KINESIS KB360 Mechanical Keyboard User Guide
- June 4, 2024
- Kinesis
Table of Contents
KB360 Mechanical Keyboard
User Guide
Advantage 360
Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide is designed to get you up and running with keyboard
basics. For additional details and full programming instructions please read
the User’s Manual and consult the other support resources before embarking on
this journey.
All Support Resources :
kinesis.com/support/kb360
In the Box
- Keyboard (KB360-XXX)
- Main Cable (USB-C to USB-A)
- Link Cable (USB-C to USB-C)
- Bridge Connector
- Extra Keycaps & Keycap Removal Tool
System Requirements
- Keyboard: Computer with full-size USB-A port and Windows 7-12®, macOS®, Linux®, or Chrome® operating system
- SmartSet App: Windows or macOS
Getting Started
Start by connecting the “Link Cable” to the two innermost ports on each
keyboard module. Then connect the USB-C end of the “Main Cable” to the
outermost port on the right module. Finally, connect the USB-A end of the Main
Cable to your computer.
Installation
Depending on your operating system, your computer may prompt you through a
series of brief setup steps when you first connect the keyboard. Note: The
Advantage360 is plug-and-play and does not require any special drivers or
software for basic use. Depending on your operating system, your computer may
prompt you through a series of brief setup steps when you first connect the
keyboard. Note: The Advantage360 is plug-and-play and does not require any
special drivers or software for basic use.
Ergonomics
The Kinesis contoured keyboard has stood the test of time since its first
introduction in 1992. The Advantage360 takes those same core design principles
and adds adjustable separation, rotation, and tenting to suit any body type.
Learn More: kinesis.com/solutions/keyboard-risk-
factors
Separation and Rotation
The most ergonomic typing position is one in which your hands are n line with
your arms for “straight” wrists. This can be achieved by separating the
modules to shoulder-width, by rotating the modules “outward”, or any
combination of the two. New users should start with the modules closer
together, and experiment with separation
and rotation to see what orientation feels most natural.
Optional Bridge Connector
For those who want to recreate the classic separation of our original
contoured keyboard or those who just aren’t ready to make the move to a fully
split keyboard, simply snap the Bridge Connector onto the keyboard base.
Warning: The Bridge Connector is NOT designed to support the weight of
the keyboard!!!
Adjustable Tenting
The Advantage360 features three adjustable “tenting” heights to reduce forearm
pronation. Depress the button on the underside of each module and raise/lower
the module to the desired height. The lowest setting corresponds to the
original contoured keyboard height, but users can go up from there to find the
perfect position.
Customizing Keycaps
Extra keycaps like macOS modifiers and “blanks” are included to support
keyboard customization. Use the keycap removal tool to grasp the sides of a
keycap and gently pull it straight up to remove it. Carefully align the new
keycap over the stem of the key switch and press down gently. Note: Each
keycap has a different height and slope so it may not be suitable for every
location on the keyboard.
6 Indicator LEDs
The Advantage360 features six Indicator LEDs that display important keyboard
settings. The default assignments are shown below, but each LED can be
customized to suit your preferences using the SmartSet App or Direct
Programming.
Default Profile LED Color
0:| Off
1:| White
2:| Bright Blue
3:| Green
4:| Red
5:| Blue
6:| Yellow
7:| Orange
8:| Green-Blue
9:| Pink
Default Layer LED Color
Base:| Off
KP:| White
fn:| Blue
Note: Power users can access two additional fn layers (fn2 and fn3) via
the SmartSet App or Direct Programming if desired.
Optional Palm Pads
If you purchased the all-new Palm Pads separately, simply identify the correct
side and drop them into place. The magnets will automatically center them on
the keyboard. Clean by wiping with a small amount of lightly soapy water as
needed.
Default Keyboard Layout
The Advantage360 may look intimidating at first, but the layout is designed to work with your body and most keys are accessed with the same fingers touch- typists are accustomed to using. – Concave key wells place alphanumeric keys within easy reach
- Heavily-used editing keys are positioned under your thumbs
- F1 – F12 are accessed by holding either of the two “fn” layer keys
- The numeric keypad is accessed by tapping the “KP” layer key
- 4 blank “hotkeys” are available for macros or custom key actions
- Onboard programming commands are triggered by key
combinations initiated with the “SmartSet” Key
3 Default Layers
Each key can perform multiple actions depending on which “layer” is active on the keyboard. The layer LEDs will illuminate when you move away from the base layer. By default, most keys perform the same action in all three layers. If a key performs multiple actions, the keycap will feature a second and/or third legend on its front face.
- Base Layer: In the base layer, each key performs its primary action, which is a legend on the top of the keycap.
