Introducing Polyend Keys

Announcements
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Introducing Polyend Keys: A Musical QWERTY Keyboard

We’ve been working on something a little different. Polyend Keys is a mechanical QWERTY keyboard that works as both a regular computer keyboard and a MIDI controller. The idea was to create a playable keyboard without adding a full-size controller to your desk.

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The number and function rows double as a three-octave piano keyboard, so you can play notes and record melodies with the same device you type with. Nine rotary controls can be freely assigned to MIDI CCs for controlling software or hardware, or mapped to everyday computer functions like volume, scrolling, and brightness. A built-in display gives you feedback as you make adjustments.

Keys isn’t tied to the computer, either. It has TRS MIDI output, so you can connect it directly to a synth, drum machine, or other MIDI hardware and use it as a standalone controller.

A Mechanical Keyboard Made to Be Customized

Keys is machined from a single piece of aluminum and uses hot-swappable Kailh low-profile switches. You can change individual switches without soldering, and the keys are backlit.

We’re also making the firmware open source. Alternative layouts, different control modes, custom MIDI tools, sequencers, and other ideas can all be explored through software.

This is still a prototype, so things like the functionality, color, or hardware could change.

See It at Gamescom

We’re showing Keys publicly for the first time this week at Gamescom in Cologne from August 26–30. If you’re there, stop by Hall 02.2 | D031 and try it for yourself.

Price, availability, and more details will be announced soon.

The Polyend Team

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Open-source / Community firmware
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Wow nice! As I often use the QWERTY-Keyboard mode of my DAW, this seems perfect for me :slight_smile:

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Strange joke :melting_face:

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really nice idea :slight_smile:

will it have Blutooth?

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Does it have an internal battery or is it yet another “standalone” midi controller you still have to plug into usb to be able to use the trs midi out

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Can it be used to enter scene titles when used with the Synth?

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Interesting idea, and again surprising.

Which in practice means that users and third parties can create and reuse plenty of compatible keycaps (and switches). The little world of custom mechanical keyboards shows that you only need a small crowdfunding to organize the design, creation and distribution of a new custom keycap set. If users of DAW X want to have a keyboard for them designed by them, they don’t need to wait for Polyend to produce it.

Said that, given that Polyend already has acquired some experience creating these original keycaps AND also designing and selling Plates for Endless… maybe they decide to create and sell specific keycap sets for Live, Bitwig, etc. I mean, at this point why not. :wink:

Finally an open source and “hackable” Polyend device! :tada: :tada: :tada:

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The email Polyend put out says battery power. I assume that means internal.

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Looks good- I wonder what the bank key is for near the stop button? Maybe they should use it for the £ symbol so they can sell a few in the UK!

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Will this have pressure sensitivity? Knobs are a nice touch but i’m curious to see what this does to elevate it above a standard qwerty keyboard.

Also huge points for planning to make the firmware open source, this is a Very Good Thing and should be considered for other products too that are end-of-life

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This is also very interesting. Gamescom is a huge event… for gamers, of course. Gamers are very good customers of special mechanical keyboards. There is an overlap (tiny?) between making music and creating videogames but I don’t think that was the reason why this event was chosen for the announcement. What is clear to me is that if you are bringing a new mechanical keyboard to an event filled with gamers, it’d better be good. :slight_smile:

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Cool idea!

Would be cool if the num keys on the right are velocity sensitive drum pads with after touch!

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Keys features, functionality and color are all subject to change until it is officially launched, so these answers are not written in stone but as of now:

Yes

Yes

Correct

Pressure sensitivity as well as aftertouch is in development. We will likely use solution similar to TE KO2 pressure sensitive film under mechanical switches.

Few things it does differently are - 3 octave piano roll, MIDI mode with TRS MIDI, customizable encoders and screen.

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sounds great. if the price is right I’ll definitely get one. nice work :slight_smile:

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Will there be some ability to easily switch and save “modes”?
That is, an ability to recall situation / use-case dependent layouts?

So, for example the ability to have predefined “settings / scenes” (say, working with Ableton, vs. working with Reaper, vs, working with Polyend Play+) that map keys to particular use cases?

If yes, how many preset scenes can the keyboard retain?

I imagine a library of such preset scenes would help make this a popular .

My experience with the Endless pedal is loading different patches - easy as it is - is a bore. I hardly do it.

But recalling something already on a device makes it much easier.

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hot-swappable Kailh low-profile switches

I joined your forum to give you some advice. Mechanical switches are on-off.

Use magnetic switches. Hall effect/TMR sensors can capture detailed voltage and voltage change over time with a keypress, meaning your keyboard would be configurable for depth, velocity and polyphonic aftertouch. If you use magnetic switches it has the possibility of actually being a somewhat versatile midi controller.

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I’ll buy if they update the firmware of the Polyend Tracker Mini to directly take commands (beyond notes) from it. Would like a more ergonomic compositional solution (I miss my Tracker full size for this reason).

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Can I use it to type on my tracker mini? Any ballpark how much it will cost? Super dope idea. Hopefully zzounds or sweetwater will there stock it.

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My guess is that this solution would have brought it outside of the price-range they are aiming for, but a premium version of the Keys with magnetic switches would be BOSS!!!

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oh wow i never thought of Hall effect switches.. Having keys with continuous response ala PolyBrute 12 would be DOPE