DeepDeck is a fully programmable, wireless, open source macropad with 16 RGB, mechanical keys and two rotary encoders with push buttons. It uses the powerful and versatile ESP32 module to connect to your device via Bluetooth, whether that device runs Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, or something else. You can customize DeepDeck to improve your productivity by programming keys, macros, and shortcuts.
And DeepDeck configuration is easy! You don’t need to install any software. Just activate Configuration Mode, connect DeepDeck to a Wi-Fi access point, and direct your browser to the built-in webserver (much like you would when configuring a home router). And you can do all of that with a smartphone, so you don’t even need a computer!
The Power of a Fully Programmable Macropad
Write code? Easily map DeepDeck’s keys and knobs to frequently used shortcuts in your favorite IDE, be it VS Code, Arduino IDE, Eclipse, or something else. You can use DeepDeck to write code, switch tabs, map bookmarks, move back and forth, etc. Dabble in design? Map different views, layers, and shortcuts in KiCad, Illustrator, Solid Works, and other such platforms. The knobs allow you to configure many of the built-in tools faster and more intuitive than using your mouse or a standard keyboard. Edit audio or video? Improve your workflow by mapping DeepDeck’s knobs to various controls for a clean, fluid experience when using Reaper, Adobe Premier, etc.
More Than Just a Macropad
There are plenty of cool macropads out there, and we didn’t set out just to create one more. A few of the key principles that informed our design were:
Make it usable anywhere. There should be no dumb compatibility problems between DeepDeck software and the Windows, Linux, or MacOS operating systems…
Make it easy to configure. Everything should be programmable through DeepDeck’s built-in webserver, which you can access using any device with a browser.
Make it useful on its own. While a macropad is typically something you plug into to something else, we wanted DeepDeck to work by itself as well. With Wi-Fi support and a level of programmability that allows it to interact with any third-party API, DeepDeck can do its job even without being connected to another device. Add a to do item in Notion or Jira, for example, then review your tasks and mark them complete where appropriate. Or connect via IFTTT and use DeepDeck as a home-automation control panel!
Available Pre-Assembled or as One of Four Different Kits
DeepDeck
A fully assembled version of the Deluxe Kit, ready to roll.
The Deluxe Kit
Comes with everything you nefed to assemble your Deep Deck quickly and easily. Includes an OLED screen, transparent keycaps, white Gateron switches, and a gesture sensor.
Features & Specifications
- 4 x 4 (16 total) interchangeable, hot-swappable mechanical keys
- Two rotary encoders with push buttons
- RGB LEDs on each key
- RGB LEDs on encoders for additional feedback
- Programmable RGB interactions
- Expansion ports to integrate other sensors (like a gesture sensor)
- 64 x 128 OLED screen
- Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (via ESP32)
- Battery powered
- On-screen menu for basic set up
- Complete web-based interface for full customization of keys, macros, etc.
- Can use APIs to connect to a wide variety of online services
Comparisons
| DeepDeck | Creator Micro | MacroPad RP2040 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | DeepSea Developments | WorkLouder | Adafruit |
| Microcontroller | ESP32 | Probably atmega328 | RaspberryPi RP2040 |
| USB Type-C | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No | No |
| QMK support? | QMK-like | Yes | Yes |
| Number of keys | 16 | 12 | 12 |
| OLED screen | Yes | No | Yes |
| Number of knobs | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Hot-Swappable? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Individual RGB Lights | Yes | No | Yes |
| Open Source | HW + SW | SW only | HW + SW |
| Price | $70 | $129 | $50 |
Support & Documentation
DeepDeck is fully open source. You can find our source code and design files in the DeepSea Developments GitHub organization, which includes:
We also have a project wiki, more images, and a 3D PCB render for you to check out. And, if you have questions, please feel free to reach out using the appropriate link below.
Manufacturing Plan
We plan to handle manufacturing ourselves. We have experience producing over 3,000 devices, including EV trackers, EV chargers, and smart-energy meters. PCB assembly will take place here at our offices, in Colombia, where we have two pick-and-place machines. We will of course test all DeepDeck products to ensure they are of the highest quality before sending them out to backers.
Fulfillment & Logistics
Once final assembly, testing, and packaging are complete, all DeepDeck products will be shipped to Mouser Electronics for fulfillment. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
Risks & Challenges
The recent chip shortage has been a real challenge for everyone who works in electronics, but we designed DeepDeck with this challenge in mind. If one of our components is unavailable, as we approach production, we have the capacity to redesign the product as necessary to accommodate replacement parts and to quickly ensure that everything still works as it should. (Fortunately, the one component that would be especially difficult to replace—the ESP32 at the heart of DeepDeck—has plenty of quantity in stock everywhere we’ve checked, so we’re not too worried about that one.)
As far as we’re concerned, our biggest challenge is making sure that DeepDeck continues to evolve. It’s pretty cool as it is, but we’re doing everything in our power to nurture a thriving community of users with all of the resources it might need to share key layouts, add sensors, improve firmware, and come up with new ways of using DeepDeck that we didn’t imagine!
