Klack brought the joy of mechanical keyboard sounds to my MacBook

If you've ever found yourself missing the tactile joy of a mechanical keyboard while typing on your MacBook, Klack might just be the app you never knew you needed. It’s a small macOS utility with a singular purpose: making your keyboard sound like the most satisfying mechanical switches out there. While it won’t physically change the feel of your keys, it does something equally compelling—it tricks your brain into believing you're clacking away on a premium board.

After spending a ridiculous amount of time exploring the world of mechanical keyboards myself, I was skeptical. Could an app really replicate the satisfying thock of a well-lubed switch? I had to find out.

A simple idea, executed brilliantly

Klack isn’t about making you more productive, helping you write faster, or optimizing your workflow. Its purpose is delightfully simple—it exists purely to make typing more fun.

The developer, Henrik Ruscon, originally built Klack for himself before realizing that others might enjoy it, too. That personal touch shines through in the app’s meticulous attention to detail, from its ultra-responsive audio playback to the variety of switch sounds available.

Features & Customization

At first glance, Klack seems almost too simple, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find it’s surprisingly well thought out:

• Low-Latency Sound Playback
  Written entirely in Swift, Klack ensures that there’s virtually no delay between pressing a key and hearing the sound, preserving the illusion of a mechanical keyboard.
• A Selection of Mechanical Switch Sounds
  Klack comes loaded with several distinct keypress sounds. Whether you prefer the clicky crispness of Everglide Oreo switches, the deeper thock of NovelKeys Creams, or something in between, there’s a profile to match your taste. Newer updates have even added switch profiles like Cherry MX Japanese Black and Gateron Milky Yellow, giving you even more variety.
• Separate Upstroke and Downstroke Sounds
  Unlike some keyboard sound apps that simply play a single sound per keypress, Klack simulates the full typing experience by having different sounds for pressing and releasing keys. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s what makes the experience feel so realistic.
• Randomized Pitching
  Every keystroke sounds slightly different thanks to randomized pitch variations, mimicking the organic nature of a real mechanical keyboard.
• Volume Control & Quick Toggles
  You can fine-tune Klack’s volume independently of macOS, and with a global shortcut, you can toggle it on and off in a second—perfect for when you need to jump into a Zoom call or work in a quiet environment.

Does it ACTUALLY feel like a mechanical keyboard?

No, but… it kind of tricks your brain into believing it does.

Typing with Klack on a MacBook’s scissor switches felt eerily different. Even though the physical act of pressing the keys remained unchanged, my perception of the experience was completely altered. It reminded me of the placebo effect—my brain expected resistance and feedback that wasn’t actually there simply because the sound suggested it should be.

On an external low-profile keyboard (like an Apple Magic Keyboard), the effect was even stronger. But when I plugged in my Keychron K6 with Gateron Browns, it was a different story—Klack’s artificial sounds clashed with the real mechanical feedback, making it unnecessary.

Room for improvement

Klack is already a delightfully polished app, but there are a couple of areas where it could be improved:

• Bluetooth Audio Delay
  If you’re using Bluetooth headphones or speakers, you might notice a slight delay between keystrokes and their corresponding sounds. This is more of a Bluetooth limitation than a Klack issue, but it does break the illusion a bit.
• More Sound Profiles
  While the selection of switches is decent, I’d love to see even more—perhaps some custom sound packs or a way to import your own recordings.
• A Trial Version
  At $4.99, Klack is fairly priced, but there’s no way to try it before you buy. While the website provides sound previews, a limited trial version might encourage more users to take the plunge.

A must-try for keyboard enthusiasts

If you’re already deep in the world of mechanical keyboards, Klack probably won’t replace the real thing. But if you love the sound of a good clack and don’t always want to lug around a full-size mechanical keyboard, this app is a fantastic little indulgence.

For MacBook users, Magic Keyboard enthusiasts, or anyone who misses the sound of mechanical switches without the bulk, Klack is an easy recommendation. It’s fun, well-executed, and adds a little extra joy to something we all do every day—type.

I'm currently using Klack all the time. In fact, I have it set to launch automatically every time I restart my MacBook. That said, when I’m at my desk with my real mechanical keyboard, Klack takes a backseat—it’s just not needed. What remains to be seen is whether I'll eventually grow tired of it or if it will secure a permanent spot in my essential macOS apps.

Klack is proof that not all apps need to be game-changers. Sometimes, all they need to do is make the mundane a little more enjoyable.