Boutique Custom Keyboard from CHINA: MATRIX Series

[frostylove]

Introduction
I‘m glad to let you guys know more about Matrix Keyboards: probably one of the best custom keyboards in China right now.

Matrix team is founded by few keyboard enthusiasts who are not satisfied after spend tons of money on custom keyboards. These boys really care about the quality of keyboards so they decided to make better keyboards in their own way. Next month would be one year anniversary of the Matrix team so I think it's the best timing to introduce Matrix keyboards to the western community.

Core Features for 8X and 10X series:
CNC carved 6063 Aluminum Alloy housing
1.5mm thick aluminum plate
1.4(+/-10%)mm FR4 yellow PCB, fully LED backlighting on top of switches(except for Esc and Fn which support 3 additional LEDs on bottom of the switch)
5.3 degrees angled design

Matrix 10XV1.0

Released: December 2015
Unit Made: 20
Specification:
Aluminum housing available in light gray and dark gray
Aluminum plate available in light gray and cyan
Brass weight and limited number of acrylic weight
Nondetachable USB interface
Custom 102 keys layout (101/102 keys winkeyless plus additional Fn key on top of “-” key)
Separate LED indicators for Caps/Scroll/Num lock
Price: ￥2899 RMB


The 10X is the Matrix Team's debut. This board is probably the first custom aluminum keyboard kits designed for full-size layout in China. Even though it's very hard to make qualified full-size aluminum housing at a high yield rate, the team honor their commitment and finally send 20 pieces of perfect products to buyers in mid-2016. No one knows how many keyboards they have made for 20 qualified ones. The 10X's premium anodizing quality is awarded by almost every buyer. Its unique bottom design shows respect to some of the most remarkable custom keyboards today. Now the 10X is one of the most sought after custom keyboard in China, and become the most famous  piece of work made by Matrix Team. Now they decide to discontinue 10X and focus on new boards after that.

Matrix 8XV1.0

Released: January 2016
Unit Made: 10
Specification:
Aluminum housing available in light gray, black, cyan and rose gold
Aluminum plate available in cyan and rose gold and choice of full or partly plate
Brass weight
Available in 2 layouts :  85 keys (84 keys winkeyless plus additional Fn key on right of F12 key) and 87 keys (1.25 mods with minor block between ctrl and win and 6.25x spacebar, also with addtional Fn in F row)
Nondetachable USB interface
Separate LED indicators for Caps/Scroll/Power
Price: ￥2499 RMB

Before all 10X orders shipped, Matrix Team released 8X. The unique 87 keys layout is the original design of Matrix Team and also the most innovative part of this board. Removing Fn is a quite good design I would say no one needs it under 80%+ size. And also 85 keys layout is another option which reminds us of the grandfather of custom aluminum keyboard: DK Saver. 8X keeps the same excellent anodized quality and Iconic separate LED indicators design as 10X which I think may become kind of signature design of Matrix series in the future.
 
Matrix 8XV1.0 Round 2

Released: June 2016
Unit Made: 10
Specification:
Aluminum Alloy housing, available in gray blue and black blue
Aluminum plate available in cyan and red
Aluminum weight available in cyan and red
85 keys layout (84 keys winkeyless plus additional Fn key on right of F12 key)
Separate LED indicators for Caps/Scroll/Power
Price: ￥2499 RMB

Apparently, only 10 piece is not enough for keyboard lovers in Chinese community so they decide to do round 2 for 8X. 2 brand new color options gray-blue and black blue. The outstanding anodizing quality makes many people mix 8X with some most famous Kustom keyboards, especially with new elegant colors. Limited numbers of sky blue and olive 8X were made after Round 2 and sold to team members’ friends.


Matrix 8XV1.2

Released: Late Sep 2016
Unit Made: 20
Specification:
Aluminum Alloy housing, available in light-gray, black-gray and sky-blue
Aluminum plate available in silver only
Brass weight
Detachable USB interface
Vintage winkeyless 84 keys layout
RGB light strip
Price: ￥2499 RMB

This board has a mixture style of modern and vintage. Classic 84-keys layout, no backlight are the retro part. RGB effect by a tiny light strip under functional mods and a detachable USB interface make this board quite stylish and also easy to use/carry. The creative offset brass weight is definitely a love-hate design but I'm in favor of it. Only few people knew about this before the sale started. 20 pieces are sold in a very short time. The team said 1.2 will have Round 2 sale in the future though we still don't know the specific date. 


