u/cmajmus

Hello,
I would love to post some images, but there is restriction. Here is description instead.

Been working on this for a while (2 years) and finally have something worth sharing.

It's a flat mousepad with 16 invisible pressure-sensitive zones underneath the surface. No buttons, no bumps. It looks completely normal from above. Press a zone and it triggers whatever you've mapped to it: keyboard shortcuts, macros, media keys, MIDI notes, gamepad inputs, even launching apps.

The idea came from frustration with having a stream deck, macro pad, MIDI controller and numpad all eating desk space. I wanted one thing that does all of it and disappears visually.

What it can do:

• Keyboard shortcuts / macros
• Media controls
• MIDI (velocity-sensitive, mapped to GM drum kit by default)
• Gamepad buttons + analog axes
• App launcher

Everything is configured through a browser-based companion app over USB. Ddrag and drop zones, set thresholds, upload custom icons.

Happy to answer any questions about the build and hear your thoughts!

TL:DR here is a vid, this exists now: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t8klFSyJpGY

Been working on this for a while (2 years) and finally have something worth sharing.

It's a flat mousepad with 16 invisible pressure-sensitive zones underneath the surface. No buttons, no bumps. It looks completely normal from above. Press a zone and it triggers whatever you've mapped to it: keyboard shortcuts, macros, media keys, MIDI notes, gamepad inputs, even launching apps.

The idea came from frustration with having a stream deck, macro pad, MIDI controller and numpad all eating desk space. I wanted one thing that does all of it and disappears visually.

What it can do:

• Keyboard shortcuts / macros
• Media controls
• MIDI (velocity-sensitive, mapped to GM drum kit by default)
• Gamepad buttons + analog axes
• App launcher

Everything is configured through a browser-based companion app over USB. Ddrag and drop zones, set thresholds, upload custom icons.

Happy to answer any questions about the build and hear your thoughts!

Hello,

Been working on this for a while (2 years) and finally have something worth sharing.

It's a flat mousepad with 16 invisible pressure-sensitive zones underneath the surface. No buttons, no bumps. It looks completely normal from above. Well, amost. Press a zone and it triggers whatever you've mapped to it: keyboard shortcuts, macros, media keys, MIDI notes, gamepad inputs, text inputs and so on. I call it Ghostpad.

The idea came from frustration with having a stream deck, macro pad, MIDI controller and numpad all eating desk space. I wanted one thing that does all of it and disappears visually.

What it can do:

• Keyboard shortcuts / macros
• Media controls
• MIDI (velocity-sensitive, mapped to GM drum kit by default)
• Gamepad buttons + analog axes
• App launcher

Everything is configured through a browser-based companion app over USB - drag and drop zones, set thresholds, upload custom icons.

Happy to answer any questions about the build and hear your thoughts.

Designed wallpaper and mousepad design. Also mouspad is been a project of mine to make it input device so desk can look as clean as possible.

I’ve been working on a strange input device and I’m not sure if it belongs here or if I’ve officially gone too far.

It’s called Ghostpad. The basic idea is: what if your mousepad was also a hidden macropad?

Inside the pad there’s a pressure-sensitive 4x4 grid, so 16 invisible zones. Pressing a zone can trigger shortcuts, macros, function keys, MIDI, game controls, etc. The whole point is to keep the desk clean and avoid adding another visible device next to the keyboard.

I know this is not a mechanical keyboard, so that’s partly why I’m posting: I’m curious whether keyboard people see this as useful, unnecessary, cursed, or maybe all three?

What I’m trying to figure out:

• Would you use hidden zones under your mouse/hand for macros?
• Is this more interesting for productivity, gaming, streaming, music, or not really any of those?
• What would make you instantly say “nope”? Or yes?

Disclosure: I’m the maker/founder, and this is still a prototype, not trying to hide that. I’m mainly here for feedback from people who actually care about input devices and desk setups.
shoot me with questions!

I’ve been working on a strange input device and I’m not sure if it belongs here or if I’ve officially gone too far. But i've vent anyways. :)

It’s called Ghostpad. The basic idea is: what if your mousepad was also a hidden macropad?

Inside the pad there’s a pressure-sensitive 4x4 grid, so 16 invisible zones. Pressing a zone can trigger shortcuts, macros, function keys, MIDI, game controls, etc. The whole point is to keep the desk clean and avoid adding another visible device next to the keyboard.

I know this is not a mechanical keyboard, so that’s partly why I’m posting: I’m curious whether keyboard people see this as useful, unnecessary, cursed, or maybe all three?

What I’m trying to figure out:

• Would you use hidden zones under your mouse/hand for macros?
• Would invisible controls annoy you without printed labels?
• Is this more interesting for productivity, gaming, streaming, music, or not really any of those?
• What would make you instantly say “nope”?

Disclosure: I’m the maker/founder, and this is still a prototype, not trying to hide that. I’m mainly here for feedback from people who actually care about input devices and desk setups.

Shoot me with questions.