Author Topic: EK's "Soft-Landing" Pads for Cherry MX (Read 22386 times)

elitekeyboards · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 13:56:18 »

Quote from: reaper~;336951

Well, on EliteKeyboards homepage they show the pad on the switch itself so maybe that's the way it's supposed to be? I don't know.

Show Image

This is correct, it is designed to fit loosely around the keycap mounts (of several manufacturer's mounts). If the pad fits too tightly on the mount then you end up pushing the pad into the switch on the down-stroke; i.e. pin-cushioning. Yea, they would be easier to install if they held onto the mount; it's a tradeoff that you have to accept for performance.

The Solutor · « **Reply #31 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 13:57:40 »

Quote

do they actually do anything?

They are very effective. But keep in mind that effective and pleasant are not synonyms, the keys becomes silent and with a soft landing, but this change a bit the soul of the mech keyboard.

Personally i like more the silicone o-ring mod

reaper · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 14:12:11 »

Quote from: heedpantsnow;336978

Hi, Reaper, nice keyboard :-) Thanks for taking the time to do the samples, etc.
Quick question: It was my understanding that these pads were adhesive, but then you said that they fall out of the keycaps. So they're not adhesive, or it's just too weak?

You're welcome and you should recognize that board, it's from you. lol =D Anyway, they're not adhesive.

Quote from: input nirvana;337004

Thanks for the sound samples...I thought there was a definite dampening, which I liked. My keyboards are Cherry browns, so I'm not too sure how the effect would be different, but I want to reduce the sound output as much as possible.

You're welcome.

Quote from: isp;337024

do they actually do anything? how do they effect cherry reds?

I haven't tried them on red yet, just with the blue switches since they're the loudest.

Quote from: elitekeyboards;337036

This is correct, it is designed to fit loosely around the keycap mounts (of several manufacturer's mounts). If the pad fits too tightly on the mount then you end up pushing the pad into the switch on the down-stroke; i.e. pin-cushioning. Yea, they would be easier to install if they held onto the mount; it's a tradeoff that you have to accept for performance.

Thanks for clearing that up for us. =)

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 14:47:38 »

I'm wondering if they make the keys feel "mushy" or just a "soft landing"?
And do they reduce other sound a bit, like the "hollowness echo" in the keycap?

reaper · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 14:57:36 »

^ Well, they didn't feel mushy to me. The keys felt the same but a bit quieter (since I got the soft pads, I'd imagine the firmer pads might feel different). As for that hollow echo sound, I'm not too sure since I didn't notice it before on this particular keyboard.

elef · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 15:28:02 »

Quote from: elitekeyboards;337036

This is correct, it is designed to fit loosely around the keycap mounts (of several manufacturer's mounts). If the pad fits too tightly on the mount then you end up pushing the pad into the switch on the down-stroke; i.e. pin-cushioning. Yea, they would be easier to install if they held onto the mount; it's a tradeoff that you have to accept for performance.

I'm afraid I don't understand any of that.

"If the pad fits too tightly on the mount then you end up pushing the pad into the switch on the down-stroke; i.e. pin-cushioning."
What, where, how? Do you mean that if the hole is too tight, the round cylinder in the keycap will catch on the edge of the hole in the pad? That's exactly why you should have a smaller hole in my opinion: keep the pad inside the keycap, eliminating that possibility entirely. The same hole size should work for all or most Cherry MX keycaps, I imagine.

"it's a tradeoff that you have to accept for performance"
In what way do you gain performance from having a loose pad under the keycap instead of a fixed pad inside the keycap?

The Solutor · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 15:41:14 »

Quote from: elef;337097

I'm afraid I don't understand any of that.

"If the pad fits too tightly on the mount then you end up pushing the pad into the switch on the down-stroke; i.e. pin-cushioning."
What, where, how? Do you mean that if the hole is too tight, the round cylinder in the keycap will catch on the edge of the hole in the pad? That's exactly why you should have a smaller hole in my opinion: keep the pad inside the keycap, eliminating that possibility entirely. The same hole size should work for all or most Cherry MX keycaps, I imagine.

"it's a tradeoff that you have to accept for performance"
In what way do you gain performance from having a loose pad under the keycap instead of a fixed pad inside the keycap?

I totally agree due to the soft material there is at least 2mm in tolerance, so if the hole fits right on the normal cylinder it will fit a bit tighter on higher diameters ones, but I really can't see how this could impact the performance

CephalicCarnage · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 15:47:00 »

With all the feedback so far, I think these sound perfect for linear switches where most, if not all the noise comes from bottoming out. Until I own a board with red switches, I'll just enjoy the noisiness of my blue switches.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 15:53:04 »

Quote from: reaper~;337088

^ Well, they didn't feel mushy to me. The keys felt the same but a bit quieter (since I got the soft pads, I'd imagine the firmer pads might feel different). As for that hollow echo sound, I'm not too sure since I didn't notice it before on this particular keyboard.

