Creative and unusual keyboard designs from around the world:

1. Keyboard Pillow: This cool keyboard doubles as a pillow, allowing you to sleep on your computer after browsing your favorite website.

2. Collectible keyboard: Cool innovative keyboard concept designed by Yoonsang Kim and Eunsung Park. It can fold up like a fan when not in use.

3. Glass Keyboard: The concept designed by Kong Fanwen is supposed to work with a small camera that monitors the movement of the fingers.

4. Virtual keyboard: It projects a full keyboard onto any flat surface. The keyboard is compatible with any device that has Bluetooth - smartphone, laptop, iPad.

5. Scrabble Keyboard: All keys of this keyboard are suitable for playing Scrabble.

6. Optimus Popularis: compact keyboard where each key shows its current function.

7. Keyboard Pants: Designed by Erik De Nijs, these cool jeans come with an integrated keyboard. The Beauty and the Beast pants combine technology and fashion. The pants also have built-in speakers and a wireless mouse.

8. Steampunk Keyboard: This beautiful retro keyboard is fully functional.

9. OrbiTouch keyboard without keys: An alternative to the standard keyboard.

10. Huge Keyboard: Designed by Maurin Donneaud. You can type with your feet on this keyboard.

11. Waterproof Keyboard: This keyboard is no different from regular keyboards, except that it can be washed.

12. Personalized Keyboard: This keyboard, which prints in full color, can be purchased for $50.

13. Wooden Keyboard: This keyboard is one of a series of wooden peripherals created by the Japanese company Marubeni Infotec. The series includes keyboards, flash drives, a memory card reader and a USB hub.

14. Flexible Keyboard: This backlit flexible keyboard is very easy to carry around.

15. Gold Keyboard: This keyboard is made from real gold by KYE.

The main tool of any person working at a computer most often has the most common design. I'm talking, of course, about the keyboard. Flat, one-color, more than a hundred buttons. The difference is only in the details: some have a broken keyboard from Microsoft, others have a calculator, others have a separate block of multimedia buttons, but they all look alike like water drops in the Pacific Ocean. Let's take a look at what keyboards might look like if designers were given free rein.

In general, this keyboard satisfies all the standard requirements that I described in the announcement. Absolutely flat, solid blue and has 102 standard keys. There is only one "but" - after finishing the work, you can roll it up and put it in your pocket. This way, you can always carry around your keyboard that you are used to and connect it to laptops with their uncomfortable keys.

Such a keyboard will be useful if you need to urgently prepare an article in a harsh climate. The keyboard is worn on the hand and has a standard qwerty layout. On the other hand, if you show up with such a wristband in the office and start working actively on it, you will most likely be taken for a lunatic.

This fantastic keyboard will take you about 10 minutes to get used to, and you're unlikely to want to wean it back, no matter how fantastic it looks. It is suitable for people with diseases of the hands due to its superergonomics. Looks exactly like a set from a sci-fi movie.

This sample is clearly from other science fiction films, those in which the main characters have 12 tentacles instead of arms. It didn't take long for me to figure out how to work with it. The developers claim that the main idea that drove them in the process of designing this keyboard was in the most relaxing environment for the hands, compared to traditional claves. And it seems to me that the developers just wanted to show off, they obviously succeeded.

It's getting weirder and weirder, right? The laser device will project the keyboard directly on the table or any other flat surface and interpret the movements of the fingers into text, which will be transmitted directly to the PDA or any other device to which you connect it.

6. Toad

The developers called this small, really small keyboard “frogpad”, however, it’s hard to call it a keyboard either. The manufacturer believes that with enough practice in typing on it, you can achieve a speed of 40 words per minute. Doubtful success. By the way, does anyone understand why she was called "toad"?

7. The Twiddler 2

Do you like to type sms? Here's a keyboard that looks just like mobile phone unless you can't call her. Put it on your hand and type texts. It is said that it will take all weekend to get used to this device, and after that you will be able to type at speeds up to 30 words per minute. Is zhabiatura better, what do you think?

8. The Orbitouch

It seems that the aliens still visited our sinful earth and left behind such a device that can certainly travel in time, distort space and reach speeds higher than the speed of light. But earthly scientists were able to extract from it only the function of typing. Each of the two knobs has eight positions, and through various combinations, letters and numbers are entered. Joking aside, the keyboard will help people with limited finger mobility, but be that as it may, it looks fantastic.

