Matias & Alps Mechanical Switches Explained

Alps mechanical switches are among the most respected switches in mechanical keyboard history. During the 1980s and 1990s, they were originally developed by Alps Electric and earned a reputation for their distinctive tactile feel, crisp acoustics, and exceptional typing experience. Although original Alps switches are no longer in production, they remain highly sought after by keyboard enthusiasts and collectors.

As vintage Alps switches have become increasingly scarce, modern Alps-compatible switches such as Matias and APC have emerged to preserve the classic Alps typing experience. This guide explores the history of Alps switches, their evolution, and how today's modern clones compare to the originals.

The History of Original Alps Switches

Alps Electric Co., Ltd. was a Japanese electronics manufacturer that became one of the world's leading producers of electronic components. In the early 1980s, the company introduced its Alps mechanical switches, which quickly gained recognition for their innovative design and exceptional typing feel.

Unlike the current standard Cherry MX design, original Alps switches featured a unique mechanism with a slider, tactile leaf, and a dedicated click leaf on clicky variants. This construction delivered a distinctive tactile response and rich acoustic profile that helped establish the reputation of vintage Alps switches among keyboard enthusiasts.

Complicated Alps (Vintage SKCM & SKCL)

Image Source: Reddit – A Vintage Datacomp Electronics Keyboard with Alps Switches
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1rspvyw/a_vintage_datacomp_electronics_keyboard_with_alps/

When enthusiasts refer to Vintage Alps, they are typically referring to the early Complicated Alps switches manufactured by Alps Electric during the 1980s and early 1990s. These original Alps switches are identified by SKCM (tactile and clicky) and SKCL (linear) model numbers and are widely recognized for their smooth travel, distinctive tactility, and rich acoustics.

The name Complicated Alps was coined by the keyboard community after the introduction of Simplified Alps. It describes the original switch design, which uses a more intricate internal mechanism with separate tactile and click leaves to create its signature typing feel.

Some of the most well-known Complicated Alps variants include:

Simplified Alps

In the early 1990s, Alps Electric introduced Simplified Alps, a redesigned version of its original mechanical switch to reduce manufacturing complexity and production costs. While these switches retained the familiar Alps mount, they featured a simplified internal mechanism with fewer components and a revised tactile design.

Compared to the earlier Complicated Alps (SKCM & SKCL), Simplified Alps offered several manufacturing advantages:

Lower production costs
Fewer internal components
Simpler assembly process
Improved manufacturing efficiency

Although Simplified Alps remained genuine Alps mechanical switches, the redesign changed their typing characteristics. Many keyboard enthusiasts describe them as having a less refined tactile response, reduced smoothness, and a different acoustic profile compared to the original Complicated Alps design.

Matias: Reviving the Alps Experience

Image Source: Matias Alps Mechanical Switches

Matias became one of the first companies to offer modern Alps-compatible switches for enthusiasts and keyboard builders after the discontinuation of the original Alps mechanical switches. They provide new production options for users who want the Alps typing experience without having to source vintage hardware.

Its lineup includes:

Matias Click
Matias Quiet Click
Matias Linear

Matias switches retain the Alps mount, making them compatible with Alps keycaps and suitable for both custom keyboard builds and vintage keyboard restorations. Their design is generally considered to be more closely related to Simplified Alps than the earlier Complicated Alps (SKCM & SKCL) switches.

Key Highlights

Compatible with Alps-mount keycaps
Available in clicky, tactile, and linear variants
Widely available compared to vintage Alps

Compared with well-maintained vintage Complicated Alps, Matias switches generally offer a different typing feel and acoustic profile. While many users appreciate their consistency and accessibility, enthusiasts often describe vintage SKCM switches as smoother and more refined. For many keyboard enthusiasts, however, Matias remains one of the most practical ways to experience Alps-compatible mechanical switches today.

APC: A Closer Tribute to Vintage Alps

APC (Alps Plate Spring Clone) is a newer generation of Alps-compatible switches developed to more closely replicate the feel of vintage Complicated Alps. Designed with an emphasis on preserving the signature tactility and acoustics of the original SKCM switches, APC has gained attention among enthusiasts seeking a modern Alps experience.