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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kentt on Fri, 08 May 2015, 20:41:55

Title: Matias Quieter
Post by: kentt on Fri, 08 May 2015, 20:41:55

I recently picked up a Matias Mini Quiet Pro.  I'm lukewarm on it.  I love the tactile feel especially compared to my realforce, but it's louder than I'm use to. 
Is there a good way to silence it?  Even just a little bit of silence would make me a lot happier about it, but I understand the keys are super hard to remove.

Title: Re: Matias Quieter
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 09 May 2015, 11:42:06

The Matias switches are quieter than most other mechanical switches but the switches are only one part of how a keyboard can be loud. All metal springs vibrate, and I think that most of the sound is caused by residual vibration that has propagated through the plate and case.

There are quite a few old threads already about how to silence keyboards. One of the easiest methods is often to place the keyboard on a large mousepad. There are mousepads that cover a large portion of the desk.
Some people have put sound-dampening material inside their keyboards. I would try any of those ideas before trying to modify the switches.

Matias/Alps switches can be opened from the top with tweezers without the need to remove them from the PCB. I guess that lubricating moving parts inside could help a tiny bit... but only a tiny bit. As I said, the Matias Quiet switch is already one of the quietest mechanical switches there are. Lubrication is time-consuming, fiddly and requires a lube that is friendly to both metal and plastics.

Title: Re: Matias Quieter
Post by: chyros on Sat, 09 May 2015, 17:33:06

Creepy Christ, if you think these are too loud, I'd be straining to think of something that's quiet enough Oo . Linear switches or rubber domes maybe? Can't really think of what you could do to quieten Matias Quiets as they're already dampened two-way and non-clicky.

Or maybe this. Guaranteed very quiet! :p

(http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/phones/Cube-Laser-Virtual-Keyboard-1212.jpg)

Title: Re: Matias Quieter
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 10 May 2015, 01:02:47

Yeah like people said Matias quiet switches are already pretty quiet as mechanical switches go.

Only thing I can think of that might be quieter is if you go the Topre route.

Then Type Heaven < Realforce (or HHKB) < Realforce Silent (or HHKB Type S).

Title: Re: Matias Quieter
Post by: kentt on Sun, 10 May 2015, 12:23:11

Quote from: chyros on Sat, 09 May 2015, 17:33:06

Creepy Christ, if you think these are too loud, I'd be straining to think of something that's quiet enough Oo . Linear switches or rubber domes maybe? Can't really think of what you could do to quieten Matias Quiets as they're already dampened two-way and non-clicky.

Or maybe this. Guaranteed very quiet! :p

Show Image

(http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/phones/Cube-Laser-Virtual-Keyboard-1212.jpg)

Fair enough.  I have a realforce at home and I thought that the matias quiet would be a similar volume.  Thanks for the advice.

Title: Re: Matias Quieter
Post by: Sigmoid on Sun, 10 May 2015, 19:04:18

Heh... Tomorow I'm taking my Model F to work, haha... I think people will be most delighted. xD