#even the knobs. like it has an M on it in their font and i thought abt if there would be a way to switch out the volume knob on my keyboard

[king-of-kaoss]

do you guys ever go on the manson guitar works website to drool over the guitars and come across things you want so bad but have no use for because you don't know how to play guitar

[kfcdoubledown]

I bought an 8bitdo Retro mechanical keyboard!

(Picture not mine, source from PC World.)

I wanted a plastic keyboard, I really do not actually use the knob on a Keychron board I have, it still comes in a scooped keycap profile, and it has a companion numpad with a calculator built in. Win/win/win!

This keyboard comes in four designs (not colorways, full designs) themed after the NES, the Famicom, the IBM Model M, and the Commodore 64 keyboard. The NES keycaps have multiple different fonts on them, the Famicom keycaps have Japanese sublegends, the Model M keycaps have a mock stepped Caps Lock key, and the Commodore 64 keycaps are an apparently off-the-shelf SA set from one of many, many, many keycap companies floating around China (I recognize their font and profile shape from Akko ASA keycaps and numerous other scooped profile keycap sets you can have cheaply off of Aliexpress and Amazon. Do check those out, genuinely, you'd struggle to find a bad scooped keycap set these days and I love scooped profiles over Cherry and OEM.)

The build quality of the actual keyboard itself is good, feels like a very similar plastic blend to what 8bitdo uses for its controllers like their Pro 2. Stabilizers are smooth and don't rattle, the legends on the keycaps are reasonably sharp and in NES-appropriate font, the keycaps themselves are MDA profile (I would prefer SA, but beggars can't be choosers) and are somewhat thin but still good quality, dye-sublimated PBT, no warp on the spacebar. Arrow keys are a separate color from the two tones that make up the main keycap set and made to resemble a d-pad. The keyboard itself is somewhat light, but my perception is skewed from using a metal keyboard for a long time, and this is after all a plastic shell, top-mounted keyboard. Even so I think I'll probably end up cracking open the keyboard and putting in some liquid silicone as noise-dampening and additional weight.

Two knobs control both wireless functionality and computer software volume, the wireless knob is heavy with only three options while the volume one is light with many individual steps. The volume knob can be somewhat unresponsive on individual steps. Bluetooth is very responsive and wants to pair with my computer the moment it's flicked over to, and 2.4ghz wireless comes with a receiver that slots into the back of the keyboard magnetically for storage. A power light on the right of the keyboard mimics the NES power light and pulses while charging, is steady while using wireless or when fully charged and connected over USB.

The underlying PCB is south-facing hotswap sockets (who the hell cares their orientation, this only matters for lighting, which this keyboard doesn't have). By default the keyboard comes with Kailh box whites, a very light clicky switch. I yanked them out immediately and put Boba U4T tactiles in because they're the king of all switches. They thunk nicely in this chassis, the Kailh whites weren't slouches either, they did pick a good stock choice for switch without resorting to Gateron or Outemu blue horseshit.

The NES version of the keyboard came with a two-button macro pad that hooks over TRRS cable (you recognize it as a 3.5mm jack or headphone cable) to one of four ports on the top-right of the keyboard. These are essentially just two keyboard switches with giant keycaps on a separate board and the buttons are populated by Gateron greens. The switches are nowhere close to heavy enough to approximate a button, and I gave them Kailh box navies. Still not enough, but better.

These keyboards also come wiiiiiith a companion number pad!

(Picture credit the 8bitdo store.)

While I don't actually have this one in hand just yet I do have it on order. It looks like it'll be about the same build quality as the main keyboard, and it caught my eye for four reasons and ended up making me purchase the full set as a result:

The numpad has a built in calculator.

Same aesthetic choices as the main keyboard (NES, Famicom, IBM Model M, Commodore 64)

Magnetically attaches to the right side of the keyboard to transform it into a more era appropriate full-size.

Far and away the cheapest wireless mechanical numpad with calculator on the market, sitting at $45.

