How to create macros on a razer keyboard ⌨️?

The utility of creating macros

Without much interest to the inexperienced eye, macros are not just for gaming. Today we can do almost everything if we are clear about what we want and how to do it:

Add the opening of a program to a button or buttons (Discord, for example). Facilitate additional editing shortcuts in programs like Photoshop. Programmed multimedia commands or timers (radio, Spotify). Create macros for games (obviously).

These and other ideas are totally viable and that is why we bring you this tutorial to set macros using a Razer keyboard.

Programs to create macros

Rare is the gaming fan who has not heard of Razer or used any of its products. Its three-headed snake logo is highly recognizable and its brand is many of the keyboards and mice used in professional E-Sports at the highest level and they all have one thing in common: they allow macros.

Be careful there, however. Having a Razer product does not have to imply that it has software or lets us record macros, especially if they are old. Therefore, the first thing you should look at is:

Model of your keyboard See if it has software Check if it allows recording macros

The Razer softwares:

Razer is no rookie when it comes to programs, and Synapse is the company's original software for calibrating all of its peripherals. This was updated to Razer Synapse 2.0 (legacy), a unified configuration software that allows you to reassign controls or assign macros to any of your Razer peripherals and automatically save all settings to the cloud. Currently it is also possible that some of you are using their new version in tests: Synapse 3 Beta, but we warn you that the distribution of menus and commands is practically identical.

Accompanying Synapse we also have other programs such as Razer Central, Cortex or Chroma, but we will see these in more depth in the article How to get the most out of your Razer keyboard and mouse.

For this tutorial we have used Razer Synapse 2.0 with the Blackwidow TE Chroma V2 keyboard. Once we run the software, it reveals all the components linked to it and we click on our keyboard.

What receives us in advance is an image of our peripheral. When you pass the mouse over it, you can check that each button lights up, implying that it is an interactive scheme. Accompanying it we have the following points of interest:

Profile: the number of profiles available on our keyboard depends on how advanced it is. At Razer it is common to have a total of five and each one is configurable. Profile options: right next to it we have a drop-down button that allows us to modify the active profile, import, rename or other actions. Standard or Hypershift mode: located just below the keyboard, this button allows us to choose between each button having only a single action per button or that several can coexist in it.

Game mode: it allows us to disable buttons like the Windows key during our games and it is modifiable. Keyboard properties: this section offers us the possibility of accessing the keyboard properties in Windows instead of editing through Razer Synapse.

Drop-down menu: in the upper left corner we can also see a hamburger menu that when we press, it displays a view of all the individual buttons on our keyboard.

The issue that interests us most here is linked to selecting the key to which we want to assign a macro, which will eventually lead us to the Macro Module.

The Macro Module offered by Razer in the section is an advanced plugin. It is necessary to install it to manage commands on your mouse or keyboard individually.

How to create macros

We finally made it to the main course after the introductory software class. Depending on the keyboard you have, two things can happen:

Record macros On the Fly . Create macros with the software.

At Professional Review we usually recommend that you create macros using software.

Remember that if your keyboard has internal memory you can always uninstall the program later and the visual support can help the initiates in this journey.

Create macros using software

As we mentioned earlier, selecting a specific button on our keyboard opens an additional tab for assignments that offers us a wide catalog of what we can do in this situation:

Default: Returns the selected button to its original factory assignment. Keyboard function: allows us to record keys, whether alphanumeric, Fn (functions), modifier keys (Ctrl), symbols or navigation. Basically sets keyboard macros on the mouse. Mouse Function: Sets the type of click that will correspond to the button. For example, lefties can make M1 on the right and M2 on the left. The reassignment can be done according to all the other active buttons on the mouse (they are interchangeable). Sensitivity: designates the button for changes in DPI and sensitivity levels. Macro: the one that interests us most. It allows to carry out specific commands. Between Devices: allows us to alternate or change profiles between Razer peripherals. Profile change: we can click to move between the profiles integrated in the memory of our mouse. Change lighting: from the various modes that we have stored in memory, it switches from one to the other. Razer Hypershift: Assign this button as a Hypershift modifier key. To use doubly associated buttons in this mode we must press and hold the Hypershift and then press the key to use. Run program: associates the opening of a software with a specific mouse button. Multimedia: establish controls such as lowering and raising the volume, mute our microphone or pause playing tracks. Shortcut in Windows: start softwares like calculator, Paint, Notepad or show desktop. Text function: sets a text (emoticons included) to be written when pressing the designated button. Disable: disables any function of the button.

Here the option that really interests us is Macro, so we click on it. If it is the first time that we create macros, the drop-down tab will appear in gray since there is none available, so we must click on Configure Macros.

Configuring Macros takes us to the additional extension that we must download for Razer Synapse. It has a minimum weight, do not worry. Once here you will see a list of macros available to import, export or add new macros.

The first thing we must do is select More (+) to generate a new macro module. In our case we are going to create two: one for Copy and one for Paste. The next thing is to click on Record, and after a countdown of three seconds we must press the series of keys that will compose our macro.

After that we will have to press Stop recording again and our macro will be ready. Another detail is that in the software we can see the activation of each key with their respective hundredths of a second.

Also in recording we can see that there are configurable aspects such as the recording delay or tracking of mouse movements. We also have other panels, such as Join keys or Properties.

Action can be the most interesting of the three since it allows us to record specific commands in the same way that they appear in the main options menu that is revealed when selecting a key. Typing text or Executing command are the juiciest options.

The last step we have left is to return to the main Personalization menu and select the desired keys, go to Macros and assign the one we have created. Easy, huh?

Create macros On the Fly

The most basic option, available even without software for more rudimentary keyboard models. In these cases it is common to find a manual that explains how to carry out the process at the till or on its web portal.

Normally we are told that we must press a specific key combination to start, such as Fn + Alt GR. Having done this, we can perform the recording. We introduce the command to stop the process, either Fn + F9 or similar. Press the key where we want save the macro.

Save created macros

One last aspect to keep in mind is where those commands that we have created will be saved. We can have three options:

Local memory on PC: the most common for mid-range. Integrated memory in keyboard: the information is stored in the peripheral itself. Memory in the cloud: allows our commands to be available wherever we go by downloading the application and logging in.

Local profiles are always the best option and we recommend their use compared to other options, even if they are available. However, it is also possible that not all the commands that we can program on the keyboard can be executed only from local memory. On these occasions the software itself will let us know with a label indicating that Razer Synapse needs to be active.

Final words on creating macros

Creating macros can be one of the funniest aspects of manipulating software options outside (of course) lighting. However, it is also true that it can be somewhat convoluted if we are not familiar with its options and the possibilities they can offer for us.

From profiles with specific macros for games, content editing or program actions, the limit is in the number of them we can accumulate and the needs we have.

We recommend reading: Best keyboards for PC.

Finally, emphasize the issue of saving commands. Knowing if they can be saved in the memory of your keyboard, only on the computer or in the cloud is important if you are going to move around often. Local memory on keyboard will always be your best option, but it also depends on the model you are using since it is not common in the mid-range.

With nothing more to add, we hope this tutorial has been helpful to you. We have tried to make it as complete as possible, but in case of any inconvenience or doubt you can always leave it to us in comments.