Kinesis Gaming TKO Tournament Keyboard KBTKO-KBW Operating instructions

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KBTKO Direct Programming Guide

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Keyboard models covered by this manual:
• KBTKO-KBW
• KBTKO-KBB
• KBTKO-KBR
Version 1.0.0 (October 5, 2020)
This guide covers features included through firmware version 1.0.0 unless otherwise indicated. To down-
load the latest firmware and to access all support resources visit the TKO Support page:
www.KinesisGaming.com/tko-support
© 2020 by Kinesis Corporation, all rights reserved. Kinesis is registered trademarks of Kinesis Corpora-
tion. TKO, Hyperspace SmartSet, and v-Drive are trademarks of Kinesis Corporation. All other trade-
marks are property of their respective owners.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any commercial purpose, without
the express written permission of Kinesis Corporation.
FCC Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interfer-
ence when the equipment is operated in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the inter-
ference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Warning
To assure continued FCC compliance, the user must use only shielded interfacing cables when connecting to
computer or peripheral. Also, any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment would void the us-
er’s authority to operate.
INDUSTRY CANADA COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interface-causing Equipment Regula-
tions. Cet Appareil numerique de la classe B respecte toutes les exiginces du Reglement sur le material
broilleur du Canada.
Kinesis Corporation
22030 20th Avenue SE, Suite 102
Bothell, Washington 98021 USA
www.KinesisGaming.com

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1.0 Introduction
The TKO is a fully-programmable keyboard that does not use any special drivers or software so it can be
programmed quickly and easily on all operating systems using the onboard programming shortcuts.
Power users have the option to “Direct Program” the keyboard on any operating system (e.g., Windows,
Linux, Mac, and Chrome) by editing the simple text (.txt) configuration files stored on the keyboard’s virtual
flash drive (the “v-Drive). Once configuration files have been updated on the v-Drive, you will need to use the
onboard shortcut to “Refresh” the keyboard or disconnect the v-Drive to implement your changes.
Warning: Modifying any of these configuration files will change the operating parameters of your keyboard
and should not be attempted before reading this guide and the full User Manual.
2.0 Direct Programming Overview
In normal operating mode, the keyboard’s configuration files are read and written by the keyboard during
onboard programming, but they are not accessible to the user. To access the configuration text files, a user
can use the onboard shortcut (SmartSet + Right Shift + V) to “connect” the v-Drive to their PC and locate the
“TKO” removable drive in File Explorer (or equivalent). The v-Drive features 4 sub-folders:
1. firmware
2. layouts
3. lighting
4. settings
2.1 Firmware Sub-Folder
The “firmware” sub-folder stores the version.txt file. This file is for reference only and should not be edited. If
version.txt is accidentally deleted, it will auto-regenerate when the TKO is replugged. The firmware folder is
also where firmware update files should be placed (See Section 4 of full User Manual for details).
2.2 Layouts Sub-Folder
The “layouts” sub-folder has nine text files (e.g., layout1.txt), each of which controls the Remaps and Macros
associated with each of the 9 Profiles. Each time a remap or macro is created, it is written to the
corresponding layout .txt file as a discrete line of “code”. If layout file is deleted, the TKO will automatically
regenerate a new blank file the next time it is replugged.
2.3 Lighting Sub-Folder
The “lighting” sub-folder has nine text files (e.g., led1.txt), each of which controls the Backlighting and Edge
lighting effects associated with each of the 9 Profiles. If lighting file is deleted, the TKO will automatically
regenerate a new file with the default lighting effects for the current firmware the next time it is replugged.
A Profile comprises a layout file and a lighting file (e.g., layout1.txt + led1.txt represents the totality of the
settings for Profile 1). When a Profile is loaded to the keyboard using the onboard shortcut the keyboard
reads the contents of the corresponding layout_.txt and led_.txt files and implements those configurations.
2.4 Settings Sub-Folder
The “settings” sub-folder contains a file named “kbd_settings.txt” which controls the Global Keyboard
Settings. Global Keyboard Settings operate independently of the active Profile. Each time a keyboard setting
is changed, the change is recorded in the appropriate field in the “kbd_settings.txt” file.
The settings sub-folder may also contain a file named “app_settings.txt” which remembers your custom
preferences for the SmartSet App (e.g., custom colors, and notification preferences).

