Matias Tactile Pro 3.0

[CX23882]

Is anyone else looking forward to the Tactile Pro 3.0?

There isn't much information about it on their website, so I hope it isn't going to be vapourware, but if it's anything like the TP 2.0, it could well be a fantastic keyboard, assuming that they don't screw something up controller-wise. If they release an ISO version, it could be perfect.

Recently, I've found having volume controls on the keyboard to be pretty useful, especially when using separate speakers and subwoofer (necessitating the use of the Windows master volume). "Use the mouse", you say? Fine, but you can't do that whilst in the middle of a game.

[Rajagra]

Wait ... the TP2 had HHKB-like functionality!? :O

Wouldn't it be great if the TP3 made the most of that by shrinking the size.
I know, not what they are aiming at, but a nice thought.

[hyperlinked]

Wait ... the TP2 had HHKB-like functionality!? :O

Wouldn't it be great if the TP3 made the most of that by shrinking the size.
I know, not what they are aiming at, but a nice thought.

I'm awaiting word on the TP3 too, but not for some Smurfified version.

I've been waiting for a long time for the TP3. I'm a fan of the optimizer features on Matias keyboards and own a Matias Optimizer keyboard but found the build quality really lacking. The numerous negative reviews of the TP2 scared me away from every trying it and I'm just praying that they get the TP3 right because as much as I find keyboards fascinating, I really just want to own one keyboard.

[wellington1869]

Is anyone else looking forward to the Tactile Pro 3.0?

Yes!

I'm waiting patiently. Someone mentioned that they had contacted company recently and were told its coming out in a matter of weeks. But then they've said this before apparently.  The website says Fall '09.

I'm waiting patiently and hoping that a) they have fukkas like the tp2; b) they dont muck up the controller.

If they do a and b, then I'll probably buy one since I want a full-size (with numpad) fukka board (the ask-6600 and the absm1 were nice but the former has a tiny backspace (I'd prefer regular) and the latter has a transposing problem).

If I buy a tp3 then my filco fukka zero will go on sale, lol.

If they muck up the tp3, I'll be looking to buy a filco brown/blue controller board, lol.

Either way I'm going to get a working fukka board finally for my collection, dammit!

[patrickgeekhack]

Recently, I've found having volume controls on the keyboard to be pretty useful, especially when using separate speakers and subwoofer (necessitating the use of the Windows master volume). "Use the mouse", you say? Fine, but you can't do that whilst in the middle of a game.

Volume buttons are the only buttons I missed on my mechanical keyboards. I don't care much for the others.

[mech]

Personally I like running line-out to an audio system, and having a volume knob somewhere on my desk.  Something like this is handy.

[itlnstln]

Volume buttons are the only buttons I missed on my mechanical keyboards. I don't care much for the others.

I miss those, too. The Phaethon and Strongman keyboards have them. I wish Diatec would add those to the Filco.  I actually like how Dell keyboards have a volume knob, too.  I would like a volume knob and a mute button.  The mute button comes in very handy at times.

[hyperlinked]

It appears the mercurial Tactile Pro is getting pushed back again despite the rumors of an imminent release. The release horizon has since been changed to Autumn 2009 to Autumn 2009/Winter 2009.

I suppose they can then argue that February 2010 is technically a continuation of Winter 2009 when they finally do release it.

http://matias.ca/tactilepro2/index.php

[itlnstln]

This was the one I was thinking of. These are what we used to get at work. Now, we're getting a new, scissor switch 'board that's actually kinda nice. The switches on the new 'boards are crisp and light. Nothing that would make me switch, but I was pretty suprised. Maybe one day, manufacturers will start making good keyboards again... right.

[mech]

This was the one I was thinking of.

That's the keyboard I was using while my 'e' key was repeating.  It was horrific to type on.

[itlnstln]

That's the keyboard I was using while my 'e' key was repeating. It was horrific to type on.

It's not the greatest keyboard in the world, but I like its volume control.

[mech]

My volume knob isn't on the keyboard, but it's close enough.  I'd rather use a mechanical keyboard and use something else for that task.  Besides, I've had bad luck getting everything integrated with extra keyboard hotkeys.  I usually have no patience to run special hotkey drivers or anything like that.

* Picture not of my own equipment, found it in Google search.

[itlnstln]

My volume knob isn't on the keyboard, but it's close enough. I'd rather use a mechanical keyboard and use something else for that task. Besides, I've had bad luck getting everything integrated with extra keyboard hotkeys. I usually have no patience to run special hotkey drivers or anything like that.
 
