Will the Sound of Blues Annoy My Viewers?

[notsonerd]

I wanna stream my gameplay without being annoying. Plain and simple.

I love the feel and sound of the blues, but if it's as bad over a live stream to viewers as it is to co-workers in an office, then I may have to get the browns.

[CPTBadAss]

Yes. Even Browns will sound loud on stream. But it was that loud clickyness of Blues on stream that lead me to look into mechanical keyboards. I bet there's a way to edit it out but I wouldn't know how to do that. Binge might know.

[Laser]

Only if you use a mike. Use push to talk and don't type while you speak Then, you will not annoy anybody.

[notsonerd]

Only if you use a mike. Use push to talk and don't type while you speak Then, you will not annoy anybody.

I have to talk while gaming in my streams, so the mic will always be recording.

[notsonerd]

Yes. Even Browns will sound loud on stream. But it was that loud clickyness of Blues on stream that lead me to look into mechanical keyboards. I bet there's a way to edit it out but I wouldn't know how to do that. Binge might know.

Loud to the point that it annoys them? Even the browns? Geez.

[fohat.digs]

The sound of blue Cherry switches annoys everybody except for the people who like them.

If you could route the signal through an equalizer that attenuated just that frequency, it would be a big help.

[E TwentyNine]

I wanna stream my gameplay without being annoying. Plain and simple.

I love the feel and sound of the blues, but if it's as bad over a live stream to viewers as it is to co-workers in an office, then I may have to get the browns.

The biggest issue will be mic placement.  My DD is a AT Model F and it is way louder than any Cherry switch. My mic is far back on the desk - actually behind and to the right of my main monitor - and the keyboard is on a tray and I get no complaints when using an open mic.

Try it out with what you currently have, see how positioning of the mic and keyboard affect things.

[epzy]

Depends on the viewer(s). I don't get annoyed when I watch streamers who uses MX Blues.

[CPTBadAss]

Loud to the point that it annoys them? Even the browns? Geez.

Yup. I happen to like Blues so it won't bother me but I think the majority of viewers wouldn't like it. I think if you're planning on streaming, you should go for Blacks or Clears/Ergo-Clears.

[notsonerd]

The sound of blue Cherry switches annoys everybody except for the people who like them.

If you could route the signal through an equalizer that attenuated just that frequency, it would be a big help.

Would that be difficult to do? I'd hate to have to do that every time I want to stream.

The biggest issue will be mic placement.  My DD is a AT Model F and it is way louder than any Cherry switch. My mic is far back on the desk - actually behind and to the right of my main monitor - and the keyboard is on a tray and I get no complaints when using an open mic.

Try it out with what you currently have, see how positioning of the mic and keyboard affect things.

I'm planning on getting the Samson Go Condenser Mic. Elevating the mic on a stand far from the keyboard wouldn't help reduce that sound, would it?

[soleusrex]

I generally enjoy hearing streamers' keystrokes, though that may be unsurprising for most mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Also, though, as someone who watches Starcraft streamers quite often, the sound of keystrokes obviously conveys APM. So it's not merely incidental noise to me, but is closely connected to the activity and skill of the player.

[Grendel]

Yes. Get a board w/ MX brown, red, or black and install o-rings. It will still be noticeable but not as annoying as blues.

[katushkin]

What type of gaming will you be doing that you will have to keep pressing lots of keys while talking though?

I play Dota with friends and my mic never goes off, I've used greens browns and blacks and nobody says anything until I actually start typing.

[notsonerd]

What type of gaming will you be doing that you will have to keep pressing lots of keys while talking though?

I play Dota with friends and my mic never goes off, I've used greens browns and blacks and nobody says anything until I actually start typing.

I play a beat-'em-up MMO. If you've seen people play games like Street Fighter or Super Smash Brothers, you can imagine how chaotic sounds can get on a gamepad, let alone on a mechanical keyboard.

[dorkvader]

Yes. Get a board w/ MX brown, red, or black and install o-rings. It will still be noticeable but not as annoying as blues.

the "top out" noise might be annoying to some.

