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.

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.

•  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

1.  Base Layer: In the base layer, each key performs its primary action, which is a legend on the top of the keycap.
2.  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.
3.  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:

1. Press and hold the SmartSet Key, then tap the Remap Key.
2. First select the source key (i.e., the action you want to copy).
3. 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:

1. Press and hold the SmartSet Key, then tap the Macro Key.
2. modifier trigger key.
3. Once you have designated your trigger key(s), the keyboard will start recording all subsequent keystrokes for your macro (300 max).
4. 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-Drive:+ 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

Documents / Resources

KINESIS KB360 Mechanical Keyboard [pdf] User Guide KB360 Mechanical Keyboard, KB360, Mechanical Keyboard, Keyboard

References

• User Manual