Exploring a cheap macro keypad

I'm hoping this cheap macro keypad can make my video editing faster or at least more efficient.
But before it goes into service, let's see what's inside, and figure out how to program it.
The software can be found on the Aliexpress product page here: pileofstuff.ca...
Or at this page: sikaicase.com/...
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This isn't the only way to do it.
It's probably not the best way to do it.
But it's how I did it.

[@nuko_baka]

Thanks for sharing the link to the software! Most stores don't even include it on their page, had to search everywhere.

[@pileofstuff]

Glad I could help. It took quite a bit of hunting to find it myself.

[@iandawkins2182]

I got one recently and it is very useful. I printed new keys with idents on my 3D printer. and infilled them with white paint.

[@mindmelt1111]

You are a brave man, my friend. I never have liquids on the same desk as my electronics.

[@pileofstuff]

When I'm talking on camera I've gotta have something handy to lubricate my voice.

[@nickys.5588]

after a day of figuring out how i will be able to program this little baby. you my guy helped me with the link. thanks a bunch from the bottom of my philo heart:)))

[@Yvissec29]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤, j'était complètement perdu avant de tomber sur ta vidéo, j'ai passé des heures à chercher des softwares puis ta vidéo est arrivé sur mon écran après 2 jours de recherches. Encore une fois, merci !

[@pileofstuff]

Je suis heureux que cela vous ait aidé

[@altabdo1541]

cool video, thanks for the review and teardown, decided to buy it for myself after watching this video able to find very similar one for 12$ on my country, very worth the money

[@SteveRobillard]

Layers let you assign multiple functions to a single key and access them by switching between layers. I think of it as the Z-axis from Algebra or as a stack of plates from breakfast lunch and dinner.

[@Mr-R.R.]

And how do you active the extra layers when you need them?

[@SteveRobillard]

@@Mr-R.R. Normally, you dedicate one key to change layers sequntially (1,2, 3 and back to 1). This is the simplest way but not the only way.

[@Mr-R.R.]

@@SteveRobillard gotcha! And do you know which models are capable of taking advantage of the layers? The one I got has 12 keys and 2 knobs. But since it's a Christmas gift I haven't gotten to test it out myself yet

[@SteveRobillard]

@@Mr-R.R. No sorry.

[@jeen0351]

@@Mr-R.R. the bluetooth models have a dedicated layer button next to the on-off

[@racefan2k3]

I've got a couple of these (9 key variant) to use as a programmable macro keypad for work. I can assign a long keyword to each and instead of spending several seconds typing the keyword, I can simply hit one key. And yeah, they're cheap enough although the software was a PITA to find.

[@JohnWenzelburgerJW]

I bought this same model from Amazon a few years ago, could never find any software for it, so sent it back. I forgot to read the reviews or I would have known better.

[@kkking2159]

I remember that a seller named sikai sell them and they have a lot of types macro keyboards.

[@Zeify1]

You are my hero! Thanks!

[@HATipsByLarry]

I have the Vaydeer 9 button keypad with 6 layers. The keys are shown in a small window on your monitor that stays on top and is movable. you can set it many different ways i have it where if i run my video editing software it go's to a certain layer with the keys set to what i want in that program. But that looks like a cool keypad as well. I got mine on amazon when they were having there prim day deals for $25.00 USD

[@frankowalker4662]

That's nice and easy to set up.

[@frisbeeking7002]

you sir are amazing. thank you for the great explanation

[@paramtrx9558]

Thanks! I just got one a few days ago.. Wasn't sure how to set up the knob..

[@DavZell]

When you programmed the keys, it displayed both the main and shifted values, e.g !1 and @2. Have you tried holding shift when hit a key to see if you get the shifted value? Also, regarding layers 1, 2, and 3, did you figure those out? Any chance they refer to, for example, layer 2 being ctrl-key and layer 3 being alt-key? Finally, can you assign the keys to be shift, ctrl, or alt? That could be useful in CAD and drawing programs for modifying mouse behavior. Thanks, and hope you don't mind all the questions!

[@pileofstuff]

The layers thing appears to be for the larger keypads. This one is the most basic one in the product line.

[@EsotericArctos]

Like ESP chip, these microcontrollers are likely available in different packages with different pin out configurations. An ESP chip has a lot of GPIO's, but if you get it as an ESP1 it is only broken out to 8 pins, and if I recall only 4 were GPIO's on that, but if you broke it out to a bigger development board ,yo uget access to a lot more GPIO's

[@pileofstuff]

That makes sense.

[@MrWallyGattor]

Tried adding phrases to the keys, eg "Greetings & Salutations" etc, for word processing, sadly only accepts 5 characters per key and no more. wonder if you could reprogram it or if its a memory limit thing?

[@Hasitier]

That was what I had in mind as I have to answer a lot of mails and often type the same praises over and over. But this 5 char limit rules that out unfortunately.

