Voltage regulation in pro studios

85db · 8th March 2007

I'm looking for information on how pro studios deal with voltage regulation problems.

Specifically,

- most regulators under $1k will regulate voltage within 5v. Is that tight enough? The more expensive ones will keep it within 1v.

- do studios get a single voltage regulation solution that serves the whole facility or does the each rack have its own regulator?

- many pro voltage regulators (like Furman SPR-20) are 20 amp rated and technically speaking requires a 20 amp outlet hookup. This probably requires an electrical rewiring job with thicker cables because most of the buildings/homes are wired for 15 amp. Do people really spend time and money on rewiring their facilities for 20+ amp?

- last, but not least, do the pro studios hook up guitar amps to the voltage regulators as well? I tried it and didn't feel they sounded better. The amps felt more driven but less touch-sensitive at high volumes. I'm getting an impression the voltage sug is a part of the guitar tone.

Flymax · 8th March 2007

A lot of homes have 20 amp circuits in certain places...
I use an Equitech for all the studio gear..
Some bigger facilities use the Equitech panel and run everything off that..
I have dedicated 20 amp circuits for gtr and bass amps..
Sometimes run them off the Equitech but never A/B'd it..
--Pete

85db · 8th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYMAX

A lot of homes have 20 amp circuits in certain places...
I use an Equitech for all the studio gear..
Some bigger facilities use the Equitech panel and run everything off that..
I have dedicated 20 amp circuits for gtr and bass amps..
Sometimes run them off the Equitech but never A/B'd it..
--Pete

Which Equitech are you referring to? Is it a voltage regulator?

ulysses · 8th March 2007

Most pro studios don't use a mains voltage regulator at all. A professional installation involves making sure the mains wiring feeding the studio is up to the challenge, and is not being shared with other significant loads which will cause voltage fluctuations as they cycle in and out. In other words, the "professional" solution is the elegant solution: Fix the problem rather than putting a bandaid on it.

85db · 8th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulysses

Most pro studios don't use a mains voltage regulator at all. A professional installation involves making sure the mains wiring feeding the studio is up to the challenge, and is not being shared with other significant loads which will cause voltage fluctuations as they cycle in and out. In other words, the "professional" solution is the elegant solution: Fix the problem rather than putting a bandaid on it.

The reality of my imperfect world is that I have neighbours draining AC in unpredictable patterns, certain appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners cannot be disconnected, and if you live in So California like me you know the AC has a tendency to drop during the summer anyway. These problems are unfixable. This is why I need a bandaid.

The Chinese · 11th March 2007

85-

I would look for a good UPS- The better ones all have Voltage Regulation (AVR) in them. Additionally you get some battery backup time for those really nasty brown outs or Outages.

-Todd A.

mikeg · 11th March 2007

Voltage regulation is not all it's sold to be. Virtually every piece of gear I know of should handle and is designed to handle fluctuations of +/- 10%.

I would be more concerned about noise and transients with the equipment the neighbors have, as you mentioned.

The easiest solution that I know of without spending a ton of money is to run your gear on 220V vs 120V.

85db · 11th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeg

The easiest solution that I know of without spending a ton of money is to run your gear on 220V vs 120V.

How would that work?

mikeg · 12th March 2007

I guess I should qualifiy my statements some; Sorry.

Some gear can be switched from 120 to 220. If so, switch it to 220 and try it on the 220 line. Why? In the States 220 is dual phase, i.e.balanced. Just like the signal lines. This will help improve the common mode rejection of common mode noise coming in from the line. It won't do anything for differential noise but it should be an improvement.

This may not solve everything but it's worth a try if you have 220 run to the studio. Plus, it's free.

This is the poor mans way of having a balanced power conditioner.

What I've done in the past, 'cause I didn't want to spend big $ on a balanced conditioner. Is to purchase a 220 to 120 transformer. Run the primary on 220. Then either connect one side of the secondary to earth as a neutral line and connect up my gear to it. Or, if the transformer has a center tap. Earth the center tap and connect my gear to the two secondary wires. This makes a balanced conditioner. Minus filtering but that too can be added.

Don't try the transformer option if you don't understand AC lines!!!! Speak with an electrician.

8th March 2007	#1
85db Gear Head Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 41 Thread Starter	Voltage regulation in pro studios I'm looking for information on how pro studios deal with voltage regulation problems. Specifically, - most regulators under $1k will regulate voltage within 5v. Is that tight enough? The more expensive ones will keep it within 1v. - do studios get a single voltage regulation solution that serves the whole facility or does the each rack have its own regulator? - many pro voltage regulators (like Furman SPR-20) are 20 amp rated and technically speaking requires a 20 amp outlet hookup. This probably requires an electrical rewiring job with thicker cables because most of the buildings/homes are wired for 15 amp. Do people really spend time and money on rewiring their facilities for 20+ amp? - last, but not least, do the pro studios hook up guitar amps to the voltage regulators as well? I tried it and didn't feel they sounded better. The amps felt more driven but less touch-sensitive at high volumes. I'm getting an impression the voltage sug is a part of the guitar tone.

8th March 2007	#4
ulysses Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Minneapolis and Wiesbaden Posts: 1,452	Most pro studios don't use a mains voltage regulator at all. A professional installation involves making sure the mains wiring feeding the studio is up to the challenge, and is not being shared with other significant loads which will cause voltage fluctuations as they cycle in and out. In other words, the "professional" solution is the elegant solution: Fix the problem rather than putting a bandaid on it. __________________ Justin Ulysses Morse Roll Music Systems Minneapolis, MN Put a bottle of juice in your Lunchbox.

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8th March 2007	#2
Flymax Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,068	A lot of homes have 20 amp circuits in certain places... I use an Equitech for all the studio gear.. Some bigger facilities use the Equitech panel and run everything off that.. I have dedicated 20 amp circuits for gtr and bass amps.. Sometimes run them off the Equitech but never A/B'd it.. --Pete

11th March 2007	#6
The Chinese Gear Head Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 49	85- I would look for a good UPS- The better ones all have Voltage Regulation (AVR) in them. Additionally you get some battery backup time for those really nasty brown outs or Outages. -Todd A.

11th March 2007	#7
mikeg Gear nut Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 115	Voltage regulation is not all it's sold to be. Virtually every piece of gear I know of should handle and is designed to handle fluctuations of +/- 10%. I would be more concerned about noise and transients with the equipment the neighbors have, as you mentioned. The easiest solution that I know of without spending a ton of money is to run your gear on 220V vs 120V.

12th March 2007	#9
mikeg Gear nut Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 115	I guess I should qualifiy my statements some; Sorry. Some gear can be switched from 120 to 220. If so, switch it to 220 and try it on the 220 line. Why? In the States 220 is dual phase, i.e.balanced. Just like the signal lines. This will help improve the common mode rejection of common mode noise coming in from the line. It won't do anything for differential noise but it should be an improvement. This may not solve everything but it's worth a try if you have 220 run to the studio. Plus, it's free. This is the poor mans way of having a balanced power conditioner. What I've done in the past, 'cause I didn't want to spend big $ on a balanced conditioner. Is to purchase a 220 to 120 transformer. Run the primary on 220. Then either connect one side of the secondary to earth as a neutral line and connect up my gear to it. Or, if the transformer has a center tap. Earth the center tap and connect my gear to the two secondary wires. This makes a balanced conditioner. Minus filtering but that too can be added. Don't try the transformer option if you don't understand AC lines!!!! Speak with an electrician.