So my CM Novatouch is moderately noisy

[vorpalll]

I got a novatouch recently & I'm really loving the feel. While I'm willing to try a couple switches I haven't had the chance to try yet (primarily zealios & alps), I don't think I'll ever go back from topre. However, I'm really not a fan of the novatouch stock caps, so I recently got a set of the ducky pbt dyesub yellow caps & swapped them on (pics here if you're curious). I'm a pretty big fan of how the board looks & feels now, but it's kinda noisy.

I only really started noticing the noise after I swapped the caps, so I initially wondered if it was the new caps. I recall reading beforehand that the profile of the caps matters. But I double-checked, and the ducky set is OEM like I thought it was, and that's supposed to be ok.

investigating more, the noise only occurs when releasing the key. pressing the key down just makes the same dull thud. but if I release my finger quickly, it makes a fair bit of noise as it springs back. I swapped a couple of the stock caps back on for comparison and the same fundamental noise was there, just a bit lower pitched. I think I just psyched myself into noticing it more since I'd read it could be a problem & I was subconsciously looking for it.

but, of course, now that I've begun to care, I want it gone.

1. would o-rings help this at all? the material I read about o-rings talked about how they would stop the cap from impacting the case, which I don't think is happening here? if that was the case, I would expect the noise to be when I press the button, not when I release.
2. would all that stuff I skimmed about ironing landing pads or w/e help? It was all prefaced by "this makes it sound & feel like a realforce", a point of reference I don't have, & it was hard to be sure what problem it was attempting to solve.
3. if yes to #2, is that cheap/easy for someone to do from scratch (swapping the caps is the most complicated thing I've ever done with a keyboard) and can I **** my board up forever if I try it. i got pretty nervous when I took off the spacebar & a spring came out lmao, it took 5 minutes of googling for me to be satisfied I didn't break anything & I could just put it back on the switch.

it's not a huge deal if I can't eliminate the sound tbh. I'm sticking with my novatouch regardless since it's the only TKL topre board with nkro and the sound isn't any worse than my past keyboards. But I'd like to do it if I can.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

I got a novatouch recently & I'm really loving the feel. While I'm willing to try a couple switches I haven't had the chance to try yet (primarily zealios & alps), I don't think I'll ever go back from topre. However, I'm really not a fan of the novatouch stock caps, so I recently got a set of the ducky pbt dyesub yellow caps & swapped them on (pics here if you're curious). I'm a pretty big fan of how the board looks & feels now, but it's kinda noisy.

I only really started noticing the noise after I swapped the caps, so I initially wondered if it was the new caps. I recall reading beforehand that the profile of the caps matters. But I double-checked, and the ducky set is OEM like I thought it was, and that's supposed to be ok.

investigating more, the noise only occurs when releasing the key. pressing the key down just makes the same dull thud. but if I release my finger quickly, it makes a fair bit of noise as it springs back. I swapped a couple of the stock caps back on for comparison and the same fundamental noise was there, just a bit lower pitched. I think I just psyched myself into noticing it more since I'd read it could be a problem & I was subconsciously looking for it.

but, of course, now that I've begun to care, I want it gone.

1. would o-rings help this at all? the material I read about o-rings talked about how they would stop the cap from impacting the case, which I don't think is happening here? if that was the case, I would expect the noise to be when I press the button, not when I release.
2. would all that stuff I skimmed about ironing landing pads or w/e help? It was all prefaced by "this makes it sound & feel like a realforce", a point of reference I don't have, & it was hard to be sure what problem it was attempting to solve.
3. if yes to #2, is that cheap/easy for someone to do from scratch (swapping the caps is the most complicated thing I've ever done with a keyboard) and can I **** my board up forever if I try it. i got pretty nervous when I took off the spacebar & a spring came out lmao, it took 5 minutes of googling for me to be satisfied I didn't break anything & I could just put it back on the switch.

it's not a huge deal if I can't eliminate the sound tbh. I'm sticking with my novatouch regardless since it's the only TKL topre board with nkro and the sound isn't any worse than my past keyboards. But I'd like to do it if I can.

O-rings will not make any difference on a topre board so don't bother, many were puzzled why CM bothered to include them.  The novatouch is known for it's ""novatouch rattle" upon the release of the keys and it's a sound unique to the board, there are in depth mods one can do to silence it if you are so inclined/skilled  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70652.0 (sound samples comparing silenced vs unsilenced),   how to do the mod  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65821.msg1540860#msg1540860

That said i have to ask why the need for NKRO?  Never actually met anyone who can make full use of it..like ever, even as someone who plays all sorts of games from basic indie platformers to RTS iv'e never found a case where i felt limited by not using NKRO (part of the reason i stopped using PS/2 even though my mobo supports it) 

Edit: Realforce boards do not support NKRO over PS2 could have sworn i had read somewhere they did, but i had never tried it on my RF either.