* Picture not of my own equipment, found it in Google search.

Agreed, and at home, where I have a better audio system, this is certainly the case.  At work, I generally use headphones, so external controls are definitely handy.
 
On another note, I have never had trouble getting at least the basic multimedia functions to work (in Windows, anyway), but I do know what you're talking about, though, in terms of some of the other hotkeys.  Half of my hotkeys never worked on a Logitech 'board I had, because I never installed the software.  The volume and play/pause/etc. buttons worked fine.

[mech]

It's hit or miss for me.  If I use Windows Media Player, they work... but not in Foobar (I could probably customize, but I don't care that much).  I have an Onkyo SE-U55X at work for a convenient headphone jack + volume knob connected to my Yamaha amp. (The amp is a new addition, and not strictly necessary.)  I would recommend that Xonar U1 for work - very convenient.  Push-button mute/unmute, big volume knob, stick it anywhere that's convenient.  Caveat: I don't own one.  But theoretically, just about any external USB sound card would be a great way to bypass noisy, low-quality headphone circuits on motherboard audio chipsets or crappy powered speakers -- if you care about that stuff.  I try not to get any equipment with less than ~90 dB SNR.

[CX23882]

I've been playing with AutoHotKey. I know that it can do a lot of fancy things, but I'm just using it for something nice and simple:

Scroll Lock = Volume Down
Pause/Break = Volume Up
Winkey + Scroll Lock = Volume Mute

I've put off trying AHK because of potential conflicts, but I see that Shift + Scroll Lock still works to enable/disable Scroll Lock, and Winkey + Pause/Break and Ctrl + Pause/Break still do what they originally did. I can't think of a single time I've used the Pause/Break key by itself.

I wanted to do Scroll Lock + Pause/Break to be Mute, but it stopped the holding down functions for Vol Up/Down from working. Any ideas?

Code: [Select]

ScrollLock:: Send {Volume_Down}
Pause:: Send {Volume_Up}
[b]Pause & ScrollLock:: Send {Volume_Mute}[/b]

[majestouch]

I've been playing with AutoHotKey. I know that it can do a lot of fancy things, but I'm just using it for something nice and simple:

Scroll Lock = Volume Down
Pause/Break = Volume Up
Winkey + Scroll Lock = Volume Mute

I've put off trying AHK because of potential conflicts, but I see that Shift + Scroll Lock still works to enable/disable Scroll Lock, and Winkey + Pause/Break and Ctrl + Pause/Break still do what they originally did. I can't think of a single time I've used the Pause/Break key by itself.

I wanted to do Scroll Lock + Pause/Break to be Mute, but it stopped the holding down functions for Vol Up/Down from working. Any ideas?

Code: [Select]

ScrollLock:: Send {Volume_Down}
Pause:: Send {Volume_Up}
[b]Pause & ScrollLock:: Send {Volume_Mute}[/b]

Mine seems to do what you want:

Code: [Select]

#NumpadAdd::SoundSet +5         ;Master volume up 5%
#NumpadSub::SoundSet -5         ;Master volume down 5%
#NumpadMult::SoundSet,+1,,mute   ;Toggle master mute

Of course my keys are different, but the effect works:)

[hyperlinked]

Well, the email that I've been waiting for the past year and a half finally arrived.

I was joking in my earlier post in which I said Matias moved their delivery timeframe to Autumn/Winter 2009 so they could argue that the first months of 2010 was technically part of Winter 2009, but it appears they're indeed not going to have the TP3 until Jan 2010.

Here's the email I got:

The wait is almost over and we appreciate your patience! Matias has begun
the first production run of our new Tactile Pro Keyboard.

The keyboard features include:
• Option key characters laser-etched on each key, for easy reference when
typing special symbols and no fading
• Caps Lock Key in the traditional location, with Caps Lock Light
• Volume Control Keys & CD Eject Key
• One cable to connect the keyboard to the computer
• 3 USB 2.0 ports: one located at the extreme left and right of the
keyboard, plus a third one at the back of the keyboard
• Premium quality Alps mechanical key switches, for maximum comfort & speed

We anticipate the first stock of keyboards to arrive early January 2010
and are accepting pre-orders for North American clients via our head
office in Canada. You can fax your credit card and shipping info to us at
1-905-265-8744.

