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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: ntelope on Sun, 06 March 2016, 00:02:37

Title: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: ntelope on Sun, 06 March 2016, 00:02:37
Has anyone done a comparative video showing the sound difference that different types of keycap sets make on the same switch? (SA , GMK, DSA, DCS, etc. all on mx reds)
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: Numpy on Sun, 06 March 2016, 00:07:03
This would be quite interesting, maybe also the differences between different materials (ABS, PBT, thicknesses, etc)

However, I will add that some of this stuff will entirely depend on the board. I heard somewhere else that for a particular board (forgotten which one it is :P ) the stock, thin ABS caps sounded best for some reason.
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 06 March 2016, 00:22:34
Closest is probably this (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55910.0).
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: KnivesM on Sun, 06 March 2016, 00:31:53
Not that I  know of, I know a few people have made videos of them typing on different boards/switch types with mostly stock keycaps but not all the keycap styles. Would be cool to do with all the different types atleast the basic types. Would need to be done with the same setup every time so by the same person to get any real comparison. There is so many variables that it would be cost prohibitive for most people to do every configuration but for one board wouldn't be that hard.

Keycap profile, material, thickness, switch type, plate material, plate style(full plate/half plate/no plate), case material, case style are the variables I can think of that would definitely make a difference on sound. Limiting it to the basics(keycap profile/material/switch type) and maintaining similar style boards for the different switches would be the easiest way to do it.
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: munch on Sun, 06 March 2016, 02:14:38
yes, also having it on top of a mousepad makes a big difference in sound too. like those deskpads that cover a large part of your desk.
it's not as simple as just switch+cap, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: Numpy on Sun, 06 March 2016, 03:23:24
yes, also having it on top of a mousepad makes a big difference in sound too. like those deskpads that cover a large part of your desk.
it's not as simple as just switch+cap, unfortunately.
Does this improve the sound?
Kind of interested, never really thought of this changing the sound before.
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 06 March 2016, 03:48:16
yes, also having it on top of a mousepad makes a big difference in sound too. like those deskpads that cover a large part of your desk.
it's not as simple as just switch+cap, unfortunately.
Does this improve the sound?
Kind of interested, never really thought of this changing the sound before.

I use a folded sheet of drawer liner ($2 or something from the Reject Shop) under my keyboards.  It makes a huge difference to the sound of some of them.

I also have a fairly thin desk surface, and most sounds echo, so this HHKB, for example, sounds very, very much quieter with the drawer liner in place.
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: Numpy on Mon, 07 March 2016, 12:54:46
yes, also having it on top of a mousepad makes a big difference in sound too. like those deskpads that cover a large part of your desk.
it's not as simple as just switch+cap, unfortunately.
Does this improve the sound?
Kind of interested, never really thought of this changing the sound before.
I use a folded sheet of drawer liner ($2 or something from the Reject Shop) under my keyboards.  It makes a huge difference to the sound of some of them.

I also have a fairly thin desk surface, and most sounds echo, so this HHKB, for example, sounds very, very much quieter with the drawer liner in place.
Huh, that's interesting. I might try that sometime.
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: ntelope on Mon, 07 March 2016, 16:04:45
yes, also having it on top of a mousepad makes a big difference in sound too. like those deskpads that cover a large part of your desk.
it's not as simple as just switch+cap, unfortunately.
Does this improve the sound?
Kind of interested, never really thought of this changing the sound before.
I use a folded sheet of drawer liner ($2 or something from the Reject Shop) under my keyboards.  It makes a huge difference to the sound of some of them.

I also have a fairly thin desk surface, and most sounds echo, so this HHKB, for example, sounds very, very much quieter with the drawer liner in place.
Huh, that's interesting. I might try that sometime.
Never knew about this too!
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 07 March 2016, 20:25:20
yes, also having it on top of a mousepad makes a big difference in sound too. like those deskpads that cover a large part of your desk.
it's not as simple as just switch+cap, unfortunately.
Does this improve the sound?
Kind of interested, never really thought of this changing the sound before.
I use a folded sheet of drawer liner ($2 or something from the Reject Shop) under my keyboards.  It makes a huge difference to the sound of some of them.

I also have a fairly thin desk surface, and most sounds echo, so this HHKB, for example, sounds very, very much quieter with the drawer liner in place.
Huh, that's interesting. I might try that sometime.
Never knew about this too!

Or you can ask fohat if he has any of his EPDM material left: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59308.0
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: saxophone on Tue, 08 March 2016, 05:10:52
lol

Just get a big gun disassembly mat and cover your desk with it. https://www.tekmat.com/ (https://www.tekmat.com/). These are quite excellent as mouse mats as well.
(http://i.imgur.com/ie5WEGQ.jpg)
Title: Re: Sound difference that different types of keycap sets make
Post by: Malenky on Tue, 08 March 2016, 13:58:51
Here is a sound difference video between Cherry Doubleshot ABS and IMSTO Dye Sub PBT caps on my POK3R with MX Clears and an acrylic case. Note the shared caps. I hear very little difference, but both keycaps are thick and high quality.


Ironically, my keyboard pings the note C#.