Author Topic: [GB] GMK RETROWAVE [Completed] (Read 46545 times)

SwitchKeys · « **on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:54:08 »

GMK RETROWAVE
"2021s must have set" - Blacksimon, probably

TRAILER

GB DATES
August 1 - September 1, 2021
Fulfilment Estimate: Q4 2022

PRICING

INSPO
Right on man! The 80s were huge for me. Firstly, I was born in the 80s, and thanks to my older siblings I grew up playing the 1986 Sega classic and love everything about the Retrowave iconography. Thus, GMK Retrowave was born.This is unashamedly out there 80s. Bright, fluorescent colours. Unmistakable retrowave novelties and ultimately a bit of fun! Excellent. Now, to set the scene: Its 1987. You’ve just come off Venice beach on a hot July afternoon as the sun is setting. But your day has only just begun. You run to the arcade. You grab a cola, your quarters and head to your favourite seat. You strap in, load your coins, hands on the wheel and wait. 3….2….1…. DRIVE. You pass each car with ease, changing the station on the radio as you note the time left on your clock. You speed up level by level as day turns to night but you’re not slowing down. You look out beyond the cyan palm trees, towards the jagged hills as their glow increases and you begin to dream. It’s just you, your F40 and a never ending road, driving towards that neon sun.

KITS
I like big base kits and I cannot lie. Numpad and UK-ISO in base. This is the 80s, small kits aren't a thing yet.

Deskmats
900x400x4mm. Colour matched and sampled.

Samples:

RENDERS
by Nathanalphaman

by Oggi

renderings may not reflect the final product and are shown for illustrative purposes only.

ARTISANS BY RAMA WORKS
"Sun" in purple, pink. "Shoe" in PVD Brass

COLLABORATIONS
(More to come as they emerge)
TENGU by SINPRA CAPS

SwitchKeys is also giving away 3 Tengus for day one buyers, so keep an eye out for more info as we head into GB MELONKEYS RETROWAVE Cable by Space Cables

VENDORS
subtitle

USA:Project Keyboard EUROPE:CandyKeys CHINA:zFrontier CANADA:Deskhero OCE:Switchkeys SEA:Monokei LATAM:Fancy Customs UK:Prototypist

Honorable Mentions

Nathanalpha man for helping me since inception with general advice, kitting and rendering musings OneCreativeMind for being the coach in my corner throughout the whole design development Jae for taking point with project management, and for all the late night video calls as we really lasered in on all the finer details Virtual for the amazing thread design and templating. GMK Andy for being so open to discussions and working through any issues during IC.

support the set with its individual signature. Shoutout to Havattack

Code: [Select]

[img width=424 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/mR3qvH3.png[/img]

Template by Virtual Designworks

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:58:02 »

Approved

cricket-alone · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 20:17:52 »

The trailer is a nice touch!

Kokaloo · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 23:11:28 »

The larger backspace key in the 40s kit is 1.75 not 2u, right?

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 00:14:26 »

Quote from: Kokaloo on Tue, 20 July 2021, 23:11:28

The larger backspace key in the 40s kit is 1.75 not 2u, right?

Yep definately a typo. Fixing now, and will make sure the 40s backspace is 1.75u.

Also added Tengu Caps as well as notification that we will be giving three away for day one buyers!

Added the Space Cables collab too.

rookb · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 03:31:54 »

pricing looks good, glws

mr_foggy · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 23 July 2021, 05:33:04 »

Lack of pricing for the RAMAs means they're not decided yet or the vendor won't be offering them?

BTW getting 1x of every kit and deskmat. So glad to see this project getting into GB, best of luck.

Thiird · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 13:16:24 »

GB is in a week and still no price from CandyKeys for the deskmats, is everything good or are there some problems?

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #8 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 17:26:28 »

Hey guys,
Shouldn't be any problems. The table screenshot may have just had information missing from vendors at the time of post (Some Vendors will probably forget to update it until it actually goes live, but I will remind them!)

Stef

BraunEsc · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 18:42:58 »

Phew nearly had these in the cart but no ISO so my wallet can breath again - though I do cry on the inside for these not offering ISO cuz I’d have bought em all. Really beautiful design!

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 26 July 2021, 03:01:52 »

Quote from: BraunEsc on Sun, 25 July 2021, 18:42:58

Phew nearly had these in the cart but no ISO so my wallet can breath again - though I do cry on the inside for these not offering ISO cuz I’d have bought em all. Really beautiful design!

ISO is included in base kit (And the buy isn't actually live yet!) - Did you have the wrong keyset?

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 28 July 2021, 23:03:40 »

Had a bit of time today to pull some sets out to do a little colour comparison (Excuse the photo bomb).

