If you get IBM PS/2 keyboard from 1991 and after working on it you go to your shop and try various keyboards you'll be in shock. Starting from $5-10 crap invented only to type up to 140 symbols a day (makes you understand twitter popularity), to pricey junk "space ships" designed to run video player.

And gaming keyboards. This is long story. Not only you must send all your time down the pipes, but you must do it on cool keyboards. I am not even start the story of motherfuckers who place extra keys in the bottom row, more and more. Inventor of Windows keys (and Fn keys on notebooks) must be found and executed in public using some very paintful way.

This was few thoughts I got after looking at keyboard market and getting Razor BlackWidow (not big choice of localized mechanical stuff is available really).

This is mechanical keyboard based on Cherry MX Blue switches

Razor keyboard is very good example of modern "inventors".

1. Key size is slightly reduced compared to normal keyboards (whole main block is smaller than normal keyboard).
2. Typeface used for keys is just awful, not major, really, if you type constantly, but anyway.
3. As this is "gamers keyboard" it has macro keys that are on the left and placed in such distance that makes harder intuitive use of left Ctrl.
4. It is glossy and keys are made from quite cheap plastic (if you compare to IBM keyboards)

But overall, of couse it can't be compared to rubber dome crap, even good one as some Microsoft keyboards.

It not have ideal main key block layout like some keyboards:

As Enter is still small.

May be in future we'll see something ideal, like IBM keyboards, but with larger bottom row, no widows keys and with buckling spring or mech switches options.

Available at:

• http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Blackwidow-Ultimate-Mechanical-RZ03-00381900-R3U1/dp/B008U5ZNIG

Note: You can get older (not 2013) version, it is cheaper but absolutely the same from practical standpoint

Via: http://www.weareroli.com/

M-Audio Keystation Mini 32

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationMini32.html

This is the one I currently use. Great compromise between portability and control. The keys are actually very musically to play! You can choose between different velocity curves (I personally find #0 to be great playing the piano). The range of 32 keys is also very good. Pitchbend controller/expression buttons works surprisingly fine with adjustable bend time. Sustain latch button and rotary controller adds to a very complete and affordable package. I can't actually find anything to complain about :)

Akai LPK25

http://www.akaipro.com/lpk25

Up until the keystation arrived, this was my choice of mini keyboard. But compared to the Keystation the keys are spongy and having just 25 is a bit claustrophobic.

Korg Microkeys 37

http://www.korg.com/microkey

This is the one to get if you hate mini keyboards ;) Great key action that allows very rapid playing and controllable, consistant velocity. Only downside is bulky size (won't fit easily into my laptop bag) and the keyboard lacks any sustain control (the 25 version has a sustain button, though)

Korg Nanokey

http://www.korg.com/nanoseries2

This was my first venture into mini keyboards. Don't get this. You get better control playing on your laptop keyboard ;)

I'm selling an Apple wireless keyboard. This is the current model being sold by Apple (model number MC184LL/B). I bought this from the Apple Store a few months back, but after a few days I didn't like it versus the old keyboard, so it's been sitting in its box. This is basically a new in box unit, other than the fact that it was used for a few days, then put it back in the box. It's in perfect condition. Cost is $49 and that includes shipping in the US. (They sell for $69 at Apple Store.)

Thanks, Matt

Specs

• Keyboard - 88-key, Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II
• Maximum Polyphony - 256 Notes
• Number of Tones - 340 Preset / 220 User
• Controllers - 4 knobs, 6 sliders, Pitch & Modwheel, 2 Pedal Inputs
• Arpeggiator - 4 simultaneous programmable
• Phrase Sequencer - 8 Tracks, up to 1,000 phrases
• Storage - USB / File & Audio Recording
• System Effects - Reverb, Chorus, Delay, String & Damper Resonance
  • Insert Effects - 4 simultaneous / Equalizer, Compressor, Limiter, Enhancer, Early Reflection, Phaser, Chorus, Flanger, Tremolo, Auto Pan, Rotary, Drive Rotary, LFO Wah, Auto Wah, Distortion (w/ Amp Simulator), Pitch Shifter, Multi Chorus, Ring Mod, Delay, Piano effect
• Master Effects - 4 Band EQ & Compressor
• Independent USB & MIDI I/O
• Audio 1/4" L&R Input & Output, 1/8" Audio Input
• Weight 24 lbs
• Casio expect real street price to be below $1000

More info http://www.casiomusicgear.com/products/menu_privia/PX-5S

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/5074048/special-dedicated-editing-keyboard-for-photoshop

What do you guys think about that? Would you use it and which would be your favorite application to have an overlay for?

The evo is a pure keyboard controller that is connected to a computer via an Ethernet interface, and that communicates via Midi, OSC or our own in-house protocol with synthesizers, sequencers or similar. The keys are the special feature here. Every single key is equipped with a sensor that allows evo to read the finger position on a certain area of the key surface. Thus, every key offers, in addition to pitch and velocity, an additional level of polyphonic data input that can be used for continuous control of independent notes.

More at - http://www.endeavour.de/evo/overview.html

Uses special optical sensors measuring each key position.

• USB MIDI Interface. Generates “Polyphonic Aftertouch” MIDI messages to transmit the Key-Swing.
• Standard-sized Keys
• Anodized Aluminum Housing
• 25 and 49 keys versions

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ndvr-note-masterkeyboard--68

• Comes with Launchkey app and Launchpad apps for iPad and the powerful Novation V-Station and Bass Station synth plug-ins for Mac and PC
• Novation DAW control with Launchkey – ‘InControl’ technology connects hardware controls directly to all major DAWs. Quick, hands-on control of your mixer, transport and more in Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Cubase and Logic
• Launchkey launch pads – 16 velocity-sensitive multi-colour launch pads for playing and sketching out drum beats, or launching and improvising with loops using the Launchpad app – they also launch clips and scenes in Ableton Live
• 50 faders, knobs, pads and buttons (35 on 25-note version)
• DAW control with Novation Launchkey – Instant access to major DAW control parameters – with no assignment necessary
• Bus powered – Launchkey is fully bus-powered, even with iPad. Just plug it in and go, with no power supply or batteries
• Launchkey includes one gigabyte of Loopmasters sample content including artist packs, drum samples and sound FX
• Ableton Live Lite – Ableton’s ground-breaking performance and production software is included with Launchkey

• Launchkey 25 MSRP $189.99
• Launchkey 49 MSRP $249.99
• Launchpad 61 MSRP $299.99

There are some discussions online about ergonomic keyboards, but none of them is specific to the kind of work we do as videomakers. So I think it might be good to have a discussion / sharing of experience of different ergonomic keyboard options out there as it relates to video work.

I'll start: the only real "ergonomic" keyboard I've had experience with is the mass-produced Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard. Here are my thoughts about it:

• it takes up a lot of space
• the keys are harder to press than, say, a standard apple keyboard,
• is a little funky on Mac OS
• I notice minor improvements how I feel when I'm typing
• relatively cheap compared to other options (also feels a little cheap)

I'm interested in the "truly ergonomic keyboard" which is here: https://secure.trulyergonomic.com/ Does anyone have experience with it?

What do other people use / think about the products they have used?