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3.0 Before you Begin
3.1 Power Users ONLY
Direct editing requires learning to read and write a custom syntax. The insertion of incorrect characters into
any of the configuration files can have unintended consequences and could cause temporary problems with
even basic keyboard operation. Read the Quick Start Guide and User Manual first and proceed with caution.
3.2 Always Eject the v-Drive before disconnecting the v-Drive
After editing any .txt files on the v-Drive, it is necessary to first save and close the files, and then use the
appropriate eject protocol for your operating system before disconnecting the v-Drive with the onboard
shortcut. The eject protocol ensures that your PC is not actively reading/writing to the v-Drive and will prevent
the type of data corruption that can occur when any “conventional” flash drive is disconnected unexpectedly.
Windows Eject: Save and close any .txt files you have been editing. From File Explorer, navigate back to the
top level of “TKO” removable drive and right click the drive name and then select Eject. Once you receive the
“Safe to Eject” notification, use the onboard shortcut to disconnect the v-Drive. Note: Failure to eject can
result in a minor drive error that Windows will ask you to repair.
Mac Eject: Save and close any .txt files you have been editing. From Finder, click the “Eject” but next to the
“TKO” drive. Once the drive first disappears from Finder, use the onboard shortcut to disconnect the v-Drive.
Note: Despite ejecting the drive, most Mac’s will repopulate the drive in Finder after a few moments and still
display a notification that the drive was not ejected properly once you use. You can safely ignore this warning.
3.3 Non-US Users
Your computer must be configured for the English (US) keyboard layout. Other language drivers use different
codes/positions for certain keys which are critical for programming characters such as [], {} and >.
3.4 Simple Text Files ONLY
Do not save configuration files in the Rich Text Format (.rft) as any special characters will lead to errors.
4.0 Direct Programming Layouts
The TKO features 9 configurable Profiles, each with its own corresponding “layout” (1-9). Each of the nine
layouts are saved as separate .txt files in the “layouts” subfolder on the v-Drive. Only custom remaps and
macros are saved to the file, so if no changes have been made to a layout, the file will be empty by design.
Users can either write code from scratch or edit keyboard-generated or App-generated code using the syntax
rules described below. Deleting a layout file will permanently delete its stored remaps & macros, but the
keyboard will automatically regenerate a blank layout file (i.e., a default layout) the next time it is replugged.
4.1 File Naming Convention
Only the nine numbered layouts can be loaded to the TKO using the onboard Profile shortcut (SmartSet +
Right Shift + 1-9). Additional “backup” layouts can be saved as .txt files with descriptive names, but they
cannot be loaded to the keyboard without renaming them first.
4.2 Syntax Overview– Position & Action Tokens
Remaps and macros are encoded in a layout file using a basic programming syntax:
• 62 of the 63 keys have been assigned a unique “Position” token used to identify that key for programming
in each layer, the Top Layer and the embedded Fn Layer. Note: The SmartSet Key is dedicated to
programming and cannot be re-assigned or moved in either layer.
• Each keyboard & mouse action supported by the TKO has been assigned a unique “Action” token
corresponding to a standard USB “scan code”.

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To successfully re-program the action for a key, each line of code must include a position token and one or
more action tokens. The “>“ symbol is used to separate position tokens from actions tokens, and individual
tokens are surrounded by brackets. Examples:
• Remaps are encoded with Square Brackets: [position]>[action]
• Macros are encoded with Curly Brackets: {trigger key position}{modifier co-trigger}>{action1}{action2}...
4.3 Layout Programming Tips
• If the keyboard cannot understand the desired remap, then the default action will remain in effect.
• Do not mix and match square and curly brackets in a single line of code
• Separate each line of code with Enter/Return
• The order in which the lines of code appears in the .txt file does not generally matter, except in the event
of conflicting commands, in which case the command closest to the bottom of the file will be implemented.
• Tokens are not case-sensitive. Capitalizing a token will not produce the “shifted” action (See Section 6.5).
• A line of code can be temporarily disabled by placing an asterisk (*) at the beginning of the line.
4.4 Layout Position Tokens
Top Layer
Fn Layer
To assign an action to an embedded key position, use the token below proceeded by the prefix “Fn” plus a
space (see Section 4.6 and 4.7 for examples).

