Expander with extra shift buttons

[JX3D]

Next time an expander is planned, could an extra (or more) shift button(s) be added on it?
That could solve the limited options for adding extra key-shortcuts.

[XORadmin]

Next time an expander is planned, could an extra (or more) shift button(s) be added on it?
That could solve the limited options for adding extra key-shortcuts.

You can use a usb computer keyboard with the video expander which got many more key possibilities.

[JX3D]

Yes, thats a way to do it - The video expander is surely one I will get soon. Its very nice.

[mvdirty]

And with so very many extremely-customizable macropads on the market these days, you could add a few important keys/macros without requiring a full-size keyboard to be kicking around. I’ll try to link up an example that happens to come to mind, though there are of course dozens and dozens of other options in all shapes and sizes.



https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/10885442...cs_1&crt=1

[JX3D]

I'd like to see some @mvdirty.
And then we would need some options to map them to functions inside the NS, but lets see some examples first, so we can make such a feature request ;-)

[mvdirty]

For operations with existing keyboard support, whether via a single keypress or a sequence thereof, there’d just be the exercise of configuring the macropad, though yes for something with no keyboard support whatsoever Thomas would first need to add at least some key for the function. If he wanted to keep certain keys free for future assignment, he could potentially choose a weird one that people wouldn’t normally (or perhaps couldn’t) press on a traditional keyboard.

To be clear: I’m only minimally familiar with these things and do not own one. They came to mind solely because for a while there I was often bumping into mention and discussion of them in a music-production-related discord where people were setting them up for various uses. I do think I might be able to share a link as a jumping-off point, though. It should give you an idea of the kinds of software customization available (over USB, from within an application available for multiple platforms) and some of the actual hardware options too. [Addendum: Hmm, that supported hardware list is pretty dense and doesn’t link out. There do seem to be lots of search hits on Etsy as well as a good number in search engines, however.] 

https://caniusevia.com/

And here’s a video from 256klabs showing a bit of configuration (using the above-linked tool) of the macropad example I shared above: https://youtu.be/vyfjawPZ8_Y

Note that, while the resulting behaviour is a lot like software macro functionality for a traditional keyboard attached to a computer, complete with combo sequences, chording/layers, etc., instead of macro software which runs all the time on a computer, the configuration tool sends the configuration to the macropad (or other style of programmable keyboard) which then can be plugged into whatever.

[XORadmin]

For operations with existing keyboard support, whether via a single keypress or a sequence thereof, there’d just be the exercise of configuring the macropad, though yes for something with no keyboard support whatsoever Thomas would first need to add at least some key for the function. If he wanted to keep certain keys free for future assignment, he could potentially choose a weird one that people wouldn’t normally (or perhaps couldn’t) press on a traditional keyboard.

To be clear: I’m only minimally familiar with these things and do not own one. They came to mind solely because for a while there I was often bumping into mention and discussion of them in a music-production-related discord where people were setting them up for various uses. I do think I might be able to share a link as a jumping-off point, though. It should give you an idea of the kinds of software customization available (over USB, from within an application available for multiple platforms) and some of the actual hardware options too. [Addendum: Hmm, that supported hardware list is pretty dense and doesn’t link out. There do seem to be lots of search hits on Etsy as well as a good number in search engines, however.] 

https://caniusevia.com/

And here’s a video from 256klabs showing a bit of configuration (using the above-linked tool) of the macropad example I shared above: https://youtu.be/vyfjawPZ8_Y

Note that, while the resulting behaviour is a lot like software macro functionality for a traditional keyboard attached to a computer, complete with combo sequences, chording/layers, etc., instead of macro software which runs all the time on a computer, the configuration tool sends the configuration to the macropad (or other style of programmable keyboard) which then can be plugged into whatever.

Just short: the numeric keypad is reserved for future
use and especially to direct call ‘functions’ or options. If you can assign these to the keypad keys then this is your shortcut thingy.

[mvdirty]

Just short: the numeric keypad is reserved for future
use and especially to direct call ‘functions’ or options. If you can assign these to the keypad keys then this is your shortcut thingy.

Cool! Thanks for the info Thomas.

[JX3D]

Oh yes, that is good to know Thomas. Thanks.
Looking forward to what the future will bring with new expanders. Still having 2 slots free, though that may change the coming friday ;-)