How would an aluminium case affect sound/feel of Alps?

M4dn3ss · 28 Jun 2017, 16:52

Hey guys,
I've got a Filco Zero with XM Alps clones incoming (might swap the switches out if I don't like them and if I can find some clicky Alps in good condition) and I'm looking at aluminium cases (as far as I know the Zero has the same case as the Majestouch, right?).

My question is how would an aluminium case change the sound and feel of clicky Alps? I'm a big fan of the classic Alps sound (using a Focus FK2001 as a reference) but I have the feeling part of it is due to its big, hollow, plasticky case that I assume would emphasise the bassy bottoming out noise and click.

Would an aluminium case sound less satisfying for someone like me who prefers the sound of Alps over Cherry for the reason that the Cherries tend to be more high-pitched?

Edit: I have looked at some typing videos of the "Kingsaver" and while they sound pretty good I feel they're still not quite as good-sounding as old Alps boards... or maybe I'm just biased because I grew up with a FK2001. Any thoughts?

seebart · 28 Jun 2017, 17:33

Exactly my toughts although I have not used any aluminium case based Alps SKCM but I'm certain the aluminium case will make them louder, overall more "pronounced" & "sharp" sounding, if that's desirable for you is another thing altogether but if you say you like the sound of the FK-2001 then any aluminium case based Alps SKCM might not be so great for you. The only "modern" Alps based keyboard I tried is the Matias Mini Tactile Pro and even that's a harsh difference in sound to any of my other vintage Alps keyboards. But until you try it you won't know, videos and soundclips can be misleading.

wiki/User:Seebart

M4dn3ss · 07 Jul 2017, 15:47

seebart wrote: ↑Exactly my toughts although I have not used any aluminium case based Alps SKCM but I'm certain the aluminium case will make them louder, overall more "pronounced" & "sharp" sounding, if that's desirable for you is another thing altogether but if you say you like the sound of the FK-2001 then any aluminium case based Alps SKCM might not be so great for you. The only "modern" Alps based keyboard I tried is the Matias Mini Tactile Pro and even that's a harsh difference in sound to any of my other vintage Alps keyboards. But until you try it you won't know, videos and soundclips can be misleading.

wiki/User:Seebart

Well, I guess there's only way to find out...

I'll revisit this thread in a month or 2.

czarek · 07 Jul 2017, 19:22

Like anything else. Out of Alps based keyboards I only tried V60 with Matias Quiet switches and they felt more solid, with more pronounced tactility without any reverbs in sound, making it sound a bit harsher than normally. Eventually I went back to plastic case as I actually prefer the sound and feel of those switches to be a bit dulled down but softer and emptier plastic case.

Engicoder · 07 Jul 2017, 20:33

CptBadAss built a king saver with blue alps (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58776.0).
Here is his typing video:

The same case with skcm greens: