Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 289 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
To achieve a deep thocky sound on a brass keyboard plate, 
Brands AI recommends here
The top choice for brass plates; they provide a signature deep, creamy, and muted sound that effectively offsets brass's natural brightness. These are highly recommended for their factory-lubed consistency.
GateronSource | Citation share |
|---|---|
 The Best Switches for a Thocky Keyboard – Thock Kinghttps://www.thockking.com/blogs/learn/our-top-5-thockiest-switches | 5.8% |
 Thocky Switches Do Not Exist! – UniKeyshttps://unikeyboards.com/blogs/weekeebpedia/thocky-switches-do-not-exist | 4.7% |
 What gives a keyboard a deep, brassy "thock" sound? I want ...https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/9au03f/what_gives_a_keyboard_a_deep_brassy_thock_sound_i/ | 4.2% |
 Best Deep Sounding Switches 2026 | Thocky Picks Testedhttps://mechanicalkeyboard.net/best-deep-sounding-switches/ | 3.5% |
 What switches and parts are recommended for a loud thocky sound ...https://www.facebook.com/groups/mechanicalkeyboard/posts/985453179861251/ | 3.5% |
 What is the difference between these plates?https://geekhack.org/index.php | 2.6% |
 Best Deep Sounding Switches | LumeKeebshttps://lumekeebs.com/blogs/blog/best-deeping-sounding-switches | 2.5% |
 What is the best cheap linear switch with a deep thock sound? I am trying to build a cheap custom keyboard.https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-cheap-linear-switch-with-a-deep-thock-sound-I-am-trying-to-build-a-cheap-custom-keyboard | 2.4% |
Exploring the Best thocky keyboard switches for Your Keyboard – DIYKEYhttps://diykey.net/blogs/news/exploring-the-best-thocky-keyboard-switches-for-your-keyboard | 2.3% |
Top 5 Thockiest Linear Switches of 2025 – LumeKeebshttps://lumekeebs.com/blogs/blog/top-5-thockiest-linear-switches-of-2025 | 2.2% |
Pairing switches with a brass plate can be tricky if you're chasing a deep, thocky sound. Brass is rigid and naturally bright, tending to amplify higher-pitched clack unless you use heavier, muted, or nylon/polycarbonate-heavy switches to dampen the resonance.
The best linear switches to counteract that stiffness and drag the pitch down into "thock" territory include:
Add to listGateron Black Ink V2 — The community classic for a deeper pitch. The proprietary ink housing blend softens the bottom-out compared to harder plastics, helping offset the sharp clack of a brass plate. You can find them available at retailers like KBD.news.
Add to listGateron Oil King — Known for an exceptionally smooth, factory-lubed glide and a muted, deeper acoustic profile that doesn't get lost or high-pitched on rigid plates.
Keygeek Golden Linear — Designed explicitly with zero-fiberglass PA66 housings and a spherical UPE stem/bottom-out to kill off high-frequency ping and leave a rounded, low-pitched thock, available at UniKeys.
Add to listC³Equalz x TKC Tangerines — UHMWPE housings give these a signature deep, wet clack-to-thock sound that performs nicely if you want a slightly higher energy stroke without losing body.
Community Experiences
I love Oil Kings on a brass plate. They tame the harshness and give you a really deep, muted sound without feeling mushy at all.
Black Inks are still my go-to for rigid plates. They just deepen the pitch so well once they're lubed up.
If you want to narrow this down, tell me:
If you’re putting them on a brass plate, I’d lean toward switches that are naturally low-pitched and muted, because brass already adds a bright, resonant character. Nylon/Ink housings are especially good for counteracting that.
This would be my #1 choice for a brass-plate thock build. They have a nylon top, proprietary Ink bottom, POM stem, 55g actuation / 65g bottom-out, and excellent factory lubrication. The result is a deep, controlled bottom-out that helps tame brass's resonance.
A classic for a reason. They're heavier at roughly 60g actuation / 70g bottom-out and have that dense, smooth "marble" character. If you like a firm, substantial thock, I'd pick these over Oil Kings.
Similar material philosophy to the regular Ink switches, but with the Box design. Good choice if you want a dense sound while prioritizing a slightly different feel/acoustic character.
These are worth a look if you don't want to spend Oil King money. They're factory-lubed and specifically tuned toward a deep, woody sound.
I'd build it roughly like this:
Brass plate + Gateron Oil Kings + thick PBT keycaps + gasket mount + moderately damped case
I'd avoid pairing brass with very bright polycarbonate-top/clear-housing switches, because you'll stack the brass's resonance with the switch's higher-frequency character.
