Hi!

I've been playing osu! since May/June and decided to put alot of time on the game recently. People might come here and say "just keep practicing" and so forth but I'm here to ask if having a membrane keyboard puts me on the "lower" tiers (I literally have a 10$ Microsoft Keyboard). I've never felt the keys of a mechanical keyboard before because I've heard the rumors of "once you use it, you'll never go back".

Nonetheless, if there are people who recently switched from a membrane keyboard to a mechanical or have experiences with both, please share them. I am curious as to how they would affect my performance or if I should just stick to what I feel is most comfortable (even though these membrane keys gets sticky to push down after a while).

Also, if you don't mind me asking a small favor.. Are the maps I play average or above average? I really don't know whether I'm progressing or not with these mouse skills.

It doesnt really matter. I mean there are really good players with only mouse.

I've played with membrane for about 4 months, then the other 8 with a mechanical.

It's true, once you go mechanical, you'll never look back. It's like having an automatic toilet paper dispenser. You don't think you need it, but once you have it, you can't imagine your life before it. Now if only those existed.

Mechanical keys feel satisfying to press, and make a nice *clack* sound (I'm using Cherry MX Browns. Reds and blacks don't do that as much, and blues give a *click* sound instead). I love typing on this. My typing speed has gone up with a mechanical keyboard, but that's probably just because I love using it so much that I got better at typing.

Now as far as Osu performance goes. Your performance won't change -- it'll actually drop for a week or two, due to the differences in actuation points for the keys. Mechanical keys have higher points (the middle) than membrane keys (the bottom). It'll take you some time to get used to it, you'll be hitting the keys too early for a bit. If your membrane keys get sticky, I'd highly recommend a mechanical keyboard. Don't get Topre switches however. Those are half spring, half rubber dome switches. Get a full spring if possible. Corsair recently switched to Topre and Cooler Master discontinued their 5-star keyboards (of which one I'm using right now, CM Storm Quickfire TK). I don't have experience with Alps switches, so I can't write about that. Mechanical keys will stay crisp unlike membranes.

As far as maps go, don't play with mods. Stick with nomod until you reach a certain level of play. I'd recommend waiting until you start full combo-ing 5 star maps. Try for accuracy, but don't forget your aim either. For now, anything will help you get better.

HK_ wrote:

It doesnt really matter. I mean there are really good players with only mouse.

cuz it's only mouse.. but keyboards are different matter
membrane keyboard a disadvantage? nope
mechanical keyboard a advantage? yes
i don't have a mech keyboard my self.. but alot of my friends told me about the different and i read it alot on forums etc
but ye u still can be gud with a membrane keyboard right.. RIGHT ? *icri*
and play whatever u find it enjoyable.. i can't rly tell more than that ^^"

KanoSet wrote:

but ye u still can be gud with a membrane keyboard right.. RIGHT ? *icri*

This is true though. isokasapupuja plays with membrane, and he is #10.

Kradfiz wrote:

This is true though. isokasapupuja plays with membrane, and he is #10.

tho the keyboard he uses is a high quality one.. just sayin

Repr1se wrote:

but ye u still can be gud with a membrane keyboard right.. RIGHT ? *icri*

This guy is right.

we just gotta git gud

A slight disadvantage, yes. I've only met one person in my life ever who prefers membrane over mechanical and he's kind of quirky. You can still get good with membrane though.

The real disadvantage is that membrane are proprietary and most have poor build quality so you need a reliable brand membrane. Aside fromthat they are soft and good for speed and duration, but is very mushy and has little feedback so it is harder to learn to acc.

KukiMonster wrote:

but is very mushy and has little feedback so it is harder to learn to acc.

That's pretty darned important, last time I checked.

Doesn't matter for osu really. isokasapupuja uses membrane and he's one of the fastest players in standard. Mech's do matter for typing however because they're so good to type on.

You are not going to be held back by your keyboard, if that's what you're wondering.

I do shit with both a membrane and mech
but hey membranes can't be that bad. abcdullah reached overjoy in bms with a membrane

There's always Topre which is sort of a mechanical membrane hybrid.

GSG95 wrote:

Repr1se wrote:

but ye u still can be gud with a membrane keyboard right.. RIGHT ? *icri*

This guy is right.

we just gotta git gud

Did I once mention how good you'll get with a mechanical keyboard v. a membrane keyboard?

