Noise Isolation within the Control Room:
Isolation between rooms and the great outdoors isn’t the only noise-related issue in the modern-day recording or project studio. The proliferation of multitrack tape machines, computers, digital signal processors (DSP) and cooling systems have created issues that present
their own Grinch types of noise, Noise, NOISE!, NOISE!!! This usually manifests itself in the form of system fans, transport tape noises, and/or computer-related sounds from CPUs, case fans, hard drives, and the like.
When it comes to isolating tape transport and system fan sounds, should budget and size constraints permit, it is often wise to build an iso-room that’s been specifically designed and ventilated for containing such equipment. An equipment room that utilizes glass paneling and easy-access doors that provides for current /future wiring needs can add a degree of peace-n-quiet and an overall professionalism that will make both you and your clients happy.
Within a smaller studio or project studio space, such a room isn’t always possible; however, with care and forethought the whizzes and whirrs of the digital era can be turned into a nonissue that you’ll be proud of. Here are a few examples of the most common problems and their solutions:
^ Replace fans with quieter ones. By doing some careful Web searching or by talking to your favorite computer salesperson, it’s often possible to install fans (especially CPU fans) that are quieter than most off-the-shelf models.
^ Regulate case fan speeds with variable pots. Gamers will often regulate their computer fans in order to keep noises down. Often the controls come in a stylish, LED-lit case that fits in a PC’s 5.25-inch drive space. Care needs to be taken in monitoring the CPU/case temperatures so as not to harm your system.
^ Install hard drive enclosures to reduce internal hard-drive noises. These enclosures are designed to acoustically encapsulate 3.5-inch hard drives into a design that fits into a 5.25-inch hard drive bay.
^ Place the computer in an acoustically isolated alcove. Care needs to be taken in monitoring the CPU/case temperatures so as not to harm your system.
^ Connect studio computers via high-speed network to a remote server location. By connecting a
silent computer (such as a small form factor PC or Mac laptop) to a central computer via a high-speed network, not only is it possible to eliminate computer-related noises (by locating the computer and drives in another room), but it’s also a relatively simple matter to connect the various production- and business-related terminals to a central server that can be backed up according to schedule.
Isolation between rooms and the great outdoors isn’t the only noise-related issue in the modern-day recording or project studio. The proliferation of multitrack tape machines, computers, digital signal processors (DSP) and cooling systems have created issues that present
their own Grinch types of noise, Noise, NOISE!, NOISE!!! This usually manifests itself in the form of system fans, transport tape noises, and/or computer-related sounds from CPUs, case fans, hard drives, and the like.
When it comes to isolating tape transport and system fan sounds, should budget and size constraints permit, it is often wise to build an iso-room that’s been specifically designed and ventilated for containing such equipment. An equipment room that utilizes glass paneling and easy-access doors that provides for current /future wiring needs can add a degree of peace-n-quiet and an overall professionalism that will make both you and your clients happy.
Within a smaller studio or project studio space, such a room isn’t always possible; however, with care and forethought the whizzes and whirrs of the digital era can be turned into a nonissue that you’ll be proud of. Here are a few examples of the most common problems and their solutions:
^ Replace fans with quieter ones. By doing some careful Web searching or by talking to your favorite computer salesperson, it’s often possible to install fans (especially CPU fans) that are quieter than most off-the-shelf models.
^ Regulate case fan speeds with variable pots. Gamers will often regulate their computer fans in order to keep noises down. Often the controls come in a stylish, LED-lit case that fits in a PC’s 5.25-inch drive space. Care needs to be taken in monitoring the CPU/case temperatures so as not to harm your system.
^ Install hard drive enclosures to reduce internal hard-drive noises. These enclosures are designed to acoustically encapsulate 3.5-inch hard drives into a design that fits into a 5.25-inch hard drive bay.
^ Place the computer in an acoustically isolated alcove. Care needs to be taken in monitoring the CPU/case temperatures so as not to harm your system.
^ Connect studio computers via high-speed network to a remote server location. By connecting a
silent computer (such as a small form factor PC or Mac laptop) to a central computer via a high-speed network, not only is it possible to eliminate computer-related noises (by locating the computer and drives in another room), but it’s also a relatively simple matter to connect the various production- and business-related terminals to a central server that can be backed up according to schedule.
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