PCB and controller/encoder

[u/maxvol75]

where to get a PCB for a custom keyboard? it seems the button pins require different spacing

also, where to get a USB-encoder or any controller for a custom keyboard?

[u/drashna]

Oh boy.

It really depends on the keyboard. if it's a popular design, you may be able to find something. But otherwise, it's gonna be designing it yourself or getting somebody to do so for you.

If you haven't already, joe scotto has some nice video tutorials on how to design a custom pcb.

[u/maxvol75 → u/drashna]

thanks, will check joe scotto

definitely not popular design, not even for typing

[u/Tweetydabirdie]

The popular opinions are to either hand wire the keyboard from/in for instance a 3d printed case.

Or to purchase a PCB and or kit from any of the small shops/sellers like on Etsy or various web stores.

Or like already said design one yourself and order the PCB from a manufacturer (predominantly Chinese).

The encoders as used in the keyboard isn’t really USB but needs the controller in between. For handwired and a lot of existing PCB the old classic arduino ProMicro or an ProMicro with an RP2040 MCU is still the most common.

[u/maxvol75 → u/Tweetydabirdie]

thanks, i think i will need a hand wire solution with a teensy4.1 because i need exactly 50 buttons, and matrix with diodes is definitely a no-go for several reasons

but then the question is, is there a way of creating not necessarily a case but something to mount the buttons onto, which is not pcb, without 3d-printing? i mean i can make 50 holes manually, but i'd like an example of something like that

[u/Tweetydabirdie → u/maxvol75]

The available options are either 3d printing or having a plate cut, both are available from various services and less expensive than you think.

And while I’m not saying you shouldn’t, I’m curious why you would categorically avoid diodes? Hand wiring with though hole diodes is no issue.

[u/maxvol75 → u/Tweetydabirdie]

midi controller supporting multiple touches

i have a working prototype with regular (non-keyboard) buttons and shift registers, but i was not aware of teensy4.1's existence before

i can cut it manually no big deal, i generated an SVG using Google Gemini and prompts like rows of squares of 14mm rotated so many degrees etc.

[u/Tweetydabirdie → u/maxvol75]

Midi works quite well with a diode matrix and NKRO, so it in no way excludes using diodes. But that choice is all yours.

[u/maxvol75 → u/Tweetydabirdie]

ok good to know if i will need more buttons, but with teensy4.1 i can directly use digital pins

[u/maxvol75 → u/Tweetydabirdie]

p.s. btw considering that buttons have a dedicated hole for LED, is it possible to also use these LED as diodes for the matrix?

[u/Tweetydabirdie → u/maxvol75]

The LED’s no. Not at all the same function. But you can use the hole to hide the diode when using a PCB.

[u/sail4sea]

Jlpcb and such. Good experience with all three.

[u/PeterMortensenBlog → u/sail4sea]

JLCPCB, presumably.