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
Huge thanks to Yanbo for making the drop page and Massdrop team for supporting this project.
FAQ! Does [insert a kit] include [insert a keycap]? All packs include only the keys pictured.
Which layouts are covered by Tsangan/Whitefox Kit? This kit covers layouts such as winkeyless, Whitefox (Aria, Vanilla, Truefox), Neutrino, Duck Viper, Duck Eagle, Leopold FC660M, Winkeyless, Kmac Happy, Redscarf68, TADA68… Shift sizes are 2.25U and 1.75U and space bars are 7U.
I have an ISO board, which child deals do I need? You'll need to pick either the UK or the International Kit.
Does UK/International include ISO enter? Yep.
Which languages the International kit covers? Danish, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish layouts.
How do I cover [insert a keyboard layout]? Standard 60%: Base kit + Modifiers Standard TKL: Base kit + Modifiers Qisan/Magicforce 68: Base kit + Modifiers Planck or Preonic: Base kit + 40% Minivan: Base kit + 40% Ergodox: Base kit + Ergodox Atreus: Base kit + Ergodox (just turn around the R2s of the thumb cluster and use it as R4s) Whitefox, Neutrino, Redscarft68, TADA68: Base kit + Modifiers + Tsangan/Whitefox Winkeyless keyboard: Base kit + Modifiers + Tsangan/Whitefox HHKB-like keyboard (Duck Viper, Duck Eagle, some GH60 layouts, some KMAC Happy layouts): Base kit + Modifiers + Tsangan/Whitefox Leopold FC660M, Clueboard: Base kit + Modifiers + Tsangan/Whitefox Fullsize keyboard: Base kit + Modifiers + Numpad Standalone numpad: Numpad UK keyboard: [any of the above] + UK Danish, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Spanish, or Swedish keyboard: [any of the above] + International Dvorak or Colemak keyboard: [any of the above] + Dvorak & Colemak
Are the Corsair Strafe and Logitech G710 covered? Unfortunately no, Signature Plastics doesn't manufacture 6.5U SA space bars.
Why do these keycaps cost that much? These are high profile, thick ABS, doubleshot CUSTOM made keycaps produced by Signature Plastics.
By participating on the drop you enter the raffle, winners will receive the Massdrop keycap (like a real life Golden Ticket, but for MK enthusiasts) What size is the 'up and out' key in the novelty set?
The 'UP AND OUT' novelty key is a R3 1.75U which is the same size as a standard CAPS LOCK keycap How tall are the SA keycaps?
The height of the keycap depends on the row profile, R3s are 0.462 inches tall (1,17cm)
Stepped Caps Lock and Control are off-center mounted
Note to the designer: Because of this, it would have made sense to have included a 1.5u TAB key in the Tsangan/whitefox kit.