I understand. Thanks.

They don't noticeably reduce the keystroke travel?

I'm wanting to give my split Kinesis the highest quality feel, sound, performance I can. It's a work in progress, and a test-bed.

Tallon · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 16:35:49 »

I just put in my "firm" soft landing pads -

My initial reaction, they REALLY decrease the sound! Actually, at first I was underwhelmed - and then I hit a key that didn't have a pad in it yet, and I was amazed at how much louder it was. The firm pads really do quiet the board. For those of us who want quiet switches (one of the reasons I bought a "silent" das), these are great. The keys still feel great in my opinion and I didn't lose any typing speed (100 wpm). Having said that, they do feel different - but I'm not the best at describing subjective things like that - other than to say I am going to keep using these for the foreseeable future

.

Oh - I let my wife try. She couldn't feel a difference between the soft and hard pads (I couldn't really feel a difference either), but there is a significant difference in sound. The firm pads definitely quiet the bored a lot more than the soft.

She's all excited - now she wants my Das keyboard! =-\

-Tallon

reaper · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 16:45:29 »

Quote from: input nirvana;337108

They don't noticeably reduce the keystroke travel?

Nope, none that I notice.

Quote from: Tallon;337130

I just put in my "firm" soft landing pads -

My initial reaction, they REALLY decrease the sound! Actually, at first I was underwhelmed - and then I hit a key that didn't have a pad in it yet, and I was amazed at how much louder it was. The firm pads really do quiet the board. For those of us who want quiet switches (one of the reasons I bought a "silent" das), these are great. The keys still feel great in my opinion and I didn't lose any typing speed (100 wpm). Having said that, they do feel different - but I'm not the best at describing subjective things like that - other than to say I am going to keep using these for the foreseeable future .

Cool. Thanks for your input. Now we have both to compare. =P

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #41 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 19:08:34 »

Tallon-Firm is quieter than soft. Great. Did you hear reapers sound comparison on blues with and w/o soft pads? Do you notice reduced keystroke travel with either? What switches does your board have? Any negative input?

My Kinesis Contoured has browns that are PCB mounted, any comparative input on that application?

dr/owned · « **Reply #42 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 19:13:58 »

Quote from: ripster;336907

I would have rather Majestouch found a Chinese supplier of nice thick doubleshot keys. Would be as effective as reducing the sound and look/last a lot better than current key offerings (including Signature Plastics's).

There's gotta be injection molding equipment just sitting in Taiwan gathering dust.

^This. But unfortunately it looks like buying doubleshots alone is just as expensive as getting a used Cherry donor board.

nhwhaup · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 20:02:06 »

I received my pads today and am extremely happy with them. I bought both the black (softer) and the gray (firmer). The black ones didn't appear to have enough to them to even make any difference so I tried them on only a few keys and then went to town putting the gray ones on all my keys. My keyboard is the Filco Majestouch with the Cherry Red switches. For these linear switches the pads are just awesome. The keys were pretty quiet to begin with - only noisy when bottoming out once in awhile. Even as quiet as they were, my husband complained about the noise when I used them in the living room while we were also watching TV. Now tonight I got points for the whole procedure of tearing the keyboard apart to please him and I actually like the sound and the feel even better than before. So a totally win-win for me. Pretty near silent and still love the light touch of the reds. Really happy with the results and will continue to use these. Hopefully the pads will hold up well.

Tallon · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 20:24:16 »

Quote from: input nirvana;337225

Tallon-Firm is quieter than soft. Great. Did you hear reapers sound comparison on blues with and w/o soft pads? Do you notice reduced keystroke travel with either? What switches does your board have? Any negative input?

My Kinesis Contoured has browns that are PCB mounted, any comparative input on that application?

I am using browns (Das S silent, which is plate mounted). If the keystroke is shorter with the firm grey pads - my wife and I cannot notice it. You could say the keys are not as "crisp" - since, normally, you press a brown switch and it requires so little force it basically free falls down until it bottoms out and makes the loud clack. Now there's a pad that stops that. I'm sure that's obvious to everyone, but nonetheless - it does change the feel of the keys somewhat. As far as sound goes - it's almost as quiet as my old membrane board, but has the nice reliable quality of a mechanical.