One important caveat: the plate isn't the whole sound. Case material, mounting style, keycap thickness/profile, PCB, and foam can change the result substantially.
If you tell me your keyboard/case (e.g. TKL, 75%, 65%) and keycap profile, I can narrow it down to the exact switch + foam + plate setup for maximum "deep marble thock."
If you’re specifically chasing deep, bassy “thock” with a brass plate, I’d lean toward switches that are naturally warm and muted. Brass is stiff and tends to emphasize sharper/high-frequency resonance, so you want a switch that counterbalances it.
This would be my #1 pairing for brass. The nylon top + Ink housing and heavy factory lubrication give you a dense, controlled bottom-out rather than a sharp clack. They're 55g/65g and 4mm travel.
This is the more interesting enthusiast pick. Recent community testing specifically found the Y2 deeper and more muffled than Oil Kings, with the Oil King coming across slightly sharper.
If your goal is “low-pitched thud rather than clack,” I'd seriously consider these. 2. Gateron Ink Black V2 — heavy, classic thock
A great choice if you like a heavier switch. Around 60g actuation/70g bottom-out, with a thick housing that produces a deep, smooth sound. Mechanical Keyboard 3. Vertex V One — punchy and relatively inexpensive
Around 50g, with a rich low-end sound. Good option if you don't want the heavier feel of Oil Kings or Ink Blacks.
The milky nylon housing gives these a warm, deep character, and they're inexpensive enough that you can experiment without spending much.
If maximum thock is the goal, brass actually isn't the easiest plate to work with. PC, POM, or PP plates generally produce a deeper, softer sound, while brass tends to add brightness and resonance.
But if you're committed to brass, I'd build around it rather than fight it:
Brass plate + Oil King/Y2 + thick PBT Cherry-profile caps + gasket mount + minimal/no case foam
That should get you much closer to the deep “marble hitting a desk” sound rather than the higher-pitched “pop/clack” sound.
My ranking specifically for brass: Keygeek Y2 > Oil King V2 > Ink Black V2 > Vertex V One > Milky Yellow Pro V2
If you tell me your keyboard/case, mounting style, keycap profile/material, and whether you want 55g-ish or heavier, I can narrow this down to the one switch I'd use.
Pairing switches with a brass plate requires a deliberate strategy if you're hunting for a deep, creamy "thock." Brass is a rigid, dense metal plate that naturally leans toward a higher-pitched, brighter, and louder acoustic signature. To counteract that and pull a deep thock out of a brass setup, you need switches with full nylon housings or thick proprietary plastic blends that absorb higher frequencies, combined with a solid bottom-out.
The best linear switches to tame a brass plate and deliver a deep, satisfying sound profile include:
A legendary community favorite. Their proprietary INK blend housings and heavier weight give them a muted, deep, and authoritative bottom-out that cuts through the inherent ping of a brass plate.
Known for being exceptionally smooth right out of the box with a factory lube job that feels and sounds thick. They have a naturally lower-pitched, subdued clack and a very solid, muted bottom-out.
Utilizes full nylon housings (which soak up high-pitched frequencies) and a unique waffle-shaped stem tip that minimizes the contact area at bottom-out, significantly dropping the pitch into a rounded, deep thock.
Features a full nylon/blend composition with a satisfying, cushioned deep impact that helps temper stiffer plates like brass while remaining ultra-smooth.
Budget-friendly linear options that punch way above their weight class. When properly lubed, they produce a surprisingly deep, clacky-yet-thocky profile without a high-pitched echo.
Community Perspectives
Enthusiasts often note how heavy, full-nylon or dense-blend linears transform a stiffer metal plate:
I found the oil kings just completely swallow up any harsh ping and leave you with a super deep, satisfying thock even on stiffer plates.
To help narrow this down, what keyboard case/mounting style are you putting this brass plate into, and do you prefer your switches lighter (under 50g actuation) or heavier?
If you're specifically chasing deep, bassy “thock” with a brass plate, I'd lean toward switches that already have a low-pitched housing and muted bottom-out. Brass is stiff and tends to emphasize sharper frequencies, so you want the switch to counteract that rather than add more clack.
1. Gateron Oil King — safest choice
$23.40
This would be my #1 for your particular build. Oil Kings have nylon/Ink-style housings, POM stems, heavy factory lubrication, and a naturally bassy, muted character. Multiple current switch roundups put them near the top for deep-sounding linears.