Pre-orders will be billed in Canadian funds at time of fax receipt. The
price is US$149.95 plus US$10.00 shipping and will be converted at the
XE.COM exchange rate on the day of the transaction so your credit card
bill may be slightly over or under US$159.95.
Alternatively, you can mail us a US Dollar cheque for US$159.95 to: Matias
Corporation, 221 Narinia Crescent, Newmarket, ON, L3X 2E1, Canada.

Note: Ontario residents please add 8% PST and 5% GST.
Residents of other provinces in Canada please add only GST or HST to the
cost of your order.

A notice will be posted on our web site once shipping has begun. The
Tactile Pro will be available through our online store if there is any
stock left after pre-orders are fulfilled. However, we have approximately
2,000 people on our Tactile Pro waiting list, and due to production
constraints our first production run is only 1,250 keyboards. We will
fulfill purchases in the order in which they are received. If you miss the
first production run, our second production run will likely be in March
2010.

Thanks again for your patience, and we look forward to providing you with
our best Tactile Pro Keyboard yet!

As much as I want to get one, I think I'm going to sit on the sidelines until at least the second batch to ensure that this keyboard is everything they say it is.

[wellington1869]

hey thanks for the info. I was on the mailing list too but havent seen any email yet.

As much as I want to get one, I think I'm going to sit on the sidelines until at least the second batch to ensure that this keyboard is everything they say it is.

same here, especially since it'll be $159 shipped. I might even just wait for some second hand boards to eventually appear on ebay. But I'm glad its coming out. Hope they're fukkas. Hope the controller is decent.

[itlnstln]

$160 is a little steep for an Alps (well, any) keyboard.  It looks like it'll have some good features, though.

[wellington1869]

Besides I dont want to be a guinea pig any more with new boards  Way too much trouble. I'll wait for someone else to dive in and test

I'll stick with golden oldies until then. Like rdjack's maxi switch m13 that I just bought

[d4rkst4r]

$160 is a little steep for an Alps (well, any) keyboard.  It looks like it'll have some good features, though.

It better have dampeners at that price. I don't see any compelling features. Volume controls, ok, eject, meh, usb ports, meh, one cable, meh, noisy modern alps, ugh.

The modern alps variations (Fukkas, XMs) all seem to have the same noise issue. It must be some difference in the shape of the actuator and it seems to be a rattle that happens when the key returns to the top. You can dampen the noise if you keep your fingers on the key tops when they return to the top. I'm just not buying another rattling board - especially at $160.

[microsoft windows]

I'd never pay $160 for ANY keyboard. Even an industrial gray model F.

[maxlugar]

I'd never pay $160 for ANY keyboard. Even an industrial gray model F.

webwit, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Model F (83 or 84 key) was every produced in industrial gray/green.  Ive scoured the globe for 84-key Model Fs and have only seen them in standard IBM boring beige.

Very early Model M's and Model M's from the mid 1990's came in industrial gray/green.

[maxlugar]

How can they be genuine ALPS key switches if ALPS no longer manufactures computer key switches?

They would have to be Fukka key switches - Welly's wet dream come true (and a competent controller and firmware)

[hyperlinked]

It better have dampeners at that price. I don't see any compelling features.

I'm holding out hope. One of their original aims with their Tactile Pro line was to be the modern version of the classic AEK keyboards.

[wellington1869]

I'm holding out hope. One of their original aims with their Tactile Pro line was to be the modern version of the classic AEK keyboards.

now that would be interesting. dampeners without having to void the warranty. nice. fingers crossed.

[o2dazone]

I have nothing to contribute to the original thread, but if you can snag one of these for cheap



They're pretty awesome. Especially at rolling through open applications

[BucklingSpring]

I'm also in the lineup for a TP 3.0.

[d4rkst4r]

I have nothing to contribute to the original thread, but if you can snag one of these for cheap

Show Image

They're pretty awesome. Especially at rolling through open applications

Actually, it is relevant to the thread. These are great when you need that volume control and your keyboard lacks one. You don't need to buy that TP3 after all. :biggrin:

[wellington1869]

i had one of those. Griffin, right? It was sweet, tho pricey. I eventually sold it tho when autohotkey gave me custom volume control.

I'm surprised no one has made a combined 'desktop volume control" plus "desktop speaker power switch".  That would be handy for external speakers that dont come with a wired remote.

