Sound dampening of keyboard case

[DuckMyDucky]

Evening guys. I just disassembled my old Ducky keyboard with blue switches, and while having it out of the case I realized just how much more pleasant the sound it made without the casing. This made me think that it would be a good idea to add some sort of sound dampening to the case itself. I was thinking maybe adding some sort of foam or similar, or maybe an old mouse pad even would help (I'm talking about fitting one inside the casing, I already have it placed on a mouse pad on my desk). Has anyone done something similar or have any good suggestions to sound dampening of the case?

[sethk_]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

[SpAmRaY]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

Show Image

That's drawer line.

[sethk_]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

Show Image

That's drawer line.

Yeah, I have seen 1 or 2 people use it, I think it would work, wouldn't it?

[SpAmRaY]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

Show Image

That's drawer line.

Yeah, I have seen 1 or 2 people use it, I think it would work, wouldn't it?

Sure it works great but its not foam.

[sethk_]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

Show Image

That's drawer line.

Yeah, I have seen 1 or 2 people use it, I think it would work, wouldn't it?

Sure it works great but its not foam.

Ah, the link I got the image from called it foam.

[SpAmRaY]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

Show Image

That's drawer line.

Yeah, I have seen 1 or 2 people use it, I think it would work, wouldn't it?

Sure it works great but its not foam.

Ah, the link I got the image from called it foam.

Either way just wanted to give a common name to help find it. :D

[sethk_]

I have seen people use this foam matte stuff

Show Image

That's drawer line.

Yeah, I have seen 1 or 2 people use it, I think it would work, wouldn't it?

Sure it works great but its not foam.

Ah, the link I got the image from called it foam.

Either way just wanted to give a common name to help find it. :D

Thanks, because the way I found it was by searching "foam checkered anti-slip", and drawer liner sure as hell makes it easier to find.

[DuckMyDucky]

I tried fitting an old mouse pad in the bottom of the casing, didn't seem to make any difference. I suspect the sides of the casing might be the culprit.

[fohat.digs]

Terrapin swears by layers of duct tape.

It stands to reason that it would reduce vibrations.

[DuckMyDucky]

Terrapin swears by layers of duct tape.

It stands to reason that it would reduce vibrations.

That thought struck me already. I'm ashamed to admit I'm currently not in possession of any duct tape (and I call myself an engineer...). Will try that out as soon as I get a hold of some.

[Altis]

I've done this to a few of my keyboards so far already. Makes a great difference.

They don't sound so hollow now. Quieter, tighter sounding. I tried to find something similar to yoga mat material (I think ideal), but ended up getting drawer liner as above at the dollar store instead.

[Evo_Spec]

Anyone have opinions on using actual rubber? i think it'd add weight as well as dampen.

Also i added some drawer liner to my K95 and i've noticed less pinging but i also changed the switches from reds to blues so that's probably it, kinda sucks though cause the K95 has some pressure contact points for the g-keys and other buttons so you can't add too much or else it may render them useless.

[RickyJ]

I just use sheets of craft foam, you can find it cheap at any craft store.  Cuts easily, available in multiple thicknesses, and cheap!

[Melvang]

I just want to say that it does next to nothing in an F.

[Chromako]

Put away yo' silly drawer liner and craft foam! Use Dynamat instead! Or use both!


It's meant for speaker enclosures and car bodywork, but works great for keyboards. Easy to cut, and it comes with an adhesive backing. Easy peasy lemon squeazey. Only problem is that it's expensive, but if you wanted to save money, you wouldn't be here, right? There's also some much cheaper knockoffs of Dynamat, which probably will work nearly as well for half the cost.

[chyros]

To clarify, are you guys talking about putting these mats IN the cases, or UNDER them?

[Evo_Spec]

Put away yo' silly drawer liner and craft foam! Use Dynamat instead! Or use both!


It's meant for speaker enclosures and car bodywork, but works great for keyboards. Easy to cut, and it comes with an adhesive backing. Easy peasy lemon squeazey. Only problem is that it's expensive, but if you wanted to save money, you wouldn't be here, right? There's also some much cheaper knockoffs of Dynamat, which probably will work nearly as well for half the cost.

I've actually thought about this but Peel & Seal isn't available where i am.

[Bromono]

I bought the stuff from GONs webstore. Just a thing of foam cut out to a tkl size

[Chromako]

 

To clarify, are you guys talking about putting these mats IN the cases, or UNDER them?

 


I think most of us were talking about putting the mats inside the case- there's usually a gap between the case and PCB where you can shove stuff. All things equal, I think that the dampening material would be more effective there.

[Synjin]

Terrapin swears by layers of duct tape.

It stands to reason that it would reduce vibrations.

That thought struck me already. I'm ashamed to admit I'm currently not in possession of any duct tape (and I call myself an engineer...). Will try that out as soon as I get a hold of some.

You must be a fake engineer. Real ones will always have Duct tape as well as WD40 so you are clearly faking it.

[Melvang]

Terrapin swears by layers of duct tape.

It stands to reason that it would reduce vibrations.

That thought struck me already. I'm ashamed to admit I'm currently not in possession of any duct tape (and I call myself an engineer...). Will try that out as soon as I get a hold of some.

You must be a fake engineer. Real ones will always have Duct tape as well as WD40 so you are clearly faking it.

Not fake, just not one that has been in the field on tools.

[CPTBadAss]

Some ideas:

- Drawer liner mod
- Mousepad, towel, or something thick under your keyboard
- O-rings
- Soft Landing Pads
- Consider swapping your switches (Topre, Linear MX, Jailhouse Blues, and MX Clears are all options that come to mind for quiet keyboarding)

[Synjin]

I should fund that engineering chart on how to fix everything with both those items

[fohat.digs]

I should fund that engineering chart on how to fix everything with both those items

The old handyman saying:

If it moves and it is not supposed to - use duct tape.

If it is supposed to move and doesn't - use WD40.

[Synjin]

That one but in chart form.

[chyros]

Terrapin swears by layers of duct tape.

It stands to reason that it would reduce vibrations.

That thought struck me already. I'm ashamed to admit I'm currently not in possession of any duct tape (and I call myself an engineer...). Will try that out as soon as I get a hold of some.

You must be a fake engineer. Real ones will always have Duct tape as well as WD40 so you are clearly faking it.

There.... There are people who don't have duct tape and WD40?