9. The Datahand

This keyboard (is it a keyboard?!) is designed for those who have pain in their fingers when typing on traditional keyboards. The keyboard looks very strange, like traces of some predator from the cat family. Under each finger are five buttons that are easy to press with a slight movement.

10. The Tidy Tippist

"Keyboard-tablecloth

Isn't it wonderful? Keyboard built into the tablecloth. You can spill coffee on it, crumble sandwiches and scoff in every possible way, and then wipe it with a rag, and it will be like new. The soft surface of the tablecloth will be pleasant to the fingers, so this keyboard is not only unusual, but also very comfortable. Amazing quality for our review today, hehe.

Personal computers are constantly evolving. Not only thanks to technological progress, but also thanks to the individual approach of users to their computers and accessories. It is the latter fact that is the cornerstone for the progress and modernization of the PC industry.

Here is a list of the 25 most unusual keyboards. Some of them have been developed directly by manufacturers to make working with your computer more convenient and productive. And some models are people who want to make their PC different from others.

1. Virtual Laser Keyboard - Virtual laser keyboard

In fact, it is a laser emitter that creates a light matrix of the keyboard, and then determines the sequence of entered characters.

2. TechieTrends Wireless Flexible Keyboard - TechieTrends™ Wireless Flexible Keyboard

The model has a dust and water repellent properties, compact design: it develops, you can take it with you anywhere. Produced in 7 color variations. The keyboard is made of latex, thanks to which it is not afraid to be flooded with liquids (tea, coffee, soda or juice).

There are similar keyboards made of fabric!

3. Apple Wireless Keyboard - Wireless keyboard from Apple

Crafted from aluminum with responsive, low-profile keys and Bluetooth connectivity, this extraordinary keyboard features a sleek and ultra-thin design. This expands the capabilities of the gadget! There is also a wired version of the keyboard.

4. Optimus Maximus Keyboard - Keyboard by Artemy Lebedev

It is an exclusive model from the Art. Lebedev studio with full-color organic light-emitting diodes for programmable keys. In the Optimus keyboard, each key is a separate display, showing exactly what it controls at the moment.

Price: 44 000 r; $1692.31

5. Das Keyboard - Keyboard

The most ordinary keyboard, with one interesting feature: all keys without the usual stickers. A keyboard for true computer fans and keyboard layout experts.

6. Wrist-mounted Keyboard

This keyboard model is attached to the wrist with the help of straps. You can master a new typing style - with one hand! Now you can understand how I used a similar keyboard Predator.

7. Combimouse - Keyboard

This is both a keyboard and a mouse, two in one. It is divided into two parts, the left part is stationary. And the right one includes the functions of the mouse and keyboard.

Price: unknown

8. Comfort Keyboard - Comfort keyboard

This is a whole series of comfortable keyboards that can be ergonomically modified to the angle of your wrists and hands for relieving muscle tension and prolonged comfortable work.

Price: unknown

9. Apple Adjustable Keyboard

This series is the progenitor of comfortable keyboards, produced in the early 90s. The keyboard can be adjusted and has an ergonomic design.

10. Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard - Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard

Keyboard with a slim, modern design and backlit keys. There are three backlight options: blue, red, magenta.

11. Frogpad Keyboard - Frog Keyboard

It is a small wireless keyboard with an unusual design that can be used for typing with one hand, so you can use both the keyboard and mouse at the same time.

12. SafeType Keyboard

The model is more comfortable and ergonomic than standard keyboards.

13. Maltron Ergonomic Keyboard - Maltron Ergonomic Keyboard

This keyboard matches the ergonomics of the hand and fingers as much as possible. Reduces fatigue during prolonged work.

14. TypeMatrix - Keyboard TypeMatrix

The keyboard layout matches the usual one, but has a slightly different layout - modular and perhaps more logical. All this restyling was done to optimize the printing process.

It is stylized as a video game joystick with various buttons. More than 50 words per minute can be used on this truly extraordinary keyboard, not just for toys.

The name fully reflects the meaning: heated keyboard. It has a built-in heating element that warms your hands when you type.

