Razer BlackWidow User manual

1 | razer™
The Razer BlackWidow mechanical gaming keyboard was first launched in 2010 and
quickly became the most popular and highest selling gaming keyboard worldwide,
making its mark as the primary choice for eSports athletes. Four years later, the Razer™
Mechanical Switch was introduced, giving the Razer BlackWidow an even greater
advantage with the world’s first mechanical switch designed from the ground up
specifically for gaming. This enabled gamers to take their skill to the next level with
more speed and precision than ever before. By redefining the limits of performance,
this elite mechanical gaming keyboard left the competition in the dust, even faster
than before.
Now with Chroma customizable backlighting, this gaming icon is raising the bar once
again by introducing individually controlled multi-color backlit keys that allow for
extreme customization. Bearing the distinct Razer BlackWidow design, the Razer
BlackWidow Chroma gives you the unbridled freedom to truly express yourself, not just
with an impressive spectrum of colors but with personalized lighting controls as well.

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CONTENTS
1. PACKAGE CONTENTS / SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS .................................... 3
2. REGISTRATION / TECHNICAL SUPPORT ................................................... 3
3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS................................................................... 4
4. DEVICE LAYOUT ...................................................................................... 5
5. INSTALLING YOUR RAZER BLACKWIDOW CHROMA ................................ 6
6. USING YOUR RAZER BLACKWIDOW CHROMA ........................................ 7
7. CONFIGURING YOUR RAZER BLACKWIDOW CHROMA............................ 9
8. SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE................................................................. 24
9. LEGALESE.............................................................................................. 26

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1. PACKAGE CONTENTS / SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Razer BlackWidow Chroma Gaming Keyboard
Quick Start Guide
Important Product Information Guide
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PC with 2 free USB ports
Windows® 8 / Windows® 7 / Windows Vista® / Windows® XP (32-bit)
Internet Connection
200 MB of free hard disk space
2. REGISTRATION / TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Sign up now for a Synapse account to get real-time information on your product’s
warranty status. To learn more about Synapse and all its features, visit
www.razerzone.com/synapse.
If you are already a Synapse user, register your product by clicking on your email
address at the Synapse application and select Warranty Status from the dropdown list.
To register your product online, visit www.razerzone.com/registration. Please note that
you will not be able to view your warranty status if you register via the website.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
What you’ll get:
1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
Free online technical support at www.razersupport.com.

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3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Razer™ Mechanical Switches with 50g actuation force
60 million keystroke life span
Chroma backlighting with 16.8 million customizable color options
Razer Synapse enabled
10 key roll-over anti-ghosting
Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
5 additional dedicated macro keys
Gaming mode option
Audio-out/mic-in jacks
USB pass-through
1000Hz Ultrapolling
Braided fiber cable
APPROXIMATE SIZE & WEIGHT:
Width 475 mm / 18.70”
Height 171mm / 6.73”
Depth 39 mm / 1.54”
Weight 1500 g / 3.31 lbs

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4. DEVICE LAYOUT
A. Volume control keys
B. Media keys
C. On-The-Fly macro record key
D. Gaming mode key
E. LED control keys
F. Sleep mode key
G. LED indicators
H. 5 extra macro keys
I. Audio out jack
J. Microphone in jack
K. USB passthrough port

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5. INSTALLING YOUR RAZER BLACKWIDOW CHROMA
Step 1: Connect your Razer device to the USB port of your computer.
Step 2: Install Razer Synapse when prompted* or download the installer from
www.razerzone.com/synapse.
Step 3: Create your RazerID or login to Synapse with an existing account.
*Applicable for Windows 8 or later.
Note: By default, the Razer BlackWidow Chroma is set to spectrum cycling. To customize the lighting, please
install Razer Synapse.

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6. USING YOUR RAZER BLACKWIDOW CHROMA
Pressing the “FN” key in combination with the function keys will activate their
secondary features.
Function Keys
Features Description
The audio volume controls allow you to
mute ( ), decrease ( ) and increase
( ) the audio output.
The media keys allow you to play/pause
( ) a track or skip tracks backward ( )
and forward ( ).
The LED control keys allow you to decrease
( ) or increase ( ) the brightness
of your keyboard’s LEDs.
The sleep key allows you to suspend all
operating system activities. This function
allows you to save electricity while the
computer is idle.

