"Woke" is today's "Socialism". Both are curiously chosen descriptors incorrectly used to suggest a subject is bad, OR correctly used to suggest a dislike of something good. 🤷

It makes *perfect* rage bait. Say a phrase, anyone that understands words is mad, you're now anxiously in "fight or flight".

Strategically anti-woke makes a ton of sense, as long as you value power over people. Unify the "klans" of ostracized hatemongers under a single umbrella. An ironic inclusivity play misread as empathy for those that exclude. You don't even have to be smart to see you're being played. Just question.

After a deeper dive, it seems that the circuit above and membrane PCB buttons sharing a toothed design is a fluke (rather it's a good design that benefits both). Membrane buttons are only close circuits, where pressure sensors emit changes in resistance by flexing the film. Piezoelectric fun times!

This reminds me of aftertouch strips. These odd sensors can detect pressure, and yet there's nothing to them. Just the two leads we measure across, and a black film. You can even cut these strips and solder new leads to them, and they'll work as a standalone pressure sensor. Super cool.

I watched a video teardown of a Korg nanoPad repair, and the velocity sensitive pads work in a way I didn't expect: PCB traces in a zig zag pattern, some black material taped flush to the traces, with a rubber membrane on top. It's practically a membrane keyboard, yet it emits analog velocities. 🤔

I haven't found any low profile hall effect/TMR key switches yet, but yeah it could work. It's a different feeling than that of synth/piano keys or drum pads. Maybe it's all in my head, but I'm more comfortable hitting those with excess force than hitting keyboard keys. 😅

My actual favorite MIDI controllers are the Arturia KeyStep(s). The synth key action feels so extremely nice, I just wish it had drum pads and faders (cough and actually fully supported MIDI passthrough). The pitch & mod-wheel touch strips are a perfectly acceptable way of supporting them I'd steal.

The Gamma synth has an intriguing design, also opting for low profile mechanical keys. I haven't seen any low profile magnetic keys (i.e. TMR, hall effect), but conceptually they could be useful on instruments. BMD's Speed Editor does a lot of things I love too. I'd love a jog wheel. ♥️

That the keys are velocity sensitivity is probably the most important feature to me...otherwise I could just use the typing keyboard. Designs like the Monkey nail the size, but ignoring velocity for a moment I want the feeling of rubbery "tap percussive" buttons, not "data entry" push buttons.

You're probably aware, but just in case, I want to mention that low-profile mechanical switches are a thing, not to mention there are some mechanical scissor switches popping up for a "best of both worlds" (in theory). Pricing and conflicting standards are a problem, but value priced boards exist.

Not something I've noticed, but I always have a gel wrist rest, and I touch-type in DVORAK. By comparison I've had more hand problems from mice than keyboards (i.e. excessive clicking after long Diablo 2 and 3 play sessions, I ache in places I didn't know could ache).

We haven't talked about how the choice of plastics in keycaps changes their sound, but they immediately noticed the duck (ABS) sounded different than their other keys (PBT). 🤓💕🦆

There are even cheaper options on AliExpress, but a comment reminded me that just because a material looks like Killmat doesn't mean it's for acoustic dampening (it might be for insulation).

ALSO some materials might smell. You *DO NOT* want a smelly material in a mechanical keyboard. 🤢

You know, if you watch closely enough, you can see the slightest shift left and right in some of the turns. That makes me think human. But if that's true, I'm disappointed the director didn't request an ease-in-and-out.

Yeah, that's my thought as well, but the motion is so linear that I can't decide if it's human or a motor. 🤔

I'm thinking Gamera is glued to the stick, and there's a motor or crank off camera. The motion is awfully linear, but the clip/scene is short, so I can't decide if it's a human cranking it or not. 🤔