Purple Key is from GMK Future Funk
Yellow Keys are from GMK Future Funk (Top) and GMK Night Runner (Bottom).
Pink Key is from GMK Future Funk

4 days to go! Lastly I thought I'd share some of Nathanalphaman's latest work. Absolutely insane attention to detail. The man is definately on the top of the game.

acidbern · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 01 August 2021, 01:07:49 »

Are the artisans available on the vendors site as well? Just wanted to check as I don’t see the artisans available on monokei at the moment.

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #13 on:** Sun, 01 August 2021, 03:01:01 »

They should be. Looks like they are available through this link: https://monokei.co/products/gmk-retrowave-addons

We're live across most vendors! Thanks to everyone for the early support whether your purchase or not.

Olivo · « **Reply #14 on:** Sun, 01 August 2021, 14:49:00 »

Will the Deskmat used in the renders (Sunset without car) be available in US vendors? I know Switchkeys already has it but I live in Puerto Rico and don't know how the shipping process would go if ordered from them

Apache · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 01 August 2021, 15:25:04 »

very beautiful set, it inspires me, I will pre-order

such a question, but how to find this Cable, which you have in the photo
It's just that sites with GB do not have them, the Space Cables site does not have them either.

I really want to order it for a future kit

BraunEsc · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 01 August 2021, 16:17:50 »

Quote from: SwitchKeys on Mon, 26 July 2021, 03:01:52

Quote from: BraunEsc on Sun, 25 July 2021, 18:42:58
Phew nearly had these in the cart but no ISO so my wallet can breath again - though I do cry on the inside for these not offering ISO cuz I’d have bought em all. Really beautiful design!

ISO is included in base kit (And the buy isn't actually live yet!) - Did you have the wrong keyset?

Oh, my bad, what I meant was NORTH? Well it’s Ö Ä Ü I am missing

Still thinking though because this looks so sick!

beast · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 02 August 2021, 05:28:18 »

Quote from: SwitchKeys on Sun, 25 July 2021, 17:26:28

Hey guys,
Shouldn't be any problems. The table screenshot may have just had information missing from vendors at the time of post (Some Vendors will probably forget to update it until it actually goes live, but I will remind them!)

Stef

Still not published in CandyKeys

LilleJohn · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 02 August 2021, 09:19:39 »

So there will be no Int/Nordic (More specific:ÅÄÖ) even if I ask nicely?

Jo_hannes · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 02 August 2021, 15:02:42 »

Quote from: LilleJohn on Mon, 02 August 2021, 09:19:39

So there will be no Int/Nordic (More specific:ÅÄÖ) even if I ask nicely?

No, GB has started, too late for that. Also, the ÅÖÄ is manageable, it’s the secondary keys on the number row that have a tendency of making my life more difficult than it needs to be when I use ANSI. Regardless, you’ll get used to it. Also, if you’re Swedish, try Swerty.

Best,
Johannes

Thiird · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 02 August 2021, 17:08:11 »

As of now the GB on candykeys hasn't started yet, did they forgot or what?

Jo_hannes · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 03 August 2021, 02:18:37 »

Quote from: Thiird on Mon, 02 August 2021, 17:08:11

As of now the GB on candykeys hasn't started yet, did they forgot or what?

It's up now on CandyKeys. Well, there still is lots of time to get in, I don't really get what the rush is. It's summer, people take vacation, have kids, friends and family to spend time with, enjoy the sun. The sense of immediate availability of everything that Amazon and others have instilled in us is making us so incredibly impatient. Luckily, GMK (and other keycap manufacturers) come to the rescue by teaching us patience and humility by holding up a mirror to our grotesquely contorted faces as we are on the edges of our seats, eagerly and increasingly angrily - waiting for the little plastic pieces that will save us. And now, we even get impatient when giving people money for the things we will wait for for at least 1.5 years. Weird world.

Sorry for the rant.
Best,
Johannes

nvh2092 · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 03 August 2021, 03:35:24 »

Quote from: Jo_hannes on Tue, 03 August 2021, 02:18:37

Quote from: Thiird on Mon, 02 August 2021, 17:08:11
As of now the GB on candykeys hasn't started yet, did they forgot or what?

It's up now on CandyKeys. Well, there still is lots of time to get in, I don't really get what the rush is. It's summer, people take vacation, have kids, friends and family to spend time with, enjoy the sun. The sense of immediate availability of everything that Amazon and others have instilled in us is making us so incredibly impatient. Luckily, GMK (and other keycap manufacturers) come to the rescue by teaching us patience and humility by holding up a mirror to our grotesquely contorted faces as we are on the edges of our seats, eagerly and increasingly angrily - waiting for the little plastic pieces that will save us. And now, we even get impatient when giving people money for the things we will wait for for at least 1.5 years. Weird world.

