Rapid Trigger for the CORSAIR K70 MAX now has software controls

Since releasing the CORSAIR K70 MAX keyboard back in August, we’ve been hard at work adding Rapid Trigger functionality. After successfully refining the firmware over a couple of beta releases, we’re pleased to announce that the full release of Rapid Trigger is now available for all K70 MAX owners.

Those of you who participated in the beta testing phase will already know how much of a game changer Rapid Trigger is, however, it could be a bit finnicky to adjust via keyboard shortcuts. So, now we’ve finalized the software controls for Rapid Trigger within iCUE, which will make Rapid Trigger easy to use and adjust, but first: a brief recap of what it is and how it works.

The reason Rapid Trigger is even possible is down to the development of CORSAIR MGX magnetic mechanical key switches. These switches use hall effect sensors to constantly monitor the position of the switch, meaning that the keyboard knows how far down the key is pressed.

So, if we know how far down the key is at all times, we can circumvent one of the inherent performance limitations of the traditional mechanical key switch design. With this type of key switch, the key has to return to a certain point before it can be pushed down and actuated again. However, with magnetic key switches, if we always know how far down the key is, we can allow them to be actuated again the moment they begin to move upwards again.

In short, Rapid Trigger removes the inherent speed limit at which you can press keys, as long as the key has begun to move upwards, it can be pressed again. This is a certified game changer for competitive gaming, particularly FPS games like Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, and Valorant where pixel-perfect movement is vital. Gameplay movements like strafing back and forth can be done far quicker like this, in fact, any action input via the keyboard can be done quicker with this technology.

It’s worth reiterating here that the K70 MAX is the only keyboard in our lineup that supports Rapid Trigger at this time. However, any future keyboards featuring the MGX switches will have Rapid Trigger, too.

As of the publish date of this article, updating your CORSAIR K70 MAX keyboard to the latest firmware will allow you to use the Rapid Trigger functionality. Once you’ve done that, follow these steps to enable and adjust Rapid Trigger.

Click on the image of the K70 MAX in iCUE to head into it’s module. After this, click the “Key Actuations” button and add a new actuation preset by pressing the yellow “+” button.

Once here, click the little switch next to where it says, “Rapid Trigger”. After this, Rapid Trigger will be enabled in its most basic form. In this state, as long as the key has been pressed at least 2mm down (the primary actuation point), then releasing it 0.1mm or more upwards will allow it to be actuated again, regardless of how far down the key is. If, however, you’re after a more customized experience, we can go further.

If you don’t want it to be that sensitive, you can adjust Rapid Trigger in 0.1mm increments from 0.1mm to 1.0mm. For example, if you set it to 0.6mm, that's how far the key needs to travel back up before resetting, and travel down again to actuate. To do this, simply enter the value you want into the text box, or drag the slider labelled “P” to your desired sensitivity.

Remember, these values are irrespective of the Primary Actuation Point (2.0mm by default), which still needs to be reached before any of this will be able to take effect.

For those who really want to take this customization to the max, we’ve also implemented the ability to separate the press and release sensitivity. For this, another example is in order.

Using these values, you’d now have to release the key by 0.4mm to reset, and press it down 0.7mm to actuate it again. To reiterate, these values are separate from the Primary Actuation Point, which still needs to be reached before Rapid Trigger will take effect. Same rules as before.