Ambient noise floor? | Realgearonline

tonycamphd
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Posts: 7,230

Ambient noise floor? Aug 9, 2014 0:26:20 GMT -6

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Post by tonycamphd on Aug 9, 2014 0:26:20 GMT -6

I just put an air conditioning duct baffle in my studio with an unrestricted dump embedded in a huge bass trap, and with AC running I have gotten the ambient noise floor down to 28db with an A weighted spl meter yaay.. But, when i turn on my mac pro, it goes up to about 30db at my desk. No big deal right?...well, that little sound is right in the presence range, maybe it's still not a biggie?.... until you record any quieter passages with a mic at the desk, which is something i think a lot of us do? then the slight fan noise gets stack multiplied by tracks, and with as little as a vox and acoustic guitar track, your noise floor isn't so good anymore, not even mentioning what happens when you put a little distance on the mic and some compression!...mehh...

A couple Q's,
1. Just for giggles, does anyone know what db # an optimally low ambient noise floor for a recording studio should be? My guess is anything at 25db or below is stunningly good?

2. I'm already using SS drives, does anyone know of fan replacements for a mac pro that are super quiet?

3. does anyone know of any other good tricks, beside placing the tower in a closet, to quiet it down? or any other ideas pertaining to lowering the ambient noise floor in a room?

thanx a lot fella's
T
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Last Edit: Aug 9, 2014 0:28:27 GMT -6 by tonycamphd

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gouge
RGO Senior Member

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Ambient noise floor? Aug 9, 2014 3:22:12 GMT -6

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Post by gouge on Aug 9, 2014 3:22:12 GMT -6

studios are designed to NC15 or NC25 which works on a scale. so it depends what freq as to the acceptable noise level. equivalent dba is 25-35db.

I use a quiet case in my studio. it makes a big difference to the point where I can't say I can hear it. issue for me is the console power supply. cases can achieve max ambient noise reading of around 14db. you can als otreat your own case with internal insulation. check out a website called quietpc.

you've done really well with your a/c. as a side note do you have a fresh air supply?

Last Edit: Aug 9, 2014 3:25:19 GMT -6 by gouge

tonycamphd
RGO Senior Member

Posts: 7,230

Ambient noise floor? Aug 9, 2014 5:51:28 GMT -6

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Post by tonycamphd on Aug 9, 2014 5:51:28 GMT -6

Aug 9, 2014 3:22:12 GMT -6 gouge said:

studios are designed to NC15 or NC25 which works on a scale. so it depends what freq as to the acceptable noise level. equivalent dba is 25-35db.

I use a quiet case in my studio. it makes a big difference to the point where I can't say I can hear it. issue for me is the console power supply. cases can achieve max ambient noise reading of around 14db. you can als otreat your own case with internal insulation. check out a website called quietpc.

you've done really well with your a/c. as a side note do you have a fresh air supply?

Excellent G! Thanx. Power supplies/amps are big, fan free, heat sinks, so the big c is the PC.
Fresh air supply= yes, I have serpentined exchange and fresh draw on ac.

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popmann
RGO Senior Member

Longwinded Waxer of Gear Poetic/He Who Is Obtuse/Resident Underachiever

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Ambient noise floor? Aug 9, 2014 8:35:32 GMT -6 tonycamphd likes this

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Post by popmann on Aug 9, 2014 8:35:32 GMT -6

Fans are fans, in terms of-- measure to figure out the dimensions of the MacPro fans and buy stuff from these guys:

www.silentPC.com

I tend to use Silenex and Noctura, as they represent greatest improvement for dollars spent. DO pay attention to how many wires run to the fan (2 or 3)....you may need to splice, Apple will absolutely need control of the RPM.

Most Mac users I know stash them in one of those expensive silent racks. Not going to belabor it...it's the easiest/quickest solution. Then you have a rack for anything with a fan or noisy LCD in the studio.

lpedrum
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Ambient noise floor? Aug 9, 2014 10:29:46 GMT -6

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Post by lpedrum on Aug 9, 2014 10:29:46 GMT -6

As you search for long term solution consider Izotope RX software as a temporary solution. It can remove the offending noise without messing with the presence range--it's really a godsend for me in dealing with noisy amps, old gear etc. (even digital distortion) I record a lot of quiet singer songwriters where noise can be a real enemy. Izotope has a free three week trial period.

www.lorneentress.com