No, so shut the fuck up.

A membrane keyboard won't give you that much of a disadvantage, but it won't be as satisfying as using a mechanical keyboard.

Oh, and I'd advise against using a Topre for osu!... the tactile bump is quite a bit higher than the actuation point, so it could potentially impair your timing a bit. Not worth the extra cash unless you like the feel of fresh membrane keys and consider yourself a hardcore typist.

no disadvantage

HDHR/isokasapupuja use membrane so.. ye.

Well, I heard that the mechanical keyboards needs less pressure to press which in return would be more ideal for streams/fast BPM maps.
Opinions?

rubberdomes are wearing out so they become easier to press when you're using them a lot.
in terms of actuation force it only depends on what you're used to though

Endaris wrote:

rubberdomes are wearing out so they become easier to press when you're using them a lot.

More like mushier. They don't need the same distance to be activated but you lose more and more feedback as time goes on, which is the main downside of rubberdomes.

Honestly, I think actuation force is just preference to a certain degree, as you'll still need quite a bit of practice to even develop the finger techniques needed to take advantage of lower actuation forces.
But I think the main advantage to mechanical keys is that the actuation force stays consistent throughout their lifespan, unlike membranes (which tend to wear out over time under heavy use).

Nadfee wrote:

Well, I heard that the mechanical keyboards needs less pressure to press which in return would be more ideal for streams/fast BPM maps.
Opinions?

It's a bit complex to explain, but I'll give it a go.

Look at the force/distance graphs for the two keyswitches.

Membrane:


Mechanical:


We'll use the silent tactile switch since it's the most similar to membranes in the graph. Easier to explain.
The two variants to silent tactile switches are linear and clicky tactile. I've included them in the box below.

As you can see, the graphs are just about the same. They require the same force to actuate the keys, and need to be pressed the same amount as well. So, hypothetically you can stream as just as fast on a membrane keyboard than if you were to use a mechanical keyboard.
The main advantage to mechanical keyboards is their response. They have a quicker response (and when I say that, I mean the feel when you press and release the keys) and they last longer than membranes. Membranes wear out after approx. 1 million presses. I've used the same membrane keyboard for 9 years until I went to mechanical. The keys still worked, but they were sticky like hell. I also couldn't tell if I pressed a key or not (as far as feedback is concerned). Mechanical keyboards are springy and keep their response. IIRC they also raise faster than membranes (and should, due to how rubber domes work vs. springs).

So, yes, mechanical keyboards are better for streams (in my experience), but not for the reason you mentioned.

I think a MX Clear would have been a better comparison. Cherry ML switches are low profile.

But you get the idea. MX and ML force graphs aren't different anyways.

if you think equipment is already bringing you down at rank 100k idk what to say

xxjesus1412fanx wrote:

if you think equipment is already bringing you down at rank 100k idk what to say

Not wrong to get the good stuff early when you're determined to stick to the game though.
Causes less adjustment-time.

Endaris wrote:

xxjesus1412fanx wrote:

if you think equipment is already bringing you down at rank 100k idk what to say

Not wrong to get the good stuff early when you're determined to stick to the game though.
Causes less adjustment-time.

+1

xxjesus1412fanx wrote:

if you think equipment is already bringing you down at rank 100k idk what to say

Well I can't FC "Cres - End Time [Another]" with my current keyboard because the keys sometimes lags (can't push it down)..
x3 misses and always the same notes -.- - I dont think the 100k rank matters that much >,<



These are my recent top plays and I'm not sure if this setup is even viable.



Dont mind the pringles and crackers

Repr1se wrote:

Nadfee wrote:

Well, I heard that the mechanical keyboards needs less pressure to press which in return would be more ideal for streams/fast BPM maps.
Opinions?

It's a bit complex to explain, but I'll give it a go.

Look at the force/distance graphs for the two keyswitches.

Membrane:


Mechanical:


We'll use the silent tactile switch since it's the most similar to membranes in the graph. Easier to explain.
The two variants to silent tactile switches are linear and clicky tactile. I've included them in the box below.

