How a Mechanical Keyboard Works (Matrix and Direct Wiring)

In this video, we will talk about the two methods you can use to wire up a mechanical keyboard, direct wiring and a matrix with diodes. These concepts are the core knowledge you need to start designing your own mechanical keyboards from scratch, both PCB and handwired.

~ Handwiring Tools ~

~ Handwiring Parts ~

~ 3D Printing ~

~ Favorite Cheap Switches ~

~ Social ~

~ Community ~

~ Disclaimer ~
Some links may be affiliate links where I will make a small commission. Nothing in this video was sponsored by any outside party and I wasn't paid for the content in this video.

#mechanicalkeyboard #pcb #kicad

[joe_scotto]

Here it is... the first video in the PCB series. This information is essential to be successful in designing a PCB but once you know it, you're 90% of the way there. I'm sure some people will have questions, so feel free to ask! I'm currently getting ready to release the second video in the next few days, I just have to finish editing it.

[huntercook]

Such a great video. Short and to the point. Beforehand I had understood how you wire a matrix, and even how you tell ZMK what you did...but I didn't understand at all what it was actually doing. Now it all makes perfect sense and it only took three minutes. Thanks a ton!

[francescodesantis]

Can't wait for the design PCB video. I've just built my first handwired keyboard and I'd like to design its PCB

[ssaffann]

You cant understand how much this video helpful for me! Thank you!

[lucassrossi]

OMG I was looking for content like this just a month ago, thanks a lot man!

[dgvigil]

I’m currently building the scottogame for my son and learned a lot in the process. I’m super interested in the next PCB video and expanding my knowledge to that next step.

[corium]

So excited for the PCB series from you! Always such great videos coming from you.

[Tharrinne]

I just started watching so I can't comment on the video itself but that necklace is awesome!

[TannerCh]

Fantastic and straight to the point! Thank you!

[HM-wlut]

Awesome stuff. Thank you so much for introducing me to handwiring keyboards! Your videos have been incredibly helpful, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I was wondering—would it be possible for you to make a video with schematics (similar to the ones used in this video) showing how to connect two split keyboards that use 2 microcontrollers? I think that would be super useful for a lot of people, including myself. Thanks again for all your great content!

[rafaeloda]

Very nice video. +1 sub. Im having difficulties as I need to do a 9x8 matrix however pro micro doesnt have enough pins.
I was looking at that unojoy project and it has a method to upload a firmware into the mega 2560 16u so it can communicate to windows via usb just like leonardo or pro micro.
Do you have any ideas or insights to help me?
Thank you

[THEMithrandir]

If I understand this correctly, a matrix should have issues with multiple keys being pressed at the same time, right? So if you press 0, 0+1, 0 and then add 0, 1 the board wouldn't know if you added 0, 1 or 1, 1 right? Because row 0 and 1 are already active the board won't know which circuit was closed now since they're on the same column. It won't short because of the diodes, but it cannot really know what happend then right?

[Error-x]

I don't understand how this works without the ground. What does the code look like? I don't remember seeing the code in this video. Is there a link?

[justinreddick]

Hey just came across this playlist. Can't get enough of it. I did have a question in regards to the pinout on this micro controller and any other micro controller. How do you figure out which pins on the controller go to a certain switch on the pcb ? Like why is S3 -> PD1 and not another pin?

[desklxmp]

Wouldn't each of the row pins in the matrix need a pulldown resistor so that it goes low after a switch is released?

[RyanFranklinWilliams]

I have a question about the amp -- i have that same amp (as well as most everyhting else you're using, lol) -- as you know the documentation on the amp isn't readily available, and my thought is that i assumed when i messed with the jumpers and got sound all around that i was good with just one of the two connections, but in revisiting the guts of my setup to deal with the android auto issue i discovered that it seems like one input handles left and the other handles right. Im going to redo my connections this week to utilize inputs, but I'm wondering if that tracks, of you can recall.

[Koliiinn]

Just curios, when i want to install led light on the keyboard, do i need to make new circuit for it?

[haf]

ay would you explain Japanese duplex matrix or robin duplex matrix too?

[ronaldsantosluna]

Hello, greetings from Peru, I would like to know which microcontroller to use for a full size keyboard?

[MrPinkDino]

Do you have something about building a dactyl manuform keyboard?