The Hunt...
From the original Analog Industries archive. Some links and images from that era no longer resolve.
Dear Lazyweb:
Is there some sort of keybed that can be switched so that it has key markings for Discrete 3DS Max, Photoshop, and Nuendo? I could get just a Cubase/Nuendo keyboard, one that only does Photoshop, and one that does 3DS Max, but it would be nice if there was a swappable keybed for each program using one “frame” or whatever. I’ve seen these for gaming systems, where you can lay on a keybed for, e.g., Quake, and swap it with one for Medal Of Honor or whatever, but is there one for people (like me) that actually have work to do?
And before you bring it up, I know all about the Optimus. This Nexus Of All Cool will certainly be mine when it is released, but it is at least a year away.
Update: After doing some research, it has become obvious that the Optimus (which doesn’t actually exist yet) and the Zboard (which is now gaming only, but it wasn’t always) are the only two products that do what I’m talking about. But I did come across these, which show promise in the event I wanted to attach Yet Another Gee-Gaw to my computer(s).
8 comments
Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but there's the modular Ergodex DX1 Input System, so you could just make your own key setups:
http://www.ergodex.com/
That Optimus looks the business, though. I want one now.
You know, I was just looking at that site. But then I saw this:
http://www.ergodex.com/content.php?id=21
And I decided to RUN (not walk) in the other direction as fast as I could.
-CR
One thing I use quite a bit for anything I want to be sped up on is the Belkin Nostromo N52:
check it out. (http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=157024)
This works very well, because the driver detects when the app is launched, and changes all the key definitions. When used in combination with a standard 101 key keyboard, it speeds all of my work up about 70%. I do anything from working with Logic to designing circuit boards and small ICs, so take that for what you will.
That, my friend, is another fine example of the Left-Handed Minority being beaten down by The Man. Any and all suggestions have to be either ambidextrous or available in a left-handed model. (In the case of that unit, it would have to be, technically speaking, a right-handed model.)
-CR
i was going to mention the nostromo as well, as it has sped up my work by about a thousand percent.... it IS too bad it isn't left handed. write the company!!!
1) Buy three cheapo keyboards and a ps2 extension cable.
2) Run the cable so it comes out on the top of the Master Control Centre.
3) Customise your three cheapo keyboards using http://www.editorskeys.com/ editors keys stickers: They do Cubase, Photoshop, er... various video editing packages. They seem nice, email them and they might make a 3DS Max version.
4) Plug 'n' Play.
Total cost? About $100.
That X-Keys joystick module is awesome.
This is out of my field of expertise, but what about one of those touch screen overlays that you put over a normal monitor. (I guess a touch screen monitor would work just the same as well.)
Couldn't you design a "keyboard" GUI with a touchscreen monitor or the overlay? Then the layouts are practically limitless. Plus you'd have a monitor imbeded in the desk as a keyboard, and that's pretty pseudo-star trek geeky cool.
Though this new Logitech keyboard is marketed to gamers, it might be worth a look:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0 ,1697,1870601,00.asp
Let us know what you end up picking!
-F
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