So, I’ve been on this whole mechanical keyboard journey, and let me tell you, it’s a rabbit hole. I started with a cheap, membrane keyboard, you know, the kind you get for free with your computer? It did the job, but man, it felt mushy and unsatisfying.
Then I stumbled upon this whole world of “thocky” keyboards. Basically, they’re mechanical keyboards that make this deep, satisfying sound when you type. Think of it like the difference between tapping on a hollow plastic box and thumping on a solid piece of wood.
My first step? Figure out what makes a keyboard “thocky”. Turns out, a big part of it is the switches. These are the little mechanisms under each keycap that register your key presses. I learned that unlike those “clicky” switches that have a high-pitched sound, thocky switches are known for being quieter and deeper-sounding.
I started researching, like, a lot. Spent hours reading forum posts and watching videos. It was overwhelming at first, honestly. There are so many different types of switches out there! But I noticed a few names kept popping up when people talked about thocky sounds. Linear switches, especially those with a heavier spring, seemed to be the way to go.
I decided to take the plunge and ordered a few different sets of switches to test. I also bought a cheap hot-swappable keyboard. This lets you easily change the switches without any soldering, which was perfect for a noob like me. First, I put in some Gateron Black Inks. They were pretty good. A lot of people recommended them, and I could see why. Then I tested some others, which some folks online said were even more thocky.
- Gateron Black Inks: These felt really smooth and had a nice, deep sound, but not quite as deep as I was hoping for.
- Tecsee Carrots: They were a bit more expensive, but the sound was richer. And they were also linear, which is what I wanted.
- Durock POM Linears: These are the ones I’ve been using for a few weeks. They deliver that deep, rich, bassy sound profile I was after.
Swapping the switches was actually easier than I thought. Just used a little tool to pull out the old ones and popped the new ones in. It was kind of fun, like building with LEGOs but for grown-ups. I lubed them with some special grease to get them even smoother and quieter. It took some time, but it was so worth it!
After all that, I finally landed on a setup that I’m really happy with. My keyboard now has this amazing thocky sound that makes typing a joy. The sound is not just loud. It’s more about the quality of the sound, you know? It’s deep and satisfying.
It’s been a fun little project, and I’ve learned a ton about mechanical keyboards along the way. If you’re looking to get into this hobby, just be prepared to go down a deep rabbit hole. But trust me, it’s worth it! This experience is awesome, and the sound is really satisfying. It makes my work much more enjoyable. I love it so much!
