KVR Audio

DeAFone · Post by **DeAFone** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:15 am

I've read a little about these and it seems like a good idea to use them but I was wondering if it's really necessary? Do you guys use one? They sell new and used from $50 to $1,000 and even more for some... I run a pc with Fl Studio, Sound Forge, Pro Tools, Korg Midi controller & also record with a Korg Synth, electric guitar & electric bass. I can afford $200 so is there any I could get new or used in this price range that would be worth it?

pandashake · Post by **pandashake** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:48 am

DeAFone wrote:I've read a little about these and it seems like a good idea to use them but I was wondering if it's really necessary? Do you guys use one? They sell new and used from $50 to $1,000 and even more for some... I run a pc with Fl Studio, Sound Forge, Pro Tools, Korg Midi controller & also record with a Korg Synth, electric guitar & electric bass. I can afford $200 so is there any I could get new or used in this price range that would be worth it?

Yes, especially in California. Furman, and I think even Monster, make one that should be within your price limit.

Shabdahbriah · Post by **Shabdahbriah** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:00 am

pandashake wrote:
DeAFone wrote:I've read a little about these and it seems like a good idea to use them but I was wondering if it's really necessary? Do you guys use one? They sell new and used from $50 to $1,000 and even more for some... I run a pc with Fl Studio, Sound Forge, Pro Tools, Korg Midi controller & also record with a Korg Synth, electric guitar & electric bass. I can afford $200 so is there any I could get new or used in this price range that would be worth it?
Yes, especially in California. Furman, and I think even Monster, make one that should be within your price limit.

Though you didn