Update: fossjon/last-keyboard-mod-before-the-end-of-the-year

Intro: So, I know I’m a little late to the game in terms of getting a mechanical keyboard, however, I thought it would be a good investment to have a quality one just in case while WFH. I picked up one of those Ducky One-2-Mini keyboards in a white color and it offers some great built-in-hardware features. There are some random color-matching keys that come with it which can make it look a little bit more vintage / retro / classic. It’s not the lowest-profile one but the PBT keycaps are great quality and hug your fingers!

Pros:

• Programmable and saveable profiles
• Swappable key mappings for caps/ctrl/alt/cmd/fn
• Individually lit and bright RGB color patterns for every key
• Cherry MX Brown Switches with a serious sound and tactile travel
• Solid key stabilizers and firm case frame
• Lays flat plus two levels of height adjustment all with rubber feet
• USB-C detachable-cable + firmware updates

Mods:

• Remapped dedicated arrow keys, removed one stab set
• Added some extra PBT keycap colors
• Added one O-Ring to the space-bar keycap stem
• Removed the top case cover piece
• Replaced the bottom case feet with more medium-sized felt-pads
• Taped small pieces cut out from the keyboard box inside the bottom case
• Purchased some M3-Sized self-tapping screws for more secure plate mounting

Cons:

• Not filled with foam inside the keyboard case
• Not hot-swappable switches
• Not screw-in stabs

Mod-Sound(Impact): I placed a single O-Ring on the space-bar and it sounds much less hollow and more gentle, similar to a regular key press. I was able to replace the bottom rubber feet with felt pads and the resulting feel and sound is much softer and warmer. I also taped some thin pieces of cardboard cut out from the keyboard box to the inside of case so that the key presses sound a bit deeper and quieter as they are absorbed and dampened.

Mod-Sound(Airborne): I removed the top cover piece which greatly reduces and lessens the amount of sound wave interference that bounces around down within the inside of the case. From the mounting plate upwards, the top portion of the switch and keycap now sit at the highest point on the keyboard. You can hear a little spring ping if you listen closely along with slightly rougher switch noise, but the sound can now directly travel outwards and away from the keys and case, unobstructed. Each key press has a greater distinction and clarity to it, thus making it a much quieter and smoother typing experience.

Mod-Visual(Keycaps): So after spending some time with this little keyboard, I was able to remap dedicated arrow keys to be on the right side while keeping the main modifier keys on the left side (I also remapped caps lock key to be a backup fn key, as this setup is geared more towards coding on the mac). I purchased some extra keycap colors although it would be nice to find some properly wide arrow keys in the future!

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Finale: It’s a pretty good MK overall esp for just a stock unit. I wish I could get one of the ones like Taeha makes as they sound soo super smooth and clean and crisp — mechanical contact points only. He’s able to lube all of the sub-components like springs, switches, stabilizers and basically eliminate or reduce most of the noises, thus creating some purrre asmr — buttery sounding — Holy Pandas! (: