Can We Mod 8BitDo's Retro Keyboard?
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- ko-fi.com/trashbuilds
Misskey: misskey.io/@Tr...
Build:
Keyboard: www.8bitdo.com...
Switches: unikeyboards.c...
Keycaps: en.zfrontier.c...
Music:
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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It was shipped with Clickys because it's meant to emulate the old keyboards of the 80's and 90's I.e. The IBM keybaords that used buckling spring switches.
O I c! Thanks for the info
Thanks for teaching some younger keebs who are plain clicky snobs some history about significance of such switch type why it's a retro thing.
It was also built with 500hz polling rate to replicate the low latency of old kb 🙂
perfect for a gaming board@@frng97
@@TrashBuilds i was being sarcastic but yeah you don't need 1000hz for retro kb just don't play fps with it
Didn’t know clicky keys were so vilified. I always thought they were the best, similar to the IBM Model M
There are some that like em, including me. And i really like the out of box sound of this board personally. I also think if you're primarily a linear switch person, this could be a good board to keep clicky, for the aesthetics.
Some people do like them. But they have a bad reputation, like MX Browns. And a lot of people like MX Browns. This keyboard actually sounds pretty good with the box whites so if you like it then don't let other people's dislike of clickies in general deter you from buying it
@@TrashBuilds Regardless, I appreciate the video. Very good quality and I was surprised to see that you're quite new to RUclips as a channel. You've got yourself a new subscriber.
Thanks, I really appreciate it!@@JTSuter
It's the new school of mechanical snobs and I don't get it at all.
It was all about the body of the sound, the loudness. Today it's the opposite, more foam, less body, dumpened to almost nothing appealing IMHO.
P.S. Clicky Cherrys are not similar to Model M at all
Japanese version of NES? oh you mean the ORIGINAL version?
The Box White's sound worked a lot better for the whole board theme and sound pairing with the metal plate, but that's just my opinion.
An absolutely valid opinion! Honestly I don't think the stock config is bad at all
Yes you can mod it!
Was successfully able to open up the case without too much force. The bottom part of the case is held by the four screws under the rubber feet, and some clips inside. I opened it from the top right where the power light is using a guitar pick and slowly crawled the pick around so I don't damage the case.
I put my extra Everglide Aqua King swiches that I had lying around I case i wanted to build another kb, then I didn't bother touch the stabilizers since mine had no rattle and sounded better than when I was doing stabilizer mods. Also did a tempest mod and added a few layers of painters tape in the base of the case to remove some of the hollow sound. The keyboard sounds better now!
Glad it worked out for you!
Oh dude you’re a lifesaver. thanks for the tip, it worked like a charm
Aaand... Screenshot for future reference 😂
You seem to have modded all the character out of it. Hooray.
EXACTLY!
You're one of the only videos I know of showing people trying to mod this board. I did see that comment about the rubber feet hiding the screws and the plastic clips. From there I was able to do the tape mod and PE foam mod. The funny thing is I really like a premium clicky switch (so more box jade and less mx blue) so I doubled down and put Zeal Clickiez in the board. It's such a great meaty sound and it makes me really curious to see how some regular tactile and linear switches will sound now that I have both the roomy case and the mods applied. But regardless, thanks for providing a place to talk about modding this board. I was looking for something a bit more premium and well built than my NCR 80 with box jades to have that 80s clicky vibe and I think I found it with this board
Clickies are nostalgic that's why they chose it for the board.
google: One of the first mechanical keyboards to gain popularity was the IBM Model F, released in 1981. The Model F used capacitive buckling-spring key switches, known for their loud, clicky sound and tactile feedback
Gotcha! That makes sense!
The decision on Clicky switches makes perfect snese for a Retro themed keyboard
The most famous keyboards back in the days were IBM Models F and Model M, which used Buckling Springs, and many other famous keyboards used Alps switches, which are kinda like MX switches but they´re actually good, something Cherry(and no one else either) never achieved
It´s a matter of different priorities, modern enthusiasts hate tactile and clicky, so modern keyboard culture evolved from thinking a good sounding keyboard sound resemble the feel of loading a M1 Garand to thinking it should sound "thocky"(fancy word for muffled) or "poppy/marbly"(fancy words for muted)
I´m kind of both sides, I like the "Marbly" sound on some modern custom builds, and MX type swiches with good tactily and click noise are essentialy non-existent(BOX switches aren´t MX type)
But nice clicky switches are just better, I still dream of getting a Keymacs with Blue Alps
I love blue alps man. If you cant get a keymacs, this is the next best alternative would be taking a old wood seat and ltierally turning a chair into a keyboard, it sounds good, trust:ruclips.net/video/ObpoptaKMXc/видео.html
yeah, next best thing to a keymacs is using an old AEK in a wooden housing.
