How to Sound Test Your Keyboard: Achieve the Perfect Thock

If you're deep into the mechanical keyboard hobby, you've likely heard the term 'thock' – that deep, satisfying sound that some keyboards produce with every keystroke. Achieving the perfect thock is a goal for many enthusiasts, but it requires more than just buying expensive keycaps or switches. It starts with understanding how to sound test your keyboard properly, so you can accurately assess its acoustics and make informed mods.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of sound testing your keyboard, from preparing your setup to recording and analyzing the sound. We'll also cover the key factors that influence keyboard sound and share some popular mods to help you achieve that coveted thock. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, this guide will help you tune your keyboard's acoustics like a pro.

Why Sound Test Your Keyboard?

Sound testing is the practice of recording and analyzing the sound your keyboard makes when typing. It's an essential step for anyone who cares about keyboard acoustics, as it allows you to hear your keyboard from an external perspective, identify any unwanted sounds, and track changes after modding.

By conducting a sound test, you can determine if your keyboard sounds 'thocky', 'clacky', 'creamy', or 'marbly' – all terms used to describe different acoustic profiles. This helps you decide what mods to apply to achieve your desired sound. For example, if your keyboard sounds too high-pitched, you might add foam to dampen the case, or if it sounds hollow, you might consider a different mounting style.

Additionally, sound testing is a great way to share your keyboard's sound with the community. Many enthusiasts post sound tests on platforms like YouTube or Reddit to showcase their builds and compare notes. A well-executed sound test can be both informative and satisfying to watch.

• Hear your keyboard from an external perspective
• Identify unwanted sounds or vibrations
• Track the effect of mods over time
• Share your build's sound with the community

Key Factors That Influence Keyboard Sound

Before you start sound testing, it's important to understand the elements that contribute to your keyboard's overall sound. The primary factors include the switch type, keycap material, case material, mounting style, and any dampening materials inside the case.

Switches: Linear switches tend to produce a softer, deeper sound, while tactile and clicky switches have more pronounced bumps and clicks. The switch housing material (e.g., nylon vs. polycarbonate) also affects sound. For instance, Cream+ Switches are known for their smoothness and a relatively deep sound profile, making them a popular choice for thock builds.

Keycaps: The material and thickness of keycaps play a huge role. Thick PBT keycaps generally produce a deeper, more muted sound compared to thin ABS keycaps. Keycap profile also matters – SA and MT3 profiles often sound deeper than OEM or Cherry profiles.

Case and Mounting: The case material (aluminum, plastic, etc.) and mounting style (gasket, tray, top-mount) influence resonance and sound. Gasket-mounted boards often have a softer, more uniform sound, while tray-mounted boards can sound hollower. Adding case foam or PE foam can help eliminate hollowness and enhance thock.

Deskmat and Surface: The surface your keyboard sits on also affects sound. A deskmat can dampen vibrations and reduce echo, contributing to a cleaner sound. Using a thick deskmat like the Mutagen Deskpad can help isolate the keyboard and improve acoustics.

• Switch type and housing material
• Keycap material and profile
• Case material and mounting style
• Dampening materials (foam, tape mod)
• Deskmat and surface

How to Set Up Your Sound Test

To get an accurate sound test, you need to set up your recording environment properly. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Choose a quiet room: Minimize background noise by recording in a quiet space, away from fans, traffic, or other disturbances. Close windows and doors, and turn off any noisy appliances.

2. Position your microphone: Place the microphone about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) away from your keyboard, at a slight angle to avoid capturing too much keycap noise. A common setup is to place the mic directly above the keys, or at the side, depending on the sound you want to capture.

3. Use a good microphone: While a phone mic can work, a dedicated USB or XLR microphone will yield much better results. If you're using a phone, ensure it's placed on a stable surface to avoid vibrations.

4. Record at a consistent volume: Set your recording levels so that the peaks are around -12 dB to -6 dB. This prevents clipping and ensures a clean recording.

5. Type consistently: Use the same typing style and speed for each test. Consider using a typing test website to ensure consistent keystrokes.