I think any keyboard will annoy people but there are things you can do to mitigate it.

1. switch choice. Some switches make less noise.
2. Mic placement. If you get a stand and clip it to the back of your desk above and a little behind the monitor it will help a lot. Experiment with sound recordings or whatever.
3. this is often overlooked: decouple your kb from the mic. A lot of the noise is sound waves travelling through your desk to your mic. If you tap on the desk it would sound super loud too. If you put the KB on your knees or on a tray you can see the difference. This is how ETwentyNine gets his model F so quiet.

an eq would also help but might degrade the signal a little so some words might be hard to hear. Like the "ts" sound in "It's" is quite high and may well be in the same range as blues. You could just leave the EQ on all the time and call it good if it works though. It also depends on the pitch of your voice in general.

[notsonerd]

3. this is often overlooked: decouple your kb from the mic. A lot of the noise is sound waves travelling through your desk to your mic. If you tap on the desk it would sound super loud too. If you put the KB on your knees or on a tray you can see the difference. This is how ETwentyNine gets his model F so quiet.

This. This sounds like it could work. Maybe I should get a Mobo.

[katushkin]

What type of gaming will you be doing that you will have to keep pressing lots of keys while talking though?

I play Dota with friends and my mic never goes off, I've used greens browns and blacks and nobody says anything until I actually start typing.

I play a beat-'em-up MMO. If you've seen people play games like Street Fighter or Super Smash Brothers, you can imagine how chaotic sounds can get on a gamepad, let alone on a mechanical keyboard.

Ah.

[Jixr]

streaming gameplay is annoying.

Unless you already got a following or original content, no one wants to see a basement dweller play video games

[notsonerd]

streaming gameplay is annoying.

Unless you already got a following or original content, no one wants to see a basement dweller play video games

Ouch. Those popular streamers had to start somewhere. And thanks for staying on-topic.

[dorkvader]

This. This sounds like it could work. Maybe I should get a Mobo.

This will also work and is much cheaper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321505883680
Not as nice though.

[noisyturtle]

I would highly advise against streaming with clicky switches, even a 'silent' mech board is usually picked up by mics. I had the same issue when I used to stream playing with an arcade stick, even with a directional mic.

[Puddsy]

my mic doesn't pick up my keyboard

albeit, it's just a headset mic, but it doesn't really pick up any keyboard noise

[notsonerd]

This will also work and is much cheaper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321505883680
Not as nice though.

Was trying to figure out why that table is so much cheaper than all the others on Amazon and Ebay. Turns out it's 'cause it's green. A very ugly green. I think I'd rather shell out the extra ten bucks for a black one. But thanks for the link. Definitely seems like a good alternative.

I would highly advise against streaming with clicky switches, even a 'silent' mech board is usually picked up by mics. I had the same issue when I used to stream playing with an arcade stick, even with a directional mic.

I may have already ruled out the clickies. Browns/clears, here I come.

my mic doesn't pick up my keyboard

albeit, it's just a headset mic, but it doesn't really pick up any keyboard noise

That's probably why it doesn't pick up the noise xD I won't be using a headset. Can't stand the sound quality.

[Puddsy]

time for you to jump on the MX clear hype train that is the KUL ES-87

[notsonerd]

time for you to jump on the MX clear hype train that is the KUL ES-87

Still need that backlight, though. Is there a late hype train for the Ducky Shine 3?

[Puddsy]

time for you to jump on the MX clear hype train that is the KUL ES-87

Still need that backlight, though. Is there a late hype train for the Ducky Shine 3?

wait for the DS4, it's about that time of year

and that won't come in clears

[notsonerd]

time for you to jump on the MX clear hype train that is the KUL ES-87

Still need that backlight, though. Is there a late hype train for the Ducky Shine 3?

wait for the DS4, it's about that time of year

and that won't come in clears

I know. I'd be settling for the browns. How much longer 'til the Shine 4?

