Advantage360  (SmartSet USB)

Support Resources

 

KB360-GBR
KB360-KLQ

FAQs

How do I adjust backlighting on my Signature Series

If you special ordered a Signature Series Advantage360 SmartSet with the shine-through keycaps, you have factory enabled backlighting.

To adjust the backlighting use the command SmartSet + Ctrl + A, and then choose “1-9” to set the brightness level or 0 to “disable”, then tap SmartSet again to lock in your selection.

Does it matter where cables are connected?

Yes it does. The cables should be connected as depicted below. The vacant port on the left module is for connecting the Advantage360 USB-C foot pedal (FS360).

Kinesis Advantage360 SmartSet

How do I switch between Windows, Mac, and PC mode?

The Advantage360 has done away with what were previously known as Thumb Key Modes as they made programming they keyboard inherently more complicated. You can still reassign your thumb keys one at a time using onboard programming or configure them all at once using the SmartSet App.

How do I reset my keyboard to the default layout and/or settings?

Soft Reset
Press SmartSet + Right Ctrl + Enter (lights flash) to reset the active Profile by erasing all remaps and macros.

Hard Reset
Press and hold SmartSet + Hotkey 4 (aka Refresh) while plugging the keyboard in (hold until the lights flash and release) to erase all remaps and macros from all 9 Profiles reset keyboard settings to the factory default.

How do I remap a key?

You can remap a key using the onboard shortcut or the SmartSet App.

Onboard Remapping

  1. Press and hold the SmartSet key and tap “Remap” (aka Hotkey 1) to enter Remap Mode (lights will begin flashing rapidly). Release the Program Key
  2. Tap the “source” key action you want to copy (lights will slow down).
  3. Tap the “destination” key where you want to assign the copied action

Repeat steps 1-3 if you wish to remap another key.

Note: Remapping is a one-way process, to swap key actions you must perform two separate remap actions.

Note: To remap an action from one layer to another (e.g. top level to keypad layer), simply use the “Keypad” key to navigate between layers during the remap process.

 

How do I create a macro?

A macro is a sequence of key strokes that can be stored in your keyboard and played back with click of a single trigger key or key combination. You can record a macro on-the-fly using the onboard shortcut or you can build a macro using SmartSet App.

Onboard Macro Recording

  1. Press and hold the SmartSet key and tap “macro” (aka Hotkey 2) to enter Macro Record Mode (lights will begin flashing rapidly).
  2. Select your trigger key or key combination (lights will lights will flash slowly). Up to four modifiers may be used as “co-triggers” in concert)
  3. Then type your macro content on the keyboard and tap SmartSet again when the macro is complete.

Note: Every keystroke is recorded so if you make a mistake, we recommend restarting the macro or using the SmartSet App to edit it.

Note: To delete an existing macro, begin as if you were going to re-program the same trigger key, but after selecting the trigger key, tap the SmartSet key again. The LED will stop flashing and the macro will be erased for this key.

How should I clean my keyboard?

Basic Cleaning

Basic cleaning should be performed regularly by using compressed air to remove any loose debris in the key wells.

Deep Cleaning

A more thorough cleaning is possible, but take care not to damage the keyboard by getting it wet or forcing off the keycaps. Unplug the keyboard and remove all the individual keycaps to gain access to the keywell, which can collect lots of dirt after time. Use the included keycap removal tool and grab two sides of the keycap and pull straight up. If you do not have a keycap removal tool you can purchase one on Amazon or use two paperclips bent into the shape of a “J”.

  • Soak the loose keycaps in warm soapy water lightly scrub to remove any gunk. Rinse the keycaps and let them thoroughly dry.
  • Use compressed air to remove any loose debris in the key wells and use cotton swabs with rubbing alcohol to remove gunk.
  • Use a microfiber cloth and a small amout rubbing alcohol to clean the outer plastic keyboard case.

Do not reconnect the keyboard to your PC until it is thoroughly dry.

I accidentally remapped a key, how do I reset it?