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4.5 Action Token Dictionary
Use the “action” tokens below to the right of the “>“ to define the remapped action or the macro contents.
4.6 Programming Remaps
To program a remap, encode the position token and the action token in square brackets, separated by “>“.
Remap Examples:
1. Escape key performs Q: [esc]>[q]
2. Embedded W performs Home: fn [play]>[home]
3. The Embedded Windows key performs Right Shift: fn [lwin]>[rshft]
LeŌShiŌRight ShiŌLeŌAlt Right Alt LeŌWindows
& Command
Right Windows
& Command
LeŌCtrl Right Ctrl
LSHFT RSHFT LALT RALT LWIN RWIN LCTRL RCTRL
Mute Volume
Up
Volume
Down
Play/Pause Next
Track
Previous
Track
MUTE VOL+ VOL- PLAY NEXT PREV
LeŌ
Mouse
LMOUS
Middle
Mouse
MMOUS
Right
Mouse
RMOUS
Mouse
BuƩon 4
MOUS4
Mouse
BuƩon 5
MOUS5
Open Bracket Close Bracket Period Comma Apostrophe Tilde Forward Slash Back Slash
OBRK CBRK PER COM APOS TILDE / \
Enter Tab Space Delete Backspace Home End Page Up
ENT TAB SPC DEL BSPC HOME END PUP
Page Down
PDN
LeŌArrow Right Arrow Up Arrow Down Arrow Escape Print Screen Pause Scroll Lock Insert
LFT RGHT UP DWN ESC PRNT PAUSE SCRLK INS
Num Lock Keypad 1 Keypad 2 Keypad 3 Keypad 4 Keypad 5 Keypad 6 Keypad 7 Keypad 8
NUMLK KP1 KP2 KP3 KP4 KP5 KP6 KP7 KP8
Keypad 9 Keypad 0 Keypad
Plus
Keypad
Minus
Keypad
Divide
Keypad
MulƟply
Keypad
Enter
Keypad
Equals (Mac)
Keypad
Decimal
KP9 KP0 KP+ KP- KP/ KP* KPENT KP= KP.
Caps Lock Fn
Toggle
Fn
ShiŌ
Menu/App InternaƟonal Calculator Shutdow
n
LED
Toggle
CAPS FNTOG FNSHF MENU INTL/ CALC SHTDN LED
Macro
Delay
Dxxx
Random
Delay
DRAN
No Key
AcƟon
NULL
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
F13 F14 F15 F16 F17 F18 F19 F20 F21 F22 F23 F24
A B C D E F G H I J
M N O P Q R S T U V
Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
L
X
0
K
W
9
HYPH =
LeŌWindows + LeŌCtrl + LeŌAlt + LeŌShiŌLeŌCtrl + LeŌAlt + LeŌShiŌ
HYPER MEH

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Programming the Fn Key: The TKO supports two different types of Fn layer access: “Shift” and “Toggle”.
The default behavior of the Fn key is “Shift” (i.e., momentary). Note: For proper functionality, it is necessary to
assign the desired Fn action token to the position token in both layers, otherwise you’ll get stuck in the Fn
layer
4.7 Programming Macros
To program a macro, encode the position token(s) corresponding to the desired trigger key(s) and the action
token in curly brackets, separated by “>“. Each layout can store up to 7,200 total macro characters spread
across up to 100 macros.
Trigger Keys: Any non-modifier key can be assigned as a macro trigger in either layer. A co-trigger can be
added by adding a modifier key to the left of “>“. Note: Windows keys are not recommended as co-triggers.
Shifted Actions: To produce a shifted key action, it is necessary to encode a macro which includes the both
the down and up stroke of the shift key surrounding the basic key action. Downstrokes are indicated by
placing a “-” inside the bracket and upstrokes are indicated by placing “+”. See example 1 below.
Individual Playback Speed Prefix {s_}: By default, all macros play at the selected “Global” playback speed.
To assign a custom speed for improved playback performance for a given macro you can use the “Individual
Playback Speed” prefix “{s_}”. Choose a number from 1-9 corresponding to the speed scale shown Section
4.6. The speed prefix should be placed to the right of the “>“ before the macro content. See example 2 below.
Multiplay Prefix {x_}: By default, all macros playback continuously while the trigger key is held. To override
the repeat feature and restrict a macro to playback a specific number of times you can use the “Macro
Multiplay” prefix “{x_}”. Choose a number from 1-9 corresponding to the number of times you want the macro
to replay. The multiplay prefix should be placed to the right of the “>“ before the macro content. See example
3 below.
If a macro is not playing back properly, try assigning a Multiplay value of 1. The macro may actually be firing
multiple times before you are releasing the trigger key.
Timing Delays: Delays can be inserted into a macro to improve playback performance or to produce a
mouse double-click. Delays are available in any interval between 1 and 999 millisecond ({d001} & {d999}),
including random delays ({dran}). Delay tokens can be combined to produce delays of various durations and
inserted at any point in a macro. See example 4 below.
Macro Examples:
1. Tab performs “Hello” with a capital H: {tab}>{-lshft}{h}{+lshft}{e}{l}{l}{o}
2. Fn Layer Left Ctrl + q performs “qwert” at speed 9: fn {lctrl}{lmous}>{s9}{q}{w}{e}{r}{t}
3. Esc + Left Shift performs “hi” three times: {lshft}{esc}>{x3}{h}{i}
4.8 Tap and Hold Actions
With Tap and Hold, you can assign two unique actions to a single key based on the duration of the keypress.
Each Layout can support up to 10 Tap and Hold actions. Designate the position token, then the Tap action,
then the timing delay from 1 to 999 milliseconds using the special Tap and Hold token ({t&hxxx}), then the
Hold Action. Due to inherent timing delays, Tap-and-Hold is not recommended for use with alphanumeric
typing keys. Not all key actions support Tap-and-Hold.
Note: For most applications, we recommend a timing delay of 250ms.
Tap and Hold Example:
1. Caps performs Caps when tapped and Esc when held longer than 500ms: [caps]>[caps][t&h500][esc]