An important note though is that the Famicom and NES keypads don't attach to their respective keyboards, simply because their respective keyboards don't have magnets inside the sides of the chassis to allow for it. I have some cheap button magnets laying around that I'll use for this purpose and probably see if they're strong enough to be placed on the inside of the board and allow for the numpad to connect to it. I also imagine there's going to be a repop or v2 of this keyboard in the future that has this done already, seeing as the Commodore 64 version of the board and I believe the Model M version of the board already have that.

I'll reblog this and give some actual definitive thoughts on the numpad once it's in my hands.

As far as the board itself is concerned, I quite like it. The keycap profile is agreeable, the nostalgia pandering targeted me with laser precision, the board sounds quite good acoustically (especially for being a top-mount keyboard!) and it has a volume knob I'll see if I can reprogram some day. While I normally hate TKL layouts, I'm putting up with it because it will eventually be a fullsize with the numpad. Worth $150 total? Don't know, can't answer that for you, it's worth it to me but I very specifically wanted a keyboard themed after an old Nintendo console with no setup required and no chasing down or commissioning GMK keycap sets. I also wanted a calculator numpad.

[clumsycalumblr-blog]

Gotta Go My Own Way 4 | Calum Hood

I am incredibly sorry for the delay. I’ve been so busy with my life recently (shocker) and I will also be busy my spring break next week so I don’t think I’ll have time to write the finale to WNCIL :( But this time I will keep you guys updated so I don’t disappoint. Enjoy.

Previous Parts 1 2 3

Calum’s POV

Coming back from Mr.Jackson’s room, I hid the piece of paper, that could potentially ruin the relationships around me, under my set of clothes laid out for our gig tonight. It was folded small enough to not be seen underneath my green t-shirt, but as soon as I laid the shirt down on top of it, I heard the knob to the door start to turn. My head whipped around to find the boys and Y/N, her smile still sat on her face as she laughed at something Luke said. I straightened up and leaned my back against the table our stuff was set on, my hands clutching the white painted wood. I flicked my head at them, a signal of ‘what’s up’, and watched as the boys all started to grab their stuff and start getting ready to warm up a little before soundcheck.

“Let’s get ready buddy, soundcheck’s in about 2 hours!” Ashton yelled, throwing my some hairspray to make my hair look more appealing than it was right now. Since the meeting, my hands have just been running through it, the anxiousness hitting me hard.

Y/N came and stood by me, grabbing the bottle and a comb from behind me and smiled softly at me. She sprayed a little bit of hairspray on the comb and lightly fluffed it through my thick hair. She almost at to stand on her tip toes, but she was and has always been the perfect height for me. All the negative and anxious feelings that built up inside of me seemed to vanish when I looked into the light of her eyes. She was too busy focusing on my hair, when all I could do was smile. She noticed my focus, and blushed before pulling the comb away to look at her masterpiece. 

Her hand reached up behind my neck at the baby hairs I had, and slightly tugged on them. The boys had now left the room to find their instruments, leaving the two of us together. My hands found their way to her waist, my fingers rubbing at the cotton shirt material. 

“My handsome Calum...” My smile only grew bigger. Y/N had always been that way with me. She knew how insecure I could get sometimes with Ashton being the buff guy in the band, Michael being the bad boy looking type, and Luke being the fan favorite. There were days when I would just want to hide away from the world because no one ever cared for me. I felt overlooked and under appreciated, but Y/N helped bring that confidence back into myself, reminding me pretty much everyday of how handsome, built, and talented I was. I leaned in and captured her lips with my own and molded them. She instantly melted into me, bringing her other hand to drape over my neck and shoulder. Her chest lunged and pressed up against me, only deepening the very needed kiss. I felt her moan into my mouth, causing me to leave a trail of light kisses from her jaw line to the edge of her collarbone, something I know drives her crazy.

“Calum...” she whispered, “I’m s-sorry I finished the song w-without you...” This caused me to teethe at the skin of her neck, leaving red streaks.

As a second moan escaped her lips, we heard 3 big bangs on the door, followed by a shrieking girl voice. 

