From stock to showstopper: celebrating the keyboard modding community
Jan 07, 2025 – [[read-time]] minute read
Forget sports cars and designer shoes – for a growing number of creators on YouTube, the ultimate status symbol is a customized keyboard. As a medium to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship, these mechanical keyboard modifications – also known as keyboard modding – are harnessed to transform ordinary keyboards into masterpieces.
From short build tutorials to long walkthroughs, there’s something for everyone; in 2024 alone, there were more than one billion views of mechanical keyboard-related videos.1 Have an eye for color or design? Try changing out the colorway and style of keycaps to best reflect your true personality or latest obsession. Find the sound of keystrokes calming? Figure out your perfect pitch — whether it be loud or “clicky,” deep or “thocky,” and muted or “creamy,” with keyboard ASMR.
Above all, the keyboard modding community values exploration and personalization through customization of a keyboard’s performance, sound, touch, or aesthetics.
“When you can get your keyboard to look, feel, and sound exactly how you want it to, it makes you feel good every time you place your hands on it to start your work,” explains YouTube creator and bespoke luxury mechanical keyboard maker Taeha Types. “And that’s a lot more important than it may sound.”
It's an innovative form of self-expression on YouTube – a somewhat-niche domain where hobbyists can come together to see the latest DIYs and find inspiration from their favorite creators.
Creators are able to turn a utilitarian tool into a reflection of their identity – one mod at a time. Today, as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicks off, we’re celebrating this community of modders with a special version of the YouTube logo (known as the Yoodle). Take a look, then head to this playlist to see how creators put their own unique spins on their tech.
1. Source: YouTube data, Global, January 1 - November 30 2024.