Ever since I got into keyboards I’ve wanted to try out the fancy switches I see on this subreddit, but alas, my wallet cannot handle it.
Until I found kbs.im, Mechanical Keyboard Simulator is a web application that simulates typing on a variety of custom keyswitches. It simulates typing on a variety of switches (NovelKeys Creams, Holy Pandas, Turquoise Tealios, Gateron Black Inks, Cherry MX Blacks, Cherry MX Browns, Cherry MX Blues, Kailh Box Navies, Buckling Spring, SKCM Blue Alps, Topre , etc.), layouts (9009 WKL TKL, Oblivion Fullsize, Mizu KBD19X, MoDo WKL TKL, Dracula TKL, Laser 75, Olivia WKL 75% , Cafe 65, 8008 WKL 65, Model M, Handarbeit WKL Fullsize, HHKB , etc. ), and case Color (Gray, Black, Silver, White, Beige, Rose Gold, Light Gold, etc.). It also comes with a 10fastfingers-style typing test. It’s best experienced on a computer but mobile should work as well.
This is actually quite a brilliant idea/concept! Though it doesn’t really simulate much of the feel of the switches (obviously lol), it does help to hear how those switches would sound like. But one thing I learned was that the sounds of each switch actually depends on many factors — types of boards, modifications and whatnot. Another thing is that the sounds recorded and transmitted through the simulators might be inconsistent (personally, something about the sound of the Holy Panda spacebar feels a little odd). Would be great if this were taken into account though.