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ON-THE-FLY MACRO RECORDING
Follow these steps to create an OTF Macro Recording:
1. Press the key combination to start recording.
2. The Macro Recording Indicator will light up to show that the device is ready to
record.
3. Type in the keys you want to record.
4. Press FN + F9 to stop the recording or the ESC key to cancel recording. The
Macro Recording Indicator will start to blink to show that the device has stopped
recording and is ready to save the macro.
5. Press the desired key where you want to save your macro.
GAMING MODE
The Gaming Mode disables the Windows Key function to avoid accidental usage.
Furthermore, you can maximize the effect of Anti-Ghosting by activating the Gaming
mode function. You can also choose to disable the Alt + Tab and Alt + F4 functions by
using the Gaming Mode Tab in Razer Synapse. An indicator will light up when Gaming
Mode is active.

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7. CONFIGURING YOUR RAZER BLACKWIDOW CHROMA
Disclaimer: The features listed here require you to log in to Razer Synapse. These features are also subject to
change based on the current software version and your Operating System.
KEYBOARD TAB
The Keyboard Tab is your default tab when you first install Razer Synapse. This tab
allows you to customize your device’s profiles and key assignments.

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Profile
A profile is a convenient way of organizing all your custom settings and you can have an
infinite number of profiles at your disposal. Any changes made within each tab are
automatically saved to the current profile and stored into the cloud servers.
You can create a new profile by clicking the button or delete the current
profile by clicking the button. The button allows you to Copy, Import,
and Export profiles. Your current profile by default is named “Profile” however; you can
rename it by typing on the text field below PROFILE NAME.
Each profile can be set to FN + 0 - 9 using the SHORTCUT dropdown menu for fast
profile switching. Each profile can also be set to automatically activate when you run a
program or application through the use of the LINK PROGRAM option.

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Customize Tab
The Customize Tab is where you can modify the basic functionalities of your device
such as key assignments to suit your gaming needs. The changes made in this tab are
automatically saved to your current profile.

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Key Assignment Menu
Initially, each key is set to DEFAULT.However, you may change the function of this key
by clicking the desired key to access the Key Assignment Menu.
Listed below are the customization options and their description.
Default
This option enables you to return the key to its original function. To choose the
DEFAULT, simple select it from the Key Assignment Menu.
Keyboard Function
This option enables you to change any key into another keyboard function. To choose a
keyboard function, select KEYBOARD FUNCTION from the Key Assignment Menu and
enter the key you wish to use on the given field below. You may also include modifier
keys such as Ctrl, Shift, Alt or any of those combinations.

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Mouse Function
This option allows you to change any key into a mouse button function. To choose a
mouse function, select MOUSE FUNCTION from the Key Assignment Menu and an
ASSIGN BUTTON submenu will appear.
Listed below are the functions which you can choose from the Assign Button submenu:
Left Click - Performs a left mouse click using the assigned button.
Right Click - Performs a right mouse click using the assigned button.
Scroll Click - Activates the universal scrolling function.
Double Click - Performs a double left click using the assigned button.
Mouse Button 4 - Performs a “Backward” command for most internet browsers.
Mouse Button 5 - Performs a “Forward” command for most internet browsers.
Scroll Up - Performs a “Scroll Up” command using the assigned button.
Scroll Down - Performs a “Scroll Down” command using the assigned button.
Scroll Left - Performs a “Scroll Left” command using the assigned button.
Scroll Right - Performs a “Scroll Right” command using the assigned button.
Inter-device
Inter-device allows you to change the functionality of other Razer Synapse enabled
devices. Some of these functionalities are device-specific such as using your Razer
gaming keyboard to change the Sensitivity Stage of your Razer gaming mouse. When
you select Inter-device from the Key Assignment Menu, a sub-menu will appear.
DEVICE TO LINK allows you to choose which currently connected Razer device can be
linked while FUNCTION allows you to choose which functionality you want to use for
the linked device.
Macro
A Macro is a prerecorded sequence of keystrokes and button presses that is executed
with precise timing. By setting a key to Macro, you can conveniently execute a chain of
commands. When you select this option from the Key Assignment Menu, a submenu
will appear which allows you to choose a prerecorded macro command. See the
MACROS TAB to learn more about creating Macro commands.

