So as I’ve gotten deeper and deeper into the keebort hobby, I’ve been able to build and modify and tune a few different designs and layouts (except for the Kohaku which has the nice gasket-cushioned leaf-spring two-piece mounting system but I cannot afford that GB). My favorite layout seems to be the 65 as it offers the dedicated arrow keys and basic navigation keys which I need for light coding tasks (second fav is the compact 75 layout like the Mode Sonnet offers).

I recently bought into the new Mode 65R2 pre-order (like I did with the Envoy) due to its two-piece mounting system and overall design which should allow for more options in modifying and tuning the keyboard after build. I selected the aluminum case and plate, brass weight, wood accent and the foam kit. I built the board with Boba U4Ts and used the plate foam only with the top mount configuration.

I then performed some modifications to try and lower the tone and clack of the board. I swapped out the top mount blocks and modified the full lattice blocks by cutting the tops off of them and poking holes through them so that they could be used in a top mount configuration and cushion the longer M2x8 replacement screws (force break top mount). I then taped up the bottom case to reduce the harsh metallic sounds and soften and lower the tones as well (force break bottom case).

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Result: It’s like a Clunky and Thunky type of deeper lower end Clack and Chalk kind of sound profile. After similar mods were done to my OG Mode Sonnet, it sounds very similar, in addition to my old original Drop Alt but in a better and more elegant case and frame. It reminds me of an old school analogue mechanical typewriter sort of sound and it made me realize that that type of sound is what I prefer as it reminds me of something real from back in the day (nostalgia?) versus aiming for thock which doesn’t really remind me of anything other than a more artificial type of muted and foamed up sound profile (although still pleasant to my ear). This is def my fav keeb so far! 🙂