I also need no hotswap for this one. I expect to have an mostly even buttom
Do you think that ergogen is a good way to learn kicad? / Do you have any other references I could get started with? I would like to make a Diodless Corne PCB.. would it be easiest to start with the crkbd one? Thanks!
I use a 40, about 40 keys used hehe, but still, somebody using something SMALLER THAN A BUTTERSTICK not ironically makes my brain pop. My keeb has 44 keys and im not sure if i am gonna get a smaller one, but man do i love small keebs
Could you please do a video on configuring and building ZMK firmware for a split nice!nano keyboard in a dongle mode, with a third nice!nano acting as the dongle/bluetooth central. It's not an official feature yet, I can't find the steps for this anywhere at the moment, but I know you got it to work.
Yeah my main config works like that - feel free to fork it and change the keymap/shield. I’ll definitely look more at this on the keyboard channel though.
It's cool to see people who think differently. But sometimes it is useful to let your wife use it to understand how resource-intensive this idea is. The next step will be vr gloves...👍😉❤
XDD i am comfortable making 3d cases for my boards, but not making custom PCB's, handwiring my boards, amusing seeing someone having the opposite 'issue'
serious comment here, will you be selling any of your work? I'm sure i speak for a lot of people, when I say learning how to solider/design a PCB from scratch is just a step too for far for me...
I’d really love to but it’s a very grey area legally. Electronic stuff has to be approved even in kit form. I’m wondering if I sell it as ‘art’ or something with a big message saying not for use or something if it would be ok!
Also its not even about that, people would love this product and they would love to support you through this journey. If you asked for £400+ im sure people in this space wouldn't even question it.
omg i love fk##in these videos, bought two zsa moonlanders and used your 36 key layout, then you went gogo-plex and ditch me...🙃 SO SELL ME KEYBOARD and the split Bluetooth one ta
Bro is designing custom keyboard PCBs and has no understanding of diodes and matrices. I love it. You could learn it if you wanted, it would take you all of maybe 30 minutes to completely understand, but the way you approached this you dove in and solved each problem in front of you and never encountered that problem. I absolutely love it.
I want to build a setup like yours with split boards on articulating arms.
Ideal case would be exactly with no diodes and matrices. Each key should match exactly 1 input of microcontroller. He is basically right to build the best possible solution.
I love that this video just starts straight away and keeps a good pace. Shows a lot of respect to the viewers time. Good stuff
If there’s one thing I want my channels to be known for it is this. Many thanks!
it catches me offguard every time
Happy new year, Ben! It's really enjoyable to partner with you during the past year! Let's do something bigggerr in the new 2023!🔥🔥🔥
Most definitely!
@@BenVallack Deal!🥳🥳
I'm game to see that! I'm thinking of designing my first board with pcbway this year!
@@Raven3one Looking forward to your design!
I think my favourite part is the finger paint to determine optimum layout
you know the great thing about these custom keyboards is that the firmware will never get out of date for them since you don't need to change anything about it. once I had all my stuff configured and saved to my keyboard it just works I don't need to change anything about it.
Have you considered looking into stenograph, I feel like your boards are currently a similar size and it reduces the movement heavily in comparison to a standard keyboard. Also with enough practice the speed can become incredible.
I love the boards massive fan of small form factor and ergo setups.
Omg, you use the same rotating locking arms things I used for getting the perfect hand angles for my upside down under the chair keyboard setup I made. I did some wielding on mine to attach to the chair. If you look up raysworks keyboard it should show up.
This whole journey has been so wild and fun to see, and the quality just keeps on getting better.
I've tried to reduce the amount of keys a lot on my keyboard, however, I need to be able to type at over 110WPM for quite a few things, and even after months, I can't type that fast when the alpha keys are divided into different layers.
I wonder how fast, and maybe even more importantly, how accurate you are with this 18-key layout?