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5.0 Direct Programming Lighting Effects
The TKO features 9 configurable Profiles, each with its own corresponding series of “lighting
configurations” (1-9). Each of the nine lighting configurations are saved as separate .txt files in the “layouts”
subfolder on the v-Drive. Each configuration can store up to four effects for that Profile:
Deleting a lighting file will permanently delete any custom configurations, but the keyboard will automatically
regenerate a the default lighting effect for that Profile the next time the keyboard is replugged.
Within each Profile, the TKO can perform 4 unique effects:
1. Top Layer Backlighting
2. Top Layer Edge lighting
3. Fn Layer Backlighting
4. Fn Layer Edge lighting
Users can either write code from scratch or edit keyboard-generated or App-generated code using the syntax
rules described below. Deleting an led file will permanently delete the customizations for that effect, but the
keyboard will automatically regenerate the default effect for that Profile based on the current firmware.
Note: If an effect is not specified for a Zone or Layer, lighting will be disabled for that Zone/Layer.
5.1 Backlighting Effects
There are a number of customizable backlighting effects. Apply the same effect to both layers of a Profile, or
assign contrasting effects to signify when you navigate the layers. Each Effect has one or more parameters
that can be customized. Lighting effects are encoded using syntax similar to that of the layout files.
Basic Syntax: [effect]>[parameter1][parameter2][parameter 3]
5.2 Backlighting Level Effect Tokens & Parameters
Monochrome: [mono]>[Color]
*Breathe: [breathe]> [Speed] plus [Base Color] or Freestyle
Wave: [wave]>[Speed][Direction]
Spectrum: [spectrum]>[Speed]
Reactive: [reactive]>[Color][Speed][Base Color]
Starlight: [star]>[Color][Speed][Base Color]
Rebound: [rebound]>[Direction][Speed][Base Color]
Loop: [loop]>[Color][Speed][Direction][Base Color]
Pulse: [pulse]>[Speed]
Rain: [rain]>[Color][Speed] [Base Color]
Ripple: [ripple]>[Color][Speed] [Base Color]
Fireball: [ripple]>[Color][Speed] [Base Color]
5.3 Backlighting Parameters
Color: When applicable, the Color parameter is defined by inputting 3-digit value (0-255) for each of the Red,
Green, and Blue channels inside square brackets: [RRR][GGG][BBB]. 0 if off and 255 is max brightness for
that channel. Intermediate values blend colros.

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Examples:
1. Monochrome Solid Green (Top Layer): [mono]>[0][255][0]
2. Monochrome Solid Yellow (Top Layer): [mono]>[255][255][0]
Speed: When applicable, the Speed parameter is defined by inputting one a number 1-9 inside the speed
token: (spdx)
Examples:
1. Reactive Red at Speed 1: [reactive]>[255][0][0][spd1]
Direction: When applicable, the Direction parameter is defined by inputting one of the following tokens:
[dirup], [dirdown], [dirleft], [dirright]
Examples:
1. Loop Up Speed 9 in Purple: [loop]>[255][0][255][spd9][dirup]
Base Color: When applicable, the Base Color parameter is defined by inputting adding a separate line of text
encoding the monochrome effect AFTER the primary animated effect. If a base color is not specified, the
primary effect will playback over unlit keys.
Examples:
1. Green Rebound over Base White: [rebound]>[dirleft][spd5][0][255][0]
[mono]>[255][255][255]
2. Green Rebound over unlit keys: [rebound]>[dirleft][spd5][0][255][0]
5.4 Freestyle and Breathe Backlighting Effects
The Freestyle and Breathe effects allow you to assign a custom to color to each of the 63 keys in either layer
using the lighting key position token and the color parameter. Note: The lighting position tokens differ slightly
from the layout position tokens in the Fn Layer. The Fn Layer Lighting position tokens are always the same as
the Top Layer, simply add the “Fn “ prefix.
Backlighting Position Tokens

