So I am four days into Reaper, and already I want a larger, better keyboard to take advantage of all this functionality and key commands I am customizing. All I have at the moment is one of those dinky little wireless Apple keyboards that comes with an iMac. I haven't actually bought an external keyboard since I was a Windows user in the 90s. So I am open to any and all suggestions of what will serve me best.

 

New keyboard, Computer keyboard or Midi controller?

 

Sorry. Computer keyboard. MIDI controllers I'm well versed on, but the land of current Apple compatible computer keyboards (preferably wireless), is unknown to me. I've been researching what's out there this evening but haven't yet landed on anything that looks like a sure hit.

 

The Logitech devices should work fine on Mac and they have some pretty descent stuff

 

Yeah, I've been combing over them. I thought that this would be easy, but it seems every one that's a contender has or lacks one feature that's a bummer. Not OSX compatible, not wireless, has a stupid stand built-in for an iPad, doesn't have the number pad, runs off of solar power (my studio has zero natural light and only a few, dim, tungsten fixtures) . . . or it's not released yet and only available on pre-order! I might just try this solar thing though and see if it can survive in the upside-down that is my studio - Logitech K750

I wish I could just go wired, but I have a monitor built into the top of my desk (where I put my mixer window) and don't want a wire running across it.

 

What about this one?

http://www.kanex.com/multisync-aluminum-keyboard

For wired, this looks pretty deep :

https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-350

 

Yup. Looks like a winner. Not cheap, but functionally it's exactly what I want and the review seem broadly positive - Thanks!

 

I will never buy any keyboard that doesn't have mechanical switch's, been using a qpad for about 5 years now and its still in perfect condition, a real joy to type on.

 

Yeah, I'm starting to think about going wired (by placing a small hole in my desk just in front of my embedded monitor to drop the cable through), so I can have a mechanical keyboard. I like the looks of this one:
http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional-for-mac/?siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-508WgElCvl00sbAUkyiTUg

 

That uses the noisiest switches, i use the Cherry red switches.

http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

 

Hi @returnal ,

Hope it's all good. If you decide to go with a mechanical keyboard I would suggest you do a small research. There are different types of switches (brown, red, speed etc.) and they are all different (noise level - some are very noisy, activation point etc.). So it's better to see what you like the most. As an (ex) gamer I tried a few mechanical keyboards but I see that you want the keyboard for your DAW. So I guess you want many programmable keys. Anyways, the DAS keyboard for me rn it's the best BUT it's very expensive (around 200+ euros). Corsair has for me the best mechanical keyboards, so look it up. High quality and well built keyboards. All the mechanical keyboards are different from the normal ones. It will take you some time to get used to it but once you do you'll never look back. Generally speaking their price goes from 60 (maybe less) to 200+. To me it's a great investment. They last a lot longer, typing in these keyboards is simply awersome and many many other good things. Have a nice day .

 

a bit of good news perhaps? apparently the solar can be disabled on the on K750 and modded to use consumer available batteries if you feel like being arsed to try this....

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Logitech+K750+Keyboard+ML2032+to+CR2032+battery+replacement/49181

seems like this keyboard would be worth the effort... very nice piece of kit... I want too

alas, @bluerover that apex 350 is calling my name as well, thanks for pointing it out, a beauty....

tough call m8's

 

Like I said, there's always something!!!

 

@wonderchild Thanks for the tips. I'll look into Corsair.

 

ALL YOU REALLY NEED si a normal extended kbd with numpad so you can 2/8 move up/down selected clips. That is all. no need for expensive shit.

 

Maybe you wont need a new keyboard at all now.

https://audiosex.pro/threads/an-amazing-new-menu-for-reaper.29290/#post-250615

 

In my setup I use some of these devices. As I see now they work on Mac as well.

http://xkeys.com/XkeysKeyboards/index.php
Its a freely assignable keyboard with addressable red/blue backlight for each key. Fully extendable with additional modules.
These are wired and they also come as Joystick/Jog/Shuttle keyboard combos
http://xkeys.com/XkeysControls/index.php

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2017

I just bought one of these the other day, simple to set up and works fine so far, although i haven't got around to using it with a daw yet.

https://www.1byone.com/Accessories/Gaming-Keyboard/510NA-0001

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2017

In the end I decided that my keyboard had to be wireless - so this eliminated pretty well every mechanical switch option. I decided to try out the Kanex that @bluerover suggested (Kanex multi sync aluminum keyboard). It's slim, which is necessary for my setup and does the job. The keys aren't the best, and sadly it can't use the function keys as function keys without holding the function button (with the Apple keyboard you can change this in preferences, but not so with the Kanex). Otherwise it meets my needs for now.

 

Most likely something like this is more needed than any new keyboard :
https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/
Or this :
http://startly.com/products/quickeys/mac/4/
Or simpler like this :
http://www.murgaa.com/macro-recorder-mac/