Accuracy is definitely my main issue. I'm still not 100% sure if it's because there is such a natural lack of resistance to movement, as in it's very easy to hit the keys very quickly so it's easy to be in the wrong order. It feels a bit like I'm tripping over my own feet sometimes. The burst rate when I get the keys in the right order can easily be over 100 but to sustain it without mistakes is currently still very hard. Using the repeat key is also quite a barrier to that - it is extremely fast but also quite hard to learn to use it when you're used to just hitting a key twice. I'm still hopeful I'll learn to get the accuracy up in time and when I do I do still think it has the potential to be pretty fast, certainly given the effort. The other thing I keep coming back to is that when I used the 16 key version on my Card design, I'm sure it was easier to type accurately at speed on that. So it's either the repeat key confusing me or the less closed hand position. I'm tempted to revisit the card design for further testing.
@@BenVallack I see, well, keep us up-to-date with your testing and findings, I find it all very interesting! Thank you for your work!
I started using a 20 key layout on my Plank about a year ago as my daily driver. Then 4 months ago I started tinkering with a design. Ergogen did not click with me so I opted for KiCad only. I'm typing this on this on the keyboard I designed, thank you so much inspiring me to go down this path!
PS: I find it funny how similar yet different our boards look.
PPS: My previous comment containing a link to a picture of the keyboard seems to have been removed by TH-cam. Guess that is what I get for including a link to a random image paste bin.
Shame about TH-cam removing your link - I think for my other channel I'll invite people to send photos of thier builds and I'll do vids on theme
@@BenVallack That would be really cool 😎
I would love to see how you could make more efficient a keyboard for Steno, compatible w/ Plover!
2:10 this is like Takanaka playing a guitar solo on a treadmil.
Thanks for your videos. Since I started watching them, my dactyl manuform 5x6 (4 main rows, but only 4 for the pinky) layout evolved so that the top row (number row) is now only custom macros (volume, mic mute, hold to change virtual desktop, etc), so that I don't use it when typing. It helps with ergonomics and is in line with what you say about the pinky stagger (I can reach the 3 main rows of the pinky without moving too much, but not the top one).
Excited to see your keyboard videos again. Always amazing!
Thanks! Yeah it's been a while!
This is exactly why I have been watching these videos! To have a portable keyboard that I can use on a desktop and on an iPad while traveling
Lovely design ! I just bought a Reviung34 (non-split) kit and have still to solder it, but it is a very similar concept (unibody, V-shaped). I like that yours is diode less, I'll give that concept a try once I'm made my way to master the 34-keys Reviung. That would make a great keyboard to go to the office when I'm not working from home.
Great to see another keyboard video. I found unibody, ortholinear 34 keys using MX switches to be my sweet spot at the moment. Any chance you might do another video walking through your 18 key layout?
Just loaded the app and went "wow!", great to watch you talk about kB again!
Thanks!
Really liked your choice of music for this one Ben
Happy New Year. The new keyboard looks great. I’m went as far as a 32 key layout on the planck and then picked up the moonlander with the new tenting platform. That moonlander is configured based on your idea of reversing the halves to get the “thumb keys” on the main portion, since I removed the thumb clusters and wings. Basically created a split version of my planck to reside on the desktop.
Amazing work -- do you plan to make the design available. I think many of us would love to build (or buy) this board!
Yeah I’ll get it online soon!
Always love to see the nice!nano out in the wild. Glad it's been helping with your workflow!
Ben, have you ever typed on an IBM / Lenovo Thinkpad with a trackpoint? I find the trackpoint to be even more ergonomic than a trackball, as I'm not moving my right hand at all, both hands stay right on the keyboard. The split ergo implementations I've seen with a trackpoint all seem to leave a little bit to be desired, but I think having a functional mouse / pointer as an integrated part of the keyboard with zero hand movement like the Thinkpad trackpoint is my own keyboard endgame.
Thank You Ben! Wonderful video!
Wow the PCB is BEAUTIFUL! You certainly got my attention with that.
