Alps SKCM Cream Damped
Tactile SilentThe proto-silent switch. Rubber dampers cushion both ends of travel, decades before "silent switch" became a category. Famous as the switch inside the Apple Extended Keyboard II.
Sound & feel
The SKCM Cream Damped proves there is nothing new under the sun: in the late 1980s, Alps was already fitting rubber dampers to both the downstroke and upstroke, softening the landing exactly the way modern silent switches do. Its most famous home is the Apple Extended Keyboard II, a board still cherished by Mac collectors.
The feel is a soft, unhurried bump followed by a cushioned thud, quiet by any era's standard, if slightly muted in feedback compared with its undamped siblings.
Historically it is the missing link between loud vintage mechanicals and today's office-friendly silents, and a reminder that Alps was solving problems the industry would not revisit for another twenty-five years.
Sound on this page is synthesized from the switch's published specs and community-documented character: an honest simulation, not a recording. We're progressively replacing simulations with our own studio recordings. How our sounds are made
Compare it
- Alps SKCM Cream Damped vs Matias Quiet Click , or jump to Matias Quiet Click
- Alps SKCM Cream Damped vs Alps SKCM Black , or jump to Alps SKCM Black
- Alps SKCM Cream Damped vs Gazzew Boba U4 , or jump to Gazzew Boba U4
- Alps SKCM Cream Damped vs Topre Silent 45g (Type-S) , or jump to Topre Silent 45g (Type-S)
Frequently asked questions
What does the Alps SKCM Cream Damped sound like?
rubber-cushioned thud both directions, 1980s proto-silent. Use the player on this page to hear simulated press and release sounds derived from its real specifications, and as a silent switch it is one of the quieter options you can buy.
Is the Alps SKCM Cream Damped good for gaming or typing?
Its tactile bump gives clear feedback on every actuation, which most people love for typing. It works for gaming too, though some prefer linears for rapid double-taps.
How heavy is the Alps SKCM Cream Damped?
70g actuation. Note that Alps officially rates actuation force. Brands differ, so check the basis when comparing switches.