Getting the click sound of blue Cherry switches on keyboard with red switches?

[shaaniqbal]

Is there any software I can download to simulate the click of a clicky switch through the speakers with my keyboard that uses linear mechanical switches?

[luis911]

Is there any software I can download to simulate the click of a clicky switch through the speakers with my keyboard that uses linear mechanical switches?

 

[eddie]

I know this is off topic but why would you want this?
On topic, I don't know of any program that would play the same click sound at the same time you type on your keyboard. But you could just play a video of someone typing on blues. Here is an example

(not my video)

Edit:
I found a program that produces a sound ever time you click a key. It's called Sound Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com/soundpilot.html . It is super simple to use. Basically all you have to do is install it and start typing. It is preset to sound like a type writer which really annoying but you have the option to add additional sound schemes which makes me think you could probably make your own sound scheme that replicates the sound of the cherry mx blue switch. The only problem I found was it lags like hell but I type at around 120 WPM. the program is free

Hopefully this helps.

[fohat.digs]

I think that something like that actually exists.

They did make those keyboards in the 80s-90s with speakers and solenoids built in.

This is not a problem for users of ancient IBM iron and Alps.

[shaaniqbal]

But surely this wouldn't be difficult to code on a software level? You're just outputting a sound for every keystroke. Any coders reading this who think they could do it?

@eddie, so I can have an auditory feedback letting me know that I have actuated the key, which I can control the volume of software side. Eg at night I'd have it turned down or off.

[luis911]

But surely this wouldn't be difficult to code on a software level? You're just outputting a sound for every keystroke. Any coders reading this who think they could do it?

@eddie, so I can have an auditory feedback letting me know that I have actuated the key, which I can control the volume of software side. Eg at night I'd have it turned down or off.

But why? Is it for a movie or something?

[shaaniqbal]

It's so I can get the clickyness of blue switches but being able to adjust its volume. Not for a movie.

@eddie, that's brilliant thanks. I'll try out Sound Pilot.

[fohat.digs]

The cheap and easy answer is to just pound the hell out of it and bottom out every time.

[eddie]

It's so I can get the clickyness of blue switches but being able to adjust its volume. Not for a movie.

Do you not like the tactile feel of blues? Also if you reread my first post it gives instructions on how to do this.

[tbc]

wouldn't this be an appropriate use of an arduino/other microcontroller?

[shaaniqbal]

@eddie, I don't like tactile bumps no. Thanks for the link to Sound Pilot, I'll try it out. Although if it lags that would be a problem. Could anyone script an AutoHotKey script to do it and post it so we can test?

[Yslen]

Unless you're using high end audio hardware you'll probably run into latency issues, even if the software is coded well.

[shaaniqbal]

@Yslen, well that is confusing. I can run an FPS game with all its vastly more complex sounds of guns, explosions and so on which my PC seems to handle without lag. I have a mid spec laptop.

[shaaniqbal]

Just tried Sound Pilot, yeah it can't keep up.

[exitfire401]

I can easily say that this is the weirdest reuest I've heard in here.

[luis911]

I can easily say that this is the weirdest reuest I've heard in here.

Yea, I mean if you're gonna make it sound like something, make em sound like Topres. 

[1pq]

I'm very surprised you want this. Auditory feedback doesn't help at all; by the time your brain has registered it, the key has already actuated, and if your computer is playing it, it's going to be hella late anyway. Also I imagine it's kind of hard to float on reds...

[shaaniqbal]

Hm, maybe you're right that it would be useless. It would still be cool though.

Also, I've never understood why people go for blue cherry switches. What is the appeal to them compared to say brown? I'm quite confused by all the different switches and terms. What does float mean?

[1pq]

Float means not bottom out--to stop immediately after the tactile bump, or stop about 3/4ths of the way down on linears.
Most people go for blues are some of the most tactile of stock keyswitches (certainly the most tactile among stock light keyswitches), and many people prefer them for typing.

[shaaniqbal]

Ah I see. I read somewhere that it was because of a click they made or something and people liked the clicks.

