Hi guys, just wanted to share this personal project of mine that has kept me busy for weeks. So it all started when I did the first "KIRA" renders, a 96-key as some people might know. I liked the idea of a full size keyboard in a compact layout, so the 96 seemed like the perfect layout for me. I bough a b.mini EX X2 which is similar, and then a ZZ96 and I was happy, at first anyway. Then I realized that I had a hard time finding the arrow keys because there's no spacing between the alphas and arrow keys. That led me to trying out the 1800, which while great since it's kinda shorter, still takes up a lot of space. I am currently using a TX-1800 at home, it's a great keyboard but I still want to try what is basically a compact 1800 like the LZCP and the TXCP. Which led me to my first custom.
So here it is, the first prototype of what is basically a 96-key layout grouped into alphas, arrows and numpad. Big thanks to
riotonthebay and
Input Club's Brandon for all the advice and help they provided, It would've taken me too long to do this without their awesome help. I would also like to thank
forevermadrigal,
geckt,
rainb1ood,
gatix,
krytone and
livingspeedbump for being so supportive of my designs. I don't expect a lot of people to like it, but your enthusiasm with what I do already makes it worth it.
I call it the KIRA EX.
PHOTOS:Old Photos
So, the next steps. I'm trying to find someone who can design the PCB for me. I've already talked to Leeku and a friend, and I just need to decide how to go about it. I only just checked the spacing with GMK 9009 and I'm happy to know that my CAD and measurements weren't an epic failure. I've already updated the design too, to reduce the gap of the bezel from the caps, reduce the top bezel width, and add some polish to the corners and edges. I've also designed a weight insert since the bottom of the first prototype was really bare (did it to reduce the cost in case it was a **** up).
Thanks for reading, and I'll be updating this as the project develops
Also, the title is "KIRA keyboards" because I have other layouts planned, and this GH60 case is probably next:
The KIRA60 FE