Sorry for the rant.
Best,
Johannes

True sincerity and no sarcasm at all.
Plus, candykeys is known for their late GB posts so no rush here.

Olivo · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 06 August 2021, 23:52:29 »

Quote from: Olivo on Sun, 01 August 2021, 14:49:00

Will the Deskmat used in the renders (Sunset without car) be available in US vendors? I know Switchkeys already has it but I live in Puerto Rico and don't know how the shipping process would go if ordered from them

any update on this?

Ella · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 08 August 2021, 09:11:43 »

how are numbers looking?

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 08 August 2021, 22:34:06 »

Quote from: Olivo on Fri, 06 August 2021, 23:52:29

Quote from: Olivo on Sun, 01 August 2021, 14:49:00
Will the Deskmat used in the renders (Sunset without car) be available in US vendors? I know Switchkeys already has it but I live in Puerto Rico and don't know how the shipping process would go if ordered from them

any update on this?

It's up! https://spaceholdings.net/products/retrowave-sunset-desk-pad

Ragan must have forgotten about them

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 17 August 2021, 19:22:06 »

Hi all! We're over the halfway point and I wanted to thank everyone for joining who has, and if you haven't - please consider!

Kits are looking great. 40s could definately use some love, so if you were part of the 100s who wanted it during GB please consider supporting it.

Enjoy some more work from Nathanalphaman!

Tyson · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 17 August 2021, 20:28:06 »

Went in on Base kit and Aesthetics along with the Sun Rama! Can't wait!

Havattack · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 18 August 2021, 14:02:44 »

Quote from: Tyson on Tue, 17 August 2021, 20:28:06

Went in on Base kit and Aesthetics along with the Sun Rama! Can't wait!

Same, except Import kit instead of the Rama. I wanted a Rama, but.... I hate yellow with the passion of a thousand dying sons..

norb · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 18 August 2021, 14:20:47 »

getting really anxious here, fomo kicks in but i am really torn if i should get another gmk while waiting for four gmk and having an eye on two future gmk runs...bruh

but this is killer

send help plx

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 24 August 2021, 21:17:15 »

Final week to go guys!

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 31 August 2021, 20:57:05 »

Final day! If you've been sleeping on this, nows your last chance to pick it up during GB.

Again thanks to everyone who's been along for the ride!!

Havattack · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 31 August 2021, 21:38:38 »

This thing is going to look amazing on a Plum Polygon65.. Combo of the century.

techycat · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 01 September 2021, 08:54:49 »

Quote from: SwitchKeys on Sun, 08 August 2021, 22:34:06

Quote from: Olivo on Fri, 06 August 2021, 23:52:29
Quote from: Olivo on Sun, 01 August 2021, 14:49:00
Will the Deskmat used in the renders (Sunset without car) be available in US vendors? I know Switchkeys already has it but I live in Puerto Rico and don't know how the shipping process would go if ordered from them

any update on this?

It's up! https://spaceholdings.net/products/retrowave-sunset-desk-pad

Ragan must have forgotten about them

I wanted this deskmat but it wasn’t on the Projects site to order along with the keycaps.
Don’t want to spend another $30+ on a mat

yhs · « **Reply #34 on:** Thu, 02 September 2021, 04:27:14 »

Excited to see the final numbers

mr_foggy · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 02 September 2021, 08:21:08 »

I've been saying I would support this project since the early IC days and man I did.

Bailed on the 40s kit, if it makes MOQ I might get it as an extra for a purple Candybar.

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 07 September 2021, 01:42:21 »

Hey guys!

GB has officially closed and orders have all been finalised. All kits will be produced.

The order has been submitted to Rama and the order for keycaps will be submitted to GMK tomorrow.

In terms of deskmat production, we will schedule it early in 2022. We've already sampled and colour matched the designs.

For any information in the mean time you can ask in #gmk-retrowave in our Discord. I'll be dropping updates in here as we work through the next phase of production (Colour Matching).

Cheers

Stef

RitzyKraken · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 08 September 2021, 14:44:35 »

It's so bright! Love it

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 10 October 2021, 20:45:47 »

Hi all. Periodic check-in update here.

Order has been submitted to GMK and invoices have already been issued. We're now just waiting for the first round of colour samples to see how they turn out.

In terms of artisan raffles:

- Sinpracaps should have gone out. Our day 1 giveaway winners should have theirs also. If you don't sing out to us and we'll take a look.

