John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum

hey Nolan W,

do you know one of skyline?
this desk looks really cool in reality

greetings,
carsten

I imagine it does!

I've only seen pics of it online, but it looks like a great facility, and that desk, with that SPL MMC 1 and the Fairman gear, etc., I bet it sounds as good in there as it looks!

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I like cheese.

Warning. Long post.


Well, I just found this thread and thought I'd share my latest console mod "plan" with whoever is interested.

Hi everyone. Well, someone asked for ideas for isolating computers in a studio environment. I couldn't find the thread, so I thought I'd post "my" solution as an alternative to standard vertical computer configurations with axial fans.


Ok, at the risk of receiving a bunch of rolling eyes, here is what I did for my own little home studio control room. However, a little explanation may be in order.

First, this is an enclosure that resides under my mixer in a DIY console that has evolved over 15 years, and has received many many mod's for equipment upgrades. When I first built this enclosure, the only computers available were good ole P4's, which didn't require as much cooling capacity as current Intel CPUs etc.

Recently, I was able to aquire the components to upgrade both of my computers to i7/x58 platforms with upgraded /memory/PSU's and GPU's cards. One of my computers is a Graphics Rendering/Folding computer, that will run 24/7.

Unfortunately, after assembling one with a i7-975 and testing it, I discovered the CPU' temperature was close to its maximum running temp..even with a high end CPU cooler and 5 fans. Well, since I had researched Computer cases to find one that allowed the height for a high end cooler, I discovered a Thermaltake Sonata case size was perfect for modding into a rack mount. However, since the case would be horizontal, and enclosed, the side panel vent that allowed air to be pulled in by the CPU cooler, would now be useless. So, I decided to see exactly what I had to do to provide a continuous supply of rapidly moving air, yet remain substantially quiet. After a brief research on Axial fans, I had an idea to utilize a couple of Crossflow squirrel cage fans, in a Negative airpressure configuration. Since these fans run at 3000 rpm, I was sure they would suck enough air from the supply vents to cool everything. It was only a matter of the physical layout of existing enclosure components the determined the actual location of the fans.

As I only had 2 or 3 options, I finally decided to reverse the normal air intake from the front, to the rear of the case. This allowed airflow through most of the components...at least in theory. But, DIY stuff is always that way anyway...so what the hell. Ok, second thing is the access to the HD's. I decided that since I was going to use EXTERNAL DVD drives under my wrist pad, and since I like to see the status LED's on the motherboard, I could simply remove the plastic fronts on the Thermaltake cases, and mod the front framing so only 3 HD's needed support. This meant I could remove all the existing drive cages, and reconfigure a custom solution for 3 HD's in a horizontal position, leaving the rest of the front open, and space for air movement via the Crossflow fan below. It didn't matter the front was open as I already had 2 Smoked Plex doors with seals anyway. But I still had to work out the air supply ducts and exhaust manifolds, After a few days working in Sketchup, it finally was done. So, here is the idea for what its worth. Btw, I got 2 heavy duty Crossflow fans on ebay for $15!! Everything else is DIY using materials in my shop.

Here is an old pic of my existing console with the enclosure below before modifications. I think the rest is self explanatory, but ask if you want to know something. Anyway, hope this gives an idea to other people. There's always more than one way to skin a cat.

Oh, this will take more than one post, as I believe the bbs only allows ten images per post.(I could be wrong)So bear with me.















more to come.

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alright, breaks over , back on your heads......

Here's some more.

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alright, breaks over , back on your heads......

And the rest....







Here is the enclosure within the console frame context.



The optical drives are in the wristpad support modules.




Well, that's my solution, and I'm sticking to it!

Cheers!

fitZ

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alright, breaks over , back on your heads......

ummm...I don't get it???????? Did you have a question?

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alright, breaks over , back on your heads......

It´s a spampost, ignore it.


How silent are your boxes?
And how did you deal with the vibrations caused by the pc's fans?

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http://www.fakenomore.com

Hi MunchkinBrando. Well here's the deal. I'm in the process of modding the computer cases as we speak. I just received the HD' cases I bought on ebay, although they're not the same ones I drew in the model. Although I would have liked to use the Vantecs...damn are they expensive. Would have cost almost $400 for six of them. I ended up buying 6 little "drawer" like enclosures for HD's that fit in a DVD drive cage. Got em for $15 for all on ebay. BIG difference. And really, I'm not planning on removing HD's all the time so no big deal. I'm still configuing the actual cage installation. I removed both of the existing cages and am modifying them for relocation and axis. I'll post a pic once I have them installed.



As to the vibrations, I just did a little more on the Crossflow fan location and opening so I can mount these fans in the ductwork below, on carpet foam decoupling pads. Like this






Of course, I see more issues/solutions when I actually build. The final design is in the actual build details. As to the case fans, the whole case will be supported via a decoupled tray that is supported by the drawer guides. The case rests on foam pads as well. At least that's the plan at the moment.

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alright, breaks over , back on your heads......

Well, the top most influential furniture designers of studio furnishings, chosen throughout the world and contemporary history as best designers in their field. Most of significant brands [SPAM LINK REMOVED BY MODERATOR] and houses in contemporary decor have directly influenced to have worked.

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[I CHECKED OUT YOUR "LINK": NOBODY THERE SEEMS TO DESIGN RECORDING STUDIO FURNITURE: SPAM REMOVED BY MODERATOR]

Really? That's strange, since most of us here tend to consider furniture FIRST, since it is so important to studios. Especially when you realize that your console has to fit on your desk, and your desk has to fit in the studio. Especially when you consider that the sofa is a key part of most studios.

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I want this studio to amaze people. "That'll do" doesn't amaze people.