“Calum! C’mon! The boys are already out here!” A loud, annoyed sigh came out of my mouth, as my forehead landed on Y/N’s shoulder. I could feel her body tense up beneath me, and her skin started getting warm. I rubbed my hand on her lower back to reassure her that there was nothing to worry about, but in reality, she had everything to worry about. 

“It’s okay Cal...go get ready for soundcheck, I’ll be on the sides in a little bit.” I lifted my head, my eyes landing on her understanding smile. 

“We’re not finished though.” I smirked, trying to lighten up the ruined mood. Y/N only chuckled at my stupidity, and nodded. I lightly kissed her forehead, and then sprung off the table heading for the door. As I turned the knob, I looked back one last time to see her with arms crossed, watching me.

“Don’t forget, I love you.” We both smiled widely, and she said I love you back.

Y/N’s POV

I turned back towards the table, only to see that Calum’s clothes were still in the room, and now on the floor. I knelt down and carefully picked up his clothes, but suddenly a white piece of paper fell out under his shirt. I set the clothes on the table, a curious look laid upon my face, my eyebrows scrunching together.

It was slightly crumpled, and had tiny font, to the point where I had to bring the paper closer to my face than usual. I saw it was addressed to Calum, but the sentences that I saw in fragments nearly destroyed the butterflies he left in me only a minute ago.

“...solo career...break away from 5 Seconds of Summer...front singer of Hey Violet...great career move...” and so much more was written in this document. My hand fell over my mouth, shocked and disgusted that Calum had this paper basically signing his life away to Hey Violet, to Nia, from 5SOS...from me. I felt utterly sick reading the contract, reading all the perks he could have if he left his band, how much he would be paid, the places he’d travel, the ‘more’ opportunities he could have as a solo artist. But none of that would matter if he didn’t have Luke, Ashton, or Michael. I wasn’t mad so much at the fact that he’d be leaving me, but the fact that he’d be leaving the 3 main people who worked so hard along side him to have their dream of playing arenas for adoring fans a reality. He didn’t stick with them because he knew they could potentially become famous, but because he wanted to conquer the world with them by his side. But ever since Nia came along, she’s tried corrupting Calum, and trying to make him fall for the fame and money, like he promised never to do. And it was almost as if my biggest nightmare, had become a reality.

Soundcheck was just now finishing up, Hey Violet and the boys both emerging backstage since they were both out there. Everybody was all smiles and laughs talking about the funny fan questions, reactions, and signs that they saw from their adoring audience. However, I was sitting on the corner of the couch on my phone, my back pocket burning where the Calum’s contract was. The other 3 boys sat around me, nudging me to see what was wrong, but my eyes only laid on Calum who was laughing it up with Mr.Jackson and Nia, of course. His back was turned to me, as I felt tears start to form in my eyes.

“Wait...Y/N what’s wrong...” Luke whispered lightly in my ear, the other boys leaning in to listen. I shook my head, pulling out my phone and clicking on the picture of the contract I took, showing it to all of them. They’re not only his best friends, but his bandmates and business partners, they deserve a right to know even if it’s not from him.

Luke’s hands balled up into fists, Michael’s face was almost as red as his hair, and Ashton only began to get as watery eyed as I did as they read the dreaded contract. They all looked at him with stares as deadly as daggers, but his back was still turned, oblivious.

“Do you actually have this? Because if you don’t, this is a really sick prank Y/N.” Ashton said sternly. I shook my head defensively, pulling out the folded piece of paper quickly before stuffing it into my back pocket again.

“Why would I fucking lie about this Ashton? He’s been hiding it from us!” I scream whispered. 

“When did you find it? Where did you find it?” Michael asked.

“Today, under his shirt for the set. He was trying to hide it away so nobody would know that he’s fucking leaving.”

“C’mon, Calum may be stupid sometimes but I don’t think he’d be willing to give up the band like that. He wanted this more than any of us, he wanted the band to grow together and get to where we are now as a group, best friends, brothers. He wouldn’t dare leave us.” Luke defended.

