Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Hello. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to keep cool while keeping quiet in those home studios in the summertime. During the dog days, I haven't done much in my home studio because my air conditioners make too much noise while I'm recording, and it can be hard to mix too.
I don't really want to spend the $$s on professional a/c unit, might as well wait till I own a studio for that, no?
Does anyone have any suggestion regarding quiet air conditioning units, noise insulation or a bucket of ice under a real quiet fan?
Thanks,
Arthur
I don't really want to spend the $$s on professional a/c unit, might as well wait till I own a studio for that, no?
Does anyone have any suggestion regarding quiet air conditioning units, noise insulation or a bucket of ice under a real quiet fan?
Thanks,
Arthur
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
I'm sure this is against all AC manufacturers suggestions (and quite possibly dangerous), but we used to tape a big flexible duct to the front of a regular room air conditioner and put the unit in a window in another room, or freestanding in a garage or outside. Then a heavy curtain hung from a door frame or in a window with the flex duct poking through. Worked better than nothing and better than you might think.
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
or run your regular air cond at full blast for a while before sesions and then turn it on durring breaks..etc..
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Speaking of A/C... What about those non window or wall mount A/Cs? I believe they're just stand-alone for small rooms? I've never really looked into them, but I think maybe they're water-evaporation based? You know, just something to switch-on between takes. Would it cause too much humidity in a room with no air circulation except for when the door is open between takes? If so, what about in a room with a noise-less exhaust fan?
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Short of the real deal there is no ac unit that I have found is quiet enough to use in the same room while recording.But don't despair... It's totally Ok to run ducting from a unit elsewhere: I did it for years.You can get an adapter fabricated at any tin shop.
A couple of things to remember:
Increased size of ducting = slower air flow=quieter.
You don't want to blast air into your recording space at the velocity of a hair dryer... Mics will hear it.
Sound does not like to travel around corners.
Try to put as many corners or curves in your duct as possible
Good luck
A couple of things to remember:
Increased size of ducting = slower air flow=quieter.
You don't want to blast air into your recording space at the velocity of a hair dryer... Mics will hear it.
Sound does not like to travel around corners.
Try to put as many corners or curves in your duct as possible
Good luck
Oli Straus/Mission Sound Brooklyn
http://www.missionsoundrecording.com
http://www.missionsoundrecording.com
Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Well it's not exactly an AC but it is alot cheaper and works pretty well (and no noise). I used to use 'em when I lived in Tucson.
http://www.fitter1.com/hc.html
http://www.fitter1.com/hc.html
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
The stand-alone cooler units R.E. is referring to are evaporative coolers. They call 'em swamp coolers here in Denver, and they work reasonably well here where the humidity is low, but I don't think they will work well anywhere other than near-desert humidity levels. They don't cool very quickly, either, and still make enough noise you'd probably want 'em off for a take. How 'bout low speed ceiling fans?
Frank
Frank
Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Hey
The good Sharp units have 2 motors that cancel each other out a bit..
they seem to be pretty quiet as far as window units go
Adam
The good Sharp units have 2 motors that cancel each other out a bit..
they seem to be pretty quiet as far as window units go
Adam
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
I second Oliver's points. Mine is a basement studio where I built room within a room type construction. I found an AC unit that was small enough to fit in the basement window and used duct work for distro. About three feet before the exit I increased the duct size by 2. It works like a charm for me.
It works well for all the rooms with the exception of the control room. If there are four or five people in there it gets a little warm but not too bad. I'm going to put a small fan out on the exhaust to help draw the air through. It should be the little boost I need.
It works well for all the rooms with the exception of the control room. If there are four or five people in there it gets a little warm but not too bad. I'm going to put a small fan out on the exhaust to help draw the air through. It should be the little boost I need.
Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Has anyone tried the ductless mini-split systems? A little on the pricey side but looks great and cool.
Here's a link descrbing it and brands to buy.
http://www.atrendyhome.com/hitminsplita.html
http://airconditioner.com/MANUFACTURERS ... splits.htm
Later,
Ken
Here's a link descrbing it and brands to buy.
http://www.atrendyhome.com/hitminsplita.html
http://airconditioner.com/MANUFACTURERS ... splits.htm
Later,
Ken
Your bass sounds like a wet noodle.....
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Re: Quiet Air Conditioner for Summer Recording
Off the cheap-air topic, I'm looking at both a high-velocity mini-duct central air system, or a mini-split system for my house and garage studio right now. I'd be interested to hear any experiences.
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