[luis911]

You need this bro http://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=Cherry_MX

[Melvang]

I actually float quite often on reds but only on my orbweaver.  Also, I only have reds on the WASD.  The rest of the switches are clears. 

[1pq]

Also, I only have reds on the WASD.  The rest of the switches are clears.

Sorry to get this far off topic, but isn't that awful for typing? I feel like I'd hate it.

[Melvang]

Also, I only have reds on the WASD.  The rest of the switches are clears.

Sorry to get this far off topic, but isn't that awful for typing? I feel like I'd hate it.

I don't type on my orbweaver.  But I do have 6 different stem/spring combinations in my costar Das.  Sorry to get this far off topic.

[1pq]

do tell
perhaps in pm/another thread

[shaaniqbal]

Just wondering are there any switches that are exactly the same as blue switches but without the click?

[Melvang]

Browns are close but the tactile bump on the stem is a touch smaller.  Or you can go with clears but the spring is a bit heavier.  To get the best of both worlds buy some clear switches, pull them apart and put the brown springs.  You not have ergo clears.  I would suggest using a stock clear spring for the space bar due to the weight of the cap.  It has a very real possibility of not letting the stem come back up.  I have not had this problem with my other ergo clears.  But I got the switches used and am not sure how well used they were before I swapped the springs.  I have heard of people having sticking issues with ergo clears using new stems with single unit caps though.  So, YMMV.

[phoenix1234]

Is there any software I can download to simulate the click of a clicky switch through the speakers with my keyboard that uses linear mechanical switches?

In theory, yes, you can do that by writing a software to hook all keyboard inputs and then play sound. But there must be a big delay due to the fact that the software can only play the sound AFTER it received the key code from the  OS layer.

keyboard -> machine -> OS -> application hook -> processing -> play sound clicky -> soundcard -> speakers -> our ears

Even with a very fast application, I think we still notice a big delay because the physical Cherry MX blue can directly output the sound to our ears

keyboard -> sound clicky -> our ears

So, IMO, the best is not to do that, use physical Cherry MX Blue instead of a simulated sound like that.
 

[Melvang]

do tell
perhaps in pm/another thread

PM sent with link

[shaaniqbal]

The problem with Blue is that it would disturb everyone in my house. I want to be able to hear it through earphones or lower the volume. And I don't like tactile bumps.

To avoid the lag, what if we skip the OS layer and have the click sound built into the keyboard itself. Not a physical sound from the mechanics but an electrical one that could optionally have its volume lowered or increased. And you could plug your earphones in to the keyboard if only you wanted to hear it. This way you would have immediate auditory feedback with linear switches. I wouldn't want to try doing this myself so are any keyboards already made that offer this? It would be a cool feature even if of no practical benefit.

[Melvang]

The problem with Blue is that it would disturb everyone in my house. I want to be able to hear it through earphones or lower the volume. And I don't like tactile bumps.

Thanks for the suggestion Melvang. Seems a bit complicated.

To avoid the lag, what if we skip the OS layer and have the click sound built into the keyboard itself. Not a physical sound from the mechanics but an electrical one that could optionally have its volume lowered or increased. And you could plug your earphones in to the keyboard if only you wanted to hear it. This way you would have immediate auditory feedback with linear switches. I wouldn't want to try doing this myself so are any keyboards already made that offer this?

With auditory feedback, I could type blindly on Red switches (I mean with my eyes closed).

There have been some that had a speaker in them but I don't have that knowledge, nor am I sure they would even work on a modern machine without further modification.  As far as doing this with a new keyboard that might require one that already has a teensy controller and adding some stuff to the firmware but again that is WAY beyond my knowledge.  Hasu might be able to help with that though.

[tbc]

wouldn't this be an appropriate use of an arduino/other microcontroller?

The problem with Blue is that it would disturb everyone in my house. I want to be able to hear it through earphones or lower the volume. And I don't like tactile bumps.

Thanks for the suggestion Melvang. Seems a bit complicated.

