This is a quick run down of my testing process for switches, and what should be expected of any switch I do test. Please note that some switches may differ, and those reviews will always make note of that in the post.
Testing Process
To begin, I will always set a few switches aside that are stock to use in comparisons.
From here, I will run switches through three eight hour sessions in the break in machine that I have on hand (the machine can do 18,600 actuations per hour; see below for information on tools I use). Generally they will be run through as they come when purchased, and nothing will be done to them (down the line I may add diamond polish to this process and update this post).
After these three cycles are done, I will do a four hour off-center cycle, rotating the switch 90 degrees every hour for another. This means at the end each switch has gone through 28 hours of break in, for around 520,800 actuations.
After this break in process is done, I will lube the switches. I will generally not ultra-sonic clean them, as I want the reviews to somewhat be more standard for users. While I am aware break in isn't entirely standard, I feel it is worth having. Please note I will lube some switches that aren't run through the machine as well, for comparison purposes.
As part of the lubing process I will determine if the switch benefits from filming. Not every switch does or needs it, so this may or may not be a step that is taken.
For lubing, I will be using 205g0 and 105g0. I will be lubing the entire stem, except for tactile where I will be avoiding lubing the legs so that the switch maintains tactility. Springs will always be bag lubed using the 105g0 unless specified otherwise.
Finally, I will try to compare the sounds and feels of the different versions of the switch that I have, which will generally include:
- Stock
- Broken in, no lube or film
- Broken in, lubed
This step is not guaranteed to be taken for any switch in which I modified the switch before I decided to start these reviews. Unless noted in the post, it should be assumed that no unmodified switch was tested or switches broken in.
Sound tests are recording without any post-recording modification using a Shure SM7B routed through a GoXLR with the following microphone settings:
Tools
The follow are the tools I will be making use of:
- Krytox 205g0
- Krytox 105g0
- Durock/Deskey/TX films (will vary and always be noted on individual reviews)
- FengStudio 3x3 DS V3 Break-In machine
Some older switches of mine that are on hand may differ in testing ideology due to me having lubed/filmed before starting this process of reviewing different switches. Those reviews will always make note of that.