Making a custom macro keyboard with REAL arcade buttons 

Every time you said "I'm not great at coding" I thought it would be a segue into a Skillshare advert. Thank you *so much* for not doing that.

Instead of making it type the hotkeys from the arcuino, you could make it press function keys from F13 to F24 (which actually exist, they just aren’t on your keyboard) and then use autohotkey to code more complex functions on the press of the buttons, so it would make it a bit easier to use and reprogram, since you can write functions only for certain apps or make it do some low level windows stuff.

Saw the thumbnail and wondered how you'd managed to print those buttons so smoothly! Love the speckly filament for the case though.

Hey Angus. I like that you are so honest in what you are not good at yet. And as me and many others like and use your designs we are happy to help you with coding and understanding the microcontroller world.

Amazing design! Functional and aesthetically pleasing! Nice job!

This is awesome! I love it when the maker community improves on each-other's projects, everyone brings something different to the table. I really appreciate the shoutout too, and I'm glad you found my stuff helpful

I made this kind of keyboard some time ago, to use with some tricky hotkey combinations in blender. But I used small fiddly buttons so it never got much use. I have already ordered these big buttons that can be quickly slammed. I have the programming done already. Thank you for the inspiration!

V1 already looks amazing I can't wait to see version 2 or 3

I was using the MIDIUSB library when I was making a similar project. It’s easy to use, I recommend it. It has well done examples that perfectly teach you how to write/read MIDI commands through USB

Really enjoyed your admissions here, it's always nice when someone can admit a lack of expertise when it's presumed by so many. I really love your videos and I've learned a ton about modeling from them and just reworking my own thought process when it comes to designing. I'm currently in my first university CAD class and I'm constantly surprised how much easier it is after playing around for a hobby. Even if I do hate Solidworks.

Oh man, well done. I actually got all the parts to make one of these back in Feb.. But as usual it's another project that I didn't get around to starting even after I fully planned it 😅 Your's looks great

Can I just say I love this kind of video and whole heatedly and enthusiastically encourage you to make a lot of videos like this?

this is sooo cool! now I want to make my own controllers as well. oh and that Drum & Bass beat you did on the end was sick!

You could add LED feedback with the same kind of matrix configuration. Also you could put a knob or two (or three) on the side to adjust things like volume, led brightness, zoom...

Great video. Looking forward to more projects like this.

love your content, I always find your thought process fascinating

Very cool project. I can think of many uses.

was just looking for something similar to this the other day, but I'm looking for probably a 1x4 or a 2x3. This'll work out great. Timing is everything, and this came out just at the right time. Thanks! :)

Thanks for the idea of sourcing and using panel mount USB type B connectors. I just ordered some for a current & future project.

I will be watching for v.2 closely. This is something right up my alley and with you, I am very bad at coding. I've been trying on and off for over a decade and its just a type of logic my brain doesn't compute.

It's great to see that nice skill balance! I'm so-so at designing, talented at programming but absolutely horrifying at electronics.. Watching you going over this type of project really motivates me a lot, I've got a LOT of electronic-based 3D print projects, and they're really intimidating..

I made the original streamdeck that you used as your base. His arduino is set to utilize the F13-20 keys that most keyboard do not have, instead of modifying the code to change that I instead utilized AutoHotKey which is a program that lets you write scripts to run on specific key presses. If you use that instead the programming for it is a lot easier. The downside is you wont be able to take this to different machines since the arduino will still be sending the F12-20 keys. It does make it really easy though if you are using it on a few machines since you can just copy around the AutoHotKey script and load it up on each machines so its ready to go when you plug it in and press a key. You can also do some advanced things like using key presses to compute things for you which is nice if utilize some formulas, you can just map a key to run the formula with the values highlighted. Ive seen some interesting stuff with it. It also makes it a lot easier to change what the buttons are doing since you can just modify the script and rerun it or run a different script which is easier than having to reflash the arduino if yours is anything like mine where i have to short power and ground to do a reset twice to load up the bootloader for it to accept uploads.

That is a cool project. I will have to add it to my list of things to do.

