Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
I had the old Apple IIe's at school, but can't remember typing much more than what Number Crunchers or the Oregon Trail would require. I learned a lot of early DOS on an ancient home-build that my dad got for work. I dont remember the keyboards, but it was many years before I'd discover them again.
The first board I bought was the Ducky SZ2108 (or DK2108SZ) for work a few years ago. I got it on mechmarket after long deliberations and trips to Microcenter to try others out. I had been aching for a DAS ever since I saw them on Thinkgeek a number of years ago, but the price scared me off. The Ducky, with a PayPal discount and shipping, ended up being a little over $60.
I bought the full set of Dolch DSA on Massdrop and haven't looked back. I got a Planck and GH60 as kits and built them up to my specification. I'm eyeing a bunch more at this point; I've always really enjoyed putting things together; electronics, cars, cameras, what have you... Then there's just the plain old-fashioned love of creating something usable with my hands. There is something quite addicting about keyboards. I've gotten a number of my friends hooked on the switch, and a couple more interested.
I am currently planning a keyboard for my grandmother. She has a phD in literature and writing, but she hasn't gotten much time to write lately. I've squared away a number of things for her and now I'm sourcing parts for a mech built to her specifications. I already have a bunch of the linear Gateron clears, which will be perfect and light for her fingers. I need to decide on a layout and how best to build it. REALLY sad I didn't jump on the Whitefox. I think a 65%-80% is going to be the way to go, but there are not many kits like that. Oh well. I can always try my hand at handwiring, which is the next logical step anyway!!!