my new computer is great... only problem

[lucid]

is that it sound slike a jet taking off when you start it up! and while it is on it sounds like i am sitting in an aeroplane! this is not good! how to fix without spending more or too much money!?

 

[Michael Jones]

I know there are tiny little isolation booths available for computers. Essentially, a cabinet that your computer goes in and its padded on the inside with pyrimid foam. I suppose you could make your own, just be sure you have adaquate ventillation; don't want that processor heating up now.

 

[ola]

A quiet PSU and processor fan will take you a long way but if that isn't enough, check out this thread

Also, a search for "quiet pc" etc. on google - you won't believe what people are up to.

The startup noise is most likely the CD player but you don't have to worry about that when you're recording.

 

[lucid]

i doubt it is the cd player. the noise continues as long as the computer is on...
i get used to it after a while, but when i turn it off the silence is scary... will check into thos ethreads and links...

thanks

 

[Rochey]

my old pc sounded like it was going to take off.

The main things i found to quiet it down was to disable the floppy drive. I hardly use the floppy drive, and when you start up the computer, it checks for a disk.

Also, the fan on the CPU. That was the main noise source in my old pc. The Power supply fan was nothing close to the noise given off by the cpu fan.
In my new pc (built myself), i bought a silent CPU fan (www.quietpc.com). It's a blessing. it cost me more, but it's worth it. You could consider water cooling, i've heard some good things about it, but i'm a little scared that it'll leak.

As for your Hard Disk, some hard disks are really loud. again, look at silentpc.com. they have a special hard disk sleeve. This should be okay with most hard disks. I had a problem with my IBM 60GXP drive. it overheated in the sleeve. But, if your using a 5400rpm drive, it should be no trouble. In fact, i thouroughly recommend it.

as for the case. Well, the only thing I can think of for modyfying the case is putting a small layer of foam inside it (dunno about this...) that might kill off some of the higher noise frequencies. And also, consider placing it on a small sheet of rubber, that'll kill any vibrations.

Make sure all the screws are done up tight as well. Some of the smaller parts in the computer may resonate with the noise or the music pumping out of your speakers.


Okay, thought dump over.

d

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Funny, I was just talking to someone about this subject. It's always been my experience that, The faster the harddrive, the louder it's gonna be. A 5400rpm drive shouldn't be that loud. If it is, get it fixed, or replace it. Go to the airport to hear a Seagate cheetah 10,000rpm. Awesome performance, but don't record near it. Regardless, it's plain and simple. You have to relocate the CPU, if you don't want to hear it.

Goodluck,
T.J.Hooker

 

[ola]

You shouldn't let a 5400rpm drive anywhere near your DAW

 

[RWhite]

It's true, for a DAW you want a 7200 or faster drive. And 7200 drives are almost always louder than 5400 drives.

There is some new drive technology that will be coming on the market soon that will allow for nearly noiseless hard drives. Until then about all you can do is find quieter replacements for your CPU and power supply fans.

These guys sell "quiet" power supplies -

http://www.directron.com/silence.html

 

[Dolemite]

Actually, most newer 7200 rpm drives are just slightly louder, so you needn't worry about noise. Of course most newer 5400 rpm drives are almost as fast as the 7200's, so there's not much to gain by paying more for a slightly faster, slightly louder drive.

http://www.storagereview.com

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Of course most newer 5400 rpm drives are almost as fast as the 7200's, so there's not much to gain by paying more for a slightly faster, slightly louder drive.

Sounds pretty crazy to me. Yep! that new technology is somethin'. I mean, how the hell do you suppose they are making 5400rpm's faster than 5400rpm's.

Think again bro, or even better, check out my avatar and "Think different",
T.J.Hooker

 

[ola]

T.J, get a computer instead.

 

[T.J.Hooker]

WHOA!!!! I didn't see that likely response comin'.
Man, You really fucked me good didn't ya!

Grow up,
T.

 

[ola]

Grow up? Was that the best you could come up with?

 

[T.J.Hooker]

UH,OH!

Once again, you seize to amaze. Just yankin' yer chain ola. Party on


80's Captian kirk wannabe,
T.J.Hooker

 

[ola]

Yeah, whatever. I'm just sad to see that you still fall for the Mac-myth.

Enjoy your iFruit.

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Myth to most, Fable to those less fortunate, but Reality to me and 75% of the "professional" studios and recording arsenals I've frequented. I use both brother, I see the difference everyday. PC "ONLY" for apps I can't get for my Ifruit. I'm to busy to be worrying about my shit crashing. I like to do things once, ya know ? To each his/her own my friend.


Stay cool,
Kirk out

 

[Dolemite]

Sounds pretty crazy to me. Yep! that new technology is somethin'. I mean, how the hell do you suppose they are making 5400rpm's faster than 5400rpm's.

Areal density is a big part of it - the more GB/platter, the more data can be read in a given "stroke" (just wanted to use that word ) of the drive. This has become an even bigger factor than rpm speed. Now we're up to 40GB/platter, and new 5400 rpm drives with these 40GB platters are beating 7200 rpm drives with lower density and almost keeping pace with 40GB/platter 7200 rpm drives.

Think again bro, or even better, check out my avatar and "Think different",
T.J.Hooker

No thanks

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Now that sounds like it makes more sense. But, I couldn't have known that. I'm too busy recording. But now that you have so rudely put it on my plate, I have to take a break from recording and go learn about it. You guys will stop at nothing to slow down the progress of another. SHEESH!


It's been real!
Rock on dudes!
T.

 

[ola]

I've used Macs professionally and I've never encountered the famous stability Mac people keep talking about but if it works for you, great. Congratz

Don't get too involved in areal densities and other computer gut issues. I know I am and it really takes time from the recording. Keep hitting that REC button instead

 

[Mofracky]

I believe the reason that "pro's" use macs is because they are not computer pro's, they are audio pro's. The Mac spoon feeds, and puts the blinders on to get the job done, where the PC is more complex, yet more flexible.

It's not the platform that macers trust in, it's the UI and the "everyone else does it" mentality.

Mo.