Silent keyboard from Thanko is a standard keyboard with keys that completely isolate sounds when you type. No "typewriter" sounds.

18.Stowaway Ultra Slim Bluetooth Keyboard - Stowaway Ultra Slim Bluetooth Keyboard

The model is a compact, portable version of the keyboard, which can be connected to a PDA for full information input.

19. Luxeed Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard - Luxeed Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard

The keyboard is not only backlit. It is also possible to program the color and frequency with which the backlight lights up.

Twiddler2 is another one-handed keyboard model.

The MyKeyo keyboard is a full keyboard but with a detachable top. Inside the "container" is a compartment for storing small items and personal items.

The gadget is a secondary panel that attaches to any keyboard and gives the input system features similar to a laptop trackpad. The only difference is that the trackpad is controlled by a joystick like a hockey puck.

This keyboard allows you to "customize" an individual working layout - for this there are special keys and stickers for them. The keyboard uses the DX1 principle, in short, you can set a specific sequence of commands for 1 key. You can use not only simple sequences, but also macros.

Here is an ergonomic keyboard made of brass in the style of Steampunk. In addition to a really outstanding design, it has a trackpad.

Price: unknown

The size of this "baby" is approximately 25% larger than the size of the well-known iPhone. It can fit in your pocket! The baby also has a built-in light.

Bonus 26. Functioning “Textile” Keyboard

Although this keyboard is not a commercially available product, it still deserves an honorable mention in the list due to its unique and unusual construction, size and design. “Textile keyboard” is a kind of work of art, it has more than 22,000 keys. The first few rows of keys are functional and you can use them to print, displaying information on the screen.

Bonus 27. “Keyboard Monument”

“Sounds like an acoustic piano” is the best compliment you can give a digital instrument. Today we will talk about choice, or rather, about the main selection criterion - the keyboard.

Working mechanism

Metal strings are stretched over a cast-iron base inside the case. Each key has a hammer mechanism that comes into action when the key is pressed: the hammer hits the string, it starts to vibrate, and we hear the sound. Its volume depends on the strength of the strike on the string, that is, on the force of pressing the key.

Sound production occurs inside a closed space and depends on many factors: wood type, varnish, complex structural features, key mechanics, etc.

In this case, you get a completely natural sound. On this, the advantages of an acoustic piano, perhaps, end. But of the minuses, one can note the large weight and size, the need for constant adjustment and exposure to the influence of the external environment.

The mechanism of sound formation in the piano

Digital pianos do not have complex mechanics, and sound generation occurs through a digital circuit that generates sound.

A good digital piano provides the most realistic acoustic instrument sound and real physical feel of playing the keys. The keyboard of such instruments has a hammer mechanism (weighted keys). At the same time, the keys have the same shape as those of an acoustic piano, and when playing, the feeling of return from a hammer strike on a string is preserved, thanks to the competent design of the keys that imitate this feature.

Playing the digital piano

The history of the creation of the tool

The path to the modern hammer mechanism took more than a dozen years. At first, the keys were light, and thanks to the springs, after pressing, they immediately returned to their original position. Now such keys are used in synthesizers. Later, each key was weighted to achieve a more natural playing feel, while retaining the spring mechanism. And only then did special hammer mechanisms appear that imitate the keyboard of an acoustic piano. They repeat the entire chain of impact - from the key to the hammer, which, in the case of a digital piano, does not hit the string, but on special sensors - sensors. Their number can vary from 1 to 3, which also indirectly affects the nuances of the game. For example, a half-press of a key should sound appropriate, while a super-slow press should make no sound at all.

The operation of the sensors in the piano

Main types of electronic instrument keyboards

Hammer action

It is divided into two types: graduated hammer action and balanced hammer action.

Most digital pianos have a graduated keyboard and are designed to give you the same touch feel as an acoustic piano. The word “graded” means that the keys are pressed a little harder in the lower register, and lighter in the upper register, as in acoustic pianos, where the thickness and length of the strings are different and the pressure on the keys is distributed accordingly. Such a keyboard helps to reproduce all the nuances of timbres with a deep gradation of sound coloring, depending on the strength of the blow.

The balanced hammer action keyboard also provides the feeling of playing acoustic pianos, but without the distribution of pressure from the lower octave to the upper one. Most often it can be found in synthesizers and MIDI keyboards.