Nice. I actually just finished making a simple Pro-micro setup for a friend this last weekend. It takes a Controler Thumbstick input and sends wasd keys to the pc. I've definitely been wanting to build one of these as a streamdeck style input.

I like those arcade buttons with the concave surface and micro switches, nostalgy from playing too many arcade games in the 80s.

Keeping something always plugged in to the pro micro's USB port (and well isolated from strain) is a good choice. I've built a handful of PS/2 to USB keyboard converters with those boards and the TMK firmware (so I can use my old keyboards on modern computers), and those micro USB ports are definitely the weak point of the pro micro clones - they don't survive many cycles, either not connecting internally or tearing right off the board far easier than they ought to.

Angus! YES!! Ive been wanting to make my own MidiFighter since its release! Just recently got my Printer and I think its finally happening! :D

I think its really important to show works in progress, less than perfect results. If people see only the perfect results, not the hours of work and iteration and failure, its kinda like the social media effect where people compare themselves to curated and idealized versions of other people, it can be discouraging. I like the openness about still learning, being part of this community we are all voracious learners and just want to keep improving, there's always something new to learn or something we know enough of that we want to really master.

Very nice and looks like a fun project.

Am I the only one who really wants that RGB wall lamp thing?

You are doing so well keep going love all the vids

bravo! This is practically what i need for my project of a custom controller. Still in the parts assembly phase. I'll try to send you updates or something.

This is CRAZY! I was JUST thinking about something like this on my way home from work!

Love this and really look forward to more contel like it, combining two of my greatest interests! I would particularly like so see exploration into IOT using esp 32 or esp 8266

Hello Angus great video love the design and print 😆✋🙌

Good on you for diving into code!

I made one a couple years ago for setting up autorun and macrokeys. was a fun project

Cool filament!

Great video, glad to see you branching out

For macro, midi, DIY game controllers, flight sim inputs, and other USB HID interfaces both analog and digital I highly recommend the Teensy line of microcontrollers developed by PJRC. I've used them for a few different USB projects. They sport a huge amount of features and there are several to choose from to fit your application, and the best part is that they're completely coded using the Arduino IDE (though with a lot more programming features / commands available).

Great effort!

Okay. First off I love your account and creations. My friends and I are actually making a 100%, 60% and 50% grid keyboard using clear macros and an Audrino Pro Micro too. We are also 3D printing the key caps and laser cutting the case in layers. So this is exactly like what we are doing. I'm happy to share what we have so far and help if you want. We are massive tech nerds and also AUSSIES.

That's awesome and I was just thinking about making something like that, but I think I have decided to just buy a Stream Deck for my Fusion 360/Inventor shortcuts and hotkeys. And it's not out of laziness, but since I know I'm going to change the layout all the time until I find somthing I like, I dont want to keep remaking pictirs

This kind of reminds me the "El gato stream deck" but this one looks so much better a retro. Definitely a good project to enjoy and upgrade to be a beast!

In the scheme with a resistor you have a 220 Ohm one. Well done though. And the Prusament looks amazing.

Pull down resistors are often used to limit the current. Otherwise you have a dead short from a pulled-up signal to ground.

Really cool

You can still use the midifighter to trigger hot heys. I use Bomes MIDI Classic. Really simple, just learns the midi and then you set the hotkey. I've done this with a Launchpad.

The cycling looks to be a result of not using oneshot logic. The processor will register that button press several times with even a light tap. If you're not aggressively macro-ing, you can probably just add a time delay after each interrupt to space out the commands. Let me know if you're completely stuck. I've been programming a stream deck for our channel lately, but I do a lot of work with Arduinos (Especially now that Marlin is so popular).

Got me inspired to build a shortcut keyboard for Fusion 360 👍

Nice project and if the code works then it’s good. Doesn’t have to be pretty to work.

Great vid thanks! :D

This is sort of random, but love your wall art (the plugged in thing which looks as though it can be modified and yah, changes color). It looks awesome.

That would come in so handy at my work’s CADD station.