The case is held together by the four screws and then plastic tabs on the outer edges. You'll need some plastic pry tools to release the edge (guitar picks would work well). I threw a little packing foam in the case of mine, but might try some automotive sound damping material to mute it even more. I didnt hate the box whites. Probably leave them for a little variety when I want it as I usually default to a keyboard with some lighter sprung Holy Pandas.
Did you think it was worth the effort?
@@TrashBuilds It helped. But I only used foam I had on hand. The case has a lot of space so something like some rubber mat would really help kill a little resonance
do you have a video on how you modded yours?
Why are your making it sound boring and dead?
You really show your lack of knowledge in saying that this is 'not what you are used to coming from mechanical keyboards.' You can't be seriously telling me that you've never tried out a clicky clacky keyboard? I understand that linears are the hip thing now but really clicky switches were pretty standard not that long ago.
Grew up with 8-bit computers. You took keyboard which gives feeling of Commodore/IBM and turned it to feel of knock-off ZX-Spectrum... tripling the price in process.
Can't say: "I approve."
This is true.
they chose clickys because linears are awful
Yeah they are. Might as well be membranes.
Clears or browns are better if you want a "gaming" switch.
For me, gaming with blues and buckling springs is fine.
There really is no such thing as a "gaming switch", except for _maybe_ short actuation low profile or speed switches. It's all personal preference, use whatever type of switch you like for whatever application you like.
They probably went with clickies because it's a retro board, and it's not uncommon for retro boards to try and imitate all the obnoxious sounds of old mechs.
That's why I said that I'm not saying this is true and that it's just a common thought in the hobby. I agree that it's all preference, but my question was why from a marketing perspective when a ton of people say that linears are best for gaming, they would choose to put clickies in a gaming board.
Some people might look at that and think, wait, but reds are the best gaming switch so I won't buy this! even though it's a hotswap board.
@@TrashBuildsthis isnt meant to be a gaming keyboard.
obnoxious sounds of old mechs.
yeah, sure. sounds like your jelous. Old keyboards aint "obnoxious". Infact, cherry mx is so dead it dosent have any play or fun factor to it.... Obnoxis is wrong on many levels. Mx sounds DEAD, it sounds either really high pitched, and ACTUALLY obnoxious, or it sounds like somone crammed every last mm of foam into it. I want some play, some actually nice, deep, bassy, REAL sounding keyboards, not the modern trash.
Example:ruclips.net/video/ObpoptaKMXc/видео.html
I figured it out, insert a spudger in the top corner where the power LED is then RUN IT ACROSS the top to the other side and then around. There are clips along the entire perimeter.
I would try that... But I don't want to break something accident. I tried using a LOT of force when trying to open it and doesn't make me comfortable encouraging others to try. Have fun modding yours though!
I sent you a msg on Discord with pics and a vid on how to open 'er up. Happy modding.
Thanks! Yeah, that don't look fun. Seems like there's enough room for the standard mods though.
Hey, can I have a video on how to open it?@@Vixus
Aww hell nooo. Didnt like the mod version
Sarreeyy
hi! i just a bought a C64 edition of 8bitdo keyboard. any suggestions on how to mod it to make it creamy and thocky? from the philppines here. thank you
Sorry, if by thocky you mean deeper sounding then I can't really think of anything that would help due to that metal plate.
It was so much better before the mod...oh god
I love the thoroughness and presentation of the video! I'm started falling down the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole lately, so I've been excited for this keyboard for a while. It really does look amazing and even sounds pretty good. It's a shame the board was so difficult to work with, but the switches being hotswappable is a plus, at least.