[quasistellar]

Novatouches do, indeed, suffer from upstroke clackiness, as well as rattly stabilizers.  I recommend getting Hypersphere's rings and silencing them.  I did the ironed landing pad method, and while it works, it's tedious and I wish I'd just spent the money on the rings.  When you have the board apart, use some grease on the stabilizers where they rattle.  The only thing that you need to be careful of when doing this mod is keeping the rubber dome layer stuck to the PCB.  If you don't the springs will fall out and it's a bit fiddly to get it all back together.  Just be careful when you take it apart--watch a youtube vid--and you'll have no problem, as it's really easy as far as keyboard mods go.

Trust me, once you do this, you will absolutely love the result!  And give some SA profile keycaps a try, too--they're wonderful on silenced Topre.

[rand77]

I would suggest doing this mod if you are comfortable  (not my pictures):
http://imgur.com/gallery/iGzCV

I did it on my Novatouch and was very pleased with the results.   I used EK thick lube on the stabilized keys and now they are rock solid with zero rattle.   

The ironed landing pads do not change the feel of the switch, I think o-rings might reduce key travel enough and make it a bit different.  The mod itself wasn't terrible challenging and is fairly safe if you are diligent and take things slowly.

One of the the key things to consider is that rubber sheet may become detached from the PCB as it is held by VERY light glue.   If this happens then suspend the plate+rubber sheet+stems using two books or something similar.   Then put the springs into the pockets in the rubber sheet and place PCB on top.   This avoids any alignment issues.

[qbadger]

OP, bear in mind that installing either the ironed landing pad (spiceBar) or the silencing rings (Hypersphere) will require disassembling the keyboard with the usual implication over factory warranty. The operation is by no means beyond your reach but it will be quite a bit more complicated than the keycap replacement.

[Polymer]

investigating more, the noise only occurs when releasing the key. pressing the key down just makes the same dull thud. but if I release my finger quickly, it makes a fair bit of noise as it springs back.

Unless you type like that (and most people don't) then why test like that?

You're better off worrying about the sound it makes as you're typing.

If it is bothering you, fair enough..but going by the sound it makes during that test is probably not a smart way to do it.. 

[xtrafrood]

From what I've read, and seen, just about all thick PBT or ABS caps cause that kind of noise on the novatouch. Silencing with the methods mentioned above can make the novatouch sound more or less like a Realforce. I'm not exactly sure if doing so will ruin the warranty but honestly.. the switches are rated for 60 million key-strokes..

[vorpalll]

alright, if I want to get rid of the noise I have to take it apart & mod it. that's what I wanted to know. thanks for the info, yall. it also looks like the hypersphere ring group buy is closed & I haven't seen any for sale, so I either just don't do this or waste a lot of time ironing. hm.

to reply to a couple specific questions:

That said i have to ask why the need for NKRO?

I used to play this rhythm game called DJ Max Trilogy where you need to be able to hit 8 keys at once on higher difficulties. I stopped playing it because my then-laptop could only handle 6 keys at a time. Haven't played that in a while, and I can't think of any other examples offhand, but it's something I consider a basic feature & I don't want to have to worry about spending hundreds of bucks on something only to get cut off by dumb bull**** when I least expect it. I also like multimedia keys, so nkro over ps/2 isn't much of an option.

OP, bear in mind that installing either the ironed landing pad (spiceBar) or the silencing rings (Hypersphere) will require disassembling the keyboard with the usual implication over factory warranty.

I got the board used. I have no idea if it's in factory warranty or not, so I can't claim it anyways, for better or worse.

If it is bothering you, fair enough..but going by the sound it makes during that test is probably not a smart way to do it..

the test was just for science. now i'm noticing it more during normal typing as well. over time I'll probably care less tho.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

alright, if I want to get rid of the noise I have to take it apart & mod it. that's what I wanted to know. thanks for the info, yall. it also looks like the hypersphere ring group buy is closed & I haven't seen any for sale, so I either just don't do this or waste a lot of time ironing. hm.

to reply to a couple specific questions:

That said i have to ask why the need for NKRO?

I used to play this rhythm game called DJ Max Trilogy where you need to be able to hit 8 keys at once on higher difficulties. I stopped playing it because my then-laptop could only handle 6 keys at a time. Haven't played that in a while, and I can't think of any other examples offhand, but it's something I consider a basic feature & I don't want to have to worry about spending hundreds of bucks on something only to get cut off by dumb bull**** when I least expect it. I also like multimedia keys, so nkro over ps/2 isn't much of an option.

OP, bear in mind that installing either the ironed landing pad (spiceBar) or the silencing rings (Hypersphere) will require disassembling the keyboard with the usual implication over factory warranty.

I got the board used. I have no idea if it's in factory warranty or not, so I can't claim it anyways, for better or worse.

If it is bothering you, fair enough..but going by the sound it makes during that test is probably not a smart way to do it..

the test was just for science. now i'm noticing it more during normal typing as well. over time I'll probably care less tho.

The Novatouch rattle is definitely normal and quite infamous on any keyboard forum or website, that said if you take the time and courage to mod it i can definitely say it sounds just as good as my Realforce board honestly.  Goodluck should you decide to do so and definitely share photos!