You can quickly reset a key to its default action by “remapping the key to itself.”

Press and hold the SmartSet key and tap remap to enter Remap Mode (lights will begin flashing rapidly).
Tap the target key twice to restore it to its default function.

How do I program special actions to the keyboard?

You can assign any support action to virtually any key on the keyboard using the SmartSet App or Direct Programming.

Troubleshooting

If your Advantage360 is not working as expected, you have several options.

Step 1: Reference the FAQs above and the Troubleshooting Tips at right.

Step 2: Open any text editing program and use the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Ctrl + Right Shift + “/” to “print” a Status Report of the active keyboard settings to the screen. The Status Report will tell you the active Profile and the number of remaps, and macros. If Status Report indicates any inadvertent reprogramming, the fastest way to get help is to download and search the User Manual (linked above).

Step 3: If you still need help, use the link at the bottom of the page to submit a Trouble Ticket.

 

Where are the Multimedia keys?

Rather than place the standard multimedia keys in arbitrary locations, we decided to leave them off the base layout and let you program them yourslef using the SmartSet App or Direct Programming. Put them on the new hotkeys or one of the secondary layers.

Keyboard is typing numbers instead of letters

Check new Layer LED to see if you’ve inadvertently toggled into the Keypad Layer. If the Layer LED is off you are in the Base Layer, if its white you are in the Keypad Layer, if its Blue you are in the new Fn Layer. If the Layer LED is white then tap the Kp key if you need to toggle out the Keypad Layer. If the Layer LED is Blue you are temporarily “stuck” in the Fn layer. Press both of the new Fn “pinky” keys simultaneously to revert back to the Base Layer.

Garbled Status Report

On certain machines and operating systems the default Status Report playback speed is too fast for the computer to process. Early versions of firmware versions did not support the ability to set a custom Status Report playback speed. The Status Report speed can be adjusted via Direct Programming or the SmartSet App.

 

My layout file is corrupt

In some instances a layout .txt file can become corrupted. Usually this happens from “closing” the v-Drive while the keyboard was still writing to a file. To prevent this from happening always “eject” the drive in the File Manager before using the onboard shortcut to close the v-Drive. If a file is corrupted, you can try to delete the file but a corrupt file usually cannot be deleted. In that case, you may need to Repair or Reformat the drive (contact Kinesis Tech Support for details)

My keyboard is typing gibberish

It’s probable that you inadvertently remapped one or more keys or recorded a macro. You can run a Status Report or launch the SmartSet App to check for unintended programming, or simply perform a Soft Reset to erase all programming in the active Profile (SmartSet + Right Ctrl + Enter)

Trouble when paired with a KVM switch or dock

Because the Advantage360 is a multimedia keyboard that can present itself to the computer as a virtual flash drive, it may not be compatible with all KVM switches and docks.

Onboard Programming won't work

The Advantage360 ships from the factory in Profile 0, which is non-programmable to prevent accidental programming by novice users. First toggle to one of the 9 programmable profiles (SmartSet + 1-9 in the number row), and then use the Remap or Macro shortcuts to begin programming that profile.

Advantage360 SmartSet App

The SmartSet App offers a GUI alternative to onboard programming of your Advantage360 keyboard. Download the desired version of App below, launch the App directly from your computer, and follow the prompts to “mount” the keyboard’s v-Drive.

Downloads

Windows (NEW)

macOS (NEW)

Linux Users

Access the Source Code on GitHub

Videos

Firmware Updates

Updating the firmware on the Advantage360 is fast and easy. Open a text editor window and run a Status Report to see your current firmware version. Save the new firmware file to the firmware subfolder on the v-Drive. Then Use the onboard shortcut SmartSet + Right Ctrl + U.

Step-by-Step Advantage360 SmartSet Firmware Installation Instructions

Warranty

Advantage360 Keyboards are sold with a THREE YEAR limited warranty

Submit a Trouble Ticket

Not finding your answer?

Submit a trouble ticket and a support technician will respond to you in a timely manner.

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