Apparently you just pry it open after removing the 4 screws, but I didn't feel comfortable using more force than I did. But if you like the keyboard the was it is then that's obviously not required
Big L
I actually just swapped the switches on mine with epomakers sea salt silent switches and felt that there was no other modding needed! The stabs are already really well made and there's no pings. Feels perfect with these silent switches.
I've yet to try silent switches actually, maybe some day
It's great for work and also if you get distracted easily. Sometimes you forget you're even typing. I've also just put on some self lubed Kailh Box Winters. I compared it to a different keyboard with the same switches...doesn't necessarily sound the same but either way, it still sounds better than stock. @@TrashBuilds
I really with it didnt say "retro keyboard" at the top
Nah, you sorta made it worse, thank god you couldnt open it.Take all foams, actually, PUT THAT THING IN A DANG BLOCK OFF WOOD so it can not sound dead, MAXIMUM livleyness, beacuse lubed switches sound DEAD and boring. Use zealpc clickies, and finally, use the thickest keycaps to maximize the reverb so it sounds good.
Should sound maybe a bit worse than this:
ruclips.net/video/ObpoptaKMXc/видео.html
Wow, your statements regarding switches are entirely biased and subjective opinions xD
Nice video though
I dont like clicky switches..it also sounds hollow even with linears. But I could see the functionality (multi connection with separate knob for volume) will be useful for me.
Even if you grew up with the NES, you probably wouldn't feel nostalgic from it since you got the famicom version of it (The japanese version of the NES. They had a completely different design and colour scheme compared to overseas NES)
Anyway nice video !
Thanks! I've done some research into it since posting this video and I do think that the famicom has the better design than the NES anyways. If i ever were to buy one of them it would be the famicom
@@TrashBuilds yeah the color of the famicom is really nice although I personally prefer the design of the NES myself
Apparently the case is held together with clips too? I saw another video where the dude used a spudger after unscrewing the bottom housing to pry it open, tons of bad design choices on this board, hopefully 8bitdo takes design queues from actual custom keyboard manufacturers for a V2 revision because I believe it has some potential.
Some things are intentionally designed to not be user repairable. Or it could be a matter of costs. Either way I also hope the next keyboard is more friendly
Currently going through the same process; got the switches and caps off and can't get into the damn thing. trying with spudgers too but my goodness this is disappointing.
Good Luck!
@@Vixus The only thing disapointing is the modern mx glazers. What do I mean? They think making a board DEAD with the stupid LUBE and Foams and "gasket mount" to make the board sound as dead and muffled as possible.
Love the looks, don’t like the cheap sound. But the looks, yes! Back to the future!
This board screams for Kailh box navy switches, not linears :)
clickiez would have been good but those switches cost as mucj as 4 of these boards.
Clicky meshes with the retro vibe, but you do you linear lad.
Yeah honestly I hope there's a v2 with a built-in armrest that uses tactile switches like a medium brown or "green" with more color schemes
Well at least give us options as clickies aren't for everyone, even if they want to go with specifically with the retro theme.
you dont get why a retro keyboard used clicky switches?
its frustrating that you didn't perform a teardown on the 8bitdo keyboard to see what's inside of it
Nothing, really. which in this case, is a great thing. No more foamy, boring sounding boards. Adding zealpc clickies would make it sound even better!
@@gearsgamer7115 Here we go again with the common keyboard community zeitgeist of today, "foam bad".
Here's the thing, not all materials being dampened on a keyboard is just the same (especially when talking about Car Dampeners, Butyl Rubber, and Mass-Loaded Vinyl). Some would either pour Silicone or Caulk on their keyboard to give more DIY high-pitch dampener, other would put actual weights like Brass sheets or Copper pieces to provide a deeper feel. It's not always the "foam", but rather on the materials chosen and the placement of them in your choosing.
If I cant get the sound signature out of a cheap keyboard I bought, then it wouldn't hurt to upgrade either. But if I got the said sound preference on such affordable keyboard that has both kailh hotswappable, gasket-mounts, and Tri-Mode connectivity, then why bother?
@@makmakg242 foam is bad, it just makes it sound the same, and very dead. Plus, a highly reverby chassis doesn't sound good with mx is beacuse mx sucks design wise.
@@gearsgamer7115 And what "Foam" are we talking about here then? Again you can always reposition such different material dampeners of your liking if one doesnt sit well on you. There's always weights and small metals you can put inside a case to give it more depth.
