Author Topic: The cheapest way to silence your keyboard. (Read 38890 times)

Finwens · « **on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 06:49:53 »

Take a small towel and fold it so it matches the size of your keyboard and place it under it.

Do the test and post your results. I don't know if this is an old method, but I came up with the idea and it worked for me. Using a steelseries 6gv2 with MX black switches.

TotalChaos · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 07:08:36 »

I have a spongy rubbery grippy mat under mine since around 2006.

If you really wanna silence ur keyboard then lube the switches. My lubed cherry reds are noticeably quieter than my unlubed ones. (both are the same keyboard).

Finwens · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 07:22:30 »

Quote from: TotalChaos on Fri, 11 January 2013, 07:08:36

I have a spongy rubbery grippy mat under mine since around 2006.

If you really wanna silence ur keyboard then lube the switches. My lubed cherry reds are noticeably quieter than my unlubed ones. (both are the same keyboard).

Meh, I actually didn't want to silence my keyboard at all, put I tried it and I think it sounds nicer now.

jeroplane · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:34:35 »

A tried and true method, e.g. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38665.msg751434

Shadovved · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:45:11 »

Cheapest way to silence your keyboard?

dont use it

dirge · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:48:51 »

earplugs

Finwens · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 10:05:07 »

Quote from: jeroplane on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:34:35

A tried and true method, e.g. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38665.msg751434

Haha, that's nice. I imagined other people had already tried it.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 16:41:01 »

Ask your dentist for those little rubber bands they give out for braces. Then you can use them as o-rings. I've read that they work in a pinch.

Finwens · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 18:40:41 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 11 January 2013, 16:41:01

Ask your dentist for those little rubber bands they give out for braces. Then you can use them as o-rings. I've read that they work in a pinch.

Haha, that would be so awkward to ask.

TotalChaos · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 19:02:49 »

Quote from: Finwens on Fri, 11 January 2013, 18:40:41

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 11 January 2013, 16:41:01
Ask your dentist for those little rubber bands they give out for braces. Then you can use them as o-rings. I've read that they work in a pinch.

Haha, that would be so awkward to ask.

Full Disclosure:

They are super cheap on ebay, amazon, wherever. And they are softer and healthier than 40A O-rings but... ppl report they wear out and break after some months of use. You will always be popping keycaps to replace broken bands.

40A O-rings are hard but they have been engineered to take use and abuse and last a long time.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 11 January 2013, 21:43:09 »

Quote from: TotalChaos on Fri, 11 January 2013, 19:02:49

Quote from: Finwens on Fri, 11 January 2013, 18:40:41
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 11 January 2013, 16:41:01
Ask your dentist for those little rubber bands they give out for braces. Then you can use them as o-rings. I've read that they work in a pinch.

Haha, that would be so awkward to ask.
Full Disclosure:

They are super cheap on ebay, amazon, wherever. And they are softer and healthier than 40A O-rings but... ppl report they wear out and break after some months of use. You will always be popping keycaps to replace broken bands.

40A O-rings are hard but they have been engineered to take use and abuse and last a long time.

Good to know. But OP did say cheapest

.

rowdy · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 00:36:43 »

Quote from: dirge on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:48:51

earplugs

Technically that will not silence the keyboard, it will just prevent you from hearing the noise

davkol · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 04:34:31 »

Quote from: TotalChaos on Fri, 11 January 2013, 19:02:49

Quote from: Finwens on Fri, 11 January 2013, 18:40:41
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 11 January 2013, 16:41:01
Ask your dentist for those little rubber bands they give out for braces. Then you can use them as o-rings. I've read that they work in a pinch.

Haha, that would be so awkward to ask.
Full Disclosure:

They are super cheap on ebay, amazon, wherever. And they are softer and healthier than 40A O-rings but... ppl report they wear out and break after some months of use. You will always be popping keycaps to replace broken bands.

40A O-rings are hard but they have been engineered to take use and abuse and last a long time.

Dude, if you really want a super-light mush-board, get a Cherry G81, remove springs from the Cherry MY switches, and learn to type on it. Problem solved.

dirge · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 04:46:20 »

Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 12 January 2013, 00:36:43

Quote from: dirge on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:48:51
earplugs

Technically that will not silence the keyboard, it will just prevent you from hearing the noise

Tree falls on a model m in the forest, does it make a sound?

TheQsanity · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 04:49:39 »

Trash it.

Silence it forever.

rowdy · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 05:37:42 »

Quote from: dirge on Sat, 12 January 2013, 04:46:20

Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 12 January 2013, 00:36:43
Quote from: dirge on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:48:51
earplugs

Technically that will not silence the keyboard, it will just prevent you from hearing the noise
Tree falls on a model m in the forest, does it make a sound?

The sound of shattered keycaps falling like plastic rain on a bed of leaves.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 05:40:38 »

Stop Bull ****ting the OP guys...

