Software

There are no software drivers for the MK Night Typist, with all functionality hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine this section with the performance section below.

Performance

The MK Night Typist supports full N-key rollover USB, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Fn+Alt+N/6 switches between NKRO and 6KRO for those who need it. No key chatter was detected on any of the keys using Switch Hitter. As with just about any keyboard these days, there is no right Windows key, having being substituted by an Fn key instead.


When first connected, the keyboard lights up in a static white color for all keys, which is the only lighting effect on the MK Night Typist. The company advertises a warm white color, which is actually what we get here, and I will say that it works well for typing. I prefer white when it comes to single color lighting regardless, so this is right up my alley to begin with. Fn+up/down toggles through four levels of brightness (0/33/67/100%), and the lighting is bright enough to work alright even in the dark.



Remember those dip switches from before? The manual describes 16 different combinations of the four dip switches in on/off states for ten different typing layouts, including QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak, Norman, MiniMak, and even Alphabetical. This is really where the crux of the MK Typist and Night Typist is, allowing extensive typing customization via simple onboard controls combined with the easy switching of the keycaps using the provided keycap puller. As seen above, I used the source code from an older keyboard review in a layout tester (courtesy of Patrick Gillespie). The results above indicate that QWERTY is not even close to the most efficient layout for me, and very likely you as well. If you are willing, try out Colemak or Dvorak as they will result in less finger travel and fatigue overall. As such, the driver offers a significant functional tool if you are willing to devote some time to adopting either Colemak or Dvorak. Here is the link to the full results if you are interested, including a detailed analysis on key presses and distances moved. The manual also includes a quick look at the various layouts to give you a visual indication of what each looks like before you commit to making the change.

There are other onboard controls, including locking the Win key, and pre-programmed secondary functions are tied to the F1 key row, such as shortcuts to bring up the default mail client, browser, multimedia controls, and so on. A variation of Ducky's own keyboard macro settings is seen here in the form of the so-called MK Macro, which allows for as many as six profiles to be saved onboard the device (profile 1 is the default), and macro recording (including keystroke delays in as little as 0.02 s intervals) or assigning controls allows for further customization to help get work done efficiently. Indeed, there is already a set of pre-programmed macro functions to the Fn+ layer in addition to the others, which includes more shortcuts, as well as mouse cursor and click controls. Of course, you can reset macros per profile, as well as the entire keyboard if you messed up big time and want to start all over again.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the MK Night Typist keyboard sample at ~115 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Cherry MX Brown switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile switches. I did bottom out often given the relatively light spring in these switches, but it is fairly easy to avoid with some practice, which in turn also allows for a quieter keyboard as a whole. For those who prefer clicky feedback, the MK Night Typist is also available with Cherry MX Blue switches. In addition, for those wanting a quieter typing experience when bottoming out, perhaps the option of the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is for you.