Yeah I don't get mechanical keyboard nerds at all. They'll buy into a tech that's meant to sound loud and satisfying and then spend $400 modding it to be quieter. Just buy a membrane at this point. I want my mechs to be loud lmfao.
Stock sounded by far the best, the final mod by far the worst.
Yeah kinda beats the purpose. Besides the keyboard was designed to have a "retro" feel so that was probably part of the experience they were going for.
Finally, someone who gets the point. Chyrosran22 is an example of a REAL keyboard enthisast. He actually collects REAL keyboards, not foaming them to no end, and he looks at objectivity but also explains WHY and goes into detail each switch type he reviews. He stays away from mebrane or mx based platforms beacuse they objectivley suck.
The "creamy" or "thocky" sound they rave about is also pretty lame.
The absolute peak of keyboards and typing will always be the model m or hell the typewriter.
In terms of modern keyboard, I plan to get cherry greens or khail navy's one day.
@@anthonyt219 cherry greens have nothing to box navys or the Ibm model ms
You don't get modders or this particular video? You don't sound very smart. Sound and type feel is a pretty involved thing
Imo this board sounded so dead with linears, maybe get some taller keycaps and use box navies might give you the best result.
It could just be those specific linears but I'll experiment with other switches when I have the time
Its beaucse mx as a platform sucks in general. It always will sound dead beacuse the switch design cannot output the deep, bassy sound of a good alps switch.
Throughout this entire video I could only hear Comic Book Guy.
But that aside, I was glad to see a change to linear switches to see the difference, but I think if I do get one of these I would keep the clicky switches in to maintain that retro feel.
I'm not sure who comic book guy is but I hope that's a compliment lol I believe the board is currently on sale though so it's not the worst time to get it
Click is better🤷🏻♂️
The Box Whites are certainly a good choice if you like the sound of clicky keyboard
Bro i have a questionnn
Why do you drag the last syllable of ur sentence so lonnnggg
I don't talk like that normally but the moment the camera turns on, for some reason my words just draaaaaag....
Is the spacebar symmetrical orientation either way ?
I don't believe clickies are hated just because of MX blues. They are generally disliked due to noise, which is the only reason my copy of this board got the box whites replaced with kailh whales (I like the particular 'smooth break' on them, and they don't have the 'click' to them that box browns do). They (the stock box whites) are too loud for my closed back headphones, let alone the open-backs I prefer, even aside the volume level being enough to disturb others in the home. They got instead put into a board that is going into a home office for an older person who hates the switches their existing board came with (gateron silvers, on a 5-pin hotswap board. I have NO clue how that came about. I certainly didn't do it. I suspect they just had one 'built' by a computer shop, given the cap aren't typical prebuilt caps but aren't super personal. I suspect they just told them they wanted a custom mech and the store just slapped in a 'popular' switch they had in stock). They don't like the short travel or the light force linear aspect, so the box whites should be a good replacement for them. It being their home office (alongside their particular job) also means that the noise won't be an issue generally, as they aren't usually trying to do detail listening or doing calls where key chatter could be an issue. They liked the box navies a little more, until I showed them what they sounded like on a more 'pingy' board like what theirs is.
A hotswappable key tester (or even full board with mismatch keycaps) is a wonderful tool for helping figure out what switches will work best for someone else. I don't do that often, but I've got enough boards laying around to have a 'pingy' tester and a 'soft' tester board to demonstrate with, as well as different styles and surfaces of keycaps.
6:26
As someone who focused on editing in film school... I felt that in my soul.
Lol thanks
Hey that isnt a snes or nes thats the famicon version
This is the fami version
The following video shows how it is opened. They built a Linux mini computer into it, turning the keyboard into a retro home computer! ruclips.net/video/K_l6AdBKGPA/видео.html
I don't get people who play 3D Shooters or strategy games with controllers.
That's what mouse and keyboard is made for.
Hey, what keyboard profile is this? Like..i'm askinv cuz i plan to buy one.
I use the workman layout. And i was hoping that they profile of the keys were uniform all throughout. So i wouldn't have any issues with configuring it to the workman layout
I hope u see this comment. Could u try configuring it to workman and tell me if there's nothing weird with the profile levels?
