For Keyboard Enthusiasts
Deep-dive into switch science. Measure acoustics across boards, switches, and mods. Build your collection with data-driven insights.
Why Enthusiasts Love Clackalyzer
Mechanical keyboards are about feel, sound, and community. Clackalyzer turns your ears into instruments — measure what makes a keyboard sing.
The Enthusiast Workflow
Step 1
Record a few keystrokes on a board or switch
Step 2
Watch live spectrum update in real-time on your phone
Step 3
Take snapshots of peak moments for sharing
Step 4
Browse and review other boards in your library
Step 5
Export WAV or share snapshot to show your friends the science
Common Enthusiast Questions
Should I use the same FFT size for all my recordings?
Yes. Stick to 4096 or 8192 for all recordings in a comparison set. This ensures the frequency resolution is identical and you're comparing apples-to-apples.
What mic distance should I use?
The default 20 cm is a good standard. Keep it consistent across all recordings. You're testing the keyboard, not the room, so reproducibility matters more than absolute distance.
Do I need noise calibration if I record in a quiet room?
Even quiet rooms have HVAC hum or keyboard-to-desk vibration. A 5-second calibration ensures you're measuring keyboard acoustics, not room acoustics. Highly recommended.
Can I analyze recordings from different rooms?
Yes, but use the 200–8 kHz frequency filter preset to normalize room effects. Same FFT size is essential. Noise calibration helps ensure consistent results across different acoustic environments.
How do I share my recordings with friends?
Export as WAV (lossless) for serious analysis or M4A (compressed) for casual sharing. Share snapshots directly from the app or export them for your YouTube videos and Reddit posts.
Testing Mods & Modifications
Want to know if that tape mod actually changed your board's sound? Use Clackalyzer to measure before and after:
Tape Mod
• Peak frequency shifts down• RMS levels drop• High-freq content reduces
Case/PCB Foam
• Overall damping increases• Click definition softens• Resonance peaks smooth out
Stabilizer Swap
• Spacebar pitch changes• Frequency peak shifts• New resonance modes appear
Plate Swap
• Flex resonance changes• Fundamental frequency shifts• Sustain lengthens or shortens
The Switch Deep Dive
Linear, tactile, clicky — each switch type has a unique acoustic signature. Here's what to listen for (and measure):
Linear Switches
Smooth, no bump. Clean acoustic signature with a prominent click.
→ Peak frequency: 2.5–3.5 kHz (the "click")
→ RMS steady and consistent throughout keystroke
→ Minimal mid-range resonance variation
→ Quick attack, fast decay
Tactile Switches
Bumpy, feedback at actuation. More complex frequency profile.
→ Two peaks: bump resonance (1–2 kHz) + click (3–4 kHz)
→ RMS spike at bump point, then spike again at click
→ Longer sustain due to bump vibration
→ Visibly different FFT than linears in same board
Clicky Switches
Audible click mechanism. High-frequency dominant signature.
→ Peak frequency: 4–5 kHz (clicker bar resonance)
→ Bright high-frequency content above 6 kHz
→ RMS peaks higher than linears
→ Distinctive waveform with visible click transient
📊 Share Your Results
Clackalyzer WAV exports and snapshots are perfect for Reddit, Discord, and YouTube:
- →r/MechanicalKeyboards: Post snapshots in your collection photos for "click science"
- →Discord Communities: Share WAV files with switch enthusiasts for blind listening tests
- →YouTube Videos: Overlay Clackalyzer snapshots in your keyboard review videos to show real audio data
- →Personal Blog: Archive your collection's acoustic profiles and track them over time