Is there a way to re-map keybindings? I can't get my volume keys to work.

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Level 1

14 points

Is there a way to re-map keybindings? I can't get my volume keys to work.

Just upgraded to 10.12 and that killed my keybinding program (Karabiner). I was using this program because I bought a das keyboard (Mac edition mechanical keyboard) and I wanted to change where the volume keys were. On this particular keyboard, the "volume" keys (the ones with the mute/volume down/volume up logos printed on them) were in a weird spot. So, I popped them off and re-arranged them and then used Karabiner to specify which of those keys would control what. Well, like I said, I upgraded yesterday to 10.12 and Karabiner doesn't work with 10.12 yet. So, now when I press the volume down key which is F11 on this keyboard, I get expose or something. I forget the name. It makes all open windows slide off the edges to reveal the desktop. No clue why F11 is doing that. But at this point, I can't find out what keys control the volume now. On a side note F12 brings up the Inspector in Firefox if that helps determine what key that is.

Basically, I need F10 to be Mute, F11 to be Volume Down and F12 to be Volume Up. How can I get this to work? IF I can't get those particular keys to do the volume stuff, I need to find out where the volume keys ARE. I can always pop these keys off and move them.

Posted on Mar 23, 2017 9:30 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Mar 23, 2017 5:03 PM in response to TwitchOSX

It looks like whether you see the "Use F1, F2, etc" checkbox is dependent on what keyboard you have on the system. One of mine has it (MacBook and uses built in keyboard) and one doesn't (MacPro with wireless Logitech K480 keyboard but it's running Yosemite, so that might have something to do with it). Also, if I setup the wireless keyboard on the MacBook, the "Use F1, F2, etc" checkbox stays with the System Preferences.

The MacPro and MacBook systems with wireless Logitech keyboard work fine with volume up, down, etc keys, so it's certainly doable. But the really weird thing is that the MacBook built in keyboard uses F10 for mute, and Logitech uses F9 for mute. MacBook uses F11 for volume down and Logitech uses F10. MacBook uses 12 for volume up and Logitech uses F11. All those are what the key label says they are yet how in the world does two different function keys on two different keyboards do the same thing? The two keyboards must be wired a bit differently since F9/mute key on Logitech and F10/mute key on MacBook do the same function of mute audio. VERY WEIRD.

Wonder if you contact the maker of the keyboard that they might have some suggestion about using it on Sierra. What model of DAS keyboard do you have anyway? They make several for Mac according to their website. Do you have a meta key on your DAS labeled "fn"? If so, give that a try with the F9, F10, F11 (mute, volume down, volume up) - any difference? I have one on both the MacBook and Logitech keyboards, and it does work in concert with function keys if I enable the "Use F1, F2, etc" checkbox as expected on both.

Also do you do any thing in Mission Control Keyboard System Preferences shortcuts to the F9 or F10 or F11 keys (or is it F10, F11, and F12 on your system?)?

Good luck...

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Answer 2

TwitchOSX Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 23, 2017 10:19 AM in response to dialabrain

I took a look at that and I have no clue what to do with that program. I scanned through the manual, but I didn't really see anything there about what I want. Unless it's just really really complicated with that program. Thanks though =)

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Answer 3

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Mar 23, 2017 10:54 AM in response to TwitchOSX

Bring up the Keyboard viewer and use it to figure out where your F9, F10, and F11 keys are. You can show the keyboard viewer by placing a checkmark in the Keyboard System Preferences pane in the "Show keyboard and emoji viewers in the menu bar". One tip - you may also need to use the "fn" key to get the function keys if you don't have the "Use F1, F2, etc" checkbox item also checked in that same System Preferences Keyboard pane.

Good luck...

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Answer 4

TwitchOSX Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 23, 2017 11:15 AM in response to dot.com

Ok, I can see the keyboard viewer....And typing on my keyboard shows up on that, but that's not helping me with the audio keys. On a standard Apple Keyboard, the volume keys look to be F10, 11 and 12, but those keys aren't doing anything on this das keyboard. I don't see a "Use F1, F2" option in the Keyboard control panel. Pressing the F12 key on my keyboard shows F12 being pressed on the keyboard viewer btw.

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Answer 5

TwitchOSX Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 23, 2017 4:28 PM in response to dot.com

Thanks for the heads up on the Mission Control preference. Apparently F11 was bound to Show Desktop in there. I fixed that. However F11 now takes me into full screen. F9 and F10 still do nothing.

I do not have an fn key on this keyboard. This is the.... OH ****. There IS an fn key. But it's down between alt/option and control on the right side of the spacebar. Holding fn and hitting the volume keys now works. SO, how do I get those keys to work WITHOUT pressing the fn key? Hitting the fn key with the keyboard viewer open doesn't show that any button is being pressed.

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Answer 6

TwitchOSX Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 23, 2017 7:51 PM in response to dot.com

Well, when I first got the keyboard, I think I had to get Karabiner to remap the keys so I didn't have to use the fn modifier key to get the audio keys to work. I don't remember. It's been a few years. But as of now, I can use the fn key to use the audio keys. But I'd rather not have to do that. Especially since my boss gets on my computer sometimes and she's computer illiterate but she can recognize the volume up/volume down keys and use them. But if she has to use a modifier key, good luck.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

126,581 points

Mar 23, 2017 9:37 AM in response to TwitchOSX

You could try Ukelele and see if it works with Sierra.

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

126,581 points

Mar 23, 2017 11:03 AM in response to TwitchOSX

You're welcome.

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Answer 9

dialabrain

Level 10

126,581 points

Mar 23, 2017 4:36 PM in response to TwitchOSX

Based on the rest of your postings, my guess is you can't with your particular keyboard. Not until Karabiner-Elements is fixed.

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Answer 10

dialabrain

Level 10

126,581 points

Mar 23, 2017 4:49 PM in response to TwitchOSX

I suppose it should be mentioned, if you are using Google Play Music it interferes with the media keys.

See: http://www.omgchrome.com/chrome-google-music-media-keys/

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Answer 11

TwitchOSX Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 23, 2017 5:02 PM in response to dialabrain

I'm not using Google Play. But thanks for the help!

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Answer 12

dialabrain

Level 10

126,581 points

Mar 23, 2017 5:06 PM in response to TwitchOSX

Welcome.

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Answer 13

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Mar 23, 2017 7:34 PM in response to TwitchOSX

I would suggest you contact the support people at DAS and have them explain if and how their keyboard works with Sierra. They will hopefully have run into these issues many times before.

Good luck...

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