4 ms·

Silenced Cherry, Gateron, ZealPC, Aliaz, and Outemu switches are near inaudible when lubed.

nickjj 7y ago
Near inaudible is also bad because it's important that you hear something in the videos (this is explained in the article). But I definitely never heard of having to lube your keyboard before using it. I'll look into that just to see what it sounds like. Hopefully someone with high end recording gear has done real world tests.
- Bluestrike2 7y ago
  Silent switches aren't completely silent; near inaudible is relative, and given that you're evaluating switches in terms of their sound on a recording, "near inaudible" might work great for you. There are a lot of variables when it comes to lubed switches, with the type and amount of lube used having an effect on the overall feel and sound. This is an interesting guide and rather long discussion about methods of lubing Cherry MX switches, for example.[0] You'll find a lot of videos some decent decent recording tests[1] of switches in general out there, but not a ton that are exhaustive comparisons of different switches and modifications. This video,[2] for example, compares decibel readings from Cherry MX Red, Blue, the Topre 45g, and Cherry MX Silent Black and Reds.[0] Comparing across different tests has obvious problems, and since you're looking for a sort of goldilocks sound level for a specific use case (not inaudible, not too loud, just right for recording), you might wind up wanting to experiment a bit with a switch tester. Other factors like the keyboard case construction and the keycaps you're using are going to have an effect as well; a mat underneath the keyboard will have a noticeable effect for many keyboards, for example. Not to mention how you type and whether you're bottoming out. Personally, I find that kind of experimentation fun but not everyone will agree. Because you're recording, it might be easier to look at testing different microphone positions and experimenting with positioning a few layers of foam between your keyboard and microphone to absorb some of the higher frequencies. You won't be able to make it entirely silent, which isn't the goal, but you might be able to get it to a level that sounds pleasant in your recordings. 0. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34332.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34332.0 1. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56648.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56648.0 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdFIht3A2To https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdFIht3A2To

Near inaudible is also bad because it's important that you hear something in the videos (this is explained in the article). But I definitely never heard of having to lube your keyboard before using it. I'll look into that just to see what it sounds like. Hopefully someone with high end recording gear has done real world tests.

Bluestrike2 7y ago
Silent switches aren't completely silent; near inaudible is relative, and given that you're evaluating switches in terms of their sound on a recording, "near inaudible" might work great for you. There are a lot of variables when it comes to lubed switches, with the type and amount of lube used having an effect on the overall feel and sound. This is an interesting guide and rather long discussion about methods of lubing Cherry MX switches, for example.[0] You'll find a lot of videos some decent decent recording tests[1] of switches in general out there, but not a ton that are exhaustive comparisons of different switches and modifications. This video,[2] for example, compares decibel readings from Cherry MX Red, Blue, the Topre 45g, and Cherry MX Silent Black and Reds.[0] Comparing across different tests has obvious problems, and since you're looking for a sort of goldilocks sound level for a specific use case (not inaudible, not too loud, just right for recording), you might wind up wanting to experiment a bit with a switch tester. Other factors like the keyboard case construction and the keycaps you're using are going to have an effect as well; a mat underneath the keyboard will have a noticeable effect for many keyboards, for example. Not to mention how you type and whether you're bottoming out. Personally, I find that kind of experimentation fun but not everyone will agree. Because you're recording, it might be easier to look at testing different microphone positions and experimenting with positioning a few layers of foam between your keyboard and microphone to absorb some of the higher frequencies. You won't be able to make it entirely silent, which isn't the goal, but you might be able to get it to a level that sounds pleasant in your recordings. 0. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34332.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34332.0 1. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56648.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56648.0 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdFIht3A2To https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdFIht3A2To