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RGB Controls
rootiest edited this page 2026-04-13 14:54:43 -04:00
Table of Contents

RGB Controls

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The Q5 Max has a full per-key RGB matrix with Keychron's extended effect system (PER_KEY_RGB and MIXED_RGB) manageable through both the KEEB_CTL layer and Keychron Launcher.

Accessing RGB Controls

RGB keys are on the KEEB_CTL layer. Get there with:

  • One-shot: Hold FN1, tap Right Ctrl > press one RGB key
  • Locked: FN1+5 (LCK_CTL) > use RGB keys freely > FN1+0 or LCK_BASE to exit

RGB Key Reference

On/Off

Key Location Action
RGB_TOG Tab key (KEEB_CTL) Toggle RGB on/off
RGB_TOG Encoder press (KEEB_CTL) Toggle RGB on/off

Effect & Mode

Key Location Action
RGB_MOD Q Next effect mode
RGB_RMOD A Previous effect mode

Brightness

Key Location Action
RGB_VAI W Brightness up
RGB_VAD S Brightness down
Encoder CW (KEEB_CTL layer) Brightness up
Encoder CCW (KEEB_CTL layer) Brightness down
RGB_VAI / RGB_VAD F5 / F6 in F-row Brightness +/-

Hue (Colour)

Key Location Action
RGB_HUI E Hue up (shift colour)
RGB_HUD D Hue down

Saturation

Key Location Action
RGB_SAI R Saturation up (more vivid)
RGB_SAD F Saturation down (toward white)

Animation Speed

Key Location Action
RGB_SPI T Speed up animation
RGB_SPD G Slow down animation

Summary Layout (KEEB_CTL layer, main cluster)

RGBt  RGBm  VAI+  HUI+  SAI+  SPI+  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...
       RGBr  VAD-  HUD-  SAD-  SPD-  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...

RGBt = toggle, RGBm = next mode, RGBr = previous mode, VAI/VAD = brightness, HUI/HUD = hue, SAI/SAD = saturation, SPI/SPD = speed.

Keychron Launcher / VIA Integration

Keychron's extended RGB effects (PER_KEY_RGB and MIXED_RGB) are configured through Keychron Launcher. These effects allow:

  • PER_KEY_RGB: Assign a unique colour to every individual key.
  • MIXED_RGB: Divide keys into regions, each playing a different animated effect simultaneously, with optional timed transitions between effects.

Settings configured in Launcher are saved to EEPROM and survive:

  • Power cycles
  • Bluetooth/2.4 GHz transport changes (wireless reconnect)

If RGB reverts to the default heatmap after a transport change or power cycle, it indicates an EEPROM issue. The custom firmware specifically fixes this -- see the firmware changelog for details.

Default Colour Scheme (Per-Key RGB defaults)

When EEPROM is cleared (QK_CLEAR_EEPROM) the per-key colours reset to the firmware defaults:

Key group Default colour
Escape Red
CapsLock Red
Alpha keys (Q-P, A-L, Z-M, Space) Blue
All other keys (modifiers, F-row, numpad, etc.) Yellow

These defaults are set by the default_per_key_led[] array in the board source code and can be overridden at any time through Keychron Launcher.