sound of the blues almost gives me headaches

[sam113101]

the title says it all, I can't stand the sound that my das keyboard produces
I get headaches for nothing, when it's noisy at school or when I stand up too fast, I also got about 5 otitis in the space of 6 months, I know that doesn't mean anything, that's just to say that I really have problems with my ears

well, I was just wondering if it's the fact this is high-pitched or… maybe I could stand a low-pitched sound like the one that produce the buckling springs

because I really like the fact that it clicks, but I can't stand it… should I try a quieter switch like cherry mx brown or topre*?

[Tr0j4nM4x1mus]

if you get ready to sell it, hit me up

[Brian8bit]

Your ears must be proper ****ed...

[washuai]

Ok, maybe you're tensing, while not enjoying the noise, which is causing the headaches?  I've got issues with high pitched sounds, too, but they have to really pack some decibels to give me headaches.  I have additional problems with my ears (eustachian tubes), which combined with allergies make for some sinus headaches to rival migraines, but not from something like cherry blues.  Even a loud club, where I can hear ringing later, won't necessarily give me a headache.  You really need to isolate the keyboard as a variable, before chalking it up to the keyboard though.  It is possible, you're getting headaches, from other factors occurring during your computer usage.  You are consulting trained medical folks, I hope.  
That said if you don't like the sound your board makes, sounds like you should try to swap for browns, but if you really want quiet, you're gonna have to go Topre.  Browns are not quiet, even when you don't bottom out.  Additionally, PCB browns are quieter than plate mounted browns.

[sam113101]

well, I don't get headaches actually, but when I type fast I feel like I will get one if I don't slow down
I'm going to try browns I think

[washuai]

You said you actually like clicky, though.  I mean, aside from my space bar, I actually like the sound of my browns, but it isn't that audible feedback, like blues.
I actually prefer IBM BS to blues, because blues are higher pitched and I prefer the deeper tone, irregardless of volume.

[chimera15]

Alps are much lower pitch, and not so tinny, and you can lube them, especially complicated whites (not so much fakes) so they barely make any sound at all if you want.

[Findecanor]

The Cherry blue switches sound much quieter without a key on. I wonder if the key is acting like an amplifier and if it would make any difference if you lined the walls with sound-dampening material. I am going to test when I get home from work tonight.

[sam113101]

The Cherry blue switches sound much quieter without a key on. I wonder if the key is acting like an amplifier and if it would make any difference if you lined the walls with sound-dampening material. I am going to test when I get home from work tonight.

did you notice that the space bar produces the loudest sound*? this is also the biggest key

[microsoft windows]

If you don't like the blue Cherries, try the white ones.
This keyboard should fit all your input needs.

[didjamatic]

I was going to hack up an AT101W until I saw that Qtronix.  FYI, you can get new ones cheaper than that Ebay auction.

Because of that board, I might just try a HHKB.

[didjamatic]

To the OP about Cherry MX Blues... they sound much better and as-intended with doubleshot key caps.  Cherry made that switch at a time when thick double shots were the norm.  Had they been using the thin keys currently on their boards, they might have made their switches quieter.

I can't use blues with normal caps, but with doubleshots they are a pleasure, especially when PCB mounted like a Dolch board, or some early Cherry manufactured keyboards.

[wellington1869]

who was it that stuck rubber bands under their cherry switches? maybe that will help. (wonder how those sounded).

here it is: http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=196201&postcount=8

noctua, how do those sound?

[Findecanor]

I did a few tests with orthodontic rubber bands (an eBay purchase that just arrived in the mail ) after reading about it in the thread.
I have also made a few tries with sticking thin sheets of soft upholstery-type of foam into a key. (actually, the foam is from the box for a motherboard)

I find, like people before, that rubber bands (orthodontic 3/16 medium) help a great deal with muffling the noise when you bottom out. It does nothing against the click. There is no noticable difference if you don't bottom out.

I did also try with a 1/4" piece of soft foam inside each of the four corners inside the key, behind the rubber band. I think that it muffles the pitch of the click -- but only very slightly.
However, this will work only on the last three rows where the keys are high enough to have crevices big enough to put foam into.
I did try with larger pieces of foam inside the key, but while that muffles the sound even more, it touches the switch and totally destroys the feel.

[noctua]

who was it that stuck rubber bands under their cherry switches? maybe that will help. (wonder how those sounded).

here it is: http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=196201&postcount=8

noctua, how do those sound?

Hmm, the snippet of rubber band eliminates the typicall "clack" sound that occurs then
the keycap "lands" on mx-switch body, you hear only the click. For experimental trials,
the inner plastic-form can slightly polished with sandpaper, this should reduce
the "click" once more, but also the "bump" .. not tested yet.

I will try to make a record, when i found my microphone..

[wellington1869]

i actually have a bag of orthodontic bands in my drawers.
(tee hee).
seriously, I do. I have to find them though. Maybe i'll try them out on my das S blue cherry.  Its arrived by the way, but damn UPS guy came early and I missed him. Have to wait till tomorrow.
Just as well, still playing with that tablet anyway. Too many projects.

I will try to make a record, when i found my microphone..

That would be cool if you have the time for it.

[noctua]

Wish is granted.. the first three clicks of the mono sample dosn't have the rubber band
under the keycap, the last three has one.. blue mx switches was used. I hope this help..

[wellington1869]

Wish is granted.. the first three clicks of the mono sample dosn't have the rubber band
under the keycap, the last three has one.. blue mx switches was used. I hope you can
 distinguished between these two sequences..?

very cool, thanks!  Thats quite a difference, it sounds like to my ear anyway. I always thought the bottoming clack was always much louder than the built-in click anyway (at least, the way I type).

Sounds much quieter to me. I'll probably leave both clicks and clacks in place. But out of curiosity, how did you affix the cut rubber bands to the key? Did you cut a hole in each one with an xacto knife?  Or was there a speedier way?

[noctua]

Knife would be ideal, but i have used the tube from an radio antenna, the tube-part which
has nearly the suitable diameter was the right for me 4-5mm, oh of course it was a little
work..

[wellington1869]

Knife would be ideal, but i have used the tube from an radio antenna, the tube-part which
has nearly the suitable diameter was the right for me 4-5mm, oh of course it was a little
work..

ya its not easy to cut/punch rubber bands, i imagine. Maybe with a punch and hammer. Nice job though.

[noctua]

finally, here a photo from used things..

[wellington1869]

I'm guessing "einkoch ringe" means rubber band

[noctua]

In the past, as our grandparents have stored rows of glasses with preserved fruits in our
basement, they have used this rubber O-rings for sealing the preserving jar.. long ago ;-)
Yes, even an "food-safe" rubber band..

[Findecanor]

Nice! I also thought that pieces of rubber sheet would be better than thin rubber bands. More surface area of the rubber sheet could muffle the sound a bit.

I just wonder how long they will last.

I am thinking about also putting a perforated rubber sheet on top of a rigid plate inside the keyboard in-between the switches and keys for the keys to land on, as on a scissor-switch keyboard. The sheet would replace the rubber band on the key stem but because there would be a larger surface area than the thin rubber band, it could be more durable. It could perhaps also absorb some of the sound and provide a more rigid landing.
But I would have to find a good rubber sheet ... or cast one. A sheet of a good type of rubber might last longer than a cast one because the types of rubber that are available for molding at home are not the most durable.

[Mental Hobbit]

I used an ordinary (paper) hole punch with a rubber sheet. Not sure if they're standardized, but mine makes exactly the right size holes for a tight fit on the keycap stem.