Gaming keyboard with macro keys for DAW control?

[undergod12]

 

Posted this query over at the Reaper forums but it is doing a lead balloon. Does anyone use gaming keyboards with macro keys for controlling their DAW? Seems in theory to be a good way of executing common commands but is an expensive gamble for something that may not work.

After the better part of a decade of faithful service, my old Saitek backlit keyboard is no longer working consistently. My requirements in a replacement are fairly meager:

-Full-size w/number pad

-Backlit

-Media keys for transport control

 

While searching for replacement options, I have become intrigued by gaming keyboards with extra rows of macro keys.

Example:

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-64...&keywords=apex

 

I really wish I had snagged the above model last month when Best Buy was blowing them out at $40 to anyone with a .edu email address. At it's current price, I am not sure it is worth 4x the cost of something cheap and cheerful like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Azio-Tri-Color...cklit+keyboard

 

Similarly, is there any benefit to upgrading to one of those multi-button gaming mice in regards to triggering macros within a DAW?

Example: http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Programmable-Buttons-Cartridges-Switches/dp/B00AAQRNQ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1394001574&sr=1-1&keywords=gaming+mouse

[craigdwilliams]

Hey Mate, I use the Razer Nostromo and cant work without it! I use it as an accessory to a regular keyboard, but I find now that my hand hardly leaves the controller when editing! Its nice and comfortable resting my hand on it too. Check out this article I wrote about it: http://www.craigdwilliams.com/using-a-gaming-keypad-to-speed-up-your-daw-workflow/

 

Cheers,

 

Craig

 

[Phil O'Keefe]

Wow - that's a cool and interesting article. Thanks for posting the link Craig.