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With Freestyle mode, there is no effect parameter, simply define the color values for each key. Keys not
specified will be unlit. For Breathe, define the Breathe Effect first, specify the Speed parameter, and then
define the color values for each key individually or using the Monochrome effect.
Example 1: Set WASD keys to static Red, and embedded WASD to static Green
[w]>[255][0][0]
[a]>[255][0][0]
[s]>[255][0][0]
[d]>[255][0][0]
fn [w]>[0][255][0]
fn [a]>[0][255][0]
fn [s]>[0][255][0]
fn [d]>[0][255][0]
Example 2: Set the keyboard to breathe in White and the WASD keys breathe in Red at speed 5
[breathe]>[spd5]
[mono]>[255][255][255]
[w]>[255][0][0]
[a]>[255][0][0]
[s]>[255][0][0]
[d]>[255][0][0]
5.5 Fn Layer Backlighting Effect
Program the Fn layer effect the same way you would the top layer effect, just use the standard “Fn “ prefix”
(with a space) to modify the Effect or the key position token.
Example 1: Set the Top layer to Monochrome Green, and the Fn layer to Red Ripple
[mono]>[0][255][0]
fn [ripple]>[spd5][255][0][0]
5.6 Edge Lighting
Edge lighting effects work in much the same was as the backlighting effects. You can assign an animated
effect to either layer, or set the color for each of the 33 LEDs individually like you would with Freestyle. Failure
to specify an Edge effect for each layer will result in the lights being off.
Edge lighting supports the following Effects with following tokens and parameters
Monochrome: [mono_edge]>[Color]
*Breathe: [breathe_edge]> [Speed] plus [Base Color] or Freestyle
Wave: [wave_edge]>[Speed][Direction]
Spectrum: [spectrum_edge]>[Speed]
Rebound: [rebound_edge]>[Direction][Speed][Base Color]
Pulse: [pulse_edge]>[Speed]

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5.7 Edge Position Tokens
Example 1: Set the left edge to static Blue
[L1]>[255][0][0]
[L2]>[255][0][0]
[L3]>[255][0][0]
[L4]>[255][0][0]
[L5]>[255][0][0]
[L6]>[255][0][0]
[L7]>[255][0][0]
[L8]>[255][0][0]
[L9]>[255][0][0]
6.0 Direct Programming Settings
6.1 Keyboard Settings
The current global settings for the keyboard are saved in the “kbd_settings.txt” file in the “settings” sub-folder.
Users can update these settings by modifying the fields in this .txt file and then using the Refresh shortcut
(SmartSet + Right Shift + B) to implement them. Note: ON/OFF values are case-sensitive.
• startup_file: Edit the number of the layout_.txt file to instruct the keyboard which Profile (or layout) to load
• Led_mode: Designate the active led.txt file when Profile Sync Mode is disabled.
• macro_speed: Change the Global Macro Speed with “1-9” for speed, or “0” to disable (default = 5)
• game_mode: Disable Game Mode with “OFF” or enable with “ON”
• profile_sync_mode: By setting this value to “OFF”, you can load different pairs of layout and lighting files
• status_play_speed: Change the Status Report Playback speed with “1-4” for speed, or “0” to disable
(default = 3).
• program_key_lock: Disable Program Locking with “OFF” or enable with “ON”
• v-drive: Force the v-Drive to open automatically every time the keyboard is plugged in with “auto” or
require manual opening with “manual”.

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6.2 SmartSet App Settings
In the settings sub-folder you may also notice the “app_settings.txt” file. This file stores your saved
preferences for in-App notifications when using the SmartSet App. “On” disables the notification and “Off”
enables the notification.
7.0 v-Drive Repair
If you disconnect the v-Drive, unplug the keyboard, or use the Refresh onboard shortcut while the PC was
actively writing to one of the files (i.e., without ejecting), the next time you open the v-Drive on a Windows
computer you may receive a harmless drive error warning. If you receive this error, follow the prompts in the
User Manual to quickly “repair” the drive.