How to build a macro keyboard.

[exban224]

Is it possible to build a custom 15 key macro keyboard using a cheap controller and usb stuff from a cheap keyboard? Even then, is there any software which will allow me to map commands to each key?

 

[ssddx]

while possible it is certainly not the easiest way to solve your problem.

easier solutions:

-buy a keyboard with extra buttons meant to map macros to
-map your macros to "shift+f-key", that gives you 12. "ctrl+shift+f-key" gives you 24. this would have to be done in the program itself unless your software for the keyboard handles macros.
-use a gamepad (the ones that look like small keyboards). i'm sure you can manage to map the keys to functions but those functions might need a different keypress combination (mapped to one key with the macro) than typical in a progam.

so theres a few options out there... you could do as you wished but it would be alot of work for someone who doesnt seem to be familiar with creating such devices.

 

[exban224]

while possible it is certainly not the easiest way to solve your problem.

easier solutions:

-buy a keyboard with extra buttons meant to map macros to
-map your macros to "shift+f-key", that gives you 12. "ctrl+shift+f-key" gives you 24. this would have to be done in the program itself unless your software for the keyboard handles macros.
-use a gamepad (the ones that look like small keyboards). i'm sure you can manage to map the keys to functions but those functions might need a different keypress combination (mapped to one key with the macro) than typical in a progam.

so theres a few options out there... you could do as you wished but it would be alot of work for someone who doesnt seem to be familiar with creating such devices.

Im doing it for a tech project, so just seeing whether it is viable at all. There are a few examples on the market so just wondering.

 

[exban224]

Best answer selected by exban224.