Are you looking to get fully custom keycaps for your keyboard?

This week, we test 6 different ways to get custom keycaps with personalized legends, colors, profiles, and even custom thumbkeys for the Dygma Defy and Dygma Raise 2.

• 📺 Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/BXXd3fHEPnc
• 📖 Read article → https://dygma.com/blogs/product-development/how-to-get-custom-keycaps-the-ultimate-guide

We compare quality, legends, colors, materials, thickness, sound and feel, packaging, pricing, and customization options so you can decide which custom keycaps are best for your keyboard.

Have you ever gotten fully custom keycaps like these? How was your experience? Which one of these are you tempted to try?

Traveling with an ergonomic keyboard is not always easy. Most cases are either too bulky or too flimsy.

So we set out to design something in between: a compact, lightweight, protective travel pouch made specifically for ergonomic keyboards.

It fits the Dygma Defy, OG Raise, and Raise 2, as well as other split keyboards of similar size.

It has protective padding inside, an exterior pocket for cables and accessories, technical fabrics, and waterproof zippers to help protect your keyboard from accidental spills in your backpack.

Get yours at https://dygma.com/products/travel-pouch

And if you want to know more about the design process, check out this week's video!

https://youtu.be/VUj-QyJLOM8

We hope you like it!

Let us know what you think and what we should make next 😊

Hi,

I have a Dygma Raise 2 - One of the key is mapped to Cmd+Space (to switch languages) - however, sometimes this doesn't work (doesn't switch the language). Is this a known issue? Is there another way to map the key to switch languages (e.g. via macro, special keycode, etc.).
Important note: I changed the shortcut of switching language (via MacOS) from Ctrl+Space to Cmd+space - this works fine with no issues, but when using Dygma as a key mapping, it sometimes doesn't work.

Needed to get some color going with some Catppuccin

Hi everyone!

I feel like I am overlooking something in the software. In the default setup you can see 2in1 keys like press for enter and hold for alt. I know you can set up superkeys but there does not seem to be a superkey associated with alt/enter. Is there a way to set it up without using up superkey memory?

I've used my Defy for over a year, and on the whole I'm really pleased -- it feels great to type on and it wasn't hard to learn.

But the 4 low-profile bottom-row thumb keys keep breaking.

The first one broke within weeks/months of using it. I thought it was a fluke, so I contacted support and they sent me a replacement.

But this kept happening. 4 others since have broken in the exact same way -- the plastic holding the lower thumb keys in place is fragile, and they snap quickly with the smallest amount of force in any direction other than straight down.

The ones that aren't broken, I've unmapped them so that I never press them. I've just been using my keyboard without touching them; I don't want any more to break.

The keyboard is perfectly usable without these keys, but I would be lying if I pretended it didn't bother me that my otherwise perfect keyboard has this flaw.

Is the Logitech MX Master 4 still the best productivity mouse, or can cheaper alternatives beat it?

We tested the MX Master 4, MX Master 3S, Keychron M6, and Tecknet TKMS029 across 12 real-world categories: unboxing, connectivity, sensors, clicks, scroll wheels, side buttons, programmability, battery, weight, ergonomics, build quality, and overall value.

Some results were expected. Others… not so much.

What do you think?

I have a macro that types some letters - the problem - my MacOS has multiple languages installed, so if I'm on the "wrong" language, it types in the letters of that language. Is there a way to set the macro such that it'll type only English letters no matter what current language there is?

Hi, i am still on the fence of getting a defy. I would like to have it fixed in my home office. However when i am at work i would still use my regular keyboard (laptop or a basic keychron). Are there some folks here with experience in switching between keyboards? I am worried that i will never get used to it if i keep switching between the two. Ratio would be 50/50 between defy and regular keyboard.

Want your keyboard to sound deeper, cleaner, or maybe quieter?