[Puddsy]

few months, probably 2-3

and you might as well get red switches then, browns are the 2nd worse MX switch IMO

[katushkin]

few months, probably 2-3

and you might as well get red switches then, browns are the 2nd worse MX switch IMO

But everyone is different

[dorkvader]

time for you to jump on the MX clear hype train that is the KUL ES-87

Still need that backlight, though. Is there a late hype train for the Ducky Shine 3?

I guess you'll just have to go DIY then :/

[notsonerd]

few months, probably 2-3

and you might as well get red switches then, browns are the 2nd worse MX switch IMO

But the tactility =(

Dammit, clicks. Why you gotta be so rude?

[dorkvader]

This will also work and is much cheaper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321505883680
Not as nice though.

Was trying to figure out why that table is so much cheaper than all the others on Amazon and Ebay. Turns out it's 'cause it's green. A very ugly green. I think I'd rather shell out the extra ten bucks for a black one. But thanks for the link. Definitely seems like a good alternative.

I would highly advise against streaming with clicky switches, even a 'silent' mech board is usually picked up by mics. I had the same issue when I used to stream playing with an arcade stick, even with a directional mic.

I may have already ruled out the clickies. Browns/clears, here I come.

my mic doesn't pick up my keyboard

albeit, it's just a headset mic, but it doesn't really pick up any keyboard noise

That's probably why it doesn't pick up the noise xD I won't be using a headset. Can't stand the sound quality.

this one is actually cheaper:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Tray-Table-by-EasyComforts-/231334120424?pt=US_Tables&hash=item35dc968be8
It appears to be white

This one is even less and you get 2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PCS-3-Color-Plastic-Folding-Table-Fruit-Home-Garden-Camping-Party-Picnic-Set-/221556485532?pt=US_Tables&var=&hash=item3395cbad9c

I'm sure this is mis-listed. $12 shipped for an entire table? but a good deal if legit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cheap-Dining-Table-Affordable-Table-Small-Dining-Table-Inexpensive-Dinette-New-/141423197918?pt=US_Tables&hash=item20ed7abede

[notsonerd]

this one is actually cheaper:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Tray-Table-by-EasyComforts-/231334120424?pt=US_Tables&hash=item35dc968be8
It appears to be white

This one is even less and you get 2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PCS-3-Color-Plastic-Folding-Table-Fruit-Home-Garden-Camping-Party-Picnic-Set-/221556485532?pt=US_Tables&var=&hash=item3395cbad9c

I'm sure this is mis-listed. $12 shipped for an entire table? but a good deal if legit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cheap-Dining-Table-Affordable-Table-Small-Dining-Table-Inexpensive-Dinette-New-/141423197918?pt=US_Tables&hash=item20ed7abede

Haha. Twelve dollars for an entire table. It might just be plastic or some other cheap material masked by a faux-wood finish.

The two-table link looks interesting. Could a full-size keyboard fit in those?

[FrostyToast]

DT-35 

[notsonerd]

DT-35 

I play well enough on an integrated laptop keyboard. Not gonna drop thirty bucks on a QSENN membrane.

[dorkvader]

The two-table link looks interesting. Could a full-size keyboard fit in those?

Mouse will be the problem. You might want to get a platform for it as well.

What I do is put a bigger piece of wood (from an old desk that broke) on the top and use it as a larger surface for mouse and KB. When I game on my trackball it's not as issue of course.

[notsonerd]

The two-table link looks interesting. Could a full-size keyboard fit in those?

Mouse will be the problem. You might want to get a platform for it as well.

What I do is put a bigger piece of wood (from an old desk that broke) on the top and use it as a larger surface for mouse and KB. When I game on my trackball it's not as issue of course.

Before I make any purchases, I'll have to test it with the mic first. Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

[Premonition]

I wanna stream my gameplay without being annoying. Plain and simple.

I love the feel and sound of the blues, but if it's as bad over a live stream to viewers as it is to co-workers in an office, then I may have to get the browns.