Synthesizer (synth action), or organ-type keyboard

The width of its keys is slightly smaller than the piano keys, and are pressed very easily. The synthesizer keyboard, in turn, is dynamic and non-dynamic. On dynamic volume depends on the speed of pressing, that is, on the force of impact. The device is suitable for beginner performers, as well as for those who are well versed in the specific techniques of playing all kinds of synthesizer, organ, and other timbres of various acoustic instruments.

Synthesizer keyboard

Semi-weighted keyboard

Such a keyboard has keys that can be both synthesizer and piano keys in size and shape. However, at the same time, they do not have hammer mechanics, but are simply pressed noticeably harder than in a synthesizer. After an acoustic piano, such a keyboard is easier to use than a synthesizer keyboard.

So, the hammer action keyboard of a digital piano is distinguished by:

88 full-sized keys, different in weight (in the upper case - light, in the lower case - heavy), which is fully consistent with the acoustic counterpart.

Semi-weighted keyboard

Keyboard sensitivity to pressure. The force of pressing the key determines the volume of the note. The sensitivity of the entire keyboard is set by certain presets, most often separate “Touch” buttons are allocated for this function (“Hard” - for expressive play, “Medium” - standard, “Soft” - for children with fragile fingers, and others). In practice, the standard Medium mode is always used.

Velocity sensitivity discretization for each specific key. For example, in some CASIO models, there are 128 options for the strength (or intensity) of pressing a key. This means that the volume levels of the note being played will also be 128. Manufacturers pay great attention to this important nuance, since the ability of the instrument to convey all the colors of the work, its expressiveness or expression depends on it.

Electronic piano with semi-weighted keyboard

Mechanism types

The keyboard is the most important part of the digital piano, so global manufacturers are constantly improving the mechanics of the keyboards of their instruments, patenting and naming them. Consider the most popular of them.

ROLAND

The ROLAND PHA-4 (Progressive Hummer Action) keyboard reproduces the natural feeling of playing a grand piano. It does not have any springs, only a hammer mechanism is provided, which contributes to the realistic resistance of the key. Also, some instrument models have an Escapement function (aftertouch or release), which allows you to convey all the nuances of the Pianissimo and Fortissimo playing. Special soft damping allows for less mechanical noise when played hard.

ROLAND PHA-4 keyboard mechanism

The key cover can be of two types: “under the plastic” or “under the ivory” (Ivory Feel). In the latter case, it is more convenient to play on the keyboard, since even slightly damp fingers do not slip on the surface.

The PHA-4 keyboard is available in three versions: the senior CONCERT, the middle PREMIUM and the junior STANDARD.

YAMAHA

YAMAHA has long and successfully used the GH-3 (Graded Hummer 3) keyboard mechanism in its instruments, in which the number “3” indicates the presence of three sensors on one key, which allows you to more accurately reproduce the intensity of pressing it. It was YAMAHA who became the pioneer in this matter. Now three sensors are installed in devices from other manufacturers.

Keyboard Mechanism GH-3

KAWAI

This is not the most famous in the layman's circles, but one of the best manufacturers of Japanese digital pianos. If you are a classical lover, then KAWAI digital pianos are your choice.

Piano Keyboard KAWAI

The CA (Concert Artist) series of digital pianos use the RM3 keyboard, which has a full-length action key mechanism that is ideal for classical players. A true piano-style keyboard combined with excellent classical piano sound has made this brand very popular in many countries.

Keyboard RM3

The KAWAI CN series uses a keyboard with plastic keys, which is called RH II (Responsive Hammer II). Each key of this mechanism has at least three touch sensors to fully convey the features of any piece of music.

Keyboard with plastic keys RH II

CASIO

With over thirty years of experience in the production of electronic musical instruments, CASIO releases new series of instruments every year, improving their keyboard. Despite the relatively low price, digital pianos, especially the Celviano and Privia series, have very decent mechanics that meet the requirements of a music school teacher. IN latest versions CASIO digital pianos also have multiple sensors per key. Additionally, the "gradation of sensitivity" to the speed of touch (velocity) is divided into 128 parts, which allows you to convey the slightest nuances and character of any work.

Keyboards

Now you know that the mechanics of all kinds of electronic piano keyboards are very complex. Manufacturers pay special attention to it, bringing the key mechanism to perfection in their design workshops.