I currently have a footswitch to turn my speakers on/off (they're way behind my monitor on my desk):
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-09493-Christmas-Extension/dp/B00004SQHU/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1254607227&sr=8-12


Would be nice to integrate foot-controlled volume too Maybe a pedal

[Rajagra]

Real volume controls are absolute, not relative. Anything that works in volume up/down increments is a poor substitute for a control you can spin instantly and continuously to the level you want.

I bet there's an entire generation growing up who've never even laid hands on a proper volume control.

[d4rkst4r]

I'm surprised no one has made a combined 'desktop volume control" plus "desktop speaker power switch".  That would be handy for external speakers that dont come with a wired remote.

You could use a mixer for this. Or one of these.

[CX23882]

Real volume controls are absolute, not relative. Anything that works in volume up/down increments is a poor substitute for a control you can spin instantly and continuously to the level you want.

I bet there's an entire generation growing up who've never even laid hands on a proper volume control.

I agree with you on this. These days it seems like a lot of rotary volume knobs are just in front of a digital mixer with fixed steps. I've seen some good implementations of this which try to take into account how quickly you spin it, and a lot of bad ones which are completely linear. Even for the good ones, you still can't spin it round to a particular value. But on the other hand, I've never had a digital volume control go crackly (but I have seen one that was similarly dirty and would drift up or down if set to certain positions).

But on a Windows PC, you're tied to a digital mixer anyway, with fixed 1/100 steps (except for some exotic sound cards), so I don't see it as a problem if the control is stepped. When I'm using the hi-fi, I max the sound card and use the real volume knob on the hi-fi, but with the PC speakers, it's more convenient to use the sound card's mixer. I like the little volume knob on the Dell multimedia keyboard, but I can live with buttons.

[Hak Foo]

I want to see pictures.  How am I supposed to decide if I want one without pictures?

[wellington1869]

has anyone put in a pre-order? just curious.

[texteur]

I'm waiting patiently. Someone mentioned that they had contacted company recently and were told its coming out in a matter of weeks. But then they've said this before apparently.  The website says Fall '09.

Hi everybody,

What I've just received in my mailbox :

   Matias has begun
the first production run of our new Tactile Pro Keyboard.

The keyboard features include:
• Option key characters laser-etched on each key, for easy reference when
typing special symbols and no fading
• Caps Lock Key in the traditional location, with Caps Lock Light
• Volume Control Keys & CD Eject Key
• One cable to connect the keyboard to the computer
• 3 USB 2.0 ports: one located at the extreme left and right of the
keyboard, plus a third one at the back of the keyboard
• Premium quality Alps mechanical key switches, for maximum comfort & speed

You can view images of the new keyboard at: http://matias.ca/tactilepro3
We have not released these photos to the public yet!

We anticipate the first stock of keyboards to arrive early January 2010
and are accepting pre-orders for North American clients via our head
office in Canada. You can fax your credit card and shipping info to us at
1-905-265-8744.

Pre-orders will be billed in Canadian funds at time of fax receipt. The
price is US$149.95 plus US$10.00 shipping and will be converted at the
XE.COM exchange rate on the day of the transaction so your credit card
bill may be slightly over or under US$159.95.
Alternatively, you can mail us a US Dollar cheque for US$159.95 to: Matias
Corporation, 221 Narinia Crescent, Newmarket, ON, L3X 2E1, Canada.

Note: Ontario residents please add 8% PST and 5% GST.
Residents of other provinces in Canada please add only GST or HST to the
cost of your order.

A notice will be posted on our web site once shipping has begun. The
Tactile Pro will be available through our online store if there is any
stock left after pre-orders are fulfilled. However, we have approximately
2,000 people on our Tactile Pro waiting list, and due to production
constraints our first production run is only 1,250 keyboards. We will
fulfill purchases in the order in which they are received. If you miss the
first production run, our second production run will likely be in March
2010.

Thanks again for your patience, and we look forward to providing you with
our best Tactile Pro Keyboard yet!

[hyperlinked]

Hmm, they updated their email! the version I got didn't have a link to the photos. Thems the hazards of being the first to know.

Anyway, it looks enticing, but for one thing.

What happened to thei #*^&$@^ Optimizer Key!?!?! That was what I was waiting for! I wanted a keyboard with a killer feel and their optimized key mapping built in. I have a program that maps keys, but I can't get every single shortcut that they've programmed and I can't get my faux-optimized key map to work in every interface.