With brass, I'd expect them to give you more of that “thock/thud” rather than “tick/clack” sound.
2. Vertex V1 — creamy, deep, slightly more character
These are excellent if you want a rich, slightly marbly/creamy thock rather than the very muted Oil King sound. Community testing has specifically found Vertex V1 and Oil Kings to be close in pitch, with Vertex tending to sound a little brighter and more distinctive.
The catch: V1s can benefit from relubing, whereas Oil Kings are much more plug-and-play.
3. WS Morandi — excellent if you want muted/thocky
$64.03
Morandis are POM/POM with a UPE stem and 60g bottom-out, and they're well known for a deep, muted sound.
I'd rank them below Oil Kings for brass, though. There are reports of Morandis having more top-housing noise/wobble than Oil Kings or Vertex V1s.
4. Akko Rosewood — sleeper pick
These are worth considering if you want something woody/marbly and deep, rather than a super-muted “oil king” sound. Recent community discussion has been particularly positive about their deep/marble character.
For maximum deep thock on brass:
Oil Kings + brass plate + thick PBT Cherry-profile caps + gasket mount
And I'd avoid going crazy with case foam. Too much foam can turn a nice low-pitched thock into a dead “pop”/muted sound.
If you want really deep and punchy, I'd also consider a long-pole linear—but there's a tradeoff: long poles tend to make the bottom-out more sharp/percussive, which can fight the brass plate's tendency toward brightness.
My ranking specifically for brass:
Oil King > Vertex V1 > Akko Rosewood > WS Morandi > Durock POM Piano
$28.99
$64.03
$130.35
$119.35
If you tell me your keyboard/case, mounting style, keycap material/profile, and whether the brass plate is full or half, I can narrow this down to the exact switch + foam/keycap combo most likely to give you that deep “THOCK” rather than clack.
Pairing a deep, thocky linear switch with a brass plate is a bit of an acoustic challenge. Brass is a rigid, denser metal plate that naturally leans toward a brighter, crisper, or more pingy "clack" rather than a muted thud.
To get that deep thock, you need switches with full nylon or modified low-frequency housings (no fiberglass ring), long or specialized dampening stems (like UPE or waffle tips), and a cushioned bottom-out to counteract the stiffness of the brass.
The top linear switches that successfully drag brass plates down into deeper, bassier territory include:
Top Deep/Thocky Linear Recommendations
The gold standard for deep, muted linear acoustics. Their thick smokey PC/nylon-blend housings absorb harsh high-end frequencies, giving a deep "clack-thock" hybrid that retains authority on a stiffer brass plate.
Designed with zero-fiberglass PA66 housings and advanced UPE/waffle-style stems. They create a softer, rounded, and lower-pitched bottom-out that cuts out the high-frequency ring typical of metal plates.
Famously smooth with a heavy, factory-lubed feel. They deliver a very dense, low-pitched sound signature that helps dampen the harshness of rigid plates.
An affordable, full-bodied, low-pitched linear switch that thrives on adding warmth to setups that otherwise sound too bright.
Known for a rich, mid-to-low frequency profile that maintains a clean, refined bottom-out without turning into a high-pitched clack.
Community Insights on Chasing Thock with Metal
Enthusiasts often note that the plate and case do the heavy lifting for pitch, so switch choice alone has to fight the brass.
“I've only used stainless steel and aluminum. Of those two, I liked the SS a bit better, as it was a little thicker and more solid than the aluminum. I would love to try other plates...”
“Deep sounds are called thock, high pitched sounds clack. Easiest way to create thock is to tape mod your board... more expensive is to change switches (oil kings forever) change keycaps (thicker and taller better)”
Quick Tuning Tips for Brass + Linears
If your brass plate is still sounding too bright despite a switch swap:
To help narrow this down, what keyboard case and keycap profile are you currently using with that brass plate?
If you're chasing a deep, bassy “thock” specifically with a brass plate, I'd prioritize switches that are already on the low-pitched side. Brass tends to add resonance and can push a build brighter/clangier, so the switch needs to counteract that.
1. Gateron Oil King — best overall
$72.00
This would be my first choice. Oil Kings have a nylon top, proprietary Ink-material bottom, POM stem, 55g actuation/65g bottom-out, and factory lube. They're consistently described as deep, low-pitched and smooth.
With brass, that combination should give you the dense “thump” you're after without making the board excessively bright.
