killihu has released Hidden MIDI Keyboard, a Windows app that turns your computer keyboard into a highly configurable MIDI keyboard.
Unlike other virtual MIDI keyboard apps, which need to have the focus on the app window to be used, Hidden MIDI Keyboard works independently of the window/app you are working in. It's an invisible app that can be activated/deactivated at any time with a custom key. Only the keys configured for MIDI transmission are used by Hidden MIDI Keyboard, so the remaining keys can still be used for working in the DAW.
It includes several predefined layouts but also has an editor for creating custom layouts. This allows you to create multiple virtual MIDI keyboards tailored to your needs. It's possible to change the layout on the fly to adapt the keyboard to different stages of the workflow. For example, to switch between a standard MIDI keyboard and 4×4 percussion pads.
Price: $8.
