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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: chanmin kang on Tue, 11 February 2020, 23:05:49

Title: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: chanmin kang on Tue, 11 February 2020, 23:05:49
I prefer a quiet keyboard.
I want to know a lot of efforts you know to try to suppress all the sounds on the keyboard as much as possible.

Are there any better ways besides using a cherry silent red switch or filling the inside with a sponge? Please share!
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: nmur on Tue, 11 February 2020, 23:27:55
put board on a deskmat, if not already
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: yuppie on Tue, 11 February 2020, 23:53:05
Silent Cherry switches are the first step. Swapping the springs and housings and then lubing can get you to another level.

The band-aid mod on your stabs really helps too.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: chanmin kang on Wed, 12 February 2020, 00:56:13
Silent Cherry switches are the first step. Swapping the springs and housings and then lubing can get you to another level.

The band-aid mod on your stabs really helps too.

I think uniform lubrication is key. It is a bit difficult to make all the switches completely uniform.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: fanpeople on Wed, 12 February 2020, 00:56:59
put board on a deskmat, if not already

Put deskmat on desk prior to putting board on deskmat for optimal ergonomics.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: mode on Wed, 12 February 2020, 01:06:59
SA or other mega thick keycaps, the bassier sound just doesn't travel like thin caps do, it's also really pleasing.

I used to use an AEK with original caps at work, recently switched to SA and there're significantly less antisocial.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: bananasplit_00 on Wed, 12 February 2020, 01:14:19
One of those THICC deskmats, not the cheap thin stuff. Zilent or Tacit switches, or at least lube the springs. Pick a softer plater material too.


*edit*
Oh and lubed and clipped stabs, makes a huge difference
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: audiosl4ve on Wed, 12 February 2020, 01:19:42
not mine but use costar stabilizers. So much more silent then regular ones
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: Maledicted on Wed, 12 February 2020, 08:58:58
Put on some metal with a decent surround system, and crank the volume. You won't hear a thing. Works even with unmodified Model F keyboards.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: BlissOnTap on Wed, 12 February 2020, 10:02:47
Put on some metal with a decent surround system, and crank the volume. You won't hear a thing. Works even with unmodified Model F keyboards.  :thumb:

I like the way you think https://gfycat.com/warpeddescriptiveflatcoatretriever (https://gfycat.com/warpeddescriptiveflatcoatretriever)
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: zslane on Wed, 12 February 2020, 11:49:03
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: Maledicted on Wed, 12 February 2020, 16:28:53
Put on some metal with a decent surround system, and crank the volume. You won't hear a thing. Works even with unmodified Model F keyboards.  :thumb:

I like the way you think https://gfycat.com/warpeddescriptiveflatcoatretriever (https://gfycat.com/warpeddescriptiveflatcoatretriever)

Thank you. That video is perfect, lol. What the hell?
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: Sup on Wed, 12 February 2020, 16:43:51
Yeah pretty much first step is to use silent switches if you don't want a loud keyboard. There is no really other option if you want a real quit keyboard since switches just make sound when the plastics clack with each other. Dampening mat and lube will make it less loud but won't make it classified to be a silent keyboard like a rubber dome or topre. Still loud enough for your co workers to bash your head in or love it as asmr on of those   :D
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: chanmin kang on Wed, 12 February 2020, 21:22:47
not mine but use costar stabilizers. So much more silent then regular ones

Unfortunately the coster is not well compatible. It is a pity
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: nathanchere on Thu, 13 February 2020, 04:15:43
put board on a deskmat, if not already

Put deskmat on desk prior to putting board on deskmat for optimal ergonomics.

Put deskmats both under and on top of the board for optimal silencing.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: wholypantalones on Thu, 13 February 2020, 06:48:18
Use headphones while typing or jam some ear plugs in your holes.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: fanpeople on Thu, 13 February 2020, 06:57:14
Use headphones while typing or jam some ear plugs in your holes.

Instructions not clear, earplug now in pee pee hole.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: nathanchere on Thu, 13 February 2020, 07:11:56
Instructions not clear, earplug now in pee pee hole.

No, instructions were perfectly clear. You nailed it.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: 4sStylZ on Thu, 13 February 2020, 08:03:28
I have a keyboard with jailhoused blue. First my clicky switchs become tactiles only but also the JL spacer dampen the downstroke and probably a little bit the upstroke.
On a wood case with a single one very large rubber keyboard foot I don’t need more silence. My keyboard is more quiet than chicklet keyboard or common membrane boards.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: wholypantalones on Thu, 13 February 2020, 08:36:07
Instructions not clear, earplug now in pee pee hole.

No, instructions were perfectly clear. You nailed it.

You picked a hole and went for it, instructions followed perfectly.
Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 13 February 2020, 09:07:16
Filling voids in the case can be a help. I use felt fabric or rubber "waffle" material such as sold for drawer liners. Wherever possible I cut flat layers to fit, then for taller cavities I cut rectangles of fabric which I roll into cylinders to fit each hollow as closely as possible. These will compress, of course, so you can get nearly complete fill if you try.

A mat under the keyboard is essential. The best but most expensive and difficult to get is sorbothane, the cheapest and easiest is a folded towel.
 

Title: Re: Your own secret for a quieter keyboard
Post by: tex_live_utility on Sun, 16 February 2020, 20:59:45
Uniqey QMX clips can significantly reduce sound, but they also shorten key travel and add a mushy/soft bottom-out feel that you might dislike. It's still better than the old o-ring method.