John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

All I want to do is stop pops when tracking from spikes from the fridge and HVAC...might be nice in case of lightening strike I suppose - we are quite prone being on a mountain and all


I saw this - maybe I should just run my PCs and outboard gear from it?

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/tec ... b=features

Is it advisable to run absolutely every power sucking device in the studio from one of these? Is there a need to run gtr amps etc from UPS?

Has anyone got any experience or ideas on other UPS suppliers in Oz?
Preferably Sydney....but then again..

Thanks in advance for you input Ladies and Gents...

If you have issue's with (eg: fridge), you may try a power conditioner or AC line filter to help condition the power.

Thanks so much Aaron!

I will look into these options - I will als ask our sparky when he comes...
Keep you posted.

Aaron,

I noticed while recording the other day our clothes dryer switched on and "spike!" ....then the hot water system later in the night....I suppose the washing machine will do this too..

UPS solution... and questions..
If so I was wondering if maybe just the PC and pre amps should go through it - or will spikes come via outboard gear too?
So I think a UPS in the control room might be the answer (I can't justify having a filter on every whitegood appliance in the house) - do you think the UPS might do the trick?

GTR amps n stuff thru UPS - that means a BIG and really expensice UPS - gut feel is that is over kill?

Just to avoid spikes going to disk really.....that's the priority - no matter where in the house they come from...


In relation to lighting I was hoping to use lights on rails - track lighting I think they call it here..
Is low voltage lighting the only way to go for "mood"? Or will low wattage lights do the trick? Thoughts?
I will not be using a cloud so I am searching for alternatives that people have seen in operation...food for thought - I will search more...

I am hoping on having the sparky run a projector /video send to the ceiling for a front pull down screen setup. Is a 6 metre run too long?

Is the power for your equipment on a sub panel? If so, you could put a line conditioner between the main panel and sub panel. This will help with your spikes. As far as UPS, I would probably only use them on computer equipment or other critical electronics where you need a few minutes to shut down if power goes out. You could probably also use variacs in line with your equipment. This way you can also regulate your voltages for equipment.

Just use a smaller wattage bulb for the mood lighting. That's usually the easiest, and you don't have to worry about the transformes they use for stepping it down to low voltage. The previous owner installed one of those in my house in the kitchen, and that thing hums pretty loud.

Thank Aaron,

Much appreciated. I don't have a Sub panel - yet - maybe my sparky might suggest one. I will chat with him about these options next weekend when we meet up.

That is also good advice re the variable lighting transformer being physically noisy in your home - I have been reading about them and was considering going down that path - I won't now. Low voltage lighting it is then. The article I read over a few times is here - some good interesting info as well.
http://www.ethanwiner.com/dimmers.html

I have been checking out these low voltage lights -

http://www.lightinggallery.com.au/produ ... %202ab.htm

They have built in transformers - I will ask more info about them from the supplier and see if I can get details on how loud the "static" type really are as opposed to variable..

All the best - and thanks again for getting back to me so quickly Aaron!

Low voltage lighting it is then.

Should be lower wattage bulbs, not low voltage lighting. Try and stay away from most of those transformers. They're noisy. That link you provided to Ethan's site, the transformer he has there would be ok to use as a "dimmer".

Looking at those lights, I would bet the transformers in them probably hum or buzz audibly. I can't say for certain, just past experience from others with similar lights. Is there a local dealer that has them where you can check them out. Or even spec sheets from the MFG?

I just checked with manufacturer - he says the transformers cannot be heard from 5cm away....BUT they are electronic transformers (which I assume operate the same way as electronic dimmers?) ! So, I gather they will produce all sorts of electrical noise. Back to the drawing board...

You are absolutely right Aaron low wattage bulbs seem to be the answer here.

When I first left school I did dropped out of Uni (Eco Law - not my bag) and did an electrical trade course (to keep Dad happy) while I played music. (that was over 20 years ago and I have not touched electrical wiring since - that's life and the decisions we make when young huh) Every switchboard I worked in had transformers - and from memory I never found a really quiet one - every one hummed - that is their nature. So I will now research low wattage bulbs for our mains 240v - thanks.

I had a look around and it seems that really low wattage Halogen globes run from 12V - not 240...
http://www.environmentshop.com.au/Produ ... 1&SCID=218

I will keep looking - I suppose if I really can't find a high voltage - low watt bulb I may have to mount a coil transformer in the ceiling space and run low voltage to each set of track lights.

Aaron, BTW what sort of lighting do you use in your studio?

I gather we need a "good light" scheme and a "mood" light scheme - or maybe just mood only? I suppose the PC LCDs will throw off light - and that coupled with maybe a flexible mixer lamp and some ambient mood lighting should be sufficient for all occasions? If I needed EXCELLENT light for repatching I could change the bulbs temporarily or bring in a lamp to plug in..thinking aloud...

Your help is excellent and much appreciated..

Cheers Aaron

I used Superior Electric model 10B and 10C transformers (variacs).

http://www.gammatron.com.au/variacs.htm

These are ones I can grab locally - just called them and VERY reasonable price!!!!
Model D41P seems the one for me - 0-270v - 4 Amps - in enclosure!!!!

Telephone Number: (61 8281 2688 or (61 8250 9600 or FREECALL 1800 339 584
Facsimile: (61 8281 2427
e-mail address: sales@gammatron.com.au
Postal Address: P.O. Box 62

Salisbury South SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5106

Business Address: 11 Acrylon Road

Salisbury South SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5106

Website:
www.gammatron.com.au

ABN: 835 1267 6089


AWESOME!!!!!!

AARON THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Problem sorted!!!!



Ta

PS I think I will have to place a govenor or visible mark to ensure on the variac to ensure I never turn it down below a certain point (if I use it on the lights) - or current draw may exceed the transformer rating.

e.g. If i use Ohms law and I have 4 x 40w globes @ 240v that will be
160w/240v = .66Amps

BUT if I turn them down to "theoretical" 90% dimmed - I guess the equation would be
240/.1 = 24v
160/24 = 6.6 Amps!

Am I on track or would the wattage decline as I reduce voltage?

http://home.howstuffworks.com/framed.ht ... bulb1.html

Reduced Power
Reducing the voltage applied to a light bulb will reduce the filament temperature, resulting in a dramatic increase in life expectancy.
One device sold to do this is an ordinary silicon diode built into a cap that is made to stick to the base of a light bulb. A diode lets current through in only one direction, causing the bulb to get power only 50 percent of the time if it is operated on AC. This effectively reduces the applied voltage by about 30 percent. (Reducing the voltage to its original value times the square root of .5 results in the same power consumption as applying full voltage half the time.) The life expectancy is increased very dramatically. However, the power consumption is reduced by about 40 percent (not 50 since the cooler filament has less resistance) and light output is reduced by reduced by about 70 percent (cooler filaments are less efficient at radiating visible light).

I wonder....

To round up I am aiming for

Sub Board
UPS just on PC and mic pre amps to prevent spiking. Also allows backup of Cubase work pre shutdown in case of power failure. I will mount this under mixing desk on floor (right side where power comes in and out)
Variac for line filter - maybe (Have I misread and you use variac on just lights? or mains to CR?)
Variac possibly for dimming lights - I will place this in entry area away from CR and ISO.

Or I may run 2 lighting circuits - I for low wattage mood lighting and 1 for bright light. Switchable from console.

Questions for the sparky..

If you're just worried about line spikes, you want to get a voltage regulator. Look into somthing like the Furman AR-1215. It will keep spikes and brownouts from reaching your gear pretty well, and can be found for not much more than a UPS.