- KP Layer: Tap the “KP” key on the left module to access the KP layer, and tap it again to return to the base layer. Kp layer actions are legend on the lower right corner of the keycap.
- fn Layer: Press and hold either of the “fn” keys with your pinky to temporarily access the fn layer, and release to return to the base layer. Fn layer actions are legend on the lower left corner of the keycap.
10 Available Profiles
The Advantage360 features 10 onboard Profiles. The factory-default profile,
Profile 0, is not programmable to prevent accidental programming by novice
users. If you don’t plan to customize the keyboard, this is the perfect
profile for you. If you do plan to customize the keyboard, you’ll need to
first switch to one of the 9 programmable profiles. Switching between profiles
is easy using the convenient onboard shortcut and the number row.
Switch Profiles: + 0 – 9
Onboard Programming
The Kinesis SmartSet Engine is designed to let you quickly and easily re-
program the keyboard layout without downloading any software by using the
SmartSet Key in conjunction with the 4 Hotkeys. Remember to toggle to one of
the 9 programmable profiles first, and then follow the steps below. Note:
Consult the full User Manual for additional details.
Remapping
To “Remap” any key on the Advantage360 to a new location:
- Press and hold the SmartSet Key, then tap the Remap Key.
- First select the source key (i.e., the action you want to copy).
- Then select the physical destination key.
Remap: + Remap Key
Note: Onboard remapping does not swap keys, it just duplicates the
action. To swap keys, repeat the remapping process and press the desired keys
in the opposite order. Special key actions which do not exist in the default
layout can be added to any key or layer via the SmartSet App or Direct
Programming.
On-the-Fly Macro Recording
To assign a “macro” to any key or key combo on the Advantage360:
- Press and hold the SmartSet Key, then tap the Macro Key.
- modifier trigger key.
- Once you have designated your trigger key(s), the keyboard will start recording all subsequent keystrokes for your macro (300 max).
- When you have finished recording your macro, tap the SmartSet Key to stop recording. The macro will save to the active Profile.
Record Macro: + Macro Key
Advanced Programming
For Advantage360 users who want to go beyond basic onboard programming, there
are a host of additional features and special actions which can be accessed
through the SmartSet App or by Direct Programming the keyboard’s configuration
files.
Mouse Clicks/Movement | Tap-and-Hold | Multi-Modifiers Layer Toggle/Shifting |
fn2 & fn3 Layers | Media Keys Macro Playback Tools | Indicator LEDs | Special
Key Actions
The All-New SmartSet App
The SmartSet App provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for Windows & Mac
users. Use the App to customize the keyboard’s settings, layout (including
rapid Dvorak &
Colemak configurations), and indicator LEDs. 
Download the App: kinesis.com/support/kb360/#smartset-
app
Simply launch the SmartSet App and follow the prompts to connect the
keyboard’s v-Drive to your computer. Save your changes in the App and then use
the Refresh shortcut to push those changes to the keyboard. Then disconnect
the v-Drive to resume normal operation.
Connect/Disconnect v-Driv e: **+ v-Drive Key
Refresh Keyboard: **+ Refresh Key
Direct Programming
Power users have the option of directly programming the keyboard by editing
the simple text configuration files found on the v-Drive. Read the Direct
Programming guide for syntax rules and tokens, and proceed with caution.
Learn More:
kinesis.com/support/kb360/#manuals
Additional Power Users Features
There are a variety of additional features and onboard shortcuts which are
described in full detail in the User Manual.
NKRO | Firmware Update | Program Lock | Status Report Hard Reset | Soft Reset
| Reformat v-Drive
https://kinesis-ergo.com/support/kb360/
Visit the Official Kinesis YouTube channel for short tutorial videos
Kinesis ® Advantage360™ Keyboard with the SmartSet Programming Engine
Keyboard models covered by this guide include all KB360 series keyboards
(KB360-xxx).
© 2022 by Kinesis Corporation. All rights reserved. KINESIS is a registered
trademark of Kinesis Corporation. ADVANTAGE360, CONTOURED KEYBOARD, SMARTSET,
and V-DRIVE are trademarks of Kinesis Corporation.
WINDOWS, MAC, MACOS, LINUX, and ANDROID are the property of their respective
owners.
Proudly designed and hand-assembled in the USA since 1992.
Shop for Accessories: kinesis.com/products
References
- Kinesis Ergonomic Keyboards, Mice and Input Solutions
- Kinesis Keyboards, Mice, Foot Pedals, Keypads and Accessories
- Keyboard Risk Factors | Kinesis Corporation
- Kinesis Advantage360 Keyboard | Technical Support Resources
- Kinesis Advantage360 Keyboard | Technical Support Resources
- Kinesis Advantage360 Keyboard | Technical Support Resources