Keyboard Modifier
Updated: 19 Sep 2025
Detects keyboard key press and generates an output.
Keyboard Modifier
Method #
This node detects keyboard key presses of a specified key and generates an output for modifiers. It is useful for making quick button inputs to test effects when more advanced input options like OSC or MIDI are not convenient, but be aware of the following caveats:
The Keyboard modifier node only works in Builder and in Standalone executables. When in Builder, the play-head must be playing and the viewport window must be selected by clicking on it.
When in Builder, this node will cannot respond to keys that are used in Keyboard Shortcuts, severely limiting the keys available to use. These keys will however work when you export your project as a standalone application.
This node does not function when a Notch Block is loaded in media servers, as they capture all keyboard inputs.
The output is a numeric value that acts upon a connected parameter input of another node, using the operation method selected.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Key
Which key to detect.
Scale
Adjust the scale/range of the modifier.
Attack
How quickly the output reaches its peak.
Decay
How slowly the output moves back to its resting position.
Operation
What operation is done to the modified attribute.
- Add : adds the current value to where its input.
- Subtract : subtracts the current value to where its input.
- Multiply : multiplies the current value to where its input.
- Replace : replace the value where its input by the current value.
Behaviour
Choose whether the key needs to be held down, or is toggle-able.
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
Parameter Details Duration
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
- Composition Duration : Use the length of the composition for the node’s time segment duration.
- Custom : Set a custom duration for the node’s time segment.
Node Time
The custom start and end time for the node.
Duration (Timecode)
The length of the node’s time segment (in time).
Duration (Frames)
The length of the node’s time segment (in frames).
Time Segment Enabled
Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline.
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Key | Which key to detect. |
| Scale | Adjust the scale/range of the modifier. |
| Attack | How quickly the output reaches its peak. |
| Decay | How slowly the output moves back to its resting position. |
| Operation |
What operation is done to the modified attribute.
|
| Behaviour | Choose whether the key needs to be held down, or is toggle-able. |
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration |
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
|
| Node Time | The custom start and end time for the node. |
| Duration (Timecode) | The length of the node’s time segment (in time). |
| Duration (Frames) | The length of the node’s time segment (in frames). |
| Time Segment Enabled | Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Blend Amount | How much the output value should affect the original value. | Value |