Sunzit Mechanical Keyboard Sound Dampening Foam Reduce Bottoming Noise of Keycap Shaft Customized Metal Keyboard Mute Cotton

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Dampening foam is the most common dampening material for keyboard cases, and some custom and prebuilt boards come with case foams. An example is the ever-famous Jelly Epoch Keyboard Kit, which comes with its own Case PORON Foam. The budget-friendly Next Time 75 Barebones Kit also comes assembled with its own polyethylene (PE) case foam. Research and understand the various materials used for dampening foam, such as Sorbothane, Poron, neoprene, and silicone foam. For this mod, you’ll need to remove the switches and stabilizers for each of the stabilized keys. Then, cut out a small strip of band-aid, about the size of the stabilizers and paste it on the PCB, directly where the stabilizers will be sitting. Then, apply a small amount of lube to the surface and rub it in until the fabric begins to darken. Acoustically treating the case is much less complicated and tedious compared to the plate. Lining the inside of a box with foam isn’t complicated, but it is quite important. CNC-milled metal cases are highly dense mediums that transfer internal noise quite efficiently. Adding a sound-dampening layer prevents this from happening. The actual method will vary ever so slightly with the mounting style of your case. Be sure to read our keyboard basics guide if that sounded Greek and Latin to you. That article covers all the bases. From the viscoelastic properties of Sorbothane to the flexibility of neoprene foam and the resilient nature of Poron, we embark on a journey to discover how different materials can shape the auditory landscape of mechanical keyboards via a simple keyboard mod. What is Sound Dampening

Technically, there are many kinds of keyboard case dampeners. But for this discussion, we will be narrowing it down to silicone and foam since they are the simplest and most effective solutions. Both of these options work to absorb vibrations that come from every keypress, producing a more solid and sonorous typing experience. Foam Keyboard dampening foam Choosing which one to go with mainly depends on your budget, what you have on hand, and how much space is inside your keyboard to work with. Using O-ring switch dampeners is one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly ways to improve the sound of a keyboard. It only involves the user taking the keycaps out and placing the O-rings inside the unmounted keycaps. The only downside to neoprene is that it doesn’t have as good of sound reduction as the first option, but it’s still pretty impressive. In some cases, the sound improvements are drastic, but in other cases, it might only make a little difference.

While it does make the sound much more unique, PE Mod may also flatten the sound signature and limit the frequency ranges you hear when typing. Assess the material's effectiveness in reducing noise and vibrations. Some foams excel at sound isolation and absorption, while others may have a more moderate effect.

As you can see, there are a wide range of advantages. You must choose whether or if this modification is worthwhile and how much money you are prepared to spend on the foam. How to Add Sound Dampening Foam To Your KeyboardVibration isolation: Vibrations can also transmit sound, so isolating objects or structures from vibrations can help dampen sound. This can be achieved using resilient mounts, isolators, or anti-vibration materials. While the humble ruler works for two-dimensional measurements, taking internal measurements of complicated 3D objects such as a keyboard case requires something more involved like digital or dial calipers. A tape measure also works in a pinch. Making measurement marks on a thin strip of paper is a handy way of gauging dimensions of complicated 3D objects. Just lay the paper strip out flat when you’re done marking, and measure the markings with a regular ruler. The best tool for this step is an Exacto knife so that you may cut accurately around your marked lines, but scissors would do in a pinch. Place the Pre-Cut PE Foam Below the Keyboard Plate and Above the PCB, then Reinstall the Switches These O-rings are typically made of silicone or rubber and are relatively easy to acquire. Adding to its ease is that it doesn’t require keyboard disassembly to carry out. If you choose to perform PE Mod on your Optical keyboard, please make sure that none of the lasers or stems are obstructed.

Over the last two years, I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with tweaking every keyboard that crosses my desk until it sounds and feels exactly how I want it to. With a little know-how, it’s possible to turn even a budget keyboard, custom or not, into an impressive and satisfying tool of its trade. If you don’t have the money for an expensive DIY kit, or simply want to push your existing keyboard to its limit, this is the guide for you. Glossary of Important Terms It only has to be cut into pieces and placed into your case. Why Add Soundproofing Foam for Keyboards? While the PE foam mod has its perks, some users have also voiced out dislike of the mod for a few reasons. First, some users feel the PE foam mode takes away from the keyboard’s aesthetics since the PE foam will likely be visible on clear acrylic boards or clear keyboard plates. Stabilizer: A stabilizer is a pair of dummy switches placed beneath the larger keys connected by a wire. This component keeps those keys balanced and prevents the keycap from tipping to one side or the other. Most pre-built keyboards use plate-mount stabilizers, which clip into the same plate as the switches. Screw-in or Clip-in stabilizers connect directly to the PCB and are more difficult to remove without uninstalling the switches and removing the switch plate.Noise reduction: Sorbothane significantly reduces the noise generated by keypresses in mechanical keyboards. When placed strategically within the keyboard case or under keycaps, it absorbs the sound energy produced during typing, resulting in a quieter and more pleasant typing experience. A deeper and more bassy sound: The biggest impact I’ve noticed when adding foam is how much better the keyboard sounds afterwards. The keyboard will typically sound less high-pitched and more subtle and bassy. It’s really satisfying. Getting into keyboards as a hobby means introducing yourself to many ways to customize your typing experience. Whether you’re getting a prebuilt keyboard or a custom kit, modifying your keyboard (dubbed in the community as “modding”) is one of the most basic activities for any enthusiast. And one of the easiest modifications to do to your keyboard is the famed PE Foam mod. A large part of a keyboard’s hollow, tinny note comes from the metal plate vibrating with the keystrokes. This is further amplified by the 3.5mm gap between the PCB and the plate acting as an acoustic chamber. We will fill this gap with dampening material to mitigate the hollow sound. The anti-vibration properties of material also prevent the plate from generating noise. This should allow the natural sound of the switch to stand out without being overshadowed by plate noise.

Customization: Sorbothane foam can be cut and shaped to fit specific keyboard layouts and designs. This allows users to tailor the sound-dampening solution to their individual preferences and keyboard models. If you are using PCB-mount stabilizers, attach them to the PCB now. The stabilizers being in place will also help to hold the foam down. Soundproofing accessories: Consider using soundproofing accessories like desk mats or room dividers to help isolate your workspace and reduce noise disturbances in shared environments. You’ll need to remove all the keycaps, but you MIGHT not have to actually remove your switches! This will largely depend on your keyboard.Several companies have manufactured foam and foil switches, with those from Key Tronic and BTC being the most prominent. There is no one method to achieve this because there are so many distinct case designs. Simply put, it depends on your particular keyboard. If you are using Plate-Mount stabilizers, attach them to the Plate now or when the Plate and PCB are assembled. When applying adhesive to the foam or the keyboard case, aim for an even, thin layer to prevent excess glue from seeping out or creating lumps in the foam. Silicone foam dampeners: Similar to O-rings, silicone dampeners can be placed under the keycaps to cushion keypresses and reduce the noise generated when the keycaps hit the switch housing.