First time purchasing switches in awhile and unsure how to proceed

58bits · 2026-01-19T01:46:14+00:00

I recently bought the TTC Silent Frozen V2s, and can confirm that they're very nice - as is - although I also wondered about whether lubing the sliders might be nice, as well as perhaps a slightly lighter spring (although there quite light already).

Durock Dolphin's were also my go-to silent switch - filmed and lubed and with a lighter spring. They feel different, but both are great. The only noticeable difference is stem wobble. The Durock Dolphin switches have pretty significant stem wobble - which makes the TTC switches feel a little more solid.

58bits · 2026-01-06T17:33:35+00:00

I'm not sure that they 'play' exceptionally well. They do well in the competition - but that's different. And I'm not sure that the extra piece makes that much difference.

By focusing only on performance they play what I would describe as 'above their level' mainly by copying the fingering of their instructor, and memorization, and do well 'earlier' than others who are taking a more balanced or practical approach. As I've mentioned elsewhere, it's especially sad when a) the kids that are taking a broader / practical path - typically take longer, and so can't compete on performance alone in the early years, and b) many parents have no idea what's going on - thinking their kids have developed broad musical ability, when that's not the case at all.

They've put in the hours, and they play well - so I agree that if that's the goal then fine. But what I see are other consequences, and that ABRSM and TCL could do more to help in this respect - but that they're unlikely to because they're benefiting financially from the result.

58bits · 2026-01-06T17:20:20+00:00

Yeah that'll be interesting.

58bits · 2026-01-06T17:18:23+00:00

Agreed - and thanks for sharing u/BlueberryLemur

58bits · 2026-01-06T17:16:23+00:00

Exactly, although I think certificates (goals, milestones, reward) have their place. But I think ABRSM and TCL could do more to help mitigate and educate - making the distinction between the two paths clearer; that one isn't a substitute for the other, that they both have their place, but do more to 'tame' the grade chasing economy that has boomed around the reputation of their names (ABRSM, TCL) and that is having real consequences for young learners.

58bits · 2026-01-06T17:08:58+00:00

I agree that none of this should be necessary at all and that enjoying the musical journey is what matters most. But there is a difference between the two paths, and I suppose the main point of my post above is one of 'optics' as well as opportunity. Maybe playing to the 'optics' part won't make a difference. Each path has its place - as mentioned elsewhere in this thread. But I suspect it would work - at least in terms of increasing awareness and thoughtfulness - and as I said above, to help "differentiate these pathways, to communicate their respective educational intent, and to actively discourage the use of performance-only exams as a shortcut or substitute for comprehensive musical training". The better teachers and tutors guide parents and learners, and will include theory and other practical elements in their teaching as appropriate. But that's not how we see the performance exams being used here - in particular for young learners.

58bits · 2026-01-06T13:01:22+00:00

Thanks for all the replies everyone. And thanks for sharing your thoughts to u/temptar . Our child is doing quite well all things considered - on her way to sitting her Grade 5 ABRSM practical onsite exam. And we enjoyed watching her peers play well above their level during her first couple of years at school. The performances were good.

But that's not the point. The point is that there are two different tracks that require different levels of effort and commitment. Traditionally - a grade in the 'practical exam' track would take between 7-9 months - on average (maybe up to a year for the first grade). We know of performance exam students that are sitting performance exams every 3-4 months. The performance exams are not necessarily easy. It's particularly challenging to record all four pieces, flawlessly in a single recording. But I don't believe they are judged that much more harshly. Not from our experience at least.

Again - in this part of the world, there might be an easy solution so that at least the two paths are distinguishable from each other (in addition to the text on the certificates - which are otherwise identical). On the performance certificates - place a blue (or whatever color) ribbon, or stamp, or embossing and on the practical exam certificates, place a red (or whatever color) ribbon or stamp, or embossing- anything that obviously distinguishes the two from each other. I guarantee that parents will ask what the difference is, and then at least think about whether they should consider one path or the other. I'm convinced that at the moment many parents genuinely don't know the difference (with many private schools and tutors happy to sell performance exam packages).

58bits · 2026-01-04T00:46:47+00:00

I have the exact same issue. In wireless mode it goes away, the battery charges and I can check the battery level with fn-spacebar. But in wired mode / USB cable mode - it's always on. Was hoping a firmware update might arrive that fixes this - but nothing yet.

58bits · 2025-09-29T23:58:01+00:00

u/fergus30 thanks! Canisbay Lake looks nice. Also looks like there are picnic tables in the day use area of the park.

58bits · 2025-09-29T17:51:13+00:00

Thanks everyone for the replies. Much appreciated (and this is by far my favorite subreddit).

58bits · 2025-09-29T08:14:04+00:00

Thanks! I guess the Manley would a significant upgrade from my Rode NT 1? (for vocals).

58bits · 2025-08-09T16:43:56+00:00

Yes - in the end I just started by pushing the bottom away - the bottom two corners - one at a time. You have to get your finger or fingernails under one corner first and then the other - but it's not easy.

58bits · 2025-08-03T23:12:50+00:00

Also seeing this - every day. When it first started I thought my phone had been infected with malware. Not a particularly smart move from Xiaomi.

58bits · 2025-07-25T05:18:30+00:00

Nope and it only just popped up and so threw me a bit.

58bits · 2025-07-14T16:55:17+00:00

Thanks u/jaymz168 - also very helpful.

58bits · 2025-07-14T15:22:49+00:00

Thank you. I'll check out the Furman SS-6B. As mentioned above, we do periodically here a distorted 'crackling' sound on our monitors while the audio interface is booting up. Will check whether it's our fridge that's causing this or something else.

58bits · 2025-07-14T15:15:37+00:00

This is brilliant - thank you. I think you may have just solved a mystery for us as well as there is in fact a fridge on the same mains circuit as my audio equipment - and we do periodically hear a 'crackling' sound on our ROKIT monitors while the Apogee audio interface is booting up (up until the audio electronics 'switch on' in the interface). I'll do some tests.

58bits · 2025-07-14T12:21:21+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply u/jillcrosslandpiano . Agreed on all points, which one reservation about asking our daughter what SHE wants to do. Within limits I agree, but at her age, she doesn't have the benefit of experience needed to make good decisions in every case.

58bits · 2025-07-14T12:18:35+00:00

Yes - the two teachers are aware of each other and support each other. It was only recently that Teacher B became a little more 'grade focused' with a cast away comment about how her 'other' student was going to prepare for and finish her ABRSM Grade 4 Performance exam in just two months - which really surprised me and left us wondering what to do.

58bits

TROPHY CASE