To avoid the lag, what if we skip the OS layer and have the click sound built into the keyboard itself. Not a physical sound from the mechanics but an electrical one that could optionally have its volume lowered or increased. And you could plug your earphones in to the keyboard if only you wanted to hear it. This way you would have immediate auditory feedback with linear switches. I wouldn't want to try doing this myself so are any keyboards already made that offer this?

With auditory feedback, I could type blindly on Red switches (I mean with my eyes closed).

There have been some that had a speaker in them but I don't have that knowledge, nor am I sure they would even work on a modern machine without further modification.  As far as doing this with a new keyboard that might require one that already has a teensy controller and adding some stuff to the firmware but again that is WAY beyond my knowledge.  Hasu might be able to help with that though.

is my idea plausible?

raspbery pi with speaker attachment + really small linux distro (or not even a real OS) + firmware to handle usb repeating (faking as a USB hub or something)?

keyboard -> custom box with processor & speaker -> computer

[shaaniqbal]

Sorry tbc, I didn't see your post before. To be honest I have no idea about half the things you said. If it works though I would love it.

[Findecanor]

I know of a freeware program for Windows called ClicKey that makes sounds as you type.

Just wondering are there any switches that are exactly the same as blue switches but without the click?

No. Although the Brown switches were design to be a quiet version of blue, but they are much less tactile. There are people who have superglued the inner white slider inside the blue switches to the stem, but that changes the feel also in other ways... there are some threads on that already.
Clears have a longer tactile bump than blues or browns - I do not think they resemble blues at all.

[spiceBar]

wouldn't this be an appropriate use of an arduino/other microcontroller?

The problem with Blue is that it would disturb everyone in my house. I want to be able to hear it through earphones or lower the volume. And I don't like tactile bumps.

Thanks for the suggestion Melvang. Seems a bit complicated.

To avoid the lag, what if we skip the OS layer and have the click sound built into the keyboard itself. Not a physical sound from the mechanics but an electrical one that could optionally have its volume lowered or increased. And you could plug your earphones in to the keyboard if only you wanted to hear it. This way you would have immediate auditory feedback with linear switches. I wouldn't want to try doing this myself so are any keyboards already made that offer this?

With auditory feedback, I could type blindly on Red switches (I mean with my eyes closed).

There have been some that had a speaker in them but I don't have that knowledge, nor am I sure they would even work on a modern machine without further modification.  As far as doing this with a new keyboard that might require one that already has a teensy controller and adding some stuff to the firmware but again that is WAY beyond my knowledge.  Hasu might be able to help with that though.

is my idea plausible?

raspbery pi with speaker attachment + really small linux distro (or not even a real OS) + firmware to handle usb repeating (faking as a USB hub or something)?

keyboard -> custom box with processor & speaker -> computer

You don't need something as complex as a nano Linux computer.

I think Hasu's converter could do the job. It has just a very cheap Atmega microcontroller, a few passive components around it, and no operating system. it runs a firmware that manages the input from the keyboard, converts it (while interpreting it), and sends new scancodes to an USB output. This firmware is a very smart piece of software, but it is self-contained (no OS, it does just that, but it does it very well).

It has been designed to turn any PS/2 compatible keyboard into a fully programmable keyboard, and as a side benefit I guess the firmware could be modified to emit sounds (maybe just clicks to begin with). The thing is actually almost entirely programmed in C and the source is open. So it could be possible to modify it to emit sounds, that is, if there are still available output lines on the microcontroller. My guess is that there will be at least one available, and this single output line could maybe drive a small speaker or a buzzer.

It is small enough that you can hide it inside most keyboard cases.

If it can be done, there will be no sound delay problem. The firmware reacts in real time to any activity from the keyboard.

[shaaniqbal]

I know of a freeware program for Windows called ClicKey that makes sounds as you type.

Just wondering are there any switches that are exactly the same as blue switches but without the click?

No. Although the Brown switches were design to be a quiet version of blue, but they are much less tactile. There are people who have superglued the inner white slider inside the blue switches to the stem, but that changes the feel also in other ways... there are some threads on that already.
Clears have a longer tactile bump than blues or browns - I do not think they resemble blues at all.

Ah.

Thanks for the link to Clickey. Unfortunately it too can't keep up.