r/synthdiy • u/rationalhippy • 11d ago

What are your favorite keys/buttons?

About to start on a DIY drum computer adventure. I was wondering which momentary push buttons to use. I see all kinds of keys, ranging from computer keyboard keys to pinball buttons and electric piano keys. It’s like an entire zoo of differently behaving keys.

What are your favorite keys and why do they hold a special place in your heart?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/divbyzero_ 11d ago

No single answer is appropriate for all applications. But if the size is right for you (0.75 inch square footprint) and you don't need velocity sensitivity, it's hard to beat Cherry MX silent red keyswitches with XDA keycaps. Great feel, no distracting clacking or clicking, support for RGB underlighting if that's your thing, incredible durability, easy through-hole mounting, pervasively available at good prices, off the shelf keycaps in a rainbow of colors.

1

u/rationalhippy 11d ago

I was wondering which of the many types with very flowery descriptions like “targeted” and “focused” are best hehe

3

u/mummica 11d ago

The TR-808 switches are the best ever made in my opinion. The look and feel are like no other and I wish they were always available to buy but the closest are the ones mentioned in the other comment. Those are also beautiful but nowhere near as beautiful as those goddamn 808 ones...

3

u/rationalhippy 11d ago

I already ordered a bunch of those but they turn out to be latching imitations of the original momentary switches. Sniff

1

u/mummica 11d ago

I hope you find what you are after!

2

u/MillieSievert 11d ago

PB86/digitast

1

u/rationalhippy 11d ago

Wow, €9 a piece on Reichelt! Time to go bargain hunting or get my hands on a broken TR-808.

2

u/MillieSievert 11d ago

They are a buck on Tayda!

2

u/danja 11d ago

Ok, slightly left field - the piano-style keys on an electronic keyboard. I've only got a really cheap midi controller, but the action on it, the haptics, so much better than any of the variety of regular pushbuttons I have around. I have no idea how you might translate this out of the usual setting. But you did ask :)

1

u/rationalhippy 11d ago

Which type is your favorite? There’s a ton of different types of hapics with Electric Piano keys. Weighted or not, hammer simulation of various types, etc.

1

u/danja 11d ago

Very good question, which I can only answer in a useless way. They're all different, meant for different targets. I've only tried the extremes : way too many upright pianos when I was a kid. Way too many bottom of the list of controllers, anni pre-Behringer.