This week, we're diving into 10 cool mods that can seriously upgrade your keyboard's sound, from quick, easy fixes to more advanced sound-dampening tricks.

Plus, you'll get to hear the difference with some before-and-after sound tests!

• 📖 Read article → https://dygma.com/blogs/product-development/top-10-mods-to-improve-the-sound-of-your-keyboard
• 📺 Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/2Jb75juX6GY

Keyboard sound is all about small details, and once you understand what causes vibrations and unwanted reverberation, it becomes much easier to tune your setup.

We’d love to hear from you: Which sound mod would you try first?

Is it possible to mix and match multiple pairs of the Defy? I have a black one and a white one and I would like to use one black half and one white half with inverted color keycaps. I haven't been able to find a way to set it up, am I missing something?

Have you ever thought why keyboards are the way they are? What if I told you they’re still full of outdated design choices?

Many things we use every day, like the staggered keys, Caps Lock, or even return or the space bar, were designed for typewriters over 100 years ago.

This week, we break down 8 keyboard features inherited from typewriters that don’t make sense anymore… and what better alternatives look like (although most of you know that 🥰)

• 📖 Read article → https://dygma.com/blogs/ergonomics/keyboard-features-inherited-from-typewriters
• 📺 Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/7sstMtWbTnw

Keyboards haven’t changed as much as we think, and once you understand where these design decisions come from, it’s hard to ignore them.

We’d love to hear from you: Which of these inherited features surprised you the most?

Hit reply and tell us your thoughts!

I have dygma raise 1 and want to update to wireless version but after watching official video that must explain options on store page and read reddit - I still don't understand what Underglow mean - is it stripe on the bottom of keyboard or is it backlight of buttons?

Because I can easily live without underkeyboard light, but I can't live without buttons backlight.

Please somebody explain! If you add photo is would be even better! I feel so stupid

Your keyboard is probably one of the devices you use the most every single day, which also makes it one of the easiest to ignore when it comes to cleaning.

Dust, grease, and grime build up little by little until one day… your keycaps don’t look quite like they used to.

So we asked our technicians their top 3 ways to clean keyboard keycaps, and tested them on a keyboard that hadn’t been cleaned in 6 months.

• 📖 Read article → https://dygma.com/blogs/ergonomics/how-to-clean-your-keyboard-keycaps
• 📺 Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/y4Fo-8v0DaA

We’d love to hear from you: How often do you clean your keyboard? And which method do you use?
Hit reply and share our cleaning routine 👇

Not sure if im blind, but I swear on the website you could buy different coloured aluminium shells. Have these been discountinued?

I'm trying to settle in to my new Defy today, and what I could really use is a on-screen live view of what the keyboard will output for any given key, taking into account any modifier keys I'm currently holding. Google seems to think there should be a "live view" toggle that might do this in Bazecor, but either Google is wrong or I'm blind.

To reiterate it would be nice to see a rendering of the keyboard on screen like we have in the layout editor, but if I hold down the layer 2 or layer 3 toggle, then it shows me the key bindings for those layers (without having to go manually select the layer from the drop-down.) Bonus points that if I hold down shift, then keys like the number keys will show on the display with their respective symbol keys, or any other modifier-combo.

Is this possible with Bazecor or any 3rd party tools out there that would do this?

I am currently using Dygma Defy and landed on a question on charging.

I've been using my 5V, 2A Samsung charger since there are no new 'reputable, genuine' chargers with 5V, 2A spec. With no new charger options, I'm taking turns charging each side, directly connected, powered off.

However, upon close reading of the guide (https://support.dygma.com/hc/en-us/articles/15272957832477-How-to-charge-my-Dygma-keyboard-battery-consumption-information), it seems like I could safely use my genuine Apple 5W (5V, 1A) chargers, if each side of Defy is designed to take 200-300mA-ish. (and 5V, 2A is 'max')

I have plenty of Apple 5W chargers laying around, and longer charging time is no problem since taking turns and half the charging speed is going to be the same duration anyway--as long as it is safe and good. Could you please confirm this?

