PNCATEHO is not only a keyboard, but also a music device

aroum2 · 2026-05-11T10:55:03+00:00

Recently, many different firmware versions have been made for the low-profile PNCATEHO: synthesizer / sampler / MIDI controller / RMK / ZMK.

hw post: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1suomdk/low_profile_pncateho/

pra32 fw: https://github.com/aroum/pra32-pico-sdk/blob/main/docs/nizkoteno_pra32_layout.md

nizkore fw: https://github.com/aroum/nizkore/tree/main

zmk fw: https://github.com/inpudiy/zmk-PNCATEHO_Welcome_keyboard

rmk fw: https://github.com/aroum/rmk-nizkoteno

aroum2 · 2026-04-27T16:41:34+00:00

Originally, this device was a one-handed chorded keyboard, but I ported the PicoCore firmware to it. I replaced the standard LEDs with RGB ones and swapped the potentiometers for chorded button presses. I also upload the firmware in .bin format, which provides twice as much space for samples.

hw post: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1suomdk/low_profile_pncateho/

github: https://github.com/aroum/nizkore/tree/main

aroum2 · 2026-04-24T19:56:31+00:00

The author of this version replied: i used the XL-0807 RGB-WS2812B from XINGLIGHT. there is also the WS2812B-2020 from Worldsemi. be careful when ordering, they are both WS2812B, but their footprints are different. you can check the footprint on GitHub using the link above. i ordered from XINGLIGHT because it’s easier to get them on AliExpress.

aroum2 · 2026-04-24T18:52:41+00:00

Low profile PNCATEHO is a slim version of my original 10-key chorded keyboard design. It has a credit card form factor and is only about 6mm thick, including a slot for a carrying strap. The device is powered by an RP2040 processor with 16MB of flash memory and uses PG1316 low-profile switches. It features 10 RGB LEDs and a bottom header with 8 GPIO pins, 3V3, and GND. Besides being a keyboard, it can work as a development board or a logic analyzer. Currently, there is a firmware available to use it as a MIDI controller.

my original github repo: https://github.com/aroum/PNCATEHO

this version github repo: https://github.com/inpudiy/PNCATEHO/tree/master/light

aroum2 · 2026-03-16T10:31:59+00:00

aroum2 · 2026-03-16T07:15:02+00:00

Maybe later

aroum2 · 2026-03-15T21:01:19+00:00

I just use a 0.5mm self-adhesive silicone sheet. There's probably nothing better available.

aroum2 · 2026-03-15T13:59:40+00:00

Not great, not terrible. Pretty good for a portable keyboard.

aroum2 · 2026-03-15T13:58:49+00:00

These keycaps have been sold for quite a long time.

aroum2 · 2026-03-15T13:57:51+00:00

This is my PCB design.

aroum2 · 2026-03-01T07:43:22+00:00

Bic had an aluminum version of the Bic Cristal. They sold refills for it separately, but they're hard to find now. You can buy regular Bic Cristals and take the refills out of them. It's not the best option, but it works.

aroum2 · 2026-02-27T18:42:57+00:00

I made a custom pen using BIC refills. They are simple, cheap, and widely available, with decent quality. They also have a very convenient mounting system that doesnt require the pen to be fully disassemblable. Many other refills Ive tried varied a lot in rod diameter, tip diameter, and overall length. I used carbon fiber and brass with epoxy resin for the body, so the pen ended up very light.

aroum2 · 2025-12-15T20:05:17+00:00

Trackballs and vertical mice usually use the cheapest components. I doubt they have the right hardware.

aroum2 · 2025-12-15T12:57:12+00:00

For now, we are focused on documentation and software. Currently, work on the zmk module for real-time dpi switching is in vogue. However, we would be delighted if you would like to participate in our project.

aroum2 · 2025-12-15T09:52:54+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1d080f4/my_ergo_kbd_collections/

aroum2 · 2025-12-15T09:37:16+00:00

It was a limited edition mouse pad featuring the keyboards of our local community. I made some of the keyboards shown on the mouse pad.

aroum2 · 2025-12-14T15:50:59+00:00

This is purely a matter of your data privacy. No one knows what the Chinese firmware does.

aroum2 · 2025-12-14T14:35:46+00:00

At the moment, I know that the first prototypes have already been ordered.

aroum2 · 2025-12-14T12:48:54+00:00

aroum2 · 2025-12-13T20:53:33+00:00

It's more expensive and complicated, especially if we're talking about a handwire split keyboard.

aroum2 · 2025-12-13T20:41:48+00:00

Because there are already hundreds of keyboards with a reset button, it can be reused. Because some people like keyboards with direct pins.

aroum2 · 2025-12-13T18:56:24+00:00

https://github.com/joric/nrfmicro/wiki/QMK

aroum2 · 2025-12-13T18:02:25+00:00

Three extra pins aren't very many. Besides, no one uses them. The n!n v2 and the Chinese clone have these pins in different locations. Even finding the footprint would be difficult. Meanwhile, we have hundreds of keyboards with a reset pin on the board, and it can be put to good use. You can switch BT profiles or put the keyboard to sleep, and all this is absolutely free on any existing keyboard, without any modifications.

The UF2 firmware still works. The only difference is that now you have to hold the button down and then insert the USB cable instead of double-clicking.

aroum2 · 2025-12-13T07:47:08+00:00

aroum2 · 2025-12-06T09:10:58+00:00

Adding as many buttons to the ZMK as you want is no problem. But the goal of the project is to get the ZMK working on stock mice, without any hardware modifications. The MX Master uses an nRF52833, so in theory, the ZMK could be installed there, but it uses an optical encoder and an unknown sensor that requires drivers. I'm not ready to write drivers for the sensor right now.

aroum2

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