Typewriter Video Series - Episode 220: How Loud is it?

Joe and Kevin compare the loudness of the Remington Noiseless 7 against an Olympia SM7, a Smith-Corona DeVille 80 daisywheel electronic, a Royal Dart ultra-portable and a Brother EP-43 thermal typer. Assuming we ever get to go out to coffee shops again, which would be the quietest?

[@hammill444]

I have to say--- I'm glad I live in a world where this is still of interest to some folks.

[@jennievpollard77]

The sound of a typewriter is music to my ears. Right now I type on a Hermes 3000 and I absolutely love its sound.

[@drandallesq]

Well done Guys! The sound of each typewriter is different, sometimes even within the same model, because of the variables of adjustment, age, condition, and design. The first typewriter I bought in this resurgence period was a Remington Noiseless 7, that the late Mr. Montgomery of Bremerton Office Machine Co. had restored to working order. He showed me how the positive action of my fingers makes the clever typebar action work crisply but quietly, with the typebar just touching the ribbon to the paper, not really bashing the platen. It still amazes me. The Olivetti Lettera 22 has a very quiet action too, even with a pretty solid platen. My wife and I took the Lettera to a hotel for a long writing weekend, and had no complaints from the neighboring rooms. Good to see you two experimenting with sound deadening felt. I've also had some success with 1/16” self-stick neoprene in machines where there isn't much clearance for thicker felt. The neoprene stops the metal of the body vibrating. All the best!

[@SunshineFL]

Omg I luv that sound of all the typewriters. I’d be happy with any of them.

[@silverteinbas]

Wow, this is awesome! I just LOVE the Noiseless typewriter. I don't know what, but there is something - the looks, the sound - to these typewriters that make them so special. At least for me. I myself have a 1932 Underwood Noiseless Portable and it has become my main typewriter and it really is quite quiet. Curiously my regular 1934 Underwood Portable (similar to Joes, only mine is black) is rather quiet as well (the moving of the typebars is quieter than the movement of the Noiseless typewriter typebars). What a great video! :)

[@davidgiancoli2106]

Nice video, Joe! I'm surprised no one else has thought of doing this. I'm glad you were the first, for then it's guaranteed to be an enjoyable video. Thanks much and take care!

[@4355dcox]

Nice review, thanks guys.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

The tiny LCD screen on the thermal one would drive me crazy! I need to see the work "GROW" on the page as I type it.

[@derecwilsom4546]

i have the royal royalite and one of the things i found with that is it is a very fast machine, for some reason i can go along at aspeed on that machine that is much harder to replicate on my others, i have an olivetti studio 44 and the letter 22 and 32 (i think its a 32) i also have the IBM whellwriter and you can really fly on that because of the buckle spring keyboard but it's huge and needs a plug! great video

[@spotlessreviews7425]

Im comparing my mechanical keyboard with gateron blue switch to the sound of a typewriter

[@lucasbarletta2986]

The most recognizable typewriter sound is the Selectric

[@nictheartist]

Interesting video, maybe you could test how much difference in noise a typewriter mat would make.

[@eliubargarcia9806]

hola como sta señor tengo una underwood 1955 y me gustaria que me ayude si tiene usted el manual de esa maquina xq la estoy restaurando, muchas gracias.

[@kylehazachode]

Do quiet typewriters lose their quietness over time. I think it’s funny my Royal Quiet De Luxe is one of my loudest typewriters

[@Joe_VanCleave]

As the platen roller gets hard over time the sound can get louder.

[@Frisenette]

For it to be interesting you should have placed the mic on the phone and the typewriter in the exact same spot for each test. So much changes with slight variances in distance and different reflecting surfaces nearby. As it is now you own assessments of the sound is the only really interesting thing here.

[@dianemaher3538]

Have any of the platens been replaced in those machines? How does that affect the noise? I winder how my 1899 Smith Premier 4 would do?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I don't think any of those machines have newly resurfaced platens, but I expect in order to see a noticeable difference in the numbers we'd need much more controlled conditions, and a better measuring system. Maybe even a spectrum analyzer to see the tonal (frequency) differences, not just decibel sound levels.

[@therthondaniel372]

Can anyone please help me! My key link on my 400$ torpedo 18 broke and I would’ve liked it to last more than a year! It also came with a missing paper support bar and no case if anyone has info on any of these please reply thanks!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

You may want to post to the Facebook Antique Typewriters Group, and also the Typewriter Maintenance Group, there are some friendly people there who may be able to help.

[@obs420submarine3]

Hi I'm new to the channel and I'm having a struggle to make my typewriter do write a full across line on my page and I was wondering if you could make a video on how to make me about to change it

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Is the line too narrow, like you want wider margins? There should be a margin adjustment for both the left and right side. What brand and model is it?

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Why bother with the electric LCD? Get a bargain LAPTOP computer instead.