The Difference Sound Makes

[brimborion]

Today I did a little shootout between my keyboards, playing music through my headphones so I couldn't hear the click.

This made a difference; keyboards I didn't like as much felt better, keyboards I liked more normally didn't stand out as much.

Has anyone found that to be the case? Of course, sound isn't the only factor, just the one I tried to eliminate today. With the sound off, things like key height became more important to me also.

[chyros]

When not gaming, the sound definitely makes a difference for me. I only type maybe 10 wpm faster with a mechanical keyboard, so it's really mostly for the pleasure of the keyfeel and clicky sound that I use mech keyboards. Neither are all that interesting to me when gaming, though.

[daerid]

Sound is a huge factor in my enjoyment level.

For example, I really hate the way my CODE sounds/feels directly on my desk. However, put a little cloth under it to dampen, and the sound becomes softer an much more soothing, which (probably completely psychologically) makes the switches feel better to me.

[Bromono]

Sound is big on me as well. I am putting a small foam pad under my redscarf to get rid of that stupid ping noise clears tend to make.

[Lastpilot]

Heck yeah, man sound is a _huge_ factor. I first learned to solder so that I could mod my own switches because I did not like how loud stock cherry switches were.

[Nai_Calus]

It makes a slight psychological difference. I have decent headphones where when I've got music playing I can't hear my blues over them. It's slightly disconcerting and makes the bump feel slightly less somehow. Although the bump then also becomes much more important since I can't hear anything, rofl.

[brimborion]

Normally I prefer the sound of my Buckling Springs, Cherry MX Blue, or Matias Tactile Click. When I couldn't hear, though, I found my Topre stood out among my keyboards, most of the clickys seemed similar to each other, and my Key Tronic seemed better than with the sound.  The only Clicky that stood out without sound was the Matias Click. Without sound, my Matias Quiet Tactile wasn't a lot different from my MX Blue.

Totally subjective, totally subject to change, but sort of interesting.

[fohat.digs]

Using a stock IBM Model F is quite unpleasant to me.

I do the floss mod, pack the case with padding, and place the keyboard on a rubber mat to keep the overtones tolerable.

[hwood34]

Sound is definitely a huge component for me. If one can't hear the click of blues (like wearing headphones), the experience feels markedly less "clicky"

[Tyrosh22]

Sound is very important to me! I'd say at least as important as the feeling.

[Bucake]

that's why i want this sound:

t=2m54s

if only they made realforce 87U 55g type-s boards
i don't feel comfortable trying to mod it together myself; surely i'd break something.

[Firebolt1914]

Sound is a huge factor in my enjoyment level.

For example, I really hate the way my CODE sounds/feels directly on my desk. However, put a little cloth under it to dampen, and the sound becomes softer an much more soothing, which (probably completely psychologically) makes the switches feel better to me.

That's how it is for me, especially with MX Blues. One day, I might hate them but when they're in a better location, I begin to like them more.

[Hypersphere]

Definitely. I like the form factor and layout of my HHKB, and I enjoy the downstroke "thock" of most keystrokes, but I hate the return-stroke "clack" of plastic-on-plastic. Hence, the advent of the "Type-S" HHKB and the ingenuity of several GH members in devising silencing mods for their HHKBs and/or other Topre-switch keyboards.

[Altis]

I'd say sound is right up there with feel in terms of the overall experience.

I'm endlessly searching for that perfect sounding keyboard!

[chyros]

I'm endlessly searching for that perfect sounding keyboard!

Indeed! Part of the reason I'm looking out for that elusive SKCM Blue board. I love the sound of SKCM Whites, can't imagine how great Blues will sound .

[Findecanor]

I don't like sound on bottoming out or topping up. I put O-rings in my keyboard with MX Blues only to get rid of the clack sound. The feel did not bother me without O-rings when I was blasting music in my head phones.

Sound is big on me as well. I am putting a small foam pad under my redscarf to get rid of that stupid ping noise clears tend to make.

I think that ping is caused more by an unlucky combination of switch, plate and case together than any particular switch. None of my Cherry MX Clear keyboards ping.
My PCB-mounted keyboards with Blacks do, however, while my plate-mounted Blacks don't

[Oobly]

Sound is a factor, but for me it's far less important than the feel, although I do like more quiet boards. I like the sound of a Model F, but for my MX boards I always trampoline mod them and usually also latex mod them, so they are damped on both bottom out and release. Then I like the sound they make, a more subdued clickety clacking that seems to speak of higher quality somehow.

The silenced Topre boards sound okay, too, but I don't like how the switches feel.

I really don't like the cheap, plastic sound of MX clicky switches.

Alps clicky switches are a lot better, but I don't like how they feel (at least the ones I've tried so far), so again not for me.

[whentheclouds]

latex mod

i've never heard of this, can you elaborate?