I use workman as well on my main keyboard! The keycaps aren't uniform though. They have slight differences in angles
@@TrashBuilds u think i can use workman on that keyboard?
You can remap the keys, but the keycaps aren't comfortable to type on when they're in the wrong row. I touch type so it doesn't bother me having the keys not match but that's just personal preference@@fx3176
@@TrashBuilds i touch type too. Well.. i do have xda retro styled keycaps. So i think can use those if they're uncomfy
@@TrashBuilds yeahh. That's the thing. I touch type too. So I wanna know if weird heights around the keyboard would affect my typin
the keyboard is held by four screws under each rubber pads but the 2 screws on the top of the keyboard may seem hard to see because they are deeper than the bottom ones
Hey just wondering where did you get that mousepad?
If you're talking about the second one used in most of the video I got it from here spaceholdings.net/products/sol-desk-pad but it seems to be sold out. You can find it in stock from other stores if you just search for sol desk pad though
@@TrashBuilds noted thanks. Also just wondering, do you have any interference when experiencing cherry profile Keycaps with the switches? I noticed the pcb being north facing I think. Maybe the b sun mitigates or solves the issue if it is long pole/long spring.
Anyone know what chips are on this board, ie can we port QMK to it ? I know there is firmware upload capability, but I'd like more information.
Controlleeeeerss, 8bitDoooooo, Keybooaaardddddddddeee, Caseeeeeee, Punnne Intendeeeeeeeedddddd
What type of keycaps does this stock keyboard use? As a Mac user I like the rounded edge of the keycap as the softer/rounder edge of the keycap doesn't dig in to my thumb finger compared to most keycaps with sharper edges.
The I lost sleep over this shot so it stays vibe is somthing I felt in my soul o7
Where do u get the deskmats
spaceholdings.net/products/sol-desk-pad but it seems to be sold out. You can find it in stock from other stores if you just search for sol desk pad though
Bro sounds like that guy that tells ghost stories on youtube
Appreciate your video. There aren’t many if any mod videos on this. Very disappointing it’s not meant to be opened as it sounds like it needs some more foam in there to make it usable for extended sessions. Your final mods are an improvement though.
Thanks! Technically you can open it... It's just a pain and not really worth it
More foam? That would kill the livleyness of the board... Its also probably the mic, I could tell. A youtuber known as Chyrosran22 made a better sound test with zealpc clickies, he has a really really really good mic so ive heard.
Damn, you type fast
Do enough typing tests and you'll eventually get that fast too. I've wasted a lot of time doing typing tests...
@@TrashBuilds i recently shifted to using workman. My speed is around 80-90. But my max is 102 hahah
funny i'm watching this typing on those fine Bsun-X switches..i love them together with the HMX cloud .
Another clueless mx enjoyer. You know there are a little switch called alps...
@@gearsgamer7115 I know about alps tried them several years ago. But i prefer mx for many reasons like variety and availability
it sounds, okay. sadly they kinda sealed it
You can still open it. It's just...a lot of work and it'll feel like you're breaking it
Okay??? This is the mic, and the deskmat, not the keyboard itself. With zealpc clickies its really really good sounding on a nice wooden desk, or heck, cut the wodden desk and put a pcb with alps like Chyrosran22 did, it will sound incredible.
ruclips.net/video/ObpoptaKMXc/видео.html
2.4Hz 💀
Is this keyboard can be use on mac?
The website only lists windows and android as supported operating systems
@@TrashBuilds thanks bro
All keyboards can be used on a MAC.
It works perfectly fine on a Mac. The volume knob even works right out of the box!
Does it work on Mac os?
Their website only lists compatibility with windows and android
@@TrashBuilds Yes it can. there is no such thing as a WINDOWS ONLY keyboard.
As a fan of 8bitdo myself I'm so glad that they got into the market, not an entirely large fan of the caps but I actually love the look of the board.
edit; I love the the editing on the stabs test
👀👀👀
Same, can't wait to see what else they bring to the market! Hopefully they make the next one easier to mod though lol
Hi, Have you tried the space bar tape mod?
I haven't no, what's that?
@@TrashBuilds ruclips.net/user/shortsvLcHUSq4TD8
yes yes yes
we got the same keyboard style, just bought today
Hope you enjoy yours!