Solved Getting keyboard keys and mice buttons to "click" like mechanical devices

TonyCzar · Jun 14, 2025

I'd like to experiment with getting audible cues from pushing buttons. I searched for apps (e.g., ClicKey and Mechvibes), but each has issues. The ideal app would offer a reasonable selection of clicking sounds, perform with no lag, and have a small CPU footprint. Has anyone found a tool they like for this purpose? (I searched on this site for the topic, but didn't find anything.)

gunrunnerjohn · Jun 15, 2025

How about a keyboard that has clicking keys?

Dumb question: Why would you want the keys to make noise?

badrobot · Jun 15, 2025

You can get a $20 mechanical keyboard on Amazon but check out the link below.

TonyCzar said:
I'd like to experiment with getting audible cues from pushing buttons. I searched for apps (e.g., ClicKey and Mechvibes), but each has issues. The ideal app would offer a reasonable selection of clicking sounds, perform with no lag, and have a small CPU footprint. Has anyone found a tool they like for this purpose? (I searched on this site for the topic, but didn't find anything.)

Choose whatever keys, looks and sound you like...

Mechanical Keyboard Simulator - kbs.im

Mechanical keyboard simulator with Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, and other custom switches. Test your typing speed in a one minute typing test.

kbs.im

Update:
Check out also Mechvibes.

TonyCzar · Jun 21, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
How about a keyboard that has clicking keys?

Dumb question: Why would you want the keys to make noise?

No such thing. (Well, almost no such thing.) But yours is good. My typing skills have grown sloppy, and I want to know when I've hit a key not intended.

gunrunnerjohn · Jun 21, 2025

I see quite a few mechanical computer keyboards available, apparently gamers really like them. I still have an old Compaq keyboard with mechanical keys, and it looks like that type is coming back. Tons of them on Amazon.

As far as the wrong keys, I see in the text on the screen when I hit an unintended key, and it happens a lot more as I get older! :lmao:

jvickers · Jun 21, 2025

TonyCzar said:
No such thing. (Well, almost no such thing.) But yours is good. My typing skills have grown sloppy, and I want to know when I've hit a key not intended.

Okay, this might be a dumb question, but how would a key click let you know that you hit a key you didn't intend to hit? Well, I can see how it would alert you that you hit a key, but not the intended key. That's probably not what you mean, though.

gunrunnerjohn · Jun 21, 2025

jvickers said:
Okay, this might be a dumb question, but how would a key click let you know that you hit a key you didn't intend to hit? Well, I can see how it would alert you that you hit a key, but not the intended key. That's probably not what you mean, though.

His fingers are clairvoyant.

garlin · Jun 21, 2025

IBM invented the original mechanical action keyboard, which uses a different type of spring under each key. This requires a certain amount of force to depress (you can't "accidentally" brush a key), offers a tactile spring-back response to your fingers, and clacks like hell.

Modern versions of mechanical keyboards offer different levels of travel (how far to press a key) and sound levels.

gunrunnerjohn · Jun 21, 2025

I once took an IBM keyboard apart to fix a key, that was a real trip! I can't say I miss the complexity, and I've gotten quite used to the membrane keyboard feel nowadays. I'm more into the key layout and the contour of the keyboard than the travel.

TonyCzar · Jun 23, 2025

jvickers said:
how would a key click let you know that you hit a key you didn't intend to hit?

In my mind I correlate each letter with an intended keystroke. If I hit the wrong key, sound is not a benefit. But if my finger slips and hits an extra key, I know to go back and correct the error.

TonyCzar · Jun 23, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
As far as the wrong keys, I see in the text on the screen when I hit an unintended key, and it happens a lot more as I get older!

In typing class we were taught not to look at the keyboard when typing. Did that in junior high school, but not any longer.

TonyCzar · Jun 23, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
I see quite a few mechanical computer keyboards available, apparently gamers really like them. I still have an old Compaq keyboard with mechanical keys, and it looks like that type is coming back. Tons of them on Amazon.

