Programmable keyboards

Discuss technical issues with keyboards, sound, video cards, etc.

Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker

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dankreider
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Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 6:14 pm
Finale Version: Finale 25.5
Operating System: Windows

Post by dankreider » Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:45 am

Just curious, do any of you use programmable keyboards for your macros?

I have a number of macros I'd like to use for ease of workflow, and I'm considering a programmable keyboard to assign these to custom keys.

Thanks,
Dan
Finale 25.5
Windows 10
Garritan mostly
General Editor at gracemusic.us


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motet
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Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
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Post by motet » Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:56 am

Are you talking about MIDI keyboards or ASCII keyboards? A programmable keyboard is going to be dumb in that it can blast out a key sequence but can't see what's going on. You might investigate AutoHotkey if you're at all technically-inclined. It can wait for windows to open, look at window contents, emulate mouse movements and clicks, etc. In Finale, you often need to wait for a dialog to open, for example, or insert a delay here or there, which a programmable keyboard perhaps can't do. Also look into FinaleScript, which is obviously Finale-aware.

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dankreider
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 6:14 pm
Finale Version: Finale 25.5
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Post by dankreider » Sun Jan 08, 2017 2:15 am

I'm referring to a regular-ol' typing keyboard. It would be nice to have custom buttons assigning macros.

Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-G510s-G ... e+keyboard

18 custom buttons, which can be assigned to any macro. Just wondered if others have had success with something like this.
Finale 25.5
Windows 10
Garritan mostly
General Editor at gracemusic.us

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motet
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Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
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Post by motet » Sun Jan 08, 2017 3:31 am

It looks like that goes through some sort of software on Windows, so maybe it's not as dumb as I said.

at8ax
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Finale Version: PC 2014.5, 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by at8ax » Sun Jan 08, 2017 3:07 pm

I use a Logitech G110, and recommend their products. (I still have my Genovation 24-key pad for backup; you might consider one of those if you want to go the add-on route.)

Jon Delfin

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motet
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Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
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Post by motet » Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:08 pm

I can recommend their products, too. I've used a Logitech "marble mouse" for +10 years, and just replaced my broken Dell keyboard with a Logitech equivalent (vanilla - $10!).

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