The ONLY way to silence a keyboard is to put headphones on and/or earbuds...

But honestly if you can't handle keyboard noise,, stop using a computer... you're done. you're just not cut out for the heavy lifting...

Grrr..... hammer curls my 25lb-er

5x5 sets

Finwens · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 11:15:02 »

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 12 January 2013, 05:40:38

Stop Bull ****ting the OP guys...

The ONLY way to silence a keyboard is to put headphones on and/or earbuds...

But honestly if you can't handle keyboard noise,, stop using a computer... you're done. you're just not cut out for the heavy lifting...

Grrr..... hammer curls my 25lb-er

5x5 sets

Dude, I just "discovered" this and decided to post here. I'm not looking for methods of silencing my keyboard, I don't really care about the noise. Also, headphones will not silence the keyboard, you just won't hear it. But the noise is still there.

Hyde · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 12:16:44 »

lol glad this is getting popular, when I originally started doing this no one believed me except jeroplane (thus +10 points for you). In fact I made a video about it recently for fun

deepthawt · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 12:37:26 »

put the keyboard on a mousemat, they are non slip, uniform thickness and typically foam padding.
Some double sided sticky tape will hold it.

keymaster · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 12:42:39 »

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991001

Problem solved. Permanently.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 13:46:16 »

Quote from: keymaster on Sat, 12 January 2013, 12:42:39

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991001

Problem solved. Permanently.

I am also a happy owner of the R-XXL, but the towel method is more "ghetto-pride" approved.

Glissant · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 13:56:10 »

Quote from: Shadovved on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:45:11

Cheapest way to silence your keyboard?

dont use it

I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT!

)

But seriously, o-rings work a charm for me. It's actually so nice to type with o-rings that my o-ringless keyboards aren't being used until I get some more o-rings.
And I also use a huge mousemat (Goliathus Control XL), but I have never thought of the keyboard making more sound on wood vs mousepad.

Hyde · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:13:02 »

Quote from: Glissant on Sat, 12 January 2013, 13:56:10

Quote from: Shadovved on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:45:11
Cheapest way to silence your keyboard?

dont use it

I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT! )

But seriously, o-rings work a charm for me. It's actually so nice to type with o-rings that my o-ringless keyboards aren't being used until I get some more o-rings.
And I also use a huge mousemat (Goliathus Control XL), but I have never thought of the keyboard making more sound on wood vs mousepad.

I dunno I tried o-ring on mx brown, didn't like the feeling since it reduce travel distance by quite a bit. Though I haven't try it on mx red yet, apparently most people prefer mx red with o-ring. I'll test that out later when I'm less lazy

Glissant · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:19:22 »

Hyde, I think it has to do with the keycaps used to be honest. I didn't like o-rings on a set from Signature Plastic, but I love them with my Cherry double shot keycaps.
I am in total love with brown switches with Cherry ds keycaps + o-rings.

Hyde · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:40:46 »

Ahhhh I see. Well I only have OEM height keycaps to test it out (Das Keyboard). And my mx red is on a Filco which is also OEM height.

But I have a cherry replica group buy on order. So maybe I should try it out again when I get those lol.

It's my first group buy and I gotta say, those group buys need lots of patience

Magnusian · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:46:50 »

What if I want my keyboards to be louder?

deepthawt · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 17:16:13 »

Quote from: Magnusian on Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:46:50

What if I want my keyboards to be louder?

Remove the rubber feet, attach a surface microphone to the desktop surface and feed it into the PC sound card mic input.
A pair of floor standing speakers mounted a few inches from an interior wall should convey both the necessary sound pressure and standing waves sufficient to announce your typing prowess to neighbors and friends.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 17:17:29 »

Quote from: deepthawt on Sat, 12 January 2013, 17:16:13

Quote from: Magnusian on Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:46:50
What if I want my keyboards to be louder?

Remove the rubber feet, attach a surface microphone to the desktop surface and feed it into the PC sound card mic input.
A pair of floor standing speakers mounted a few inches from an interior wall should convey both the necessary sound pressure and standing waves sufficient to announce your typing prowess to neighbors and friends.

Hmmmmmmmm.........................

TheQsanity · « **Reply #29 on:** Sat, 12 January 2013, 17:34:27 »

get gloves with plastic tips. click clack to the next level.

Magnusian · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 13 January 2013, 00:16:52 »

Quote from: deepthawt on Sat, 12 January 2013, 17:16:13

Quote from: Magnusian on Sat, 12 January 2013, 16:46:50
What if I want my keyboards to be louder?

Remove the rubber feet, attach a surface microphone to the desktop surface and feed it into the PC sound card mic input.
A pair of floor standing speakers mounted a few inches from an interior wall should convey both the necessary sound pressure and standing waves sufficient to announce your typing prowess to neighbors and friends.

