Computer / Fan Noise, How to quiet it down for recording? Options

[zwallace]

I'm recording in the same room as my G4. Unfortunately for me, there's no way around that. The machine, as you all know, is way too noisy. I thought I remembered seeing a product that quiets things down. I think it was a large case that the G4 goes inside, and somehow keeps things quiet and at the right temperature. Did I dream this up? Can anyone lend a hand here? Other suggestions welcome, though I am looking to completely get rid of noise coming from the tower (if possible). Thanks

[BusError]

Some people try to do the recording in a different room as to where the machine is.
You can either move the tower temporarily outside and close the door, or put your recording gear out.

[Synthetic]

I thought I remembered seeing a product that quiets things down. I think it was a large case that the G4 goes inside, and somehow keeps things quiet and at the right temperature. Did I dream this up?

nope there are a couple of companies that do make these cases for mini towers that quiet them but... they are REALLY EXPENSIVE from what I remember and not sure its worth it unless money is no option. I don't know the name of the company but if you look in the back of Electronic Musician mag or Keyboard mag or some other music mags and you should be able to find the ad.

I suggest just staying as far away as possible from the machine... maybe try to put a temporary wall in between it and the recording spot. Also use a noise gate if possible and it will help mask out the noise when no sound is being played. You can also strip the regions of your waveforms in an audio editor to rid the unwanted noise in silent sections. Sometimes the noise is not noticeable underneath your sound when your instruments are hot enough in the levels. I try to use direct input as much as possbile with bass and guitar for the reasons and add reverb and delay to add space later in the mix.

[Levon River]

1) Any kind of baffle (the temporary wall) will reduce it. You can buy free-standing baffles or make your own.

2) Directional mics or a directional setting on a switchable mic with/without a baffle will help reduce it. (Omni-only mics, or a switchable mic on Omni will pick up noise from everywhere.)

3) One word: Bathroom.

[Teiwaz]

That horrifically expensive rack unit (for your G4) is made by Marathon (they're one of the companies.)

They'll take the guts of your computer and put it all into a hefty big 'ol black 4U rack unit, for a hefty price tag.



Another thing to note is this doesn't guarantee you will escape fan noise...you would probably have to make a special request for that kind of a mod!



Good luck with the noise solving!

[Teiwaz]

That horrifically expensive rack unit (for your G4) is made by Marathon (they're one of the companies.)

Here's the link:

http://www.marathoncomputer.com/products.html

They'll take the guts of your computer and put it all into a hefty big 'ol black 4U rack unit, for a hefty price tag.



Another thing to note is this doesn't guarantee you will escape fan noise...you would probably have to make a special request for that kind of a mod!



Good luck with the noise solving!

[holli]

I was recently able to nock a brick out in my studio, put in a little baffle panel of neoprene and put the G4 on the other side, not in the garden , actually just outside the studio bathroom ADC cables and flat screen monitors are cool things indeed, nice long firewire cable (2408) and ethernet and it's sorted. It's so nice to work in a deathly silent studio.

Something else you might look at are acoustitiles, the ones that cost about £15 a go. You can put 4 or 5 around the mac like an audio igloo (?), one about half a foot from the rear -you be AMAZED at how much noise they soak up. You can also use them for many recording apps as well, pop a few round a kick drum for eg

check out www.studiospares.com for these xxx

[rickenbacker]

"Audio igloo." Nice!

[azusa]

If you are using 9.1 you can download "PoweMac G4 Firmware update 4.2.8" from Apple.
It'll slow down the fan's speed and you'll be ing.

[holli]

azusa, is this the case for 9.2 also? -I've yet to upgrade as I've had a string of projects on my system for about a year and haven't had the opportunity (or nerves!) to upgrade from 9.1 yet.