[@jyvben1520]

maybe the word processor has macro options, so if you send "M1234" or "G&S" it does "greeting and ....."

[@carimbo101]

I have this displaying as "connected" in this program but whatever I download to the controller it doesn't seem to work. I've installed the drivers it seems to want...?

[@onecircuit-as]

The CH552g is a very capable chip, including touch sensitive gpios. The chip can be programmed with the Arduino IDE. Lovely piece of kit. 👍😀

[@pileofstuff]

With the Arduino IDE, you say? Looks like they're not expensive either. Hmmm...

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

how exciting

[@NETkuz]

I have the same device, the program limits the length of the macro to 18 characters, I need 100+ characters or infinity in the form of a loop. Is it possible to somehow overcome this?

[@SashaGarcia]

hi, thanks for the video! can you program the knobs to do midi cc functions?

[@pileofstuff]

Possibly, but not with the manufacturer's code ecosystem. You'd probably have to roll your own code from scratch

[@RambleRecordings]

If you like this, you should really look into a macropod with VIA/QMK support. It's not perfect, but the software is so much better than whatever this is. I have 2 Pikatea macropads that work great, but even my main keyboard supports VIA and I can program macro keys by using a layer on the F row.

[@lccuutygeey884]

liked n subs cause your the only video that fixed my problem ty

[@pileofstuff]

Happy to have helped

[@adamjensen6376]

I got one recently it's a three button with rotary on it. I want to add more keys to it by reprogramming the ch552 and try to reprogram the addressable Leds because it only has two commands on the software, which is ok, but I would like to have more to it.

[@niaimack]

You could spin up a windows machine in virtualbox and use USB passthrough. Would end up being fair safer and more convenient.

[@Nickssonn]

Hey, thanks for the video, man. I'd like to know if it can loop the macro. For example you click the button and it keeps pressing assigned letter untill you click again to stop. Thanks!

[@pileofstuff]

I don't think it'll latch like that, but it will repeat the keypress for as long as you hold the key in the same way a normal keyboard can.

[@Nickssonn]

@@pileofstuff thank you

[@davey2k12]

You can use a script to do that lol 😅

[@meowcula]

I think I could use something like that for ardour. I don't have a windows machine though... might have to try doing so in a VM or with wine.

[@johnreed3608]

I just got the 16key version. The program seems to only allow key sequences of 5 keys. I'm not sure why. any help would be nice.

[@davey2k12]

Cheap products cheap software 😂😂

[@M0UAW_IO83]

Heh, no viruses is fine, but I bet there's more than a few people use that to enter user credentials and I would be wondering what the software was sending back home.

[@steamboatmodel]

I winder if it would work as a CNC controller?

[@pileofstuff]

It can emulate a normal keyboard or mouse buttons. If that's how your CNC is controlled, then it should work.

[@andreksjour]

I bought a few of these different sizes but now i'm afraid to plug them on my computer. Can something malicious be stored on them, or in the software?

[@pileofstuff]

Anything is possible, but I didn't find anything nefarious .

[@neilloveman5646]

Don’t get that drink on the keyboard, I’ve seen the film electric dreams and I know what happens 😂

[@paselo]

when i click download the software istn responding anymore, any idea what i could do ?

[@paselo]

ok found out the cable c they send didnt work. With another cable it worked

[@irregularbarf]

Super helpful video. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Just curious though, did you find a way to make the keys just buttons that can be reprogrammed as keybinds for discord actions? like mute mic, deafen, leave etc

[@pileofstuff]

It should be able to send any keypress combination you want. I set mine up for the common hotkeys in my video editor.

[@irregularbarf]

@@pileofstuff yeah but i don’t want it to be a real button on my keyboard. i want it to be 100% unassigned like button 1,2,3 so i can use it for discord

[@pileofstuff]

@@irregularbarf You should be able to assign unused function keys to it. Possibly even extended ASCII characters that don;t appear directly on the keyboard (but I haven't tested that)

[@irregularbarf]

@@pileofstuff how would i go about assigning the unused ASCII keys if i can’t see em

[@Woril]

Mine says connected in the software but it doesn't allow me to configure the LED or keys. Even though it says the download was successful, why isn't it working?

[@Rhinehart79]

Hi, i got the 4 key version. It works with the software but how to add delay on each key stroke?

[@tntstn]

Is it possible to assign laptop power button and when the laptop is shut down can we power on laptop via this product?

[@pileofstuff]

I don;t think so, unless that is something you can access through standard keyboard commands.

[@kapacita22uF]

3:00 The chip can be programmed via arduino IDE via usb

[@swiftyrich]

Anyone got any idea if you can program the leds to stay a certain colour? The software only has "off" and 2 options for random colour cycles

[@pileofstuff]

Not sure. Mine is the more basic version with no LEDS.

[@dr.feather4860]

hello! can you use the knob to for midi mapping parameters in music software?

[@pileofstuff]

If your MIDI software can interpret normal computer keyboard hotkey inputs, then it should.