[jacobolus]

Sound is a factor, but for me it's far less important than the feel [...] for my MX boards I always trampoline mod them [...]

Not too surprising; I find MX switches all sound sorta cheap. If you get a solid case, lubed switches, and thick keycaps, the linear ones are okay. Otherwise, no thanks.

Floss-modded Model F, Marquardt “butterfly” switches, IBM beam springs, amber Omrons, clicky NEC switches, white (or especially blue/amber) Alps, clicky SMK switches (if you put them in better cases than they start with), etc. all sound much nicer than clicky MX switches.  At least clicky MX switches aren’t as bad as Futaba clicky switches.

[CPTBadAss]

The only regret I have about my 6019284 is that I haven't hooked up the beeper yet. The board isn't loud enough. I like it to remind me of an old-timey machine gun when I get up to a proper WPM. But after watching HPE's video, I now know my board is still too quiet.

But at work I gotta keep in quiet since my new office is quiet so I've got Clears here for now.

So I guess I'm trying to say that I really enjoy loud keyboards but it's not ideal for every situation.

[Oobly]

latex mod

i've never heard of this, can you elaborate?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50632.msg1113167#msg1113167

Just a little liquid latex in two spots on the upper switch case to dampen the release noise. It dries to a thin layer of solid rubber.

[whentheclouds]

so you're the person who conceived the trampoline mod? nice. i actually read about it elsewhere, and the poster mentioned the usage of o-rings and how the rubber is likely to degrade. wasn't aware about the silicone balls upgrade. the new gaterons are purportedly very silent, but i think i'll go ahead and incorporate both your mods for my build anyway

[Tyrosh22]

So much to learn here 

[spiceBar]

The sound of a keyboard is very important and has an influence on how we think it feels like under our finders.

In other words, it's almost impossible to dissociate the sound from the feel... Until you do the headphones experiment.

For this reason, I mod almost all my keyboards to give them a better sound (generally by silencing the keyboard's unpleasant sounds).

You will find my keyboards sounds collection here:
  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67654.15

There are samples of before/after modding (silencing). The Novatouch is the perfect example of a keyboard that is completely transfigured by a silencing mod.

[Tyrosh22]

I checked out your sound collection. Nicely done!

[Nai_Calus]

The clears I just got feel less tactile than my blues, despite me being pretty sure they actually have a bigger bump,  because they do not go CLACK when I type on them. It's at least the same bump, but it feels less because it's less loud.

[Melvang]

that's why i want this sound:

t=2m54s

if only they made realforce 87U 55g type-s boards
i don't feel comfortable trying to mod it together myself; surely i'd break something.

The only thing I don't like about that video is the fact that he has the camera on his desk so every keystroke you can hear the low tones reverberating through the desk, up the tripod, and into the camera.

The only regret I have about my 6019284 is that I haven't hooked up the beeper yet. The board isn't loud enough. I like it to remind me of an old-timey machine gun when I get up to a proper WPM. But after watching HPE's video, I now know my board is still too quiet.

But at work I gotta keep in quiet since my new office is quiet so I've got Clears here for now.

So I guess I'm trying to say that I really enjoy loud keyboards but it's not ideal for every situation.

Love the sound of that beeper.  I think Jen would kill me if I hooked that into the xwhatsit on my AT.

[TopreFan333]

I find adding audio feedback* to my Macbook keyboard makes me type MUCH better.

* http://www.sustworks.com/site/prod_keyclick_overview.html

[supersoul]

sound is very important. could not stand blues cause of the sound. and the lack of sound from reds and blacks doesn't do it for me.

[Melvang]

Love the click and clack of my open frame F AT, just not a fan of the ping.  Getting a floss mod tomorrow.  At decent listening volumes, I can still hear them over my turtle beach headphones.

[chyros]

The sound of a keyboard is very important and has an influence on how we think it feels like under our finders.

In other words, it's almost impossible to dissociate the sound from the feel... Until you do the headphones experiment.

For this reason, I mod almost all my keyboards to give them a better sound (generally by silencing the keyboard's unpleasant sounds).

You will find my keyboards sounds collection here:
  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67654.15

There are samples of before/after modding (silencing). The Novatouch is the perfect example of a keyboard that is completely transfigured by a silencing mod.

Nice collection of sounds, well done!

[spiceBar]

The sound of a keyboard is very important and has an influence on how we think it feels like under our finders.

In other words, it's almost impossible to dissociate the sound from the feel... Until you do the headphones experiment.

For this reason, I mod almost all my keyboards to give them a better sound (generally by silencing the keyboard's unpleasant sounds).

You will find my keyboards sounds collection here:
  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67654.15

There are samples of before/after modding (silencing). The Novatouch is the perfect example of a keyboard that is completely transfigured by a silencing mod.

Nice collection of sounds, well done!

Thank you.

I started with the Novatouch, because I wanted to have a before/after, and then I thought it would be nice to share it.