“Then why did he hide it from us? Why didn’t he just flat out say no and not take the contract then? Why did he take it in the first place, and then sneak it past us, thinking we wouldn’t ever find out about it? Luke, this isn’t just your best friend, but mine also. Calum is everything to me. I know him as well as you guys, and even I know,” I sighed, before the next sentence came out, “the benefits are just too great. Calum is so straight-forward, if he really didn’t want to take the offer, he wouldn’t have even taken the contract.” 

As my voice died out, we heard behind us the convo of Calum, Mr.Jackson and Nia. Mr.Jackson had left momentarily before hustling back out to the small ‘living room’ we were all hanging out in. There was a huge guitar-bass like case in his right hand, and he set it down at Calum’s both, both him and Nia smiling proudly.

“Open it son. It’s a gift from all of us here.” Mr.Jackson smiled.

Calum carefully bent down and opened the case, revealing a new jet black glossy finished bass, clean and obviously expensive. Calum held it in his hands as if it was a new born baby, gocking at it’s new fine beauty. He was speechless, and beside me I heard all 3 of the boys groan to themselves.

“M-Mr.Jackson...w-why, why did you give me this?” “Let’s just say, someone put in a good word for you,” he winked at Nia beside him, “and said you deserve it, and I agree wholeheartedly.”

“This...this is incredible, thank you so much!” His smile stretched up to his under eyes, the heartfelt crinkly smile that I adored so much was on his face for all the wrong reasons, and he was slowly becoming the Calum I didn’t know.

My world came crashing down, though, as Nia reached up to Calum’s cheek and placed a tender kiss on it. My heart broke seeing the two together, acting like a more real couple than him and I had this whole tour. Tears broke out of my eyes as they cascaded down my cheeks, my hands and face becoming hot, as I ran back to the dressing room. All eyes focused back on me, a concerned/sad look on everyone else’s face but only a smirk to be found on Nia’s.

As I shut the door behind me, I ran toward the back of the room near the table with all the boys necessities on it and rested my hands on it, letting out a loud sob that I had been desperately trying to hold in. My vision was instantly blurry, soaking the table beneath me. I heard the door creak open, not caring who was there, my almost hopeless state completely taking up my attention.

“Was that fun to watch?” The snarky voice echoed throughout the door. I shuttered as my tears stopped, but still kept my back to her.

“You tell me.” I sniffled.

I heard her chuckle and she walked into the room slowly.

“Why are you doing this to me. I haven’t done anything, to deserve the downright hateful things you have done to me.” I turned around to face her, trying hard to show off that I wasn’t phased or intimidated by her.

“You, little ms.princess, weren’t even suppose to be on this tour in the first place! It was suppose to be Luke’s mom! You haven’t even been doing anything to help Calum out, I’ve stepped in multiple times just to save his freaking job!” I was taken back, and gasped.

“So giving him that contract to become a solo artist is you being helpful? You’re not only trying to control his life, but you’re trying to ruin mine, and my best friend’s!” She could only smirk at my reply.

“You just don’t like the fact that I,won.”

“Is Calum the prize? Is the press and money the prize? No thanks, Nia. You’re very good at a game that I’m tired of playing! So, I guess you’re getting your wish. I’m done here. He’s all yours.” I swiftly grabbed my purse off the table and turned for the door, to see Calum already standing there, arms open for me.

“Baby...c’mon please talk to me.” He pleaded as I walked past him out of the room. “None of this means anything if I don’t have you here by my side experiencing it with me, please, I wasn’t trying to break up apart!”

I stopped in my tracks, my heart sinking at his lies. I angrily pulled out the contract from my pocket, quickly opened it up, and threw it down towards his feet.

“That! That is what’s breaking us apart, Calum! The lies, the sneaking around, the new feelings you’ve developed for Nia! I’m out of here.” I could hear his sniffles as he picked up the crumpled up paper as I stumbled out of the backstage door. But I soon heard his footsteps, coming after me.

CLIFFHANGER! Again, this imagine is based off of HSM2, so any language that’s familiar to you guys in here is from the movie. The next part will be the actual ‘gotta go my own way scene’ just a heads up. And I know this part went by kinda quickly, but I hope you enjoyed it none the less.