View attachment 137435

As far as the wrong keys, I see in the text on the screen when I hit an unintended key, and it happens a lot more as I get older!

Thanks! I'm going to give this one a try.

gunrunnerjohn · Jun 23, 2025

I'm a big fan of wired keyboards, I had several wireless keyboards and they never were as bulletproof as the wired models. Oddly, the wireless mice seem fine. So, nowadays I have a wired keyboard and a wireless mouse.

TonyCzar said:
In typing class we were taught not to look at the keyboard when typing. Did that in junior high school, but not any longer.

It's ingrained into my fingers now, so I rarely look at the keyboard. The principal reason I'd look is for the special function keys that are not in the same place for different keyboards. For the one I use all the time, no problem. But for other keyboards, I have to look now and again.

Another problem I have is I do so much typing on my keyboard here that when I go to one with different spacing/curve to the keys, it's really a difficult adjustment. This one has just the right curve for my fingers to naturally fall on the home keys.

Catnip · Jun 23, 2025

Here is a link to a pretty good article on keyboard switch types:

A Quick Guide to Tactile, Linear, and Clicky Keyboard Switches | Kinetic Labs Blog

There are so many mechanical keyboard switch options now: tactile, linear, and clicky: but which one is right for you? Read on to find out which switch suits your build.

kineticlabs.com

I use a linear switch Logitech G815 at home so I don't disturb people, but a standard no-name clicky at work. I have found that the blue or green Cherry brand mechanical switches offer a nice satisying click when you press a key, and they stand up well. The OP should look for a keyboard that has either the blue or green switches, IMHO. I think it might work out for them and give them what they want.

BTW, the green switches are louder than the blue ones. You can feel the click of both with your finger when the switch makes contact, and the switches make contact before they bottom out. Perfect for "light touch" touch typists.

pseymour · Jun 23, 2025

They do make tester keyboards, like this one, where you can try out various switches.

Amazon.com

Catnip · Jun 25, 2025

pseymour said:
They do make tester keyboards, like this one, where you can try out various switches.

Amazon.com

That is AWESOME!! I wish I had one of those when I was keyboard shopping last year. Sad that Amazon doesn't have any more of them and they don't know when they are getting more. If they come into stock again, I am buying one for sure.

Oh darn, they aren't available in Canada at all.

pseymour · Jun 25, 2025

There are other companies. That was just an example. If you search for mechanical tester keyboard, you should get others. Some have Cherry switches, some have other brands.

Ghot · Jun 25, 2025

TonyCzar said:
Thanks! I'm going to give this one a try.

Might want to read this...

Switch Types - Mechanical Keyboard

After finally deciding to go for a mechanical keyboard, another question usually comes up very soon: Which switch type do you want to use? The switches are probably one of the most important parts of the keyboard. Two keyboards from the same model, but with different switch types, can feel quite...

www.mechanical-keyboard.org

TonyCzar · Jul 4, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
I'm a big fan of wired keyboards, I had several wireless keyboards and they never were as bulletproof as the wired models. Oddly, the wireless mice seem fine. So, nowadays I have a wired keyboard and a wireless mouse.

It's ingrained into my fingers now, so I rarely look at the keyboard. The principal reason I'd look is for the special function keys that are not in the same place for different keyboards. For the one I use all the time, no problem. But for other keyboards, I have to look now and again.

Another problem I have is I do so much typing on my keyboard here that when I go to one with different spacing/curve to the keys, it's really a difficult adjustment. This one has just the right curve for my fingers to naturally fall on the home keys.

View attachment 137580

I need a short version to fit on my desk.

gunrunnerjohn · Jul 4, 2025

TonyCzar said:
I need a short version to fit on my desk.

BIgger disk will fix that!

Solved Getting keyboard keys and mice buttons to "click" like mechanical devices

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