Thanks for getting me into this! Been about 6 months since I first built a Corne keyboard (using Colemake-DH) after discovering it from you, and I'm finally getting profecient with it
I have to say that I really like the style of your videos. The background setting is very elegant. Subtle yet not too bright. The plant is a nice touch that helps reduce the effect of a black void. Same goes for the lights whose arrangement and shine direction I really like. Your posture is very upright and not too stiff. The natural calm way you talk and the use of modulation in your voice definitely convey your message in a trustworthy manner. (Not fake, overly-excited like some other TH-camrs.) The video title is very important to me as well as the thumbnail. I love honest natural titles and thumbnails. I hate that clickbait style that many (even some reliable youtubers) use. The title should accurately describe the video. It can raise interest but should never create an expectation within the viewer that the video cannot match. As well as intentionally overdramatize a subject (even if I am interested in the topic of a certain video I often refuse to watch it if the title sounds too inflated). Your editing style is certainly pleasant. I enjoy those smooth transitions from seeing you, to a clip of the subject you are referring to. It is not too hectic which is good. The cinematography is very nice, you use many different angles and different lighting techniques. I have to say, even though I just discovered you today, I am already a fan of your channel and look forward to seeing more interesting videos such as the one about the leatherman alternatives which was really nice.
I'd like to give this unibody keyboard a try, have you posted the PCB anywhere?
I'm currently a Dvorak home-row mods Moonlander user but this really looks appealing for its portability!
I keep thinking about a tablet or handheld gaming machine with your kinds of keyboards on the back, facing away from the user. Have you thought about analog sticks for your thumbs? You would need to be more dexterous with your thumbs but you could get a lot more function out of each button by having stick directions trigger layers or combos.
don't worry fam, I'm a professional hw engineer, and I've been guilty of getting the mating pinout of two connectors backwards more than once.. It's just one of those trial-by-fire things everyone's gotta learn the hard way :p.
Ortho user here. Please do share a video of your current layout and how you go about typing. Would love to go smaller. Got used to typing on grid layout where my wrists are still curled inwards where I realised my pinkies are easier to reach on tab and backslash so i changed them to Shift when held down. Hyper + whatever keys to launch automation to change common apps I used without using Maestro.
Here's the basic layout - th-cam.com/video/5RN_4PQ0j1A/w-d-xo.html&t - I added a repeat key and direct to caps second alpha layer (as I proposed in the linked video).
That is a really striking design, and quite a beautiful keyboard. Some kind of 3D printed case for it would be really interesting to see. I'm working on a keyboard design to be compatible with an old 60% case I've got, and I'm highly considering chopping off the number row and creating this sort of angled design for it.
It should go without saying, but an excellent video as always! Information dense, excellent presentation and some interesting ideas for the future
👋 love watching your videos, wondering how your getting on with this setup?
Would love to try this layout for myself, did you ever release the gerber files for this one ?
Put a spare board in the bottom with nylon standoffs to protect pins and provide a flat bottom. Also, use kapton tape to protect pins.
Not sure why I haven’t thought of this!
Hey Ben, I really like your desings. Have you thought about adding a touchpad or small trackball in a future design? I think this may be able to greatly decrease moving your hand to a mouse or tuchscreen.
I love your videos. So interesting. Now it's time to try a CharaChorder One keyboard. I'm busy learning it, and it's amazing so far!
Thanks!
Nerd add! I love it
Hi Ben, been enjoying your videos over the last couple of years. I am thinking of having a go at a split wireless keyboard with the Nice!nano V.2. What is the maximum number of keys you can have on each half with needing diodes? I am thinking of going to 36 keys, but not sure if that will work. Any advice will be much appreciated.
I haven’t done it personally but I know you can get away with 36 when doing wireless.
Just discovered this channel. What a dude. I love your clear obsession with ergonomics, biomechanics and mechanical design. Cheers for being an inspiration.
Thanks so much!
Hey Ben, this is so awesome. Is there a way to buy the pcb, also is there a way to get the firmware for it? Thanks dude, well done!
I'm having trouble finding a good bean bag. Could you link to the one you use?
Hey Ben! I noticed you said you havent gotten to designing a 3d printed case! I've designed a couple now for a macropad and I'd be happy to design one for yours.
Ortholinear split keyboards are the way to go. I hate using a standard keyboard now. Corne user.
What surface finish did you choose and did you work with lead free oder lead based solder? Especially for having it exposed without case I was thinking about lead free but it seems to be more complicated. So I would be very interested in what you did and if possible your reasoning behind it?
