Can anyone recommend a good keyboard brand? I’m looking for one that’s comfortable and has color and character and not boring. I saw some keyboards from a brand called Yunzii but I’ve read some mixed reviews on them. I also want to make sure I get a keyboard that doesn’t collect or share data, since everything collects data now. Doesn’t have to wireless, wired works.
I really enjoy my Keychron a lot.
Keychron is my current preference. Open source firmware (QMK/ZMK), excellent build quality, highly customizable, and their stock QMK/ZMK firmware works with their web-based Keychron Launcher in any Chromium-based browser or you can use any other app that supports the VIA protocol. Keychron also has their own per-key RGB extension to the VIA protocol and I’ve recently added support for it in OpenRGB, so my Keychron keyboards sync with all my other lights. The only problem is their firmware has a limitation on the lighting configuration where each key has to be the same brightness in per-key RGB mode. I’ve opened a PR on their GitHub to fix it and flashed custom builds to my Keychron Q2 (QMK) and Keychron Q6 Ultra 8K (ZMK).
I’ve recently added support for it in OpenRGB
What? OMG. Can you link this? I’ve been struggling with HE and RGB without their official shitty webapp for some while.
Keychron support made it into OpenRGB 1.0rc3, so just grab the 1.0rc3 version from https://openrgb.org/. To patch your firmware to fix the color issue, see this PR: https://github.com/Keychron/qmk_firmware/pull/492.
Thank yooooooou! I’m not sure if my K4 HE supports QMK but I’ll have a look when I’m at home again!
Keychron.
I have the Keychron V6 QMK with Red keys and love it. I do a lot of typing, which the Reds are not optimized for, but once I got used to them I’m not going back. The build quality is top notch. The software works well, my only complaint is that it only works on Chromium based browsers.
The nice thing about mechanical keyboards is you can always change out the switches. Or even have different switches on various parts of the keyboard.
I’ll take a look at Keychron. Thank you.
I use a 40% keychron with low profile brown switches. I use qmk to set caps to control, left alt + hjkl to arrow keys (vim everywhere!) And right alt to escape. I have two. One for home and one for work. Best hardware purchase I’ve ever made. Highly recommend!
I love my Keykron Keyboard!
General use - Keychron. Great build quality, well priced, feels great to use
Ergonomics - Kinesis. The software is underwhelming but the actual keyboards are rock solid, I’ve daily driven the same freestyle pro for 5+ years without issue
Gaming - Wooting. Delightful feel, great build quality, and the configuration software doesn’t totally suck. Premium price but worth it if you care about things like actuation point and trigger speed.
A lot of love in here for Keychron. I bought one and really disliked it. I changed the switches and it got a bit better but I still wouldn’t go with them again. I just don’t like the feel.
I’ve also got an Epomaker which is fantastic.
I’ll take a look at Epomaker. Thanks.
I’ve tried all sorts of mech keyboards, Epomaker are the only ones that really took my fancy. The Wisteria V2 switches are top notch
GMMK keyboards allow any colors and pretty much any switches as everything is modular. However, their new keyboards don’t appear to be as good as their old ones. If you can find a GMMK or GMMK2, those are the good ones.
I’ll take a look. Thank you.
Been liking keychron. Somewhat expensive but also nowhere near as expensive as it could be, especially given its quality
I’m a huge fan of Kechron for keyboards. Fantastic quality. They are shit at making mice though. Get those someplace else.
aw this isn’t about synthesizers :(
Korg minilogue has been a favorite of mine for years (since I can’t reasonably afford a Moog).
It’s a great synth! I love that Korg kind of does their own thing they have made some really cool stuff lately, yeah Moogs are nice, they have made some cheaper ones but even those like the sub37 are well over $1k, what do you make with it if you don’t mind me asking?
what do you make with it if you don’t mind me asking?
A bunch of trash 😅 but if you’re interested, I made a bunch of stuff earlier this year when I was less busy (essentially, the challenge was to make a whole song every week of the year, which I failed to keep up with haha)
A lot of it is with software synths, but I did use my hardware synths like the minilogue, Dirtywave M8, and Roland SC-88 on a few songs.
Generally, you can find me on streaming services and Bandcamp under Jentu if you like any of it. I mostly just make music for myself without really caring much how it is received.
Do you make music too?
I like low profile keyboards, not Mt Everest leycaps. My go-to is the Keychron K5 SE. Full numpad, low height, quiet optical mechanical keys. I made my office buy me one, and bought myself the same one for home use so I don’t have to adapt to a slightly different layout at home.
It can be Bluetooth connected, buy I keep it wired. Lots of backlight colour options, fancy splashy ripple stiff, but I like a plain white backlight.
Ok, I’ll take a look. Thank you.
Pretty much no keyboard will collect data on you, they are too often made to cost to afford the extra brain power to do that fortunately.
Keyboards are nice in that a good one will get better with age and use as long as it is kept clean (or you are up to the task of cleaning a dirty one). This means you will benefit from getting a used one. What used ones are easy to get depends on where you live a little bit, but if you are ok with something loud I’d suggest a Unicomp (reliable, durable, high quality mechanical parts, made in USA). If you want something quieter I actually really like Mitsumi KFK keyboards, not always using USB but if you are using a desktop it will have a PS/2 plug for the KFK keyboard, they are quiet cheap but shockingly good, not mechanical but Mitsumi just did everything right when making them. You can also just snag whatever looks fun when you search “used mechanical keyboard” in ebay or craigslist, no need to overthink it, keyboard designs that aren’t good died off during the cost cutting of the 90s and 00s.
Here is proof that I know what I’m talking about and also proof that you can ask me more questions without bothering me because I like to talk about keyboards: https://youtube.com/@mandarbmax
A couple I have enjoyed are the vortex pok3r 60% with cherry MX switches and pbt key caps or epomaker aula f75 75% 3 way wifi/Bluetooth/wired.
I have a Wobkey Rainy 75 and it’s by far the best keyboard I’ve ever bought/used. That being said, don’t go out of your way to buy one since they have gotten far more expensive than when I bought mine AND support for it has been very difficult. Yeah this was one of the many Kickstarter keyboards that was sent to a bunch of keyboard reviewers and they hyped it up massively, which I got swept up in. I’m just glad my keyboard was actually delivered at the end of the day.
I had a used keychron for a long time and loved it except for the non-swappable clicky switches. Highly recommend them.
You should check ducky one 3. I use the tkl macha version for the past few years and it’s awesome.
Ahhhh a fellow ducky user !
Best keyboard I have ever used