I did hear reaper's sound comparisons. You can definitely tell a difference from his recordings - and he's using the soft ones. Firm is definitely more quiet - and my wife and I could not tell a difference as far as keystroke length, and any difference in "firmness" or "softness" between the pads was too minor a difference for us to really notice. No negative input - I'll be using these from now on, and I may end up getting another set of firm pads for my next board (since my wife wants this one, I have the perfect excuse to get another mechanical keyboard

).

-Tallon

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #45 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 20:46:53 »

Wow, Tallon, you have really answered and offered some helpful info, thank you so much. The browns I use are PCB mounted but I can see what might be the same and what might be different.

I'm sure this information is helpful to others as well.

Khaotik55 · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 20:48:52 »

I bet reds with firm pads would be the most boring keyboard ever LOL.

EDIT: On second thought it would probably feel cool like typing on a cloud.

mtl · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 21:41:14 »

A cloud of......boobs?

BaconKnight · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 21:42:26 »

Just ordered a set to go along with my Choc Mini MX black I've got on order. I wanted to get MX blacks for a night-time use keyboard specifically, hoping with the firm pads + MX black I'll have the quietest mechanical keyboard possible. Will try to do sound samples before and after when they get in (although it looks like that won't be for at least a week or so)

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 21:42:46 »

Mmmmm.....booooobs

reaper · « **Reply #50 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 21:59:42 »

Quote from: mtl;337285

A cloud of......boobs?

Quote from: input nirvana;337287

Mmmmm.....booooobs

lol I was waiting for ripster to come in with that cloud of boobs comment. =D

Tallon · « **Reply #51 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 22:01:40 »

Quote from: input nirvana;337259

Wow, Tallon, you have really answered and offered some helpful info, thank you so much. The browns I use are PCB mounted but I can see what might be the same and what might be different.

I'm sure this information is helpful to others as well.

No problem! I've learned a ton from this forum, I'm happy to give back when I can. What's really nice - these pads aren't much money, so if you don't like them you won't be set back much

. Hopefully you like them as much as I do!

-Tallon

nocturn4l3030 · « **Reply #52 on:** Mon, 25 April 2011, 23:46:20 »

Quote from: Tallon;337302

No problem! I've learned a ton from this forum, I'm happy to give back when I can. What's really nice - these pads aren't much money, so if you don't like them you won't be set back much . Hopefully you like them as much as I do!

-Tallon

you can sell almost anything on the classified sections too if you're unhappy with the purchase

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #53 on:** Tue, 26 April 2011, 00:59:50 »

Quote from: nocturn4l3030;337341

you can sell almost anything on the classified sections too if you're unhappy with the purchase

NEED TO GET RID OF ASAP:
Very high quality and well built girlfriend. Kinda beat up, with a few small problems here and there, but still has a few good years left in her. Looks like new. Well maintained, records available upon request. Will throw in extras to make a deal. Upgraded to newer model.

nocturn4l3030 · « **Reply #54 on:** Tue, 26 April 2011, 01:49:08 »

Quote from: input nirvana;337358

NEED TO GET RID OF ASAP:
Very high quality and well built girlfriend. Kinda beat up, with a few small problems here and there, but still has a few good years left in her. Looks like new. Well maintained, records available upon request. Will throw in extras to make a deal. Upgraded to newer model.

trade you for a Model M? LOL

panda-R · « **Reply #55 on:** Tue, 26 April 2011, 17:22:50 »

Hey it's me the assclown, i like to assclown around because it makes people upset.

I am however very happy to see that the impressions of these pads are so positive.

mtl · « **Reply #56 on:** Tue, 26 April 2011, 21:40:44 »

Can we please find something to complain about with these soft landing pads? This is Geekhack, isn't it?

godofdeath · « **Reply #57 on:** Tue, 26 April 2011, 22:28:20 »

Quote from: mtl;337828

Can we please find something to complain about with these soft landing pads? This is Geekhack, isn't it?

they cost too much

sordna · « **Reply #58 on:** Tue, 26 April 2011, 22:36:28 »

Well, a complaint was said that ideally they should stick inside the keycap stem, not the switch.
I wonder how they compare to the red soft silicone o-rings I found, which are very good to begin with (softer and less noisy than rubber o-rings):
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8857&viewfull=1&page=4&do=comments#post337573

Only one way to find out, argh.

By the way, with the silicone o-rings, the loudest part of my cherry browns' action now is the upstroke. I bet if the soft landing pads could stick in the keycap, they would muffle the upstroke noise a bit.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #59 on:** Wed, 27 April 2011, 00:49:17 »

Are you able to post a sound comparison?

I have no idea, but would the silicone o-rings AND the soft-landing pads be used at the same time???

News:

Author Topic: EK's "Soft-Landing" Pads for Cherry MX (Read 22386 times)