I hope there's a Windows version of this without a Caps Lock.

[wellington1869]

I just got their email - complete with links to photos!!

WIthout further ado: photos

[update: d'oh, texteur beat me to it]

The full email ran thusly:

Dear xxx,

The wait is almost over and we appreciate your patience! Matias has begun
the first production run of our new Tactile Pro Keyboard.

The keyboard features include:
• Option key characters laser-etched on each key, for easy reference when
typing special symbols and no fading
• Caps Lock Key in the traditional location, with Caps Lock Light
• Volume Control Keys & CD Eject Key
• One cable to connect the keyboard to the computer
• 3 USB 2.0 ports: one located at the extreme left and right of the
keyboard, plus a third one at the back of the keyboard
• Premium quality Alps mechanical key switches, for maximum comfort & speed

You can view images of the new keyboard at: http://matias.ca/tactilepro3
We have not released these photos to the public yet!

Whoops, they're public now!

We anticipate the first stock of keyboards to arrive early January 2010
and are accepting pre-orders for North American clients via our head
office in Canada. You can fax your credit card and shipping info to us at
1-905-265-8744.

Pre-orders will be billed in Canadian funds at time of fax receipt. The
price is US$149.95 plus US$10.00 shipping and will be converted at the
XE.COM exchange rate on the day of the transaction so your credit card
bill may be slightly over or under US$159.95.
Alternatively, you can mail us a US Dollar cheque for US$159.95 to: Matias
Corporation, 221 Narinia Crescent, Newmarket, ON, L3X 2E1, Canada.

Note: Ontario residents please add 8% PST and 5% GST.
Residents of other provinces in Canada please add only GST or HST to the
cost of your order.

A notice will be posted on our web site once shipping has begun. The
Tactile Pro will be available through our online store if there is any
stock left after pre-orders are fulfilled. However, we have approximately
2,000 people on our Tactile Pro waiting list, and due to production
constraints our first production run is only 1,250 keyboards. We will
fulfill purchases in the order in which they are received. If you miss the
first production run, our second production run will likely be in March
2010.

Thanks again for your patience, and we look forward to providing you with
our best Tactile Pro Keyboard yet!

Best Regards,

etc etc

My first impression - I like it!  But personally I need them to be fukkas and I need a non-transposing controller Fingers crossed...

[texteur]

Another thing: why don't they update the design? If those keyboards are built to match with new Macs, they could have used aluminium and black plastic. Why do they still use an five-years-old design (translucent plastic and white keys, somehow like the A1048)?

[texteur]

...and certainly $50 more for the shipping to Europe. Pretty expensive.

[wellington1869]

I'll prolly wait for second hand versions to start showing up before I try it (and by then there will have been plenty of guniea pigs ahead of me

[BucklingSpring]

...and certainly $50 more for the shipping to Europe. Pretty expensive.

For once I'm happy to be in Canada. Close to Matias' HQ.

Got the notification email as well.

Woooohoooo.

/*****
We anticipate the first stock of keyboards to arrive early January 2010
and are accepting pre-orders for North American clients via our head
office in Canada. You can fax your credit card and shipping info to us at
1-905-265-8744.
*****/

Sure no problem here's my credit card number: 1452-2154-2165-5778 exp 10-3124

[wellington1869]

Sure no problem here's my credit card number: 1452-2154-2165-5778 exp 10-3124

on my way to the L.L.Bean catalog...
Dang.

[timw4mail]

The lettering looks really sharp

[BucklingSpring]

The lettering looks really sharp

Yeah but not sure I like the numpad design.

[wellington1869]

I want it badly but I need more info and i need to wait for used-board prices. ugh. So prolly will be 12 months before i have one.  Whoever gets one pls get a review up here asap

[hyperlinked]

Yeah but not sure I like the numpad design.

Yeah too many numbers. What ever happened to good ol' 4 key numpads?

[wellington1869]

Yeah too many numbers. What ever happened to good ol' 4 key numpads?

xD

[mech]

That numpad layout would definitely mess me up.  I use my numpad *all* the time, without looking too.  Still, a handsome keyboard.

The USB hub has the B-style port on it - it would be nice if high-end keyboards would have a female plug instead of the cable sticking directly out. 1.) inadvertent yanks, 2.) portability. 3.) (crudely) adjustable cable lengths.

[timw4mail]

You know, that's the way the AEKII has the numpad. That's probably why it's not more like the traditional IBM numpad.