2. Gateron Ink Black V2 — deeper/rounder alternative
These are arguably the classic choice. They're slightly heavier at 60g actuation/70g bottom-out, and testing finds their sound a little rounder and more resonant than Oil Kings.
If your ideal sound is “deep marble thunk” rather than “sharp pop/thock,” I'd lean Ink Blacks.
3. WS Morandi — softer, creamier thock
$42.49
Morandis use POM housings and a UPE stem, with a 60g bottom-out. They're a good option if you want less aggressive resonance and more creamy/muted sound.
I'd put them behind Oil Kings for a brass plate, though.
4. JWK/Vertex-style linears — if you want a more “premium” thock
Vertex V1s are another interesting option: 50g actuation, ~62g bottom-out, nylon housing, and a reputation for a rich, bass-heavy sound.
| Switch | Sound with brass | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Oil King | 🥇 Deep, dense, punchy | Medium |
| Ink Black V2 | 🥈 Deep, round, resonant | Heavy |
| Vertex V1 | 🥉 Rich, bassy, slightly lively | Medium-light |
| WS Morandi | Creamy, muted, softer | Medium |
| Akko Rosewood | Deep/woody | Light |
The Oil King is the one I'd buy if the goal is specifically “make my brass plate sound thocky as hell.” Current testing and 2026 switch roundups continue to put Oil Kings and Ink Black V2s among the strongest low-pitched linear options.
One other thing: don't over-foam the board. With brass, I'd rather use a naturally deep switch + decent thick PBT/ABS keycaps + a relatively open case than fill the whole thing with PE/poron and end up with a muted “clack-thud.” The switch, plate, case and keycaps all interact significantly with the final sound.
If you tell me your keyboard/case, mounting style, keycaps, and whether you're using foam, I can narrow it down to the exact switch + plate/foam setup I'd use for maximum thock.
Pairing linear switches with a brass plate is a unique acoustic challenge. Brass is dense and rigid, meaning it tends to filter out mid-tones, sharpening the high-end clack and dampening broader flex-based thock.
To get a deep, rounded "thock" instead of a sharp clack on brass, you need switches with full nylon or specialized low-resonance housings (PA66/PA12) and muted, cushioned bottom-outs that won't ring out harshly against the metal plate.
Top Linear Switch Recommendations for Brass Plates
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Community Perspectives
“I swapped each set of 30 out and I immediately loved the keygeek Y2s, they gave me like asmr shivers on the first press. Soooo smooth and they have an awesome deep sound profile, almost a bit muffled which I really like.”
“The two thockiest switches I have used are NK Creams Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and Milky Top Gateron Blacks Go to product viewer dialog for this item..”
To help narrow down the exact sound you want, do you know if your case has flex cuts or if you're using any case/foam dampening?
Linear switches that lean deep and low-pitched work well to balance out the stiff, bright, and higher-pitched acoustic profile of a brass plate.
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If you'd like, let me know:
I can narrow down the exact switch for your setup.
No sources cited
A brass plate is already pushing your build toward a louder, more metallic, higher-pitched resonance, so for a deep “thock” you generally want switches that add weight, density, and lower-frequency acoustics to counterbalance it. Brass pairs especially well with fuller-sounding linear switches (nylon housings, POM stems, heavier springs).
My top picks:
| Switch | Sound with brass plate | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Gateron Oil King | Deep, creamy, bassy thock | Probably the safest “expensive thock” choice; full nylon housing + factory lube give a muted bottom-out. trymechkeys.commechanicalkeyboard.net |
| Gateron Ink Black V2 | Dark, smooth, classic thock | Heavy spring, dense housing, and a deeper pitch that balances brass brightness well. trymechkeys.commechanicalkeyboard.net |
| Gateron Milky Yellow Pro | Warm, creamy thock for cheap | One of the best value options; milky housing gives a softer, lower sound. www.rtings.com |
| HMX Deep Navy | Dense “marbly” thock | Great if you like a sharper but still deep bottom-out. |
| TTC Venus | Deep + smooth + premium | Long-pole feel with a strong bottom-out character. www.youtube.com |
| KTT Kang White V3 | Clean, muted pop-thock | Great budget option, especially if you like a slightly brighter “marble” sound. |
For a maximum thock build with brass, I’d rank them:
A few things will matter almost as much as the switch:
If you tell me your keyboard case (aluminum/plastic), mounting style (gasket/top mount), and keycaps, I can narrow it down—brass plates can sound wildly different depending on the rest of the build.
