Author Topic: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise (Read 4189 times)

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.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 23 February 2015, 16:58:16 »

most people use the xtrac xxl

foxer · « **Reply #2 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.

aref · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 23 February 2015, 17:17:04 »

Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 23 February 2015, 16:58:16

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.

Sygaldry · « **Reply #4 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

aref · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 23 February 2015, 17:45:54 »

Quote from: 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

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.

rowdy · « **Reply #6 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

katushkin · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 23 February 2015, 19:59:59 »

I use an extra large mouse mat

aref · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 24 February 2015, 10:30:39 »

Quote from: katushkin on Mon, 23 February 2015, 19:59:59

I use an extra large mouse mat

I was about to order the same from Amazon, it was reasonable, about $10.

cmadrid · « **Reply #9 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

tp4tissue · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:21:57 »

Quote from: 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

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

cmadrid · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:24:00 »

Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:21:57

Quote from: 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

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

aref · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 24 February 2015, 13:30:31 »

Quote from: 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

Great find. Price is right, too. The Xtrac is too much money for a mat. But the mats you pointed out are reasonably priced.

smarmar · « **Reply #13 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

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 28 April 2015, 11:17:55 »

I use a Tekmat at work

LarsMarkelson · « **Reply #15 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.

Jokrik · « **Reply #16 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

GenKaan · « **Reply #17 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

noisyturtle · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 29 April 2015, 08:45:14 »

Solution: get a metal case for your board.

bueller · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 29 April 2015, 09:27:53 »

Quote from: noisyturtle on Wed, 29 April 2015, 08:45:14

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.

quake4mhg · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 01 May 2015, 17:31:43 »

I use my worn out goliathus speed

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Author Topic: Yoga-Mat Under KB Base for Absorbing KB Noise (Read 4189 times)