Matrix Abel

Released: Late Nov 2016
Unit Made: About 100
Specification:
Aluminum Alloy housing, available in ceramic white, black, blue and a warm color to be decided
Brand new microarc oxidation (MAO) surface treatment (only for ceramic white)
Aluminum plate available in cyan(for ceramic white and black)
84 keys layout and 86 keys layout (1.25 mods with minor block between ctrl and win and 6.25x spacebar)
Detachable USB interface
Customizable aluminum engraved plate nameplate
Price: ￥1599 RMB (Final price after 100 orders, custom nameplate will cost ￥49 more)

With totally new design, Abel is a new stage of matrix keyboards. For the first time, the team applies Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), also known as micro-arc oxidation (MAO) into custom keyboard production. Due to the new process, Abel feels quite different from any anodizing aluminum keyboards. The housing has much smoother almost silky texture. Wide bezel offers more visual stability, it is also the key point to reduce production cost. The team intended to do a 7-days group buy but finally stopped to take any order after 100 requests. Abel is the most affordable custom keyboard kits ever made by matrix team with truly innovative craftsmanship.




Matrix Cain

Released: Feb 2017
Unit Made: 200
Specification:
Aluminum Alloy housing, available in light gray and gray blue
Aluminum plate available in cyan or orange
103 layout with reverted number pad and function area
Detachable USB interface
3 custom alu plates placed upon number pad: (a) With normal matrix-lab logo (2) RGB effect with switchable colorful alu block inserted (c) As lego baseplate
Price: ￥2388 RMB (Final price after 80 orders is ￥2388 RMB)

Cain is the brother of Abel. The unique layout is a little bit uncomfortable at the beginning but actually it feels awesome when you get used to it. The number pad is not a decorative thing any more. With control keys being quite close to your right hand, it's much easier to use as the distance to move is dramatically reduced. Cain is sold out within one hour with at least 200 orders. That is crazy. I'm excited to see the customizable aluminum plate to support RGB or lego ...More info will be updated after expected shipping in mid April.



For more amazing Matrix Keyboards pics, check this thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=83530.msg2221452#msg2221452
Matrix official forum(Chinese): http://matrix-lab.cn/

Matrix kbd, best kbd.

Thank you for reading, cheers!

[Auxo]

If you guys design a 68key with a weight.... lmk. kaliet/22mini isn't replying sigh

[KyleZhuang]

Matrix kbd, best kbd.

[Adgar]

Well ,it look good. No matter the layout of keycaps and  the Aluminum housing... They all meets geek's appittite. So, Do you have your website or online store. I think that one must very expensive. En, But I don't like the USB because it gonna be tough for to catch it when I go out.

[SBJ]

As Adgar has written, it would be great with some information about how to enter R2, and if it is even possible.

[frostylove]

As Adgar has written, it would be great with some information about how to enter R2, and if it is even possible.

R2's production sold out in one day after group buy started. Hopefully there will be a chance for all geekhackers to buy Matrix keyboards in the future

[romevi]

Aww, they're not doing full-size anymore?

[SBJ]

As Adgar has written, it would be great with some information about how to enter R2, and if it is even possible.

R2's production sold out in one day after group buy started. Hopefully there will be a chance for all geekhackers to buy Matrix keyboards in the future

Thank you.
And damn that was fast.

[frostylove]

Aww, they're not doing full-size anymore?

Yes, at least for some time。

[Venediction]

These look really nice! Loving the spacing between the areas

[potatobot]

the GMK hydro in IC is gonna look good on these ) i see the SA version looking good tho

[dead_pixel_design]

Love the look of these, having no luck on their forum with the magic of Google Translate. Hope to see an R3 soon so I might be able to get my hands on one.

[potatobot]

I want these with 65% or 75% layout please 

[KHAANNN]

I really love the idea/keyboards

However the comic-sans-ish logo kind of ruins it

When I saw "Matrix" - I expected a http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/ themed company too

[frostylove]

I really love the idea/keyboards

However the comic-sans-ish logo kind of ruins it

When I saw "Matrix" - I expected a http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/ themed company too

For each person joined the GB, there's option with or without etched matrix logo.

And IMO, matrix is just matrix.

[DALExSNAIL]

I really love the idea/keyboards

However the comic-sans-ish logo kind of ruins it

When I saw "Matrix" - I expected a http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/ themed company too

Not really comics sansish tbh

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[xondat]

Yeah I don't see this font either, looks fine to me.