My nearest neighbours live a kilometre away, I think I'll need an amp and loudspeakers.

TotalChaos · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 13 January 2013, 01:04:57 »

Quote

The cheapest way to silence your keyboard.

Take it away from your wife.

Warning: there are drawbacks to this method.

keymaster · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 17 January 2013, 22:33:59 »

I recently bought these 40A-L rubber o-ring dampeners from WASD Keyboards.

The sound coming from the keys have significantly been reduced. The sound shifted from a higher-pitched sound (which I liken to a cheap plastic sound) to a lower-pitched sound (sounds much better, imo). In addition, the keys feel much more 'solid' because the dampeners provide a softening/slowing of the key while bottoming out -- which I really like.

For $18, I can't really say it's worthy of a purchase for everyone, but if the sound produced by your keyboard becomes a bit too much then it's a no-brainer. I believe these dampeners could also be purchased through Feng, one of the forum vendors, for only a few dollars. They may or may not be the same quality as the ones from WASD Keyboards, but it's all relatively the same since its just rubber.

40A-L rubber o-ring dampeners

Hyde · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 02 February 2015, 11:04:52 »

LOL sorry to necro this thread, but I've discover something huge recently !

So I've always swear by the towel under keyboard method to make my keyboard sound better.

Up until recently I've tried my fiance's FC660C then I went home to my 104U and I was like why does her keyboard sound way thockier than mine?

Granted FC660C could sound better but still the difference is huge.

Then this morning I tried taking out the towel under my 104U and HUGE difference !

My Realforce sound thockier and feel more tactile !

Moral of the story, for Cherry MX USE towel. For Topre DON'T USE towel.

rowdy · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 02 February 2015, 16:08:00 »

I still use drawer liner under my HHKB. My desk at home is fairly thin, and bottoming out echos under the desk. With the drawer liner in place, there is much less bottoming out sound, and the thock sounds sweeter.

Hyde · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 02 February 2015, 17:17:31 »

I guess since HHKB is case mount so maybe it's different.

But I also realize depending on what type of table you type on it indeed can change the acoustics dramatically.

LOL in the future people need to start looking for the right keyboard / table mat / table combination for perfect typing experience.

Novus · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 02 February 2015, 18:43:45 »

Use a rubber dome

Firebolt1914 · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 02 February 2015, 18:48:22 »

I think the more important thing is how solid the desk is. When it's a bit thinner, when you press down on the key, you're hearing the sound of the desk along with the keypress. If it's really solid, then you're hearing the keyswitches, not the sound of the desk.

berserkfan · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 10:22:44 »

Spend $7 shipped from Amazon.

Do my Gutz's jailhouse mod.

Total happiness.

Now I regret ever having interest in Model Fs...

MGH · « **Reply #39 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 11:18:56 »

If you want to get another keyboard, silenced topre and jailhouse blues are the quietest switches I've used

Computer-Lab in Basement · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 11:49:12 »

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 11:52:49 »

Has anyone said ear plugs?

Computer-Lab in Basement · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 11:53:24 »

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Tue, 03 February 2015, 11:52:49

Has anyone said ear plugs?

Quote from: dirge on Fri, 11 January 2013, 09:48:51

earplugs

dirge · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 12:18:22 »

Yeah earplugs the stupid in the room seems to vanish.

dwasifar · « **Reply #44 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 12:20:33 »

Quote from: Finwens on Fri, 11 January 2013, 18:40:41

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 11 January 2013, 16:41:01
Ask your dentist for those little rubber bands they give out for braces. Then you can use them as o-rings. I've read that they work in a pinch.
Haha, that would be so awkward to ask.

Not for me. My wife's an orthodontic assistant. I'll keep this in mind.

Dihedral · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 12:34:24 »

inb4 gutz plugs his jailhous... oh wait...

jabbon · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 12:36:50 »

Quote from: berserkfan on Tue, 03 February 2015, 10:22:44

Spend $7 shipped from Amazon.

Do my Gutz's jailhouse mod.

Total happiness.

Now I regret ever having interest in Model Fs...

Will check that out! Btw, how the hell did you come up with it?

gcb · « **Reply #47 on:** Tue, 03 February 2015, 15:35:19 »

i have the weirdest source of noise. i don't bottom out my blues or clears. but when i'm typing fast, the noise that bothers most is the keys coming UP and clashing on their stop. If i didn't have a life, i'd probably open every switch and add electrical insulation black tape to the inside of every top switch cover.

supersoul · « **Reply #48 on:** Fri, 13 February 2015, 00:58:22 »

i have a huge mousepad that's like my entire desk and i feel like that silenced it a bit. then i got o rings from work and it's pretty good. nice damp sound.

werear · « **Reply #49 on:** Fri, 13 February 2015, 20:04:59 »

buying membrane keyboard? jk

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Author Topic: The cheapest way to silence your keyboard. (Read 38890 times)