how to get that clickity click keyboard sound

[cparker]

I am using windows 2000 and the keyboard has a normal somewhat squishy sound. OK, I'm used to that, although I miss the sound of my old Northgate keyboards. Then I watched some videos involving programming tutorials and heard this incredibly cool clickity clack as the programmer typed in code, as if he were using one of those old keyboards. I'm almost sure that it involved some kind of software setting or utility. I couldn't find it on my control panel/sounds area. Does anyone know how to set up windows to make that sound?

 

[corkyg]

The sound comes from keyboards with a mechanical linkage. The silent or squishy ones use a soft, bubble linkage. I too was a big Northgate fan - but after three - they have disappeared or become very $$$. I have been using a Keytronic Liftime Series board, and it has a lot of the old Northgate touch and feel and sound. Some of the older IBM boards do likewise.

The trend in today's market is silence along with copious bells and whistle and buttons designed for the Internet.

I don't know about any ersatz sound that would be software created. That could be annoying because the sound would not come from the keyboard, but from all around the room with a surround sound system.

But - it will be interesting to see if there are any such products.

 

[cparker]

Thanks! I'll email one of the guys who made the tutorials and see what he uses.

 

[Peter]

In more technical terms, it's all in the key contacts. Cheap to midrange keyboards (and even a lot of the supposedly ergonomic ones) use a silicone mat of bumps, one bump for each key.
The really good keyboards use an individual mechanical switch per key. The rubbery feel disappears with the absence of the silicone rubber mat - it's that simple.

Cool sounding clickety-clack then only happens when you reach a certain speed in typing. So after you got a keyboard that allows typing fast to begin with, take lessons. Coolness does not spontaneously occur through technology purchases

 

[spikespiegal]

You can still buy mechanical keyboards, and there have been several posts here. They cost more though, and lack the extra hundred multimedia keyboard extensions.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
and lack the extra hundred multimedia keyboard extensions.

Thank goodness. Everything except the Windows key = bs, IMO.

Now if they would make an split keyboard with buckling spring switches...

 

[Zepper]

Not sure that it's available other than if it is included in any special driver that comes with your kbd. You can check places like Simtel to see if there is a generic one. I'm pretty sure there was one that used the system speaker a long time ago - very annoying. Maybe there is something that uses the sound card now.

.bh.

 

[Peter]

It might be hiding in the Accessibility Options panel.

Linux KDE 3.5 has it in Personal Settings - Peripherals - Keyboard, with adjustable volume.

I recall from WAY back that the Atari ST computers had the keyclick sound enabled by default - like many office computers of those days entirely missing the point that it's the TACTILE feedback that helps the fast typist, not the audio feedback.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
and lack the extra hundred multimedia keyboard extensions.

Thank goodness. Everything except the Windows key = bs, IMO.

Now if they would make an split keyboard with buckling spring switches...

Something like the Datadesk Smartboard?

 

[Peter]

... and there goes my effort to NOT plug this into a keyboard thread this time

Yeah, get a SmartBoard.

 

[Steve]

LOL, I was wondering why you were strangely quiet

Howard, the Smartboard can be had for $99US from ergocube.com or sforh.com. Not sure about their shipping to Canada. You could also try directly from datadesktech.com

 

[cparker]

Well, I got an answer from my email. They said they used a program called "camtasia" to make the screen-capture videos, and it's my impression that that software produced simulated keyboard and mouse clicks that sounded so great. So it really wasn't a simple setting in Windows or a keyboard for that matter. Of course, now, I've been looking at keyboards that have been mentioned here and on some of the other threads. This is much more interesting than I had originally thought.

 

[Zepper]

How about trying the free utilities from Simtel - there are at least two - an older one from 1999 (that may not work with 2k/XP) that just makes key clicks and a new one that can attach any sound to key presses - even a different sound to each key . So you can capture the key click sound you like and punch it into that program. I searched simtel.net on- key click sound -to find them.

.bh.

 

[dunkster]

I bought a Unicomp Customizer 101 buckling-spring keyboard @ $50 + shipping.

It's exactly as advertised. Key-travel, sound and tactile feedback are exactly the same as the original IBM buckling-spring keyboard.

See it here: http://store.yahoo.com/pckeyboards/keyboards.html

Hope this helps!

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: dunkster
I bought a Unicomp Customizer 101 buckling-spring keyboard @ $50 + shipping.

It's exactly as advertised. Key-travel, sound and tactile feedback are exactly the same as the original IBM buckling-spring keyboard.

See it here: http://store.yahoo.com/pckeyboards/keyboards.html

Hope this helps!

I'd love to get one of their black ones, but those metallic keys look kinda horrible and they want an extra 20 bucks on top. Bleh.

Maybe one day I'll just cave and stick with the old school beige M.

 

[jadinolf]

Darn, a few years ago I bought a Focus 2001 keyboard at newegg for $18. Now, if you can find it it's over $50.

Wish I could get a better price.

Oh yes, it's still fine but I have 4 computers.

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, those Focus were nice - used the Alps keyswitches I think. Real close to the IBM ones for feel and sound. Alps used to make kbds with their switches, but I haven't seen them lately. Wonder what would turn up on a Froogle search?

.bh.

 

[Goi]

Get an IBM Model M off ebay or something
They also make clones of it.

 

[jadinolf]

I looked at fleabay and there are three listed. Too much money.

 

[DarkManXY2G]

You could look for the Dell AT101 series keyboards on eBay. I bought a few of them off there for ~$25 or so. They are clicky keyboards and are nice and sturdy.