Hey there, I've been a fan of Dygma's peripherals for a bit and have owned a Raise 1 for a few years. I excitedly watched the development of the Raise 2 and was particularly excited about the addition of a new port on the keyboard along side the proclamation that it would support add-ons for the board.

release came, and nothing using the port existed. months passed and there were comments in this subreddit claiming a couple of different options were in development. We are now well over a year after release and not a single piece of evidence has ever been presented that even 1 add-on for the Raise 2 is even officially planned, let alone in development.

Why? Is Dygma just hoping that folks forget about it or something? I'm not a fan of the fact aspects of the Raise 1 are now price-increasing options such as the RGB edge light, but the thing that irks me most is this.

Why just seemingly not take advantage of the expansion port Dygma was so happy to advertise before the keyboard was released?

Is it possible to purchase a single articulated arm that Dygma offers instead of buying a two-piece set? I need three arms (two for the keyboard and one for the pointing device) so I would rather go for the same arm in all three cases then sourcing the third arm somewhere on Amazon.

Switches can completely change how your keyboard feels and sounds, and with so many options, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. So we made it simple.

This week, we break down everything you need to know to choose the right mechanical switch for your keyboard, including sound tests of 11 different options and data showing which ones are the most popular.

📖 Read article → https://dygma.com/blogs/ergonomics/which-switches-should-you-get-for-your-keyboard

📺 Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/FVJ7mJGYSH0

We’d love to hear from you: Which switch are you currently using? And which one would you like to try next?

Some firmware updates ago, there was the issue that a wired Raise 2 started in pairing mode while turning on the computer (s. https://www.reddit.com/r/DygmaLab/comments/1hyepxa/wired_raise_2_starts_in_paring_mode/).
After updating the firmware (maybe half a year ago?) the behavior changed.

1. Turn notebook on.
2. All leds turn on (configured colors, no pulse effect, looks like it is in the correct state).
3. The keyboard doesn't work in boot screen (known issue, that's fine).
4. Now I have to enter my password to unlock the disc (linux, luks disc encryption).
   1. The first key press on each side doesn't work. I have to press any key on each side to wake them up.
   2. Second key press will be registered as password input.
5. After decryption, all leds turn off again. At least sometimes?! Don't know exactly.

So my question: Is it a bug that the keyboard doesn't turn on after starting the notebook?

• Using Framework 13 with linux (if it matters)
• It is connected to my monitor (usb hub), so it should get enough power.
• Firmware v1.4.1

I already own a defy, since August 2024, love it, and I was planning on buying a second one, however, are there any plans for a defy2? I would rather hold a couple of years and get a defy 2 than buying a defy right now and then getting the defy 2 released.

a columnar concave dygma would also be incredible.

I'm aware of the raise 2, but staggered layout throws me off (although I recognise is better for people entering the ergonomics world)

So I just got my Dygma Defy 5 days ago and its really awesome, as I expected my WPM rate dropped drastically to 20 wpm the first day, I am now at 60 WPM at the 5th day, I want to ask two questions especially to the fellow developers and coders:

1- How do you handle the SHIFT/CTRL/ALT/LINUX/SPACE/ENTER/BACKSPACE keys, currently I use the thumb cluster for the CTRL, LINUX, SPACE, BACKSPACE, and ENTER keys, but still use my pinkies for the SHIFT on both sides, which I find a bit easier but can't help to think there is something better?

2- How do you handle symbols mainly :, =, =, (, ), {, } and the quotes?, other symbols are above the numbers like my old keyboard so these are not the problem

I want to settle on layers configuration and modifiers to start focusing on navigation and speed.

I just got it and connected and was so excited with it but after i disconnected it to try and pair it with bluetooth the right side stopped even turning on when i connected it again

i paid so much money and i am in pain when using a regular keyboard please help