About Split Keyboards - Build Guide

TRRS jacks

TRRS jacks allow you to connect the halves of a split keyboard together with a TRS or TRRS cable.

This step is optional.

You should perform this step if you are building a wired keyboard. If not, you can go to the next step using the button below.

Reset buttons

Using a reset button, you can reboot your keyboard and flash new firmware to it.

OLED sockets

OLED sockets allow you to remove the display without desoldering.

Skip this step if you're using a wireless controller. You shouldn't use TRRS cables with wireless controllers. Leaving the power switch turned on when unplugging the TRRS cable on either half will damage the microcontroller, which may render your keyboard unusable.

Your kit will include a set of TRRS jacks. They are used for power and data transfer between the two halves of the keyboard.

A few TRRS jacks in various colours. Your kit will include black ones, but alternative colours are available in our shop.

Its footprint will be located on the board edge, near the microcontroller. It's marked "TRRS": does what it says on the tin!

The footprint for the TRRS jack, showing a white outline and its four pads.

Insert the jack from the top side of the PCB, and secure it with a piece of tape.

The tape prevents it from falling out when you flip the board over. We used kapton tape here, but any tape will do.

Holding the TRRS jack in place using tape.

It does get a little hot! The metal bits showing at the top of the TRRS jack are connected with its pins that you'll solder to the footprint. Those pads do get hot, especially if touching the pin for a few seconds. Don't touch them with your fingers while soldering. If you're not using tape, the hot parts may touch your work surface, so make sure it can handle some heat to prevent melty accidents.

Flip the board over and solder all four pins. Repeat for the other half.

Remove the tape afterwards.

The soldered TRRS jack, looking at the bottom of the keyboard.

Reset buttons

Using a reset button, you can reboot your keyboard and flash new firmware to it.

OLED sockets

OLED sockets allow you to remove the display without desoldering.

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