Amazing as usual !
will you provide a github repo with the ergogen file ? I would like to tweak it a bit
thanks !
Ah yeah will get that sorted asap - I think I still need to get the Piano 2 up as well!
@@BenVallack Thanks a lot the look the shine the colors of this one is just so sick !
@@BenVallack Hey! Are there any updates on this?
Ben have you done any video about i. framwork laptops or ii. Linux OS? I am about to go fro a new macbook pro, but it worries me the fact of 'everything glued together'. And if I go for Framework laptop I have to choose between Windows and Linux (my comment is not related to the video, sorry. I just tried to write somewhere a bit related).
That looks beautiful. Are you going to release the Gerber files or the ergogen config for this?
Thanks! Yep will get around to organising all my files soon.
@@BenVallack I am looking forward to this. I really like your design, and I want to dive into layout customization which I did 18 years ago just through MSKLC (Win) and Ukelele when I switched to Mac in 2010, but this layers, combos, tap dance and build-your-own-keyboard concepts are really new to me, since back in 2005, the only ergonomic design I could find was Kinesis Advantage, which I bought in 2008.
Unfortunately, I am far away of being a handy man in electronics, so for me soldering and designing PCBs and their connections, POS, GND, NEG, hole sizes etc. are like dark magic for me... So I am so excited I can get my hands on this design, click it in switches and key caps and start my own journey of an 18-key Colemak based layout...
I know I will have to learn ZMK or QMK, but there must be plenty of tutorials in TH-cam (considering of making your own 😁?) and, since I take it as hobby, I am more than happy to step into the learning process and turn my MSKLC & Ukelele deadkey states for symbols to fully state of the art layers; moreover, I will be able to use my layout on my iPad (more than happy to ditch my Magic Keyboard).
Thanks for sharing your journey and your knowledge. Cheers from Colombia.
@@BenVallackAny updates on that? Just gerber files are also ok
Hey did you release this yet ? I have built the split but really want this portable beast
How did you attach those clamps to the boards in 2:33? This setup is exactly what I was looking for for my tiny home office space and my Ferris Sweep. Considering the slickness of the Piano keyboard I'm actually considering trying it out :)
Yeah I like it. Add the SplitKb tent puck then use the Smallrig clamps linked in the description (affiliate links, appreciated etc!).
can you make a video on how to make a case for an ergogen board, it was the one thing keepint me from a fully cusom keyboard
::Ben:: I'm curious to know if adding that one line of code back into your split board's shield helped solve your connectivity issues. I'm considering taking the plunge and buying a pair of Nice!Nano's for my Ferris Sweep and wondering if it would be worth it to use them, or should I just save some money and go for turning my Reviung34 into a wireless board instead. I would prefer the split board, to be honest as the pair of them are a nicer fit to my hand, but I don't mind the unibody board in the long run. In truth, I think I'd actually like to build myself a Reviung35, if I could bring myself to design such a thing. Actually, I think a small alteration of the Reviung41 design that would allow the outer columns to snap off like most Corne pcbs are designed to do would probably do the trick...
Yep that line solves issues on iPad completely!
@@BenVallack excellent! I’m not sure I’m gonna be capable of learning zmk-ADHD (and possible autism tendencies) sometimes prevents me from being able to learn from some people’s workflows and documentation, but I might just take the plunge anyway.
@@bluefaolan ZMK is awesome.
What's your wpm with this? I'm at ~120 on a corne and noticed that I feel *that* ache when typing on the sofa with the macbook's builtin keyboard after a rather short amount of time. Probably lost the tolerance I built up over decades. Looking for alternative and this looks like exactly what I'd want. But wonder about the typing speed. Saw monkeytype a few times in the vid, but no result. :D (looked fast enough tho)
80-100wpm - still not super fast - it’s very clear to me that every word you type needs to be memorised as the pattern - it’s not enough to just think in terms of one key after the next. The relationship with the second layer toggling within each word is crucial to the speed. This is what’s hard because some words just aren’t common enough to have been learnt properly and they then trip me up.