Cool you have a G5! I bought a G7 and trying to get back into 3d printing as I havent 3d printed much

open source :D Thanks!!! You are the best!!!

Wasn’t this video uploaded a few days ago? I tried looking for it but couldn’t find it. Thanks for the re upload!

Neat. Trust me, your wiring isn't THAT bad. However, I think I'd use spades and crimps. Alternatively, heat shrink sleeve over the soldered connections :-) That aside, a pleasing interface project. I, like you, can't program to save my life so I use examples I find online too! I love the design process, that's why I make stuff.

Super!

Nice!, I have some ESP32 boards laying around and this got me thinking that i could use Bluetooth and make a wireless version

Looking forward to watching more videos like this. Just wondering if you have thought of taking a product and redesigning something about it to make it better. Like taking a mouse, redesigning the shell and buttons to better fit you or your needs.

Love the idea of a hotkeys pad..maybe i would allow sometida space between buttons to add sort of a template with the keys i'm using according to the software..as the original idea of the Arduino code maker that had images on buttons. Thanks for showing this Angus. 😁👍

Add a 3 position or dip switch to turn the 9 buttons into 27. Also, the Teensy LC might be a better choice for the controller.

Nice

Taran Van Hemert will very pleased! :) You should send one to him!

I too love arcade style buttons and the satisfaction of printing out your own designs. :{J

Atleast you're honest and don't annoy yourself with resoldering black wires just for the video ^^

Soldering arcade buttons? You monster! They eventually die, so you should just get some spade terminals and crimp the buggers ;)

Thats so coooooool

You might want to look into using a matrix keypad wiring. It requires less wiring and has become a rather standard way to wire up multiple buttons. So much so that the Arduino Playground has a Matrix Keypad library and several sketches using it.

Will u do a review of the monoprice select mini v2 love the video

This is awesome! Did you ever complete a V2? Thanks for sharing! I just subscribed and I am excited to see whatelse is on your channel.

How about making it modular, using magnets and some kind of terminal to link different types of macro pad. Like potentiometers to provide analog input, or slide pots, maybe even a mini joystick.

Use QMK! It’s a super easy and powerful keyboard firmware which runs on your promicro! It’s also really well documented and has a great support community on reddit and discord!

Realy cool Project. I thought about that aswell, but i wanted to know what i push and maybe rebind it and other Stuff so i bought the Elgato Streamdeck. But if you want more like to see is it active or not you could use a transperent Filament and emmbed LEDs on it so you can toogle (example on obs) you're Cam, switch a Scene or do other cool stuff like that. 😁 (Maybe you can use it to fish on a MMORPG and do things that you cann't programm to any mouse or Tastatur yet) 😅

Naice man.

If you don't want to code at all then look into a cheap Chinese DIY arcade joystick kit. They're on eBay for really cheap and they work as a simple USB interface that shows up as a joystick. Then just use a programme like 'joy to key' to add your macros. I used this when I first got MS because I had nerve damage to my left hand so I couldn't always tell where my fingers were. I had macros for things like Adobe Premiere Pro so I didn't have to use complicated key binds and I mapped the joystick to be WASD keys so I could move the whole joystick to walk around in games. Thankfully I don't need to use this now as after a lot of physiotherapy can *mostly* use my hands properly again - but that was my solution to the problem and I didn't have to learn a single line of code. (I don't have anything against coding. I would love to learn and I know how useful it would be. I just would have taken too long to figure out and I needed a way to use my PC as quickly as possible.)

Sweet :)

I also have zero experience with coding but this would be awesome to use as a streamdeck like I've seen retro Ralph using to exit one and enter another arcade emulator.

Our Angus, Impaler of Creativity and Wiring since... Forever 😂 💟 👍 💕

pretty sure there is a way to map normal shortcuts on a midi controller. though it's probably super conveluted

Why tolerances do you normally use when designing projects like this? Great video, thank you!

Lucky for you learning to code with arduino is super easy.

