ePBT PAVLOV Creative Studio Mechanical Keyboard

The ePBT PAVLOV Creative Studio is a premium 65% mechanical keyboard designed for discerning enthusiasts, creative professionals, and gamers seeking a blend of high-end performance and exceptional customization. With a compact yet functional layout, it offers a perfect balance between desk space efficiency and comprehensive key coverage. This keyboard stands out with its robust aluminum construction, hot-swappable PCB, and advanced support for QMK and VIA firmware, making it an ideal choice for users who value both tactile satisfaction and deep programmability. Its modular design, multiple mounting options, and included foam kits cater to those who demand a tailored typing experience, while the ANSI layout ensures compatibility with a wide range of keycap sets. Whether you're a keyboard hobbyist, a productivity-focused office user, or a gamer looking for a reliable and stylish input device, this keyboard delivers a versatile platform that adapts to your workflow and aesthetic preferences.

Main Features

This keyboard distinguishes itself through a suite of features engineered for performance, flexibility, and user satisfaction. The 65% layout provides a streamlined footprint without sacrificing essential keys, making it suitable for both compact workspaces and gaming setups. Its hot-swappable PCB allows users to easily change switches without soldering, enabling experimentation with different switch types to achieve the perfect feel and sound. The inclusion of QMK and VIA support empowers users to remap keys, create macros, and customize layers with ease, all through intuitive software interfaces.

• Hot-swappable PCB: Effortlessly swap mechanical switches to suit your typing preference.
• QMK/VIA compatibility: Unlock advanced programmability and key remapping.
• Multiple mounting options: Choose between top mount for a firmer typing feel or tadpole mount for a softer, more flexible experience.
• Three plate materials: Polycarbonate, FR4, and aluminum plates included, each offering distinct acoustic and tactile properties.
• Comprehensive foam kit: Plate, switch, and case foams enhance acoustics and reduce unwanted noise.
• Brass weight bar: Adds stability and a premium feel to the keyboard.
• RGB indicator for Caps Lock: Visual feedback for key status.

These features collectively make the keyboard a standout option for users who want a highly customizable and premium typing experience, with the flexibility to adapt the keyboard’s feel and sound to their exact preferences.

Craftsmanship and Design

The keyboard boasts a meticulously crafted design, featuring an anodized and electrostatically coated aluminum top and bottom case for superior durability and a refined finish. The use of premium materials extends to the internal components, with a brass weight bar that not only enhances stability but also adds a touch of elegance. The 65% ANSI layout strikes a balance between compactness and usability, while the top mount and tadpole mount options allow users to fine-tune the typing feel. The inclusion of three different plate materials—polycarbonate, FR4, and aluminum—offers further customization of acoustics and feedback. Ergonomically, the keyboard features a 7° typing angle and a front height of 18.36 mm (excluding feet), promoting comfortable extended use. The overall build quality is robust, with attention to detail evident in the seamless integration of components and the thoughtful inclusion of foam layers to dampen noise and enhance the typing experience. The keyboard’s dimensions (316.85 mm x 112.20 mm x 31.31 mm) and weight (~1.64 kg after build) contribute to its solid, premium feel on the desk, ensuring both stability and longevity.

Connectivity Options

This keyboard is designed for users who prioritize reliability and low-latency input, offering a wired-only connection via a modern USB-C port. The choice of USB-C ensures broad compatibility with contemporary devices and provides a secure, fast, and efficient data transfer channel. The wired connection eliminates concerns about wireless interference, battery life, or input lag, making it especially appealing for gamers and professionals who require consistent performance. The inclusion of a daughterboard with a JST cable further enhances the durability and longevity of the connection, reducing wear on the main PCB and allowing for easier maintenance or upgrades. Switching between devices is straightforward—simply unplug and reconnect the USB-C cable to the desired computer or workstation. The keyboard’s plug-and-play nature ensures compatibility across major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, without the need for additional drivers. For users who value a stable and high-performance connection, this keyboard’s wired-only approach delivers peace of mind and uncompromising responsiveness, making it a dependable choice for demanding applications.

• USB-C connectivity: Modern, reversible, and robust connection standard.
• Daughterboard with JST cable: Enhances durability and simplifies maintenance.
• Wired-only design: Ensures zero input lag and maximum reliability.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

While it does not offer wireless connectivity, the focus on a high-quality wired connection aligns with the needs of users who demand consistent, high-speed input for gaming, programming, and creative work.

Personalization Options

Personalization is at the heart of this keyboard’s design, offering extensive options to tailor both functionality and aesthetics. The hot-swappable PCB enables users to experiment with a wide variety of mechanical switches, from tactile to linear and clicky, without soldering. This flexibility allows for easy upgrades or changes to suit evolving preferences. The keyboard supports QMK and VIA firmware, providing a powerful platform for key remapping, macro creation, and custom layer configuration. Through VIA’s intuitive interface, users can assign complex commands, shortcuts, or lighting effects, adapting the keyboard to their unique workflow or gaming needs.

• Key remapping and macros: Fully programmable via QMK/VIA for personalized layouts and shortcuts.
• Multiple mounting systems: Choose between top mount for a traditional feel or tadpole mount for a softer, more flexible typing experience.
• Swappable plates: Easily switch between polycarbonate, FR4, and aluminum plates to modify sound and feel.
• Comprehensive foam kit: Customize acoustics and dampening to achieve your preferred typing sound profile.
• Keycap compatibility: Standard ANSI layout supports a wide range of aftermarket keycap sets, including ePBT Creative Studio keycaps.

While the keyboard does not feature per-key RGB backlighting, it includes an RGB indicator for Caps Lock and supports aesthetic customization through keycap swaps and plate changes. The modular design and support for industry-standard customization tools make it an excellent platform for users who enjoy personalizing both the look and performance of their keyboard.

Beyond Basics

Beyond its core features, the keyboard incorporates thoughtful extras that enhance the user experience. The inclusion of a brass weight bar not only improves stability but also adds a luxurious touch to the overall design. The comprehensive foam kit—comprising plate foam, switch pad, and case foam—significantly improves typing acoustics, reducing unwanted noise and providing a more satisfying sound profile. The keyboard also features a dedicated RGB indicator for Caps Lock, offering clear visual feedback. Cherry screw-in stabilizers are included for smoother keypresses on larger keys, and silicone socks help further dampen vibrations. These enhancements, combined with the modular mounting options and premium materials, make the keyboard a standout choice for users seeking a refined and customizable typing experience that goes well beyond the basics.