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
ETA: now I emailed Kono store to see what they say about the box royals. If it will not be safe I requested Cherry Browns. They have limited selection for non Kailh brand switches. 😂
ETA 2: I got my request to change to Cherry Browns approved. Here is what Alec told me:
”I'll swap that over for you. Can you ......[edited unecesssary confirmation stuff].....your Kono order? It doesn't affect Kira's stock keycaps, but other sets may or may not be affected depending on their tolerances. Regards, Alec”
Hope this helps others in a similar situation as I am. If you ordered kailh box with your Kira, you can still change your switches. Massdrop still hasn’t replied in the Tokyo60 drop for those of us who ordered kailh box switches what they plan to do.
Far too late to do anything about the Tokyo60, I think. (Mine is scheduled to arrive Wednesday!) So I'll probably be adding those Box Blacks to my collection of Box switches I'm too afraid to use.
However, I did just get the new retooled Box Jades the other day.... and so far, my transparent keycap test on them isn't showing any stress marks yet. (My other box switches showed stress marks just after 1 - 2 days.) So I'm very happy with that so far.
Too bad about the Tokyo60, but at least we can purchase the acrylic diffuser for the next drop, which I am so excited, but in the meantime we get to use it before the V2 folks. Mine will as well arrive on Wednesday (crossing fingers), mine is at the moment staying at Missouri for today. LOL
Nice, i'd love to get the box jade next, and since you tried the new retooled version I might take your word for it and splurge.....I probably will get it for my new Minivans (both turquoise color). I recently was able to get these at the re-store drop. I ended up buying two versions "arrows" bare bones (cheap 90$ set, compared to 200-250$ at the Van Keyboards shop), and standard with DSA light cycle still cheaper than Evans' site. I didn't know which version i'd like and still undecided which i'll keep. I might just end up buying the two since it is a nice two for the price of one kind of deal, prices are awesome this round compared to the keycap recap where prices are usually inflated. Hope you were able to snag one! I'm also in for Kumo with the early flight, but since it is not CNC aluminum I can see how it is not the normal Van Keyboards price. Plus the holster and PCB fits older versions of the minivans so I knew I had to get the ones at Massdrop.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the new retooled box jade. Gives me a little bit more confidence in these box switches.
I didn't know about the other MiniVans, but I think the Kumo is going to satisfy my MiniVan itch. I *really* need to cool my jets and lay off the new keyboards for awhile.... and just wait for all my preorder and group buys to come in. But today I started looking into the Scarlet Bandana Version IV Mark.2 from WoodKeys and I find it so damn temping. I'm thinking I'd like to get a red one and put the upcoming Sanctuary Rebirth keycaps on it. We'll see if I have any self control on that impulse....
Thanks for pointing out that acrylic diffuser for the V2 Tokyo60. I didn't realize that was going to be backwards compatible. I'm not sure that will fit in with what I have in mind for that board, but I might have to pick one up just in case!
I don't own any 40% keyboard so Kumo and the Minivan is going out of my comfort zone. Fortunately the Infinity Ergodox made me get used to using both my thumbs (one for backspace and the other for space.), and layer functioning. Which those habits carried on to Jack's Preonic keyboard. This keyboard is my current favorite keyboard and I just ordered my third one with the toolbox kit. This ortholinear has been my daily driver for over six months now, and I can type over 100+ wpm with 98% accuracy on it.
I'm just about to slow down with keyboards as well since I think I have most of the layouts that has been offered here in Massdrop, soon the Tokyo60 and Minivan. So from 100% all the way down to the 40% layouts. Anything smaller like the Gherkin I have no desire to get into. I can say I still haven't found my endgame board. But I did discover with this hobby that I love the split, and ortholinear layouts very much. I really hope i'll like the 40%, and so my endgame might be more than two.
My current desk setup at home is my Preonic, and Infinity Ergodox. No numpad, I've grown to wean out of being dependent of having a numpad, and so i'm numpad free. Soon I'll be switching one around so that I can get started on mastering the HHKB layout with the Tokyo60 once it arrives.
What about you? Sounds like you've been into customs at Geekhack? Or last time I saw you was on there. Favorite layouts so far? Desk setups?
But no, my newfound interest actually comes from keycaps. Somehow it hit my radar of interest that there are excellent keycap sets out there and that got my foot in the door. Through that, I became aware of this community of custom and unique keyboard kits. And seeing all that sort of awoke many nostalgic feelings I had about old keyboards even though I didn't fully appreciate them at the time I first used them. I still love full sized keyboards, but there aren't a lot of them out there in this community, with most kits and group buys for smaller layouts. So my new interest in smaller layouts kind of stems from the fact that they're the most active things out there I'm seeing right now. Its strange how some of my tastes have been shaped by this. A few months ago, I never would have wanted a MiniVan sized keyboard thinking it too difficult to learn how to use effectively, etc. But now I kinda can't wait to try it out.
But the layouts and boards that really catch my eye are the ones that have a bit of retro flair to them, or key placement that draws inspiration from older boards - such as Function keys on the left side instead of the top row, etc. (The Tokyo60 and Modern M0110 caught my interest because they remind me of old Apple computers I used at school.)
You're right, quite a few things have caught my eye on Geekhack. So far I've just limited my keyboard hobby to there and here. (And that's more than enough places to find projects that tickle my fancy.)
Also, I think what hooked me in this hobby again is the fact that the community is so positive and collaborative for the most part. That's not as common on the Internet anymore as I'd like it to be. It reminds me of being online back in the mid-90s.
What is it about ortho and split layouts that you like so much? I have to say that those are the ones that I'll probably always stay away from - though I gotta say that many orthlinear boards certainly look cool.
I can see your interest with keycaps! I wish I was able to get into the more exotic kinds like Aristotles and gatistotles, and there is another one that’s all aqua or blue but I forget what it was called. I do love the sensations of a good old buckling spring of a model M keyboard. Wish there was a market for keycaps to cover those boards. I’ll have to look up what a Tandy 3000 AT was.
I am also a big fan of full size, but it was only this year when I started to like smaller keyboards. I think it’s because of when I became a full fledge touch typist when I mastered the number row and symbols. I’ve developed this habit of going to online practice typing sites and practice, soon it became a therapeutic relaxing habit. Plus I like to try different types of keycap profiles and setups, and those sites for typing is perfect for that.
I try to avoid Geekhack group buys since they take custom keyboards to the next level including pricing, yet what you pay there I can easily spend more on an SA keycap set I like (Pulse, and Carbon to name a few).
I agree the the community is great, and I’m happy I’ve had friendly help from the community when it comes to programming and using QMK and github. I have a long way to master the world of QMK.