6. Record multiple takes: Record several takes and choose the best one, or average them if you're analyzing with software.

• Quiet room and stable microphone placement
• Consistent typing speed and force
• Record at optimal levels to avoid clipping
• Use a high-quality microphone for best results

Analyzing Your Sound Test Results

Once you have your recording, it's time to analyze it. Listen for the overall pitch, resonance, and any unwanted sounds like pinging or rattling. You can use audio analysis software to visualize the frequency spectrum, but your ears are often the best tool.

Pitch: Thock is typically characterized by a low-pitched, deep sound. If your keyboard sounds high-pitched or 'clacky', you may need to add dampening or change keycaps. Clack is often caused by hard materials and high-pitched resonance.

Resonance: A hollow sound indicates that the case is resonating. Adding foam to the case can reduce this. Many enthusiasts use the 'tape mod' (applying masking tape to the back of the PCB) to reduce hollowness and add a deeper tone.

Unwanted sounds: Pinging (a metallic ring) often comes from springs in switches or the plate. Lubing switches can reduce spring ping. Rattling may come from stabilizers; balancing and lubing stabilizers can eliminate this.

Compare with reference: Listen to sound tests of keyboards known for their thock to compare. This can help you identify what your keyboard is missing.

• Listen for pitch and resonance
• Identify unwanted sounds like ping or rattle
• Compare with reference sound tests
• Use audio software for frequency analysis if desired

Popular Mods to Achieve Thock

Modding your keyboard is the most effective way to achieve the perfect thock. Here are some popular mods you can try:

Case Foam: Adding foam (such as PE foam or shelf liner) inside the case absorbs sound and reduces hollowness. This is one of the easiest and most effective mods.

Tape Mod: Applying a few layers of masking tape to the back of the PCB can add a deeper, more muted sound. This mod is cheap and reversible.

Lubing Switches: Lubing switches not only makes them smoother but also reduces spring ping and can slightly deepen the sound. Cream+ Switches are pre-lubed, but you can still add more lube for a different sound.

Switch Films: Adding films between the switch housing halves can reduce wobble and tighten the sound, making it more consistent.

Plate and Mounting: Changing the plate material (e.g., from aluminum to polycarbonate) can change the sound. Polycarbonate plates are softer and can contribute to a deeper sound. If your board supports gasket mounting, ensure the gaskets are properly installed to absorb vibrations.

Keycaps: As mentioned, thick PBT keycaps are a go-to for thock. Consider trying a set like the GMK Fright Club if you prefer ABS, but note that ABS might sound slightly higher-pitched. For a true thock, look for thick double-shot PBT keycaps.

Deskmat: Using a thick deskmat can dampen vibrations and improve the overall sound. The Mutagen Deskpad is a great option with its dense fabric and rubber base.

• Case foam and tape mod
• Lubing and filming switches
• Plate and mounting changes
• Keycap material and profile
• Deskmat for dampening

Recording a Professional Sound Test

If you want to share your sound test with the community or simply document your build, consider these tips for a professional recording:

Use a dedicated microphone: A cardioid condenser mic will capture the sound more accurately than a built-in laptop mic. Place it at a consistent distance and angle.

Create a quiet environment: Use acoustic foam panels or even a closet full of clothes to reduce echo and background noise.

Use a camera with good audio: If you're recording a video, use a camera that allows external mic input, or sync audio separately.

Edit your audio: Use software like Audacity to normalize the audio, remove background noise, and add a subtle fade in/out.

Show your setup: In a video, show your keyboard and typing technique so viewers can understand the context.

• Use a cardioid condenser microphone
• Set up acoustic treatment
• Edit audio with noise reduction and normalization
• Show your typing style in videos

Achieving the perfect thock is a journey that combines the right components, careful modding, and a good ear. By mastering the art of sound testing, you can fine-tune your keyboard to sound exactly how you want. Start by testing your current setup, experiment with mods like foam and tape, and don't forget the importance of a quality deskmat. Ready to upgrade your keyboard's acoustics? Explore the Cream+ Switches and the Mutagen Deskpad to get started on your thock journey.