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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: aref on Mon, 23 February 2015, 16:05:04

Title: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: aref on Mon, 23 February 2015, 16:05:04
I have a couple yoga mats, and took the older one and cut it into a mat for my TKL keyboards. It works great and silences the one of my KBs by eliminating the key-strike sound from bouncing off my computer tabletop. It's not noticeable with my MX Red keyboard because so much sound comes from the surface of the exposed KB; but on my 55-gram Realforce, it does absorb sound that resonates from the keyboard's base and bounces off my tabletop. This has been an inexpensive, moderately silencing addition for my 87UB. It wasn't noisy, but not it's even quieter than it had been.

The yoga mat I used measures 3/16" thick. The are sold in different thicknesses: 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", and 3/8". I'm sure a 1/8" mat would have worked fine.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 23 February 2015, 16:58:16
most people use the xtrac xxl
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: foxer on Mon, 23 February 2015, 17:08:02
I just use a folded up towel. Suffer with sweaty wrists at times so it helps for that, too.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: aref on Mon, 23 February 2015, 17:17:04
most people use the xtrac xxl

I had the yoga mat on hand, and put it to good use. Xtrac XXL is a good, albeit pricey, product; and it's flat, which would better serve as a large mouse-keyboard-pad. The dimples on the yoga mat might deliver improved acoustics; but it's minor at best when one considers how little sound is generated from the base of a keyboard. Xtrac XXL or another sound absorbing material, they work.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: Sygaldry on Mon, 23 February 2015, 17:20:00
I either use a folded up microfiber cloth, which I also use to cover the board when not in use (if I don't, my boards would get covered in cat fur)

Or I use a couple layers of shelf liner
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: aref on Mon, 23 February 2015, 17:45:54
I either use a folded up microfiber cloth, which I also use to cover the board when not in use (if I don't, my boards would get covered in cat fur)

Or I use a couple layers of shelf liner

I had checked to see if I had shelf liner around, but I used it to stop a couple of keyboards from pinging. Shelf liner would make an excellent sound absorber--good thinking.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 23 February 2015, 19:43:30
I currently use a folded sheet of drawer liner.

Also: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59308.0
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 23 February 2015, 19:59:59
I use an extra large mouse mat :)
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: aref on Tue, 24 February 2015, 10:30:39
I use an extra large mouse mat :)

I was about to order the same from Amazon, it was reasonable, about $10.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: cmadrid on Tue, 24 February 2015, 10:30:48
http://www.amazon.com/Glorious-XXL-Extended-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00NOCZTTI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1424795371&sr=8-7&keywords=pc+race+mouse+pad

Xtrac XXL alternative
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:21:57
http://www.amazon.com/Glorious-XXL-Extended-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00NOCZTTI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1424795371&sr=8-7&keywords=pc+race+mouse+pad

Xtrac XXL alternative

the xtrac xxl used to be like 24.99..  probably sold elsewhere at that price.. def wasn't $44 like on amazon..

Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: cmadrid on Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:24:00
http://www.amazon.com/Glorious-XXL-Extended-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00NOCZTTI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1424795371&sr=8-7&keywords=pc+race+mouse+pad

Xtrac XXL alternative

the xtrac xxl used to be like 24.99..  probably sold elsewhere at that price.. def wasn't $44 like on amazon..



Well, that is good.. it seems like a ripoff at $44.  I like the stitched edge on the Glorious.. I could do without the logo tho
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: aref on Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:30:31
http://www.amazon.com/Glorious-XXL-Extended-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00NOCZTTI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1424795371&sr=8-7&keywords=pc+race+mouse+pad

Xtrac XXL alternative

Great find. Price is right, too. The Xtrac is too much money for a mat. But the mats you pointed out are reasonably priced.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: smarmar on Tue, 28 April 2015, 11:15:18
One can also use a collectible card game playmat. They can be found for a bit cheaper than most gaming mats but are somewhat smaller. Good for kb coverage, wrist support, and a little left over for mouse action.
http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Magic-Premium-Playmats-DEMONESS/dp/B008RNPS18/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1430237487&sr=8-12&keywords=playmat+mtg
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 28 April 2015, 11:17:55
I use a Tekmat at work
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: LarsMarkelson on Tue, 28 April 2015, 18:53:35
Nice, good usage of an old mat OP. I use a big mat in my kitchen as an anti-fatigue mat. Works great.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: Jokrik on Wed, 29 April 2015, 07:25:41
I'm gonna try and cut a piece of my wife's yoga mat tonight
Keyboard stuff > important > mad wife
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: GenKaan on Wed, 29 April 2015, 08:13:19
I got some sort of foam when I picked up my Ducky PBT sets, its just slightly smaller and vanishes underneath the keyboard. Works like a charm and make a massive impact on the sound
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 29 April 2015, 08:45:14
Solution: get a metal case for your board.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: bueller on Wed, 29 April 2015, 09:27:53
Solution: get a metal case for your board.
Just make sure you put some foam rubber lining in the keyboard too! My first alu case sounded horrible until I put some in.
Title: Re: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise
Post by: quake4mhg on Fri, 01 May 2015, 17:31:43
I use my worn out goliathus speed :)