- Archetype has held their raffle. The effort the team put into it was truly stunning. Pics here https://imgur.com/gallery/s4uwfJK

- No updates on Melonkeys as yet. We will try to touch base about this.

Thanks!

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #39 on:** Tue, 23 November 2021, 00:00:01 »

Hi all.
Quick note to say pantone chips have been sent to GMK for colour matching. Will keep updating periodically as we move through the process.

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 31 March 2022, 02:21:05 »

Hi All! Received R1 colour samples today. Looks good, please take a look.

More

Hi all! Received R1 colour samples today. I am just waiting for replacement Pantone Chips for Pink and Purple (As my kids have misplaced my doubles, and GMK have the only other ones) so will post some detailed comparisons in 2-3 weeks when they arrive.

For now enjoy some very quick sample images. I also bought the clone set so have attached some meme comparisons too.
Top: GMK. Bottom: Aliexpress

Clones:

haydoselefantes · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 01 April 2022, 12:33:26 »

Quote from: SwitchKeys on Thu, 31 March 2022, 02:21:05

Top: GMK. Bottom: Aliexpress

Wow, comparison to the Aliexpress knockoff really makes GMK shine! (literally) The clone pink is so dull compared to the real thing. Happy to see I'm going to get what I paid for!

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 05 May 2022, 02:00:41 »

Hi all! So my replacement Pantone chips came today and I had the chance to shoot some comparisons. Pleased to say I was able to approve the purple, along with the yellow. I have requested a third sample of Pink (GMK sent me 2 to begin with) so will keep everyone posted in terms of progress.

I've shot some quick photos to show you all how good the R1 colours were.

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 18 July 2022, 22:37:19 »

Hi all,
Finally some new updates.

We've locked in all three colour samples from GMK. Unfortunately, I was not able to sample a third round of pink to my original Pantone due to regulations on GMK's side. Due to new limits with regards to some pinks and reds, GMK cannot increase the saturation I'd asked for (Getting it closer to my reference Pantone than what I had currently).

This was disappointing as unfortunately (to my knowledge anyway), GMK have never discussed such limitations previously. We've seen sets run in the past such as Future Funk (2020) that used very vibrant pinks (And the legislation quoted to me was from 2006 so it's even more confusing) but in any event, it is unfortunately what it is.

Nevertheless, the second of the pinks is actually quite beautiful and I've attached some really quick pictures under some different lighting so you can see how they all meld together. (Please note this was not the pink photographed above, but the samples were very close together in terms of hue)

Will keep everyone posted as to progress!

StingrayShuffle · « **Reply #44 on:** Tue, 19 July 2022, 08:43:55 »

Thanks for the transparency SwitchKeys! The new sample looks great to me! Just my 2 cents.

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #45 on:** Wed, 20 July 2022, 18:41:41 »

Hi all,
Sorry to rebump but some additional news.

GMK have very kindly decided to give us a new sample to test the limits of how saturated we can get it. If we can get it even a fraction closer, it's worth having a look.

It also won't affect our current delivery estimate of January 2023 which only puts us behind original estimates by a month or so.

I will share the samples in comparison to previous approved round and share the feedback in time.

Stef

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 22 August 2022, 17:45:18 »

Hi all,

New sample received, immediately approved. This is iterative, but a big improvement on last round and a perfect match to my target Pantone.

Banderole in production. Deskmats will head into production shortly and RAMA have quoted November / December for the artisans.

Sainity · « **Reply #47 on:** Tue, 23 August 2022, 10:30:13 »

I'm quite happy with this result! Thanks for being persistent

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #48 on:** Thu, 05 January 2023, 05:29:10 »

Hi all.

Small update. We're still hopefully for (late) January completion. RAMA has updated us with February completion on artisans, and deskmats were sent on to vendors last month so they should be arriving soon.
Banderole has been done, courtesy of OneCreativeMind and we're thrilled with how it's turned out.

Space Cables should the cables done before lights out in January.

Nothing stopping set completion now, and with no delays forecast as everything has been arranged we should see these within the next 4 weeks!

Cheers!

mr_foggy · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 10 January 2023, 09:50:53 »

Quote from: SwitchKeys on Thu, 05 January 2023, 05:29:10

Hi all.

Small update. We're still hopefully for (late) January completion. RAMA has updated us with February completion on artisans, and deskmats were sent on to vendors last month so they should be arriving soon.
Banderole has been done, courtesy of OneCreativeMind and we're thrilled with how it's turned out.

Space Cables should the cables done before lights out in January.

Nothing stopping set completion now, and with no delays forecast as everything has been arranged we should see these within the next 4 weeks!

Cheers!

amazing news! best set going to be a thing

News:

Author Topic: [GB] GMK RETROWAVE [Completed] (Read 46545 times)