[@joppemin]

that software was so ghetto I love it, just the bare minimum, just works :p

[@pileofstuff]

Yeah. It does the job but only just.

[@KeesKouwenberg]

I use one of these for a while, and I just bought a second one. Does anyone know how I can connect two of these to my computer?

[@pileofstuff]

The computer sees it as a USB keyboard. You can connect multiple keyboards to most computers

[@KeesKouwenberg]

@@pileofstuff Also to mine of course, but both work with the same software, and I can only program one. So I was wondering, is there is a setting somewhere you can tell the software I use two.

[@avrahamrothschild2418]

The problem I cannot save more than five letters?

[@edwardkeeter762]

Can a macro keypad like this be programmed to type a password? E.G. I press the key and it automatically types Password123! in the selected field?

[@pileofstuff]

Probably, but that would not make for the best security.

[@tesiogdarius2901]

for me mine shows not connected on software even tho i had windows pop up i connected it any ideas ?

[@FERI4]

how to change language from chinese to english on this program at time 09:47

[@Luck-r9l]

What screwdriver do you use?

[@pileofstuff]

This powered one is a Kaiweets ES20 pileofstuff.ca/r/qwslg

[@YuJay]

I mean the program does what needs to, but I you can't use it for like Push to Talk on Discord. It doesn't recognise it as a constant key press. :( All the custom programs for it on github are all for Linux and I'm too stupid to learn how to do that.. xD

[@davidward9935]

I told my wife the 3 button keypad was specifically for Windows (CNTL+ALT+DEL). I get blamed for making her laugh as she is taking a drink of her coffee.

[@RK-kn1ud]

My experiences with shady software tells me that you should probably immediately set fire to that computer...just be sure to remove the battery first! Scary that I'm talking about GatesOS instead of that other random software you downloaded!

[@309electronics5]

Or just erase the whole drive easy! Dont have to waste hardware. But ofcourse the software could also be in the bios or firmware of the motherboard but that could be removed with some effort

[@NicolasMoraesDuarte]

didi you know if there is a mac program!

[@pileofstuff]

I wasn't able to find one.

[@DrexProjects]

I made a few out of a 32U4 and they work with windows and Mac fine. But not with linux. I only have 1 Widose Box and 1 mac, but a dozen linux boxes. Oh well.

[@pileofstuff]

I did a 32U4 based interface for an original NES controller a couple of years ago, and it worked on every computer I tried it on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gai3iJWcarSFha8

[@NinjaTurtles420]

mine isnt connecting :((((

[@pepeluilly]

I had the same problem and I found that using a different USB C cable solved it for me.I hope it helps.

[@greendragonmakerspace]

WCH is a large and reputable company. I use their mcus and trust their software.

[@309electronics5]

They can be trusted! But not the one who wrote the code for the mcu which is probably not wch but some other company or the one who made the software

[@greendragonmakerspace]

Ahh yes :D @@309electronics5

[@Okurka.]

The virus doesn't come via the software; it comes via the USB port.

[@ismalit]

Excuse me, what do you mean? The virus in this macropad?

[@JyskMaker]

Get a elgarto stream deck. Its just soooo good. (And get the XL from the start)

[@pileofstuff]

Sure, but this was $20, not 400... And it takes up a lot less desk space.

[@309electronics5]

As he already said: This thing is just 20 dollars and not the 400 for a streamdeck. This is for the people who dont need a lot of controls, just simple audio and program switching

[@JyskMaker]

@@309electronics5 Yes i know what you meen, bot you can get then 2nd hand (I do that) And its like 1/3 price.

[@DirtySideGetsDown]

I wish I could get mine to work. I got the 3 button with 1 knob version from amazon. Initially it programmed just fine, but then later I found that I wanted to change one of the button functions. As I was trying to reprogram the one button I slowly lost function of the others to the point now it does nothing. The software says success after I click download but the buttons never work. Super frustrating, It really make my job smoother. I do a lot of copy/pasting and salect all.

[@fenceup07944931177]

Your mission if you choose to accept it. Laser engraving the keys.

[@pileofstuff]

I've 3D printed a few keycaps with different textures so I can identify them by feel.

[@tinygriffy]

maybe the software works with wine ? .. I think there is a project with open source firmware for these keypads.. there is one at hackaday.

[@pileofstuff]

I tried WINE on one of my machines and it didn't open. There may be tweaks to get it to work, but this was a quicker solution.

[@tinygriffy]

​@@pileofstuff hm,, ran out of the box for me.. wine-staging 8.18 .. fresh prefix .. no extras ..

[@pileofstuff]

I've had inconsistent results with WINE across different machines over the years. Never cared enough to spend the time and dig deep into why.

[@tinygriffy]

@@pileofstuff I do not have the luxury of windows users in my household so I have to cope with it ^^ .. but it is true, wine sometimes needs a little fiddling and is not so easy to install on some distributions... But I feel that has improved quite a bit over the last years.