Basic Charging
That's right, turn it on first.
- 1 When switched ON, the Power Indicator (yellow LED) will light up, and the start-up sequence of LEDs will bounce across the top.
- 2Plug in the USB-C power cord. The Charge Indicator (red LED) should begin blinking.
I/O Ports
3.5 mm jacks:
- Line In — direct analog line pass-through to Tracker Mini
- Line Out — direct analog line pass-through from Tracker Mini
- MIDI Out — direct digital line pass-through from Tracker Mini
Speakers & Amp
Independent analog amplifier
- Separate from the digital MIDI system
- The switch controls it independently; the green indicator shows when it is on
- Switch it off when not in use: while on, it draws directly from the battery—even when the CPU is asleep
Controls
Levers and touchpad can map to any MIDI CC in the
Configurator app.
Octave buttons are fixed.
- Levers: left, right, and push are three independent controls
- Touchpad: continuous analog input for real-time value changes
Smart Charging
For charging progress to be detected, saved, and accumulated, a Computer Port is required.
- 1 When switched ON, the Power Indicator (yellow LED) will light up, and the start-up sequence of LEDs will bounce across the top.
- 2Connect USB-C to a computer port. After 30 seconds without key, lever, or touch input, the pink/blue LEDs pulse to confirm tracked charging is active. Any input hides the pulse and restarts the 30-second timer. The LEDs stop when the estimated charge time is complete.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is off by default to maximize battery life.
To enable Bluetooth, follow these steps:
- 1 Squeeze both levers toward each other and hold.
- 2All LEDs light up, then pink/blue LEDs blink with increasing speed.
- 3
Release when
all LEDs turn off — Bluetooth enabled.
Bluetooth is automatically disabled when entering sleep mode.
Configurator App
Once Bluetooth is enabled, follow these steps in the KB1 Configurator web app:
- 1Tap the Bluetooth icon → select your device from the pairing dialog.
- 2Load presets, explore settings, try new combos, then, tap the amber arrow to upload. Repeat.
Tracker Settings
On the Tracker Mini open Menu → Config → MIDI
Set:
- 1Notes in to MIDI In jack
- 2Notes in channel to CH1
- 3CC in to MIDI In jack
- 4CC in channel to CH1
- 5Middle C to C-4
Firmware Update
Update progress
Select a firmware version or upload a .bin file to begin
Flash latest release from GitHub
Flash from custom firmware file
Clear device data
Remove all saved presets, calibration data, and settings from the device. Connect via USB first.
Device Information
NVS inspector
Battery calibration data
Basic Charging Help
The KB1 must be switched on before connecting the USB-C cable.
If the red Charge Indicator does not blink:
- Unplug the USB-C cable.
- Wait 5 seconds.
- Reconnect the USB-C cable.
The yellow Power Indicator confirms that the KB1 is switched on. The red Charge Indicator confirms that charging has started.
No Smart Charging Pulse?
The pink and blue LEDs begin pulsing after 30 seconds of inactivity while tracked charging is active. Try these checks in order:
- Connect KB1 directly to a computer USB port with a data-capable USB-C cable. A wall charger or power bank can supply power, but cannot provide the USB data used to track charging.
- Leave the keys, levers, and touch sensor alone for a full 30 seconds. Any input hides the charging pulse and restarts the idle timer.
- Redo the charging sequence: disconnect USB, switch KB1 off, wait 5 seconds, switch it on using battery power, then reconnect it to the computer.
Once tracked charging has started, the computer may sleep. Charging continues while USB power remains, and the LEDs stop when the estimated charge time is complete.
Bluetooth Troubleshooting
- No LEDs: push both levers fully inward. All LEDs light when the gesture is detected.
- The sequence stops: release any keyboard keys. A held key cancels the gesture.
- Bluetooth does not toggle: keep both levers held until all LEDs turn off, then release.
- KB1 disappeared later: sleep disables Bluetooth. Wake KB1 and repeat the gesture.
- Enabled but not listed: KB1 may already be connected to another app or device. Close the other connection, then toggle Bluetooth off and on.
Controls: Defaults & Troubleshooting
Factory defaults
- Lever 1: Pitch Bend (CC 208), bipolar, step 1, linear 25 ms response
- Press 1: Sustain (CC 209), logarithmic, 500 ms onset, momentary release
- Lever 2: Velocity (CC 128), range 13-127, incremental, step 6, linear 100 ms response
- Press 2: Reset (CC 128), fixed value 85, linear 100 ms response
- Touch pad: Cutoff (CC 1), range 30-90%, continuous, 20% threshold, reverse direction
Hanging MIDI notes?
Low battery power can interrupt MIDI communication and cause notes to continue after you release the keys. Time to charge the KB1.
Configurator Browser Help
- Android: use Chrome, Edge, or Opera. Allow Bluetooth or Nearby Devices when prompted.
- iPhone/iPad: Safari does not support Web Bluetooth. Use V Browser, then enable Settings → V Browser → Bluetooth.
- Incomplete features after an update: refresh the browser. If features are still missing, disconnect and reconnect KB1 to refresh the browser's cached Bluetooth services.
Middle C Tuning
This setting controls how Tracker Mini pitches incoming MIDI note 60. Changing it shifts the playable range by whole octaves.
Use C-4 for Middle C at 261.6 Hz, or choose another octave to move the range lower or higher.
Tracker Mini options
- C-3: 130.8 Hz (one octave lower)
- C-4: 261.6 Hz (Middle C)
- C-5: 523.3 Hz (one octave higher)
- C-6: 1046.5 Hz (two octaves higher)
No Notes or Controls?
- No notes: set Notes in to MIDI In jack.
- Channels must be CH1: set both Notes in channel and CC in channel to CH1. 'All' will not work with KB1.
- Levers or controls do nothing: set CC in to MIDI In jack.
Flashing Firmware
- Connect KB1 via USB-C cable before clicking Connect
- Battery calibration data is automatically backed up and restored* — steps 2 and 4 in the progress tracker
- Do not disconnect the device during the update process
- The device will restart automatically when the update is complete
- Requires Chrome, Edge, or Opera on desktop
* ☑ Clear device data on update will skip steps 2 & 4
Device Information
Shows hardware details read directly from your KB1 over USB when connected — chip type, flash size, and the latest firmware version available on GitHub.
What is NVS?
NVS (Non-Volatile Storage) is a small 20 KB partition on the ESP32’s flash memory, separate from the firmware itself. It persists across reboots and retains its data even after a firmware update.
What’s stored here?
KB1 uses NVS to store the battery calibration model — a set of values built up over real charge/discharge cycles that lets the firmware accurately report battery percentage. The key fields are:
- Battery Percentage — last known state of charge
- BLE On / Off Time — cumulative radio-on/off durations used in the capacity model
- Discharge Time — total measured discharge time
- Calibration Time — timestamp of the last successful calibration
Why does the flash tool preserve it?
A standard firmware flash erases the entire flash partition, which would wipe out weeks of calibration data and reset the battery indicator to a rough estimate. KB1 Studio reads the NVS partition before flashing and writes it back after — so your battery gauge stays accurate across every update.
Instrument Builder guide
- Start with Batch import to load your sample set, or Add to bin to add files without auto assignment
- Use the adjustment strip under the piano roll to shift your full assignment layout by semitone or octave while preserving note spacing
- Use Slot duration to set playback length; keep the lock on for a consistent instrument, unlock for per-slot timing
- Use Normalize when your source files have low or uneven loudness
- Save your project as .kb1i while working, then export .pti when ready
- Scroll to zoom, Shift+scroll to pan in both the piano roll and waveform editor