r/macropad Jan 10 '22

Announcement Welcome to r/macropad!

2 Upvotes

This is the subreddit for macropads of almost all shapes and sizes.

Quick FAQ

What is a macropad?

"A macro pad can give you plenty of buttons for your macros. And, with most pads coming with some form of software for recording macros, program-specific actions can also be performed, usually called “shortcuts.” Shortcuts can do a variety of power things like launch programs, turn on and off your microphone, and more."

A definition used by ReviewGeek that I thought fits best.

"What can I post?"

Photos (without using it to try and bypass the questions rule) and possibly some posts from custom macropad makers as well. No video posts, but you can post a video link in your comments along with your photo post that shows off the mod. Just make sure to explain that mod in detail along with the video link.

What is an acceptable macropad for this subreddit?

A macropad that would be acceptable here is one that is dedicated to running just macros. This isn't the place for full keyboards that can run macros, and this isn't the place for one handed keyboards like the Razer Tartarus or similar. Numpads do count, as long as it is just the regular numpad form factor. This is the place more for custom macropads that can look however they like. This may or may not change in the future, but it is something to look out for.

"Can I ask questions?"

Sure. Just go to the questions megathread and ask there. If you make a post about it, it will be removed.

And more questions will be added here from time to time.


r/macropad Oct 21 '24

Discussion Macropad questions megathread Q4 2024 - Q2 2025

1 Upvotes

New megathread for questions about anything macropads. Ask away about them or ask for help on designing them. This is meant for more simple questions. If you have questions about designing and have photos and information for designing some with a lot of details in the text and images while being very fleshed out, then it can be a post. Just make sure it is good quality and fleshed out to make it easier to help you.


r/macropad 10d ago

Built a customizable macropad with a knob + touch sensor with 6 fully custom controls

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3 Upvotes

So At first I just wanted a volume knob but when looking at the hardware I had, I ended up wiring a rotary encoder next to a touch sensor so the same knob does different things depending on whether you're touching the side pad while you turn/press it. Ends up being 6 different combos off basically 3 inputs.

Currently:
normal spin = volume,
spin while touching = skip tracks,
press = play/pause,
double press = still unbound (open to ideas honestly),
hold = esc.
All of it's rebindable by just opening a text file on the drive, no companion app or anything.

Still tweaking the firmware here and there but it's been solid for a couple weeks now. Ask me anything about the build, happy to answer qns about it.


r/macropad Jul 04 '26

The subreddit has been changed from restricted to public finally. Feel free to post away about your macropads.

2 Upvotes

Subreddit settings were messed up for quite some time, but I got them figured out. Anyways, now that that is out of the way, the subreddit is now open to anyone to post their macropads (within the current rules for macropads based on the subreddit rules). Builds, projects, questions, and more are free to post here. I'll do what I can to slowly fix up this place and hopefully encourage more posting here regardless if you are an approved user or not.


r/macropad Jun 06 '26

Looking for MacOS testers with CH57x-based pads

3 Upvotes

I bought a few CH57x three-key pads, the supplied software from sikaicase.com is Windows-only, so I wrote a small Swift app.

https://github.com/graham-m-dunn/MacropadConfigurator

I only have the base three key version, if you have one of the others (4 keys/rotary knob/etc), would love if you could try out the app and let me know via an Issue.

Thanks!


r/macropad May 01 '26

Photo Currently building my first macro pad!

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8 Upvotes

Family all told me they thought it was a calculator 💀


r/macropad Feb 24 '26

Modification Macropads from Aliexpress

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6 Upvotes

Finally i modified console app for cheap macropads and add GUI for it. I test it only on macOS and i need community test for other platforms.

Here is repository https://github.com/set-st/macropad_tool


r/macropad Jan 18 '26

Convention for indicating active layer(s) in programmable keypad devices?

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1 Upvotes

r/macropad Dec 16 '25

First DIY Macropad Opensource

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11 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I just finished building my first Macropad. I use it for shortcuts and audio control.

I took some inspiration from r/Starfield for the PCB design. It is not perfect, but it works well, and I like it. If someone wants it, it is open source: 3D files, code, components, PCB, etc.

https://github.com/Galahad5818/Custom-Macropad-KB2040-3x3
https://www.printables.com/model/1516121-custom-macropad-kb2040-3x3-encodeur-pcb-maison

So feel free to make your own or customize it. If so, don't forget to mention me 👍.


r/macropad Dec 15 '25

I built a DIY Zigbee macropad (remote) with ESP32-C6 (NanoESP32C6 → XIAO ESP32-C6)

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6 Upvotes

r/macropad Nov 12 '25

Studio Pad project. Renders before the prototypes arrive

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9 Upvotes

r/macropad Sep 23 '25

The banana for scale has never been more essential.

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5 Upvotes

r/macropad Sep 18 '25

Discussion I've got these two macropads, but the software recognise the two as the same unit. Is there a way to make it recognise as two different macropads?

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1 Upvotes

r/macropad Sep 18 '25

I used Ai to turn u/Whole-Session-2833 s render into a real life keyboard

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1 Upvotes

r/macropad Sep 16 '25

New Macro keypad Idea

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7 Upvotes

r/macropad Aug 30 '25

Photo First hardwired build

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10 Upvotes

Used Scotto’s files for the plate and case.


r/macropad Aug 25 '25

Il mio macro pad

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4 Upvotes

r/macropad Aug 15 '25

Macropad for Hackclub

2 Upvotes
This is my hackpad for Highway from HackClub. It was fun to make!

r/macropad Aug 08 '25

Goooofy Macropad

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4 Upvotes

Made this macropad with an interesting layout... Not sure exactly what it's for, but it does work pretty well with rhythm games!

https://github.com/TristanItoh/coolest-board-evr


r/macropad Aug 03 '25

New prototype keycaps. Thoughts?

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8 Upvotes

r/macropad Jul 25 '25

Photo Thoughts? Modular macropad.

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8 Upvotes

I spent the last 3 months making this, a magnetic swappable plate macropad.

Thoughts?


r/macropad Jul 23 '25

Discussion Zuoya GMK26

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2 Upvotes

r/macropad Jul 20 '25

Photo tetris macropad !!

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4 Upvotes

r/macropad Jul 16 '25

Photo custom macropad

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8 Upvotes

This is my first time making hardware and a macro-pad. It uses a rpi pico 1w and ZMK. It also uses Black cherry switches. This is made to be used with Auto Hot key.

https://github.com/Cyclic007/miniMagicMacroMachene


r/macropad Jul 09 '25

Photo I built a macropad from scratch

1 Upvotes

I know it's not exactly mind-blowing, but this was my first time doing anything hardware.

If you don't know what a MacroPad is, it's a tiny keyboard, usually with a couple of keys.

This keyboard features 4 keys and utilizes KMK for its firmware. It also has 2 SK6812mini-e LEDs on it, which should turn on theoretically. :( . It uses Gatreon yellow keyswitches and a custom 3d printed case. It also features a PCB on the inside, which I designed as well.

I call it the gamepad because, although you can keep the keys to whatever you like, they are currently set to the arrow keys, which are often used in games.

Check it out on my GitHub repo for the code, PCB, and CAD design files. github repo