192 fan noise

[peter99]

Is there a possibility to reduce the fan noise of my 2 192's for recordings in the control room?

[JMDNYC]

I've done lots of research into various iso boxes, and I'm not very satisfied with them. They cost a lot and they do have fans in them that make some noise.

The best solution is to get the computers and interfaces out of the room and invest in USB and DVI extensions. Depending on the distance, you can maybe get by with the passive extensions (i.e. long male to female cables) that are much cheaper than active ones. In my current setup I have all computers, drives and interfaces in a closet that has it's own air conditioning.

[zakco]

The best solution for me was to turn the fokker off and get an O-ROAR-UH 16. One rackspace, no fan. Oh...did I mention double the i/o of a 192...?

[danms66]

I have 2 different revisions of the 192. One is notably quieter than the other. On the quieter one, the power button is below flush with the face when the power is on.

I believe it is the newer of the 2, but I can't be sure. At any rate, there is probably a quieter fan out there.

[Lee Blaske]

Remember that the 192 has a fan that runs at multiple speeds, depending on how hot the unit is running. Also, the 192 vents to the sides, so you really need a rack that has ample clearance on the sides. Otherwise, those fans might be running faster than they need to.

An additional consideration is whether or not your 192 has been around for awhile, and is filled with dust. That could easily push the operating temperature higher, and cause the fans to run faster. If you've had your 192 for a number of years, and especially if your environment is dusty, it might be time for a good clean-out. (Once you get things opened, I've personally always found an electric leaf blower to be most effective.)

I've got four 192's, and they're pretty quiet. I've got three inches of side clearance on the inside of the rack, and the rack is solid with gear, which might also be minimizing any sound emanating from the front.

Is the temperature in your control room hot? That could also kick the 192 up to a higher, noisier speed.

[Craig F]

to add: the fan will make more noise if the blades are caked with dust