I don't think it'll matter, most people are used to it. If you watch any of the NA pros, almost all of them use MX Blue boards, so it won't be particularly annoying unless your mic is close to the keyboard.

[deci]

I used to hear pro lol players' blue switches all the time. Nobody ever cared.
Only comment I've ever seen is asking what keyboard because it sounds cool.

Use what you like and just play with the mic and sound filters imo.

[ADFX_Pixy]

It's more annoying to listen streamers who type on a rubber-dome keyboard. *thudthudthudthudthud*

Clicks are more pleasing to my hearing imo.

[notsonerd]

I wanna stream my gameplay without being annoying. Plain and simple.

I love the feel and sound of the blues, but if it's as bad over a live stream to viewers as it is to co-workers in an office, then I may have to get the browns.

I don't think it'll matter, most people are used to it. If you watch any of the NA pros, almost all of them use MX Blue boards, so it won't be particularly annoying unless your mic is close to the keyboard.

I used to hear pro lol players' blue switches all the time. Nobody ever cared.
Only comment I've ever seen is asking what keyboard because it sounds cool.

Use what you like and just play with the mic and sound filters imo.

Really? I play a beat-'em-up MMO and I can't say I ever noticed the click-clack of blues from competitive-level players. I'm pretty sure reds and blacks are much more common in the genre due to ease of double-tap. That's interesting, though.

[Oobly]

I think it'd be okay for most viewers. I think isolation and relative distance should make the most difference, so if the mic is closer to your mouth than the board and the mic is mounted on an isolation stand it should be okay. It may also help to put a felt layer or soft rubber sheet  / mousepad or whatever under the board so the bottom out sound won't be picked up by the desk.

[notsonerd]

I think it'd be okay for most viewers. I think isolation and relative distance should make the most difference, so if the mic is closer to your mouth than the board and the mic is mounted on an isolation stand it should be okay. It may also help to put a felt layer or soft rubber sheet  / mousepad or whatever under the board so the bottom out sound won't be picked up by the desk.

Think this would do the trick?

The mic would be set pretty far away from my face, but I'll see what I can do about an isolation stand.

[JaccoW]

Take one with Clears or Linear switches, pcb mounted in an aluminum case and put the entire thing on a full-length mouse mat.

Done, quietest possible mech.
A solid Korean custom can be really quiet too.

The whole point is decoupling everything to remove any sound.
You could look for some sorbotane mats on eBay.

[notsonerd]

Take one with Clears or Linear switches, pcb mounted in an aluminum case and put the entire thing on a full-length mouse mat.

Done, quietest possible mech.
A solid Korean custom can be really quiet too.

The whole point is decoupling everything to remove any sound.

PCB? Not plate-mounted?

I've been looking into the clears and actually found one that fits the bill: the KBParadise V80. It also comes with Cherry MX whites which I'm also curious about. I kind of like them better than the blues. They seem quieter, too.

I also just found the Gamdias HERMES. It comes with an interesting mod that acts like an O-ring called the "Gamdias Element." Linus demonstrates it in this video. It seems to dampen the sound of the blues considerably and people who've used this board have found it very nice to type on. I don't see anything about it on this site, though. Would O-rings combined with the Gamdias mod make the blues quiet?

[JaccoW]

Plate mounted is only quieter if the plate is really stiff like stainless steel plates. Otherwise you get ping.
A pcb-mounted board has better dampening.
But many people will be able to tell you that a more solid case will damped the sound a lot.

[deci]

Really? I play a beat-'em-up MMO and I can't say I ever noticed the click-clack of blues from competitive-level players. I'm pretty sure reds and blacks are much more common in the genre due to ease of double-tap. That's interesting, though.

Well LOL is not really mechanically difficult. Most of the more difficult things have to do with the right hand a little bit of timing / prediction.
So you can really use whatever switch you want. Plus keep in mind that back in the day, most people had blues because it was the only switch that was available.

Btw, nice avatar. Mushishi is my fave anime