Really cool stuff, although I was wondering how you supply the board with power? Is there a battery on the back as well? And how long does it last?
Yep all uses the same format as the builds in my other videos. Little battery under the controller. Lasts a few weeks. Not using it all of the time though. You could use a bigger battery though.
@@BenVallack Oh wow few weeks that's pretty impressive for basically no visible battery!
Why no tilt though? You could've used ribbon cable to make it fold or with long enough pins no microcontroller to solder it onto two part at an angle(i myself for development boards use angled pins for tension). I think you could've had at least 10-20 angle of tilt with the controller hidden underneath board tent.
Though I personally don't see why you'd want a non split keyboard, seeing as you aren't using it as a stand and\or to hold down an Ipad when typing.
Yeah some kind of tent would be cool. I really just wanted something that is stable when placed on a surface/my lap. Splits on laps just get a bit fiddly with elastic to hold them in place etc!
Ben I look at your latest mini keyboard layout and y'know what it reminds me of? Courtroom stenographers and their chorded keyboards, with chorded lettering schemes designed to keep up with the speed of English spoken speech. Stenography keyboards, in other words... Have you heard of the Plover Open Source hardware steno keyboard project?
Yeah I tried learning it - gave up lol.
Hey have you checked out AR glasses like Nreal Air, Rokit, and the one by TCL. I feel like they will go perfectly with your setup of ipad and split mech keyboard.
Thank you for your enlightening and entertaining video series of your journey. Mine isn't that far yet although I started back in 2005 with Dvorak with deadkey (layer) customization; I stayed there till Dec-2022 when I discovered Colemak, which took me like 1.5 months to master, and in the meantime, I found your videos of full 35+ key keyboards. During this time I customized my layout to work with layers in Mac & Windows (VM), but on the laptop original keyboard, which only leaves me Alt + Ctrl + deadkey as layers.
Long story short, yesterday I found your video about a 16 key keyboard and here I am working with layers and 20 keys of my laptop keyboard, but I haven't been able ever to find a way to customize the iPad's hardware keyboard layout, how do you do it? Thanks in advance.
Just a backplate on standoffs would elegantly solve the shorting issue and keep it compact.
Yeah good idea
Possibly a silly question but I'll ask anyway. When you program this type of keyboards, does type programming live on the keyboard itself? I'm interested in building one but my work wouldn't let me use 3rd party software to run the macros. Not looking for anything super minimal just the custom shape. Don't want to go through all the effort to find out it only works at home. Thanks.
Not a silly quetion at all! Yeah everything lives on the keyboard itself so it can be switched between devices with no issue.
Thank you. I know all of this is with the purpose to not using a mouse, but I would be curious on what mouse you would use (or even build) if you were using one. Trackball?
@@kyleadammason I use a trackpad with mine but I like the idea of a big ball in between tented keyboard halves.
To me, the elephant in the room for alternative keyboard layouts is that every keyboard you encounter except your own will be a standard keyboard. The only thing worse than the learning curve for a new board is switching back and forth. If you travel, you need to be able to bring your keyboard with you. If you have an office job, then the keyboard has to be either portable or you have to have two of them. If you have multiple computers at home, then you need to either be able to quickly switch from one to another, or again have multiple keyboards. So, the ideal workflow kind of implies portability (and, ideally, also cheap and quickly swappable between machines).
From what I understand, PCBWay (and others) have a minimum order quantity. This annoyed me at first, but realistically you'll want to have more than one keyboard. You don't buy switches singly, either, so if it's a small layout like yours, then it doesn't cost much more to do two keyboards than one.
The new frontier for this tech is the custom mouse. We're not there yet, but a mini-touchpad, trackpoint, or joystick mouse would give you the whole user input suite in one package and readily at hand.
Yeah multiple boards is pretty essential, once you know you’re covered though it’s just a case of taking your own everywhere. Obviously there are some jobs where it’s not going to work like hospitals etc.
When I learned to swim and ride a bike I didn't forget how to walk or run.
Honestly Ben, with a wireless dongle and a keyboard for each hand mounted on your belt, why couldn't you make it work?
Hey Ben, love your channel! Any chance you could review the Keyboardio Model 100?