Switch variants

Linear (60 cN actuation, there is a variant with 45 cN actuation (the black dot))

Clicky tactile (60 cN, not sure if there's a 45 cN actuation variant)

As you can see, the graphs are just about the same. They require the same force to actuate the keys, and need to be pressed the same amount as well. So, hypothetically you can stream as just as fast on a membrane keyboard than if you were to use a mechanical keyboard.
The main advantage to mechanical keyboards is their response. They have a quicker response (and when I say that, I mean the feel when you press and release the keys) and they last longer than membranes. Membranes wear out after approx. 1 million presses. I've used the same membrane keyboard for 9 years until I went to mechanical. The keys still worked, but they were sticky like hell. I also couldn't tell if I pressed a key or not (as far as feedback is concerned). Mechanical keyboards are springy and keep their response. IIRC they also raise faster than membranes (and should, due to how rubber domes work vs. springs).

So, yes, mechanical keyboards are better for streams (in my experience), but not for the reason you mentioned.

Thanks for the results and explanation, I feel like I understand the mechanical keyboard better now in comparison with the membrane.
I'll probably give a mechanical keyboard a shot (Cherry MX) since there is a 30-day return policy.. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.

Thanks for everything, that was mainly what I was here for ^^

No difference on feel with mechanical and membrane, in my experience

No disadvantage were find on membrane, go away.

Nadfee wrote:

Well I can't FC "Cres - End Time [Another]" with my current keyboard because the keys sometimes lags (can't push it down)..
x3 misses and always the same notes -.- - I dont think the 100k rank matters that much >,<

have you try change your keyboard binding?
you only have play for a month, fc 5,14 stars would be awesome

I would say yes, after I switched to a mechanical keyboard my accuracy went up significantly. And with my switches being Cherry MX Red (of which I recommend) I could play for longer sessions. All in all preference is probably a bigger factor just like with whether tablet or mouse is superior.

KuranteMelodii wrote:

No difference on feel with mechanical and membrane, in my experience

No disadvantage were find on membrane, go away.

again.. a good membrane keyboard isn't like a 10$ keyboard

KanoSet wrote:

KuranteMelodii wrote:

No difference on feel with mechanical and membrane, in my experience

No disadvantage were find on membrane, go away.

again.. a good membrane keyboard isn't like a 10$ keyboard

I used a membrane keyboard that come with my laptop computer, but however, who knows does it great? i am using mechs already

KanoSet wrote:

again.. a good membrane keyboard isn't like a 10$ keyboard

I've heard positive things about the Logitech K120, and that thing sells for around $10...

Repr1se wrote:

Nadfee wrote:

Well, I heard that the mechanical keyboards needs less pressure to press which in return would be more ideal for streams/fast BPM maps.
Opinions?

It's a bit complex to explain, but I'll give it a go.

Look at the force/distance graphs for the two keyswitches.

Membrane:


Mechanical:


We'll use the silent tactile switch since it's the most similar to membranes in the graph. Easier to explain.
The two variants to silent tactile switches are linear and clicky tactile. I've included them in the box below.

Switch variants

Linear (60 cN actuation, there is a variant with 45 cN actuation (the black dot))

Clicky tactile (60 cN, not sure if there's a 45 cN actuation variant)

As you can see, the graphs are just about the same. They require the same force to actuate the keys, and need to be pressed the same amount as well. So, hypothetically you can stream as just as fast on a membrane keyboard than if you were to use a mechanical keyboard.
The main advantage to mechanical keyboards is their response. They have a quicker response (and when I say that, I mean the feel when you press and release the keys) and they last longer than membranes. Membranes wear out after approx. 1 million presses. I've used the same membrane keyboard for 9 years until I went to mechanical. The keys still worked, but they were sticky like hell. I also couldn't tell if I pressed a key or not (as far as feedback is concerned). Mechanical keyboards are springy and keep their response. IIRC they also raise faster than membranes (and should, due to how rubber domes work vs. springs).

So, yes, mechanical keyboards are better for streams (in my experience), but not for the reason you mentioned.

no, reds are much lighter than membrane LOL so yes its for the reason he mentioned

iderekmc wrote:

no, reds are much lighter than membrane LOL so yes its for the reason he mentioned

Misread the graphs.

Lighter doesn't necessarily mean better though.

Its easier to hover over the actuation point of membranes than it is on mechs.