Basic information MIDI keyboard is a keyboard electronic musical instrument, the most common type of MIDI controller. The MIDI keyboard is an electronic piano keyboard with optional additional controls - in particular buttons and faders, to which the user can assign, for example, various parameters of virtual synthesizers. MIDI keyboards can have a different number of keys and other features. Important Features MIDI keyboards are the ability to determine the strength

Basic information Virginel (virgin) (virgin - maiden, young lady) is a small table-shaped keyboard stringed musical instrument, a kind of harpsichord with one set of strings and one manual (keyboard), unlike the muselar, shifted to the left from the center. The term "Virginel" first occurs in a treatise from the 3rd quarter of the 15th century, where the instrument is described as "having a rectangular shape, like a clavichord, and metal

Basic information The harpsichord is a keyboard stringed musical instrument. A musician who performs musical works both on the harpsichord and on its varieties is called a harpsichordist. Origin The earliest mention of a harpsichord-type instrument appears in a 1397 source from Padua (Italy), the earliest known image is on an altar in Minden (1425). How the solo instrument harpsichord was preserved in everyday life

Basic information Clavichord (from Latin clavis - key) is a small old keyboard stringed percussion musical instrument, one of the forerunners of the piano. The sound on the clavichord is extracted using metal pins with a flat head - tangenots. The range of the clavichord has changed over time. So, initially, it was 2 and a half octaves, from the middle of the 16th century it increased to 4, and

Basic information Keyboard (from keyboards + guitar, tracing paper from English keytar) is a keyboard electronic musical instrument, synthesizer or guitar-type MIDI keyboard. In common parlance - "comb". Keyboards were very popular in the 80s in the domestic and foreign pop scene. One of the advantages of the keyboard is the ability to hang the keyboard on a strap over the shoulder like a guitar, which makes it possible to freely

Basic information Mellotron (from English melody and electronics) is a polyphonic electromechanical keyboard musical instrument. The Mellotron was developed in England in the early 1960s on the basis of Chamberlin. It is the forerunner of digital samplers. The sound is generated by playing tapes, one for each key. Mellotron became widespread in rock music in the 60s and 70s, was later replaced by digital

Basic information Muselare is a small table-shaped Flemish keyboard stringed musical instrument, a kind of harpsichord. It has one set of strings and one manual (keyboard), shifted, unlike the virginal, to the right of the center. Video: Muselaar on video + sound Thanks to these videos you can get acquainted with the instrument, see the real game on it, listen to its sound, feel the specifics of the technique:

Basic information Organ (Latin organum) is the largest keyboard wind musical instrument that sounds with the help of pipes (metal, wooden, without reeds and with reeds) of various timbres, into which air is blown with the help of bellows. The organ is played using several hand keyboards (manuals) and a pedal keyboard. In terms of sound richness and abundance of musical means, the organ

Basic information The Hammond organ is an electromechanical keyboard musical instrument, which is an electric organ. Modern technologies digital signal processing and sampling allow you to accurately reproduce the original sound of the Hammond instruments. There are also a number of electronic organs and synthesizers that qualitatively emulate the Hammond organ. However, players appreciate Hammond's original electromechanical instruments for their special feel and feel.

Basic information A pedal piano is a keyboard musical instrument, a kind of piano equipped with a foot keyboard, similar to an organ. It is known that Mozart played the pedal piano. Works for this instrument were written by Robert Schumann (most famously "Six studies in the form of canons", German: Sechs Stucke in canonischer Form, op.56) and Charles Valentin Alkan. In the 20th century pedal piano

Piano (Italian pianino - small piano) is a keyboard stringed musical instrument, a type of piano in which the strings, soundboard and mechanical part are arranged vertically and not horizontally, as a result of which the piano takes up much less space than a grand piano. The first piano was invented by the American J. Hawkins in December 1800; independently of him, the piano was also designed by the Austrian M.

Basic information A prepared (prepared) piano is a keyboard musical instrument, a kind of piano, the sound of which is created using various objects that are placed on or between the strings or on the hammers; as a result, the piano sound is combined with the percussion sound, creating a special unique sound. The idea of ​​changing the timbre of the instrument by placing various objects was subsequently used in other