Full size aluminum custom looks ****ing huge, no wonder anyone has done it.

And also, is boutique the right word?  )

[DALExSNAIL]

Yeah I don't see this font either, looks fine to me.

Full size aluminum custom looks ****ing huge, no wonder anyone has done it.

And also, is boutique the right word?  )

It sounds so fancy tho

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[LunarisDream]

Matrix is on par with OTD in terms of both quality and aftermarket pricing. Highly sought-after in the Chinese community, it'll be difficult to acquire it in the west without pulling some strings.

[romevi]

Only one worth is is the full-size.

[frostylove]

Add 2016 new models: 8XV1.2 and Abel
Add original GB price for reference

 

[Photekq]

****. The 8XV1.2 is too pretty

[JDragon]

Wow the 8XV1.2 is gorgeous. I hope when R2 happens I will be able to participate. The RGB strip and stylized logo look amazing.

[tp4tissue]

The IMPORTANT thing for everyone to remember is..

Pay through PAYPAL..

Do not send money as gift, just eat the 3%..


If any party says NO to paypal,  Just bounce..

[tp4tissue]

To keep things TIMELY...

AGREE upon a Delivery Date..... and penalties for failure


Group buy organizers are all masters of Delay, with them constantly catching the flu, and family emergencies..

[dead_pixel_design]

If anyone finds a reliable way to get these in the States please share

[loud_asian]

If anyone finds a reliable way to get these in the States please share

lunarisdream just ran a gb for the abel

[clappingcactus]

lunarisdream just ran a gb for the abel

boo can't believe I missed that! The Abel is so far my favorite of all of these boards.

[heinrich]

A group buy for v1.2 would be greatly appreciated here at geekhack.

[TerryMathews]

Group buy organizers are all masters of Delay, with them constantly catching the flu, and family emergencies.. [/size]

Funny how your opinion changes depending on whether it's just some internet rando or a friend of yours.

[tp4tissue]

Group buy organizers are all masters of Delay, with them constantly catching the flu, and family emergencies.. [/size]

Funny how your opinion changes depending on whether it's just some internet rando or a friend of yours.

Untrue !!

Berserk fan did not Delay.. Orders went out exactly when he said they were suppose to go out..

I think people misunderstand our relationship, Berserk fan and Tp4 do not have any close ties..  As a geekhack member, Tp4 would however protect the rights and truth of such person...

He's made mistakes, but there was no fraud involved.. and NO DELAYS..


Human error did happen,  but what was worse had been the malicious activity carried out rootwyrm, skysphoric, chuckdee, fohat.dig in pitchforking and shaming Berserkfan such that his replacement plan could not be carried out... The result of --Rootwyrm and the gang's-- actions had only resulted in a useless, unenforceable list of complaints.


If you wish to discuss this further, Please PM me.. This is not the place.. Please respect the OP's sequence of induction to sell some keyboards.

[frostylove]

Group buy organizers are all masters of Delay, with them constantly catching the flu, and family emergencies.. [/size]

Funny how your opinion changes depending on whether it's just some internet rando or a friend of yours.

Untrue !!

Berserk fan did not Delay.. Orders went out exactly when he said they were suppose to go out..

I think people misunderstand our relationship, Berserk fan and Tp4 do not have any close ties..  As a geekhack member, Tp4 would however protect the rights and truth of such person...

He's made mistakes, but there was no fraud involved.. and NO DELAYS..


Human error did happen,  but what was worse had been the malicious activity carried out rootwyrm, skysphoric, chuckdee, fohat.dig in pitchforking and shaming Berserkfan such that his replacement plan could not be carried out... The result of --Rootwyrm and the gang's-- actions had only resulted in a useless, unenforceable list of complaints.


If you wish to discuss this further, Please PM me.. This is not the place.. Please respect the OP's sequence of induction to sell some keyboards.

Please stop posting off topic personal arguments here.

[frostylove]

Group buy organizers are all masters of Delay, with them constantly catching the flu, and family emergencies.. [/size]

Funny how your opinion changes depending on whether it's just some internet rando or a friend of yours.

Untrue !!

Berserk fan did not Delay.. Orders went out exactly when he said they were suppose to go out..

I think people misunderstand our relationship, Berserk fan and Tp4 do not have any close ties..  As a geekhack member, Tp4 would however protect the rights and truth of such person...

He's made mistakes, but there was no fraud involved.. and NO DELAYS..