With more keyboards, including some widely available ones, I thought it could help in deciding which mechanical you prefer.

I cannot record how a keyboard feels, but I can record and share how it sounds, at least.

[Touch_It]

Oh sound 1000% makes a huge difference IMO.  Some people hate sound.  I think sound only enhances a keyboard's feel.  The louder the better IMO.  Of course this is all very subjective and obviously sound doesn't impact the feel, but I would say enhances the overall experience.  And yes, typing is an experience if you have the right board .

[TopreFan333]

I do find that audible sound helps me type more confidently in that I know keys have been registered. Especially on low-travel membrane boards like on my laptop.

[fohat.digs]

I need tactile switches and appreciate a solid "thock" sort of sound, but keyboards with high ringing overtones (aka "ping") become very annoying to me very quickly.

[saturnotaku]

I'm not a fan of the way standard Topre switches sound. Dental banding is a step in the right direction, but after using a HHKB Type-S, that one is my favorite. Matias quiet click switches sound pretty decent, but it's too bad I hated just about every other aspect of the Laptop Pro I used for a few days.

The noise from bottoming out on MX switches is irritating, but this is easily rectified with o-rings. The pinging that can come from clears really annoys the bejezus out of me. I hadn't been a fan of clicky switches, mostly because I only tried blues. I just got a QFR with greens, and after putting some o-rings on, I'm actually starting to like it. The sound seems more "refined" and the heavier weight is less of a hindrance than I expected. The QFR pings a bit, too, but it's not anywhere near as bad as the WASD CODE with clears I tried a while back.

I still plan to use my HHKB Type-S most of the time, though. The QFR will only come out when the woman with whom I share a cubicle at work is out of the office.

[Findecanor]

The pinging that can come from clears really annoys the bejezus out of me.

... WASD CODE with clears I tried a while back.

Your problem is really about WASD Code than Clears in general. I have a home-made and a Ducky with Clears and none of them pings.

[ADFX_Pixy]

Sound is somewhat important for me. That is the reason why I bought MX Blues for my first board. For my next board I'm hoping to get a silent tactile board (MX Browns or Clears) because I'm starting to like the sound that a keyboard makes when it clacks. The chatter of keycaps as I bottom out is oddly satisfying for me.

[Tyrosh22]

[...]  I'm starting to like the sound that a keyboard makes when it clacks. The chatter of keycaps as I bottom out is oddly satisfying for me.

Same goes for me. The bottoming out sound is at least as satisfying as the clicks of the blue. :3

[chyros]

I'm starting to like the sound that a keyboard makes when it clacks. The chatter of keycaps as I bottom out is oddly satisfying for me.

This is also the reason why Alps Black have a nice sound. They don't click themselves, but have an instantly recognisable clack to them which is quite nice .

[Oobly]

The clears I just got feel less tactile than my blues, despite me being pretty sure they actually have a bigger bump,  because they do not go CLACK when I type on them. It's at least the same bump, but it feels less because it's less loud.

Actually, the Blues have a markedly SMALLER bump than the Clears, almost exactly the same as Browns, but starting a little earlier... That's the power of sound for you.

http://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=File:Cherry_MX_Sliders_Side_Profile.jpg

If you try your Blues and Clears with some over the ear headphones with music playing you should be able to feel the difference more clearly.

Pinging goes away if you lube the springs.

so you're the person who conceived the trampoline mod? nice. i actually read about it elsewhere, and the poster mentioned the usage of o-rings and how the rubber is likely to degrade. wasn't aware about the silicone balls upgrade. the new gaterons are purportedly very silent, but i think i'll go ahead and incorporate both your mods for my build anyway

Well, I figured it out and tried it and then discovered I was not the first

I like quieter switches.

Here's a comparison video of some of my modified switches:

[spiceBar]

The clears I just got feel less tactile than my blues, despite me being pretty sure they actually have a bigger bump,  because they do not go CLACK when I type on them. It's at least the same bump, but it feels less because it's less loud.

Actually, the Blues have a markedly SMALLER bump than the Clears, almost exactly the same as Browns, but starting a little earlier... That's the power of sound for you.

http://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=File:Cherry_MX_Sliders_Side_Profile.jpg

If you try your Blues and Clears with some over the ear headphones with music playing you should be able to feel the difference more clearly.

Pinging goes away if you lube the springs.

so you're the person who conceived the trampoline mod? nice. i actually read about it elsewhere, and the poster mentioned the usage of o-rings and how the rubber is likely to degrade. wasn't aware about the silicone balls upgrade. the new gaterons are purportedly very silent, but i think i'll go ahead and incorporate both your mods for my build anyway

Well, I figured it out and tried it and then discovered I was not the first

I like quieter switches.

Here's a comparison video of some of my modified switches:

Wow! Awesome!

You have silenced the bottoming out AND the upstroke!

Sounds much much better.