Can Typing Sound like Raindrops?
This was the most unexpected find at a recent kbd meetup: the Model F Keyboard.
Joe Strandberg (Ellipse) has been researching the switches in IBM’s model-M keyboard. The patent for those switches recently expired. He makes lots of claims about those keys being the originator of the cherry MX clicky switch. L’chaim
What I noticed about the boards is not in his videos.
The sound is subtly different, IRL. The buckling of the spring makes a high-pitched ‘ting’ sound that is maybe describable as “metallic rain.” What arrested me about it was the distinctly rain-like sound of the switch operating…. such that typing produced a sound similar to rain falling on a tin roof.
I sat at that last paragraph for a few minutes, thinking of how to underscore the aesthetics of this sound. It is somewhat soothing, but it goes further than a proto-ASMR — there really is something on the verge of ‘natural’ about it.
Mechanical keyboards are an interesting fascination. Seeing the response that people have to the Model F make me think more about the the aesthetic reasons that people are drawn to building their own mech, or paying unusual prices for one. The common argument is ergonomics, but of course the clicky-sound is commonly a driving factor.
If acoustics is a foremost reason for some people, then perhaps we can (and should?) see a class of mech keyboards arise, whose entire purpose is about creating a more pleasing state of attention. Perhaps this could even be a mind-altering state, akin to how music can get some people motivated to focus and be efficient.
It made me think about how the sound could be more specifically rain-like. That would be a real dream.
(((You can read my other thoughts on mech and custom keyboards.)))