Human error did happen,  but what was worse had been the malicious activity carried out rootwyrm, skysphoric, chuckdee, fohat.dig in pitchforking and shaming Berserkfan such that his replacement plan could not be carried out... The result of --Rootwyrm and the gang's-- actions had only resulted in a useless, unenforceable list of complaints.


If you wish to discuss this further, Please PM me.. This is not the place.. Please respect the OP's sequence of induction to sell some keyboards.

Off topic arguments stop here please.

[merutz]

Gorgeous work! I'm also interested in the Matrix 8XV1.2. Please let us know an ETA for the GB. Will there be a win key version?

[kenshinjeff]

Matrix 8XV1.2 please. It's so beautiful.

[ander]

Are these Gateron switches? Or some other MX clone?

[joey]

Are these Gateron switches? Or some other MX clone?

They don't come with switches.

[dead_pixel_design]

I thought there was a purchase link in this thread somewhere but I can't seem to find it.. Does anyone know the link for buying these? Or am I getting my threads confused. Again.

[frostylove]

Gorgeous work! I'm also interested in the Matrix 8XV1.2. Please let us know an ETA for the GB. Will there be a win key version?

Matrix 8XV1.2 please. It's so beautiful.

I thought there was a purchase link in this thread somewhere but I can't seem to find it.. Does anyone know the link for buying these? Or am I getting my threads confused. Again.

Sorry to say that right now they have no plan for running GB out of China.  Original GB price marked in this thread simply because I hate flippers.

[frostylove]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

[merutz]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

[frostylove]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

International GB for a brand new kbd starts next month.

[Damonskv]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

International GB for a brand new kbd starts next month.

Hope it will be tkl?

[SBJ]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

International GB for a brand new kbd starts next month.

Will you be updating the thread with information about where to get in on the group buy?

[frostylove]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

International GB for a brand new kbd starts next month.

Hope it will be tkl?

Yes.

[frostylove]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

International GB for a brand new kbd starts next month.

Will you be updating the thread with information about where to get in on the group buy?

Definitely! will post a link here if I start the GB thread.

[Damonskv]

Check out our latest work: Matrix Cain 

So you're just posting things we can't get. Is this it?

International GB for a brand new kbd starts next month.

Will you be updating the thread with information about where to get in on the group buy?

Definitely! will post a link here if I start the GB thread.

great, looking forward to it

[whentheclouds]

the korean scene might have an illustrious history behind it, but i'm sure the chinese scene will catch up at this rate..

[elton5354]

8XV1.2 - How much would it be and would it be in the upcoming buy?

[frostylove]

8XV1.2 - How much would it be and would it be in the upcoming buy?

I'm not sure whether they gonna reproduce 1.2 in the future. All I know on the upcoming GB it's a tkl keyboard with brand new design.  )

[ihalatch]

Any chances to bring Matrix Abel to GH?

[Damonskv]

Any chances to bring Matrix Abel to GH?

hmm... did you saw that? https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=86048.0

[ihalatch]

Any chances to bring Matrix Abel to GH?

hmm... did you saw that? https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=86048.0

That sucks asses.

[Damonskv]

Any chances to bring Matrix Abel to GH?

hmm... did you saw that? https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=86048.0

That sucks asses.

Next month will be another GB on TKL. Frostylove promised to drop a link in this thread, so subscribe and wait))

[merutz]

8XV1.2 - How much would it be and would it be in the upcoming buy?

I'm not sure whether they gonna reproduce 1.2 in the future. All I know on the upcoming GB it's a tkl keyboard with brand new design.  )

You told me in a PM it was going to be a 80%.

[Puddsy]

A tkl is an 80%

[futurecrime]

I thought the next Matrix GB was gonna be that fullsize with the funky layout? The 'Cain'?

[renzpwns]

8XV1.2 - How much would it be and would it be in the upcoming buy?

I'm not sure whether they gonna reproduce 1.2 in the future. All I know on the upcoming GB it's a tkl keyboard with brand new design.  )

Not a big fan of TKLs personally but I would be happy as hell to get my hands on one of those 1.2s. Fingers crossed!

[ElvenSmite]

Does anyone happen to know if these keyboards can have hot swap sockets installed into them?

[ander]

Chinese manufacturers must just pee themselves when they manage to get us to order stuff directly from them at Western prices.

[hayt]

Can we update the original post with info on the 2.0? Given the recent news, it would be good to have a better understand of details from the original GB.

TY