Thanks! I can’t get excited by keyboard with proprietary keycaps unless they have a set of blanks. People need encouraging to mess about with layouts.
@@BenVallack That's fair! For what it's worth, they do sell both blanks and a "Linear A" option for that reason (visible from the products > Model 100 page). But of course they are still very proprietary.
is there a popular forum / discord / mailing list for discussing keyboard development ?
Probably missing something but could'nt you socket the micro on the top side and resolder the pins to be on the other side of the micro?
Yeah I just couldn’t be bothered to resolder my nice!nano! Chuck on the underside and call it done heh.
Do you have any recommendations to get started with making a split keyboard?
Is the ferris sweep a good place to start?
Thanks!!!
Ferris Sweep is a great place to start - or just start designing your own from scratch.
@@BenVallack Hmmm I could definitely try that, it just seems a bit more error prone and intimidating. Is your video on designing and building a custom one what you would recommend doing if I go that route? Thanks again!!
Please make it boomerang-like so I can throw it then it comes back to me.
Ha!
Just a PSA to anyone who is thinking of checking out ergogen, ergogen updated the online configurator and the repo to 4.0 release which is a significantly different update to the version Bens boards use so dont be surprised if Ben's keyboard yaml's do not work...
Will look in depth at Ergogen 4 on my keyboard specific channel. youtube.com/@benvallackskeyboards
Very cool video
You said you have a dedicated channel to keyboards, do you mind sharing ?
youtube.com/@BenVallacksKeyboards cheers!
Hey Ben, what do you use to connect your keyboard to the clamps? Do you just have a hole in your PCBs?
SplitKB tenting puck - will be doing a video on that on the keyboard channel sim
Are you steno typing or is it something completely different?
Different - details here: th-cam.com/video/5RN_4PQ0j1A/w-d-xo.html
Feels like a weird marketing move to put C-staffs title on the keyboard like that.
Just thought it would be fun - branded keyboard!
Fantastic video! I'm a little confused though, how does one actually type on a 18 key keyboard? Are there like combos to generate words like a characorder?
Cheers! Details on the layout here:
th-cam.com/video/5RN_4PQ0j1A/w-d-xo.html
@@BenVallack thank you!!
I've always had Bluetooth issues on even Android, PC, and Mac as well with NiceNanos on my splits. I'm curious if adding that line "CONFIG_ZMK_HID_CONSUMER_REPORT_USAGE_BASIC=y" has also improved the connectivity on your split keyboards (or on macos)?
I haven't tried it as I use dongle mode with my Mac (which is insanely reliable and battery efficient)
@@BenVallack Do you mean attaching a wired USB-A cable to USB-C on the nicenano? Or a Wireless (but non-BT) adapter?
@@ryanwwest Yeah a third nice!nano connected over usb to the Mac - then both halves of the split talk to that nice!nano using the low power connection stuff. It's not in the main branch of ZMK. The branch I reference in my ZMK configs is all set up for it though.
@@BenVallack that's really interesting and I happen to have an extra nicenano as well. I'll check out your configs, do you know if there's any articles or other info on this setup? As the single biggest detriment to me using splits and zmk it is constant Bluetooth issues, especially when switching between devices, so that might fix it.
diodes and matrices are super easy
What kind of material do you use under the board to protect the surface of the desk for example? I want to build as thin as possible. Thanks!
I still havn’t sorted that as I’m only using it with the beanbag. But a thin layer of foam would probably work well. Might need two layers, one to build up thickness around the controller and hot swap sockets, with holes cut out. Then a flush one to finish.
@@BenVallack I'm planning to use the cantor. It uses the blue pill. So it needs no diodes. I also need no hotswap for this one. I expect to have an mostly even buttom
@@dextergreenman2162 ah yes I forgot the controller isn’t normally on the bottom! One layer of foam should do nicely for a board like that.
I have question here, have you ever considered selling this keyboard? I mean, it looks just amazing! (:
Yeah - unfortunately there are some serious laws that are getting in the way. I'll keep exploring the idea though. Thanks!
Hello, what kind of hot air gun did you use? Did you try Soldering Iron Station (works like a pan)?