Great video as always. I would have prefered a teensy board for such a task, but arduinos are much more popular and thus better/more varied documentation is available

How dare you not know everything Angus! My world is shattered. I don't know how to continue on with life..... Jk you are more skilled than me, great video!

I design a lot of custom pcb's but haven't got into designing mechanical stuff I have Sovol x1 for 3d printing but like you I'm working learning.I can modify your code to support the colors however you want. I would change the cpu to adafruit itsy bitsy m4 so you can use circuit Python for code.

Even though you don't Know a lot about electronics or programming, I like how you didn't said a lot of bs :3

Coolllll!

If I can ever get my Monoprice Mini Elite up and running, I"d love to build one of these. I'm having the devil's own time trying to level the build plate. I'm still looking for a design for a set of leveling knobs that fit this machine. So far, I've d/l'd several designs and ran them off at the public library (Eugene Oregon has a really nice Maker Lab). None have worked. They're either too small, or too tall, or get in the way of the build plate as it moves.

Well I don't know much if anything about coding myself but have you maybe thought about adding in some weights to the bottom and non slip pads so it sits more stable and still on your desk?

It really is funny, you and I are in such similar boats, I'm just on a more basic project :p I'm doing the DIY Midi fighter; so far I've used someone else's STLs (which I fixed/modified), a teensy LC with some plug and play MIDI code I found online, and then using a generic "flexi" midi controller script for the DAW I used (the script made by a user). I know nothing about coding but just enough to make this thing work :P Oh and I can't decide on what USB adapter I want; I actually think Micro USB to Micro USB would be nice, since I have a lot of those cables. Also, if I get a few adapters, they can be replaced when worn out.

If you want to keep using arduino, I would probably use the arduino code to send F13 through F24 and then use AutoHotkey or something similar to actually control the hotkey functions. This would allow you to have a nearly infinite number of configurations without having to reflash the arduino. There is a way to put multiple configurations into the arduino itself, but idk how to do it.

That looks really cool in the sparkly filament! I'm wondering why you made it that tall though - was it to have a nice big logo on the side? (Doesn't seem like you need that much room inside, unless the bottom of the switches go down a really long way...) :-)

Hi. Nice job. Can you help me out with digital caliper read and send the measuring to the PC (to CAD, or Excel cell) after pushing a button? (May be more buttons - 4 pcs.: tab, enter, /2 and just send measuring)

hello! you don't need soldering for this project at all\ there are crimp terminals for both buttons and arduino pins wires ends

I'd be glad to help with developing software for you DIY projects

nice...

For anyone trying to map keys A-Z with this code delete the KEY_F13 and replace it with ('a'). Replace A with whatever letter you want to control.

I know you are probably using solder with flux core but if you want better soldering you need to add more flux, the flux core is burning so fast that it doesn't really protect the solder especially if you are soldering to bigger parts such as button connector etc. it's because it absorbs more heat causing the flux to burn away while you trying to warm it up

As a professional software developer, I feel your pain, a lot of the open source Arduino stuff isn't great learning material. -- Though HID device projects are super fun. Before the ATMEGA 32u4 was common place, we used to use a library called V-USB for the ATMEGA chips (no arduino required, chips are super cheap like, $3 or $4), with a little bit of extra hardware (2x 3.6v Z-Diodes, 16mhz oscillator, some caps, 7805 and two 10k pullups) you could emulate a USB 1.1 device by bit-banging the IO pins. I built a HID joystick a while back with that approach, and yes, the built in pull down resistors were a life saver, you just plugged one button side into ground and the other directly to one of the pins. Was super fun for Mame games for awhile (p.s. Don't solder arcade buttons, use the crimp connectors that slide on instead!) -- Seems like your device might be useful for an Elite Dangerous playthrough, or maybe some common 3D modeling operations? Keep in mind you're not limited to keyboard keys with that, you can send mouse commands, joystick commands... You could even integrate it with a timer or Wi-Fi, and write an app the let you use your phone as a hardware keyboard. -- Heck, you could also throw a USB hub in there, so you could plug more devices into the back? -- Anyway, thanks for posting the video, keep up the good work, Angus! 👍👍