Power Needs

[imfineru]

I am trying to design a new home studio ($5000 range) and in the gear purchase search, I am having difficulty trying to figure out what will power it all.
Gear consists of: 1 Keys, 5 Rackmouts (FXs Sound Mods) Analog mixing desk, a computer with about 6 plugs, and a Tascam 8 track. Would I need a power distribution rack to handle all the power, or a couple of conditions, plugged into the wall.
Please Advise.
Thanks in advance

[bubba freaktree]

it sounds like "a lot". but it's nothing really.

big power-suckers are bright stage lights, electric heaters, hair dryers, air-conditioners.

your midi modules and other things draw hardly any power at all. half that stuff could run on batteries if they had to. a couple of simple 6 plug strips should do you fine. if you want to get into power conditioning, you can. but in your case that looks it would be more because you want to rather than some unusual power need.

one thing to remember, to avoid hum from ground loops, have all your stuff plug into one outlet. don't put all your audio wires into different outlets all over the room. plug your lights into one outlet and all your audio stuff into another one. obviously you'll need outlet strips to do this. home depot, 10 bucks.

but your description of "analog mixing desk" is a bit vague. if it's a 96 channel SSL console that is 14feet wide, then that could draw a lot of power. i'm guessing you have something a bit more modest than that!

anyway, add up the amperage, and make sure it doesn't exceed your circuit breaker, which is usually 20-30amps. unless i'm misreading something, you're likely way under that, so no worries.

disclaimer: i'm not an electrician.



[This message has been edited by bubba freaktree (edited 10-25-2003).]

[imfineru]

Hey thanks for the info. The mixer is Behringer Eurodesk MX9000 24, and yea kinda wide. also, I read somewhere that you should isolate all electical wires for audio wires. Is that true? Thanks Again.

[KLS Productions]

Very true! Steer clear of crossing audio and power cables. You won't always have a problem but the potential is there and we all know about Murphy's Law! In my studio I ran power on one side and audio on the other. Never once had a problem.

Good Luck!

KLS