Cheapest paint stripper I could find on amazon! Would like to try the proper station.
Do you think that ergogen is a good way to learn kicad? / Do you have any other references I could get started with?
I would like to make a Diodless Corne PCB.. would it be easiest to start with the crkbd one?
Thanks!
I'd definitely use Ergogen + KiCad. The Ergogen Discord is the place to be.
Use silicone conformal coating to insulate, not hot glue!
This sounds brilliant cheers!
Hello Ben, could you go over your way of using vim with a 40% layout or less. I'm struguling on optimising layers for my ferris sweep.
I use a 40, about 40 keys used hehe, but still, somebody using something SMALLER THAN A BUTTERSTICK not ironically makes my brain pop. My keeb has 44 keys and im not sure if i am gonna get a smaller one, but man do i love small keebs
Could you please do a video on configuring and building ZMK firmware for a split nice!nano keyboard in a dongle mode, with a third nice!nano acting as the dongle/bluetooth central. It's not an official feature yet, I can't find the steps for this anywhere at the moment, but I know you got it to work.
Yeah my main config works like that - feel free to fork it and change the keymap/shield. I’ll definitely look more at this on the keyboard channel though.
i am curious, are you using this for more than text? currently i am using neo2 and the symbols take a complete layer on my 40% by themself.
Text and coding/vim. Lots of layers. Details on the layout here th-cam.com/video/5RN_4PQ0j1A/w-d-xo.html
Does your 18 key layout have a mouse layer?
Sort of - it did have some combos and things but I’m just using this instead now: th-cam.com/users/shortsfNcsrTpGh34?feature=share
what stand are you using to hold the keyboard on your treadmill?
Smallrig clamps amzn.to/3H1va64 (UK) amzn.to/3X7eWxx (US)
@@BenVallack thanks! I started using Steelie windshield suction cups, but the problem is I need a piece of glass to suction them onto
is vim hard with different layouts than qwerty?
Here you go! th-cam.com/video/pVSrHdY2EqA/w-d-xo.html
What types of key caps are you using?
MBK chocs
@@BenVallack TY!
Looks suspiciously like a stenography board
Have you heard of a think called a Laptop ? Don't have to carry a pillow around.
It's cool to see people who think differently. But sometimes it is useful to let your wife use it to understand how resource-intensive this idea is. The next step will be vr gloves...👍😉❤
Ha!
0:06 desktop keyboard without num block.
Faster to get to numbers on this board than a numblock!
real hackerman need only 2 keys, zero and one
Electrical tape on the back is the 95/5 solution.
This kind of reminds me of the "textblade" product that never came out. The waytools textblade guy stole my money :(
XDD i am comfortable making 3d cases for my boards, but not making custom PCB's, handwiring my boards, amusing seeing someone having the opposite 'issue'
If you're looking for a less ugly way of isolating pins give clear nail polish a go instead of hot glue :)
Ah that sounds good cheers!!
This is what I was looking for, thanks for sharing Yehudah!
After so many experiments with split keyboards you just went back to the one-piece ones? :S
Only for the iPad
But why don't they make them wireless?
this is wireless
Not enough keys.
Nonsense - too many if anything lol
You could always go to 36 keys if you need more - but no one needs more than 36 I reckon!
serious comment here, will you be selling any of your work? I'm sure i speak for a lot of people, when I say learning how to solider/design a PCB from scratch is just a step too for far for me...
I’d really love to but it’s a very grey area legally. Electronic stuff has to be approved even in kit form. I’m wondering if I sell it as ‘art’ or something with a big message saying not for use or something if it would be ok!
@@BenVallackhello, for UKCA Low voltage you can self certify, plus there very reasonable defences in play for the consumer protection act.
Also its not even about that, people would love this product and they would love to support you through this journey. If you asked for £400+ im sure people in this space wouldn't even question it.
Bro will do anything to avoid learning steno
True story!!
omg i love fk##in these videos, bought two zsa moonlanders and used your 36 key layout, then you went gogo-plex and ditch me...🙃 SO SELL ME KEYBOARD and the split Bluetooth one ta