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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Keylamity on Tue, 19 April 2011, 19:52:15

Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Keylamity on Tue, 19 April 2011, 19:52:15
So a neighbour at work mildly mentioned in passing something about the noise from my keyboard (Realforce 86U).  At my desk I did a little check and found that the only possible noise that could make me distinct from the rubber domes all around (we work in cubicles) is on my key release.  I'm getting better now at not bottoming out much.  When I let a topre key go, the key hits at the top end and makes a little strike sound.

Turns out this is really no different than any other key I have; I'm on my Leo Otaku brown and it does the same thing.  So does my Model M.  The only one that doesn't is the scissors on my newer Apple keyboard.

Question is, hasn't any manufacturer picked up on this and offered any dampening at the top end vs all the attention paid to the bottoming out?  Is there any other discussion of that around?  

Not even sure if it can be done or what it would take, but it seems to me that after all the technology and engineering they've put into the bottom, I would think a little filter along the top is all would take.  Am I wrong?  

Discuss, discuss.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 19 April 2011, 19:58:22
You can dampen the sound by putting dental bands on the keycap/plunger. I haven't tested it yet.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:09:36
Quote from: RiGS;333792
You can dampen the sound by putting dental bands on the keycap/plunger. I haven't tested it yet.

 
I was aware of such mod for the Bucklingspring switch. I didn't know it could be applied to Topre as well.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Brummell on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:14:31
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:19:07
Quote from: Brummell;333806
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

so harsh.  I LIKE IT
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: guilleguillaume on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:28:56
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?17373-Silence!!!

Will this fit the Topre Switches?

Could be the final solution to dampen sound for MX switches.
Quote from: Brummell;333806
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

 
BTW I agree with this statement.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Keylamity on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:35:08
Y'know, even the up-click has a sweet tone...like harmony with the down.  Somebody musical should check out the octaves or whatever.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Keylamity on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:36:16
Quote from: Brummell;333806
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

Y'know, even the up-click has a sweet tone...like harmony with the down.  Somebody musical should check out the octaves or whatever.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:40:47
My Realforce is actually a LOT quieter than the Keytronics everyone else in my office has...
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:46:03
technologic.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Keylamity on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:46:17
Quote from: keyboardlover;333831
My Realforce is actually a LOT quieter than the Keytronics everyone else in my office has...

And what is harder on the ears that pure rubber membranes throwing up at seventy words a minute.  Barf.  But they don't know they are typing on barf.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:52:18
I actually like Keytronics overall...they are what brought me here. Was looking for a keyboard like that, but better.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: IanM on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:06:31
Quote from: RiGS;333792
You can dampen the sound by putting dental bands on the keycap/plunger. I haven't tested it yet.
does that damp the sound at the end of upward travel when releasing the key? I thought the rubber rings and foam cushions are to reduce the bottoming out sound?
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Engine on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:47:42
Quote from: Brummell;333806
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

 
Exactly!  Sounds like someone's "jealous" that you have a real keyboard, instead of the standard "office issue".=)
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Chobopants on Wed, 20 April 2011, 02:01:58
Quote from: noodles256;333811
so harsh.  I LIKE IT

Seconded. As I'm typing on my RF right now I really don't get what someone could complain about, and I bottom out (gently). Heck, my girlfriend specifically requested that I use my Realforce at night as the sound is actually somewhat soothing and is heads and shoulders below(?) my Filco in noise level. It's really probably just jealousy or some other office shenanigans. It's going to be a tad louder than a regular rubber dome (unless you're SLAMMING the keys) but it still takes a back seat to BS and Blues.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 20 April 2011, 02:13:18
Quote from: Chobopants;334019
Seconded. As I'm typing on my RF right now I really don't get what someone could complain about, and I bottom out (gently). Heck, my girlfriend specifically requested that I use my Realforce at night as the sound is actually somewhat soothing and is heads and shoulders below(?) my Filco in noise level. It's really probably just jealousy or some other office shenanigans. It's going to be a tad louder than a regular rubber dome (unless you're SLAMMING the keys) but it still takes a back seat to BS and Blues.


given you play/played wc3 and dota, I had no doubt in your impeccable taste in high quality products.

on a side note, Cherry Blues do have an alluring quality to them. They are definitely one of my favorite key switches
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Surly73 on Thu, 21 April 2011, 06:59:46
Quote from: Brummell;333806
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

 
^ What this guy said.  Was the guy observing that it was different (I could believe that), or complaining that it was too loud?
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 21 April 2011, 07:34:44
Quote from: keyboardlover;333831
My Realforce is actually a LOT quieter than the Keytronics everyone else in my office has...


RF is quieter than a lot of keyboards, but is also noisier than, likely, the majority of the mainstream ones.

There's not a definitive word on this argument.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Surly73 on Thu, 21 April 2011, 08:08:00
I think it depends on exactly what you're comparing it to.  A lot of generic rubber dome keyboards have a lot of pinging from the key caps.  My RF has none.  This isn't to say that key release doesn't make a sound, but it's down in the mechanism and not the key cap "ringing" on release.  I also found that my Realforce does have a quiet "clink" when any stabilized key is released but it doesn't sound unpleasant.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: omf on Thu, 21 April 2011, 09:36:12
Quote from: Brummell;333806
Anybody who complains about the noise from a Realforce can be safely ignored.

 
Swap your RF out with an IBM Model M for a few days.  See if you ever hear any complaints about keyboard noise after you switch back.
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: Surly73 on Thu, 21 April 2011, 10:31:24
Quote from: omf;334830
Swap your RF out with an IBM Model M for a few days.  See if you ever hear any complaints about keyboard noise after you switch back.

I just did that two days ago.  I think I'm going to register a complaint against myself :)
Title: Topre Noise Like Any Other Is On The Release
Post by: pitashen on Thu, 21 April 2011, 10:51:12
Bring your leo Brown to work for like a week or so (and ignore the complaints) and then switch back to  Realforce. Your co-worker will happily leave you alone with it.