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Switch Profile
The Switch Profile enables you to change profiles on the fly and immediately load all
your pre-configured settings. When you select Switch Profile from the Key Assignment
Menu, a sub-menu will appear that will allow you to choose which profile to use. An
on-screen display will automatically appear whenever you switch profiles.
Launch Program
Launch Program allows you to launch a program or a website using the assigned key.
When you select Launch Program from the Key Assignment Menu, two options will
appear which allow you to search for the specific program you want to open or write
the address of the website you want to visit.
Multimedia Function
This option allows you to bind multimedia playback controls to your device. After
selecting Multimedia Function, a submenu will appear. Listed below are the multimedia
playback controls you can choose from the submenu:
Volume Down - Decreases the audio output.
Volume Up - Increases the audio output.
Mute Volume - Mutes the audio.
Mic Volume Up - Increases the microphone volume.
Mic Volume Down - Decreases the microphone volume.
Mute Mic - Mutes the microphone.
Mute All - Mute both microphone and audio output.
Play / Pause - Play, pause, or resume playback of the current media.
Previous Track - Play the previous track.
Next Track - Play the next track.
Windows 8 Charms
This option enables you to assign the key into an Operating System shortcut command.
For more information please visit: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-
8/getting-around-tutorial

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Windows Shortcuts
This option enables you to assign the key into an Operating System shortcut command.
For more information please visit: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449
Disable
This option renders the assigned key unusable. Use Disable if you do not want to use
the key or if it interferes with your gaming.

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Lighting Tab
The Lighting Tab is where you can customize the color of the lighting of individual keys
or select pre-loaded lighting effects to be applied to the entire keyboard. You can also
adjust the brightness of the lighting and set the system to turn off all lighting on the
device when your monitor display is turned off. Changes made in this tab will be
automatically saved to the current profile.

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Pre-loaded lighting effects
A number of pre-loaded lighting effects can be selected and applied to your keyboard
lighting as a whole, such as spectrum lighting, breathing etc. The default effect is
spectrum lighting. Select your desired effect and their corresponding properties (such
as color) from the bottom area of this tab.
Customized lighting effects
You can also select the lighting color for each key individually. Select the Effect
“Custom” and select the key to change. Then pick a color using the color picker.
The “Custom”option also includes templates for various game genres such as FPS,
MOBA, MMO and RTS etc.

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Gaming Mode Tab
The Gaming Mode Tab allows you to customize which keys to disable when Gaming
Mode is activated. Depending on your settings, you may choose to disable the
Windows key, Alt + Tab and Alt + F4. An indicator will light up when the function is
currently turned ON.

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MACROS TAB
The Macros Tab allows you to create a series of precise keystrokes and button presses.
This tab also allows you to have numerous macros and extremely long macro
commands at your disposal.
The Macro section works similarly to Profile wherein you can rename a macro by typing
on the field below MACRO NAME. There are also other options available in the macro
section such as creating a new macro by clicking the button and deleting the
current macro by clicking the button. The button allows you to Copy,
Import, and Export macros.
To create a macro command, simply click the button and all your
keystrokes and button presses will automatically register on the macro screen. When
you are done recording your macro commands, click on the button to end
the session.

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The Macro section allows you to input the delay in-between commands. In RECORD
DELAY the delay in-between commands are registered as how it is entered. The
DEFAULT DELAY uses a predefined time (expressed in seconds) as the delay. And NO
DELAY omits all the pauses in-between keystrokes and button presses.
Note: You may use up to three decimal places when inserting values on the seconds (sec) field.