The Noisy Cricket (Mini Gaming Keyboard)

A minimal keyboard with just the basic keys for gaming on the go. Mostly targeted at FPS games with a focus on W A S D.

The layout can be customimzed via the QMK firware. The default layout looks like this:

╔═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╗
║Esc│ 1 │ 2 │ 3 │ 4 │ 5 │Del║
╟───┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴───╢
║ Tab │ Q │ W │ E │ R │Enter║
╟─────┴┬──┴┬──┴┬──┴┬──┴┐    ║
║Shift │ A │ S │ D │ F │    ║
╟───┬──┴┬──┴┬──┴┬──┴───┴┬───╢
║Ctl│Fn │ C │ V │ Space │Mut║
╚═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╧═══════╧═══╝

The Mute key is a rotary encoder that also controlles volume.

• KLE

When shopping for key caps, you need the following:

• 7x R4 1u (Esc, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Delete)
• 1x R3 1.5u (Tab)
• 4x R3 1u (Q, W, E, R)
• 1x ISO Enter
• 1x R2 1.75u (Shift)
• 4x R2 1u (A, S, D, F)
• 4x R1 1u (Ctrl, Fn, C, V)
• 1x R1 2u (Space)

Obviously you can ignore the rows when shopping for uniform key caps. 😉

The USB Vendor ID for noisy cricket is 1209 and Product ID is 4237. You can find it here: https://pid.codes/1209/4237/

Build

1. Get all parts

Order PCBs from PCB Repository, Get gerber files here: https://gitlab.com/noisy_cricket/pcb/-/releases/rev2

See BOM here: https://octopart.com/bom-tool/6LG2ivlW

Find cheap SK6812MINI-E here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000475685852.html

Other parts needed:

• Alps EC11 or Bourns PEC11L compatible rotary encoder: https://keycapsss.com/keyboard-parts/parts/59/rotary-encoder-with-switch-ec11?number=KC10028_KS
• Encoder knob: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32744496347.html
• Kailh compatible hot swap sockets: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003166749340.html
• MX compatible keyboard switches: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005209738936.html
• Threaded inserts M2x2 (OD 3.2mm): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004873154281.html
• Screws
  • M2x4mm: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32810852732.html
  • M2x3mm: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32810852732.html
  • M2x3+3: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003328519584.html
  • M2x3: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002044837898.html
• Cherry compatible keycaps: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004572499792.html

2. Solder PCB

Solder the Microcontroller first with a heat gun or heat plate. Then solder crystal next to it. You'll need t firmly press the crystal down so it makes a good connection. Then solder everything else by hand.

3. Software

Flash QMK firmware from firmware repo: https://gitlab.com/noisy_cricket/qmk-firmware/

git clone https://gitlab.com/noisy_cricket/qmk-firmware/
cd qmk-firmware
git checkout noisy_cricket

Connect the board and execute this:

make noisy_cricket:default:flash
# or with the QMK tool: qmk flash -kb noisy_cricket -km default

4. Case

• Get 3D printable case files from https://gitlab.com/noisy_cricket/cad
• Run make 3mf to generate printable files
• Print upper_case.3mf
• Print lower_case.3mf
• Print plate.3mf or run make dxf and CNC cut plate.dxf out of aluminium or brass
• Optionally: CNC weight.dxf to further increase the weight of the case
• Optionally: CNC the lower and upper case from wood with the included STEP files

5. Finalize

Now put everything together and enjoy your new mini gaming keyboard.

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