# USB Keyboards (HID)

Any standard USB keyboard or numeric keypad can trigger video and lighting clips on the MVP -- no MIDI controller or DAW required.

***

## Connection

Plug a USB keyboard or numeric keypad into one of the MVP's **USB-A ports** on the rear panel.

The MVP detects keyboards automatically. If you plug one in while the system is running, it will be recognized within a few seconds.

***

## Key Mapping

### Video Triggers

Press a key to trigger the corresponding video clip:

| Keys                                    | Clips          |
| --------------------------------------- | -------------- |
| `1` `2` `3` `4` `5` `6` `7` `8` `9` `0` | Clips 1-10     |
| `Q` `W` `E` `R` `T` `Y` `U` `I` `O` `P` | Clips 11-20    |
| `A` `S` `D` `F` `G` `H` `J` `K` `L`     | Clips 21-29    |
| `Z` `X` `C` `V` `B` `N` `M`             | Clips 30-36    |
| `ENTER`                                 | Black Out Clip |

### Lighting Triggers

Hold **Shift** and press a key to trigger the corresponding lighting (DMX) clip:

| Keys                      | Clips                |
| ------------------------- | -------------------- |
| `Shift` + `1` through `0` | Lighting Clips 1-10  |
| `Shift` + `Q` through `P` | Lighting Clips 11-20 |
| `Shift` + `A` through `L` | Lighting Clips 21-29 |
| `Shift` + `Z` through `M` | Lighting Clips 30-36 |
| `Shift` + `Enter`         | Black Out Clip       |

***

## Visual Layout

The mapping follows the standard QWERTY keyboard layout, reading left-to-right, top-to-bottom:

```
┌───┬───┬───┬───┬───┬───┬───┬───┬───┬───┐
│ 1 │ 2 │ 3 │ 4 │ 5 │ 6 │ 7 │ 8 │ 9 │ 0 │  Clips 1-10
├───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┤
│ Q │ W │ E │ R │ T │ Y │ U │ I │ O │ P │  Clips 11-20
├───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┤
│ A │ S │ D │ F │ G │ H │ J │ K │ L │   │  Clips 21-29
├───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┼───┤
│ Z │ X │ C │ V │ B │ N │ M │   │   │   │  Clips 30-36
└───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┘
```

> **Tip**: A small wireless numeric keypad makes a great compact 10-button trigger controller (keys 1-0 = clips 1-10).

***

## Dashboard Feedback

When you press a key, the Dashboard shows the trigger event in the **Input Monitor** just like a MIDI trigger:

* The **MIDI display** flashes with the corresponding note number
* The **Event Log** records the keystroke with a "KEYBOARD" label
* The **Status Display** on the device shows the key label and "KEYBOARD"

\[SCREENSHOT: Dashboard Input Monitor showing a keyboard trigger event in the event log]

***

## Enabling Keyboard Triggering

USB keyboard triggering is **always enabled** -- there is no setting to turn it on or off. Any connected USB keyboard will trigger clips immediately.

> **Note**: Keyboard triggering is listed in the **Beta Features** dialog in [System Settings](/6.-configuration/system-settings.md) for informational purposes, but it is always active regardless of whether beta features are enabled.

***

## Limitations

* **36 clips maximum**: The keyboard layout maps to clips 1-36 only. For clips 37-99, use MIDI triggers.
* **Simultaneous with MIDI**: Keyboard triggers work alongside MIDI and timecode. However, when timecode is actively driving playback, keyboard triggers (like any manual trigger) are suppressed.
* **Key repeat**: Holding a key down does not re-trigger the clip continuously.

***

## Use Cases

* **Backup trigger method**: Keep a small USB keypad connected as a fallback if your MIDI controller has issues.
* **Simple shows**: For shows with 10 or fewer clips, a wireless numeric keypad is all you need.
* **Crew control**: Hand a labeled keypad to a stage crew member for simple video/lighting cue triggering without MIDI knowledge.
* **Tech rehearsal**: Quickly test clips during setup without needing to open a DAW.

***

## Related Pages

* [Video Configuration](/2.-video-setup/video-configuration.md) -- Assign video files to clip slots
* [Lighting Configuration](/3.-lighting-setup/lighting-configuration.md) -- Assign DMX clips to lighting slots
* [Triggering Overview](/5.-triggering/triggering-overview.md) -- All trigger methods compared
* [Hardware Controllers](/5.-triggering/hardware-controllers.md) -- Standalone MIDI controller setup


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://support.4cast.world/5.-triggering/usb-keyboards-hid.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.