oriBag: Why My Keyboards Travel in Felt, Not in a Hard Case
A felt case cut to the outline of your split keyboard: how oriBag is made, why felt protects better than a rigid shell, and how to pick the right size.
Wired or Wireless Split Keyboard? Vial vs ZMK Studio Explained
Both are easy to customise and neither needs coding. Here is what actually changes between a wired FalbaTech keyboard with Vial and a wireless one with ZMK Studio.
Vial or ZMK Studio: what changes in daily use
Almost every FalbaTech keyboard comes in two versions: wired and wireless. The case, the switches and the keycaps are the same. What changes is the controller inside, the battery, and the software you use to customise it. Here is what that means in daily use.
The short version
Since 1 July 2026 every wired FalbaTech keyboard ships with Vial, and every wireless one with ZMK Studio. In both cases you change keys, layers and macros in an app or in your browser. You do not need GitHub and you do not need to compile firmware.
Wired keyboards: Vial
Vial is already installed when the keyboard arrives. Open the Vial desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) or Vial Web in your browser, connect the keyboard with a USB cable and start changing things. You can remap any key, create macros, set up layers, configure tap/hold behaviour and adjust lighting on keyboards that have it.
The two halves are connected with a cable: a TRRS jack on most models, USB-C on some (for example the ReDOX FT MX Wired). On TRRS models always unplug USB before you plug or unplug the cable between the halves.
Wireless keyboards: ZMK Studio
Turn the keyboard on, connect it with USB and open ZMK Studio. Changes to keys, layers and behaviours are saved instantly. Wireless keyboards shipped from 1 November 2026 have no ZMK Studio lock and no activation code, so you can start editing straight away.
There is no cable between the halves. They connect to each other and to your computer over Bluetooth. Battery life depends on the battery (350 to 1500 mAh, marked on each keyboard) and on what draws power: RGB lighting, underglow or displays. The central half, the one that talks to your computer, uses more power than the other half, which is normal. You can estimate battery life with the ZMK power profiler.
Which one should you choose?
Choose wired if the keyboard stays on one desk: it is the simplest option, it never needs charging, and there is nothing to pair. Choose wireless if you want a clean desk without cables, switch between devices, or carry the keyboard with you.
Can I still build my own firmware?
Yes. Everyday changes never need compiling, but advanced users can still build their own firmware if they want to add completely new features.
You can find more answers in the FAQ, or compare all models in Which Split Keyboard Should You Buy?. Every keyboard I have ever built has lifetime free repair. Questions? Write to contact@falba.tech.
