How To Reduce Keyboard Noise On The Mic? [Shortcut Methods]

Are you facing problems with annoying keyword noise? All keyboards make a certain noise, and although some indeed do it more than others (that’s why there are “clicky” mechanisms), in many cases they can be very annoying.

If your keyboard makes a lot of noise and it bothers you or you just don’t like it, we are going to tell you about the methods that exist on how to reduce keyboard noise on the mic. So, let’s start:

Basic Concept

For users who have never had a mechanical keyboard, going from a membrane keyboard (which is much more typical for being the cheapest) to one with mechanical switches can be a hard step due to the noise they emit lately in comparison.

Even so-called ‘Silent’ switches make noise, let alone those with ‘clicky’ (audible feedback) switches, which are pleasant to press but annoying in the long run.

Why Mechanical Keyboards Make Noise?

Before going on to tell you about the different methods for mechanical keyboards to make less noise, we need some knowledge of why it is produced to choose the best option.

For this, we are going to take as an example the most popular brand of switches in the world: Cherry, with its MX switches.

When a key is pressed to the end of its travel, the keycap pushes the switch until it bottoms out, and it is precisely this contact that produces that characteristic “clack” sound.

This is the case with linear switches, such as the Cherry MX Red or MX Black.

However, when using switches such as the Cherry MX Blue, or any other with tactile feedback, there is another element that makes noise since it incorporates an additional mechanism inside.

In addition to this, the noise a mechanical keyboard makes is highly influenced by the keycaps.

If they are made of ABS plastic, as usual, it produces a different sound than if they are made of metal, and in the same way it will be different if they are made of another material.

It also influences whether the switches are mounted “in the air” (as on Corsair keyboards) or if they sit underneath a bezel, as this will slightly muffle the sound as well.

How To Reduce Keyboard Noise On The Mic?- In 2 Easy Step

Having seen why they produce noise, let’s see what we can do to reduce it. To do this, all the methods involve making modifications to the keyboard and purchasing separate products, and in any case depending on the keyboard if they are compatible or not and the final result.

1. Noise Suppressor Rings (O-Ring)

These types of rings are installed in the caps, on the outside of the interior, so that when the switch reaches the bottom it will crash against these rubber rings instead of with the plastic, significantly reducing noise.

The disadvantage of this type of noise suppressor (or advantage, depending on how you look at it) is that it also reduces the travel of the key.

So the touch of the switches changes when pressed and, in some cases with switches with the point of very low activation, they could force us to have to “pound” the keys to register the keystrokes.

Be careful because there are different sizes and different hard nesses, being the usual thing that the ring has 5 mm inside, and with 40A hardness.

This type of product is also quite inexpensive and compatible with most mechanical keyboards. This method is not compatible with Low Profile type switches.

2. Noise Suppressing Foam

For these modifications, we will have it more complicated since it is not a product that is sold as such (they used to sell it on Elite Keyboards before the brand disappeared).

We will need a low-thickness noise-reducing foam plate (at most 2 mm, but depending on whether our keyboard is one of those that carries the switches to the air or not) and we must cut it to fit the keys.

The idea is to put a layer of this foam between the switch and the cap. The final effect is similar to what we get with the O-Rings, but a little more amplified. If with the rings we reduce the sound by 40% more or less, with this we can raise that figure to 50%.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the methods that you can follow or try out. Check your microphone settings. Remember, you have to make sure that you are following the guide properly, otherwise, it won’t help.

That’s all on how to reduce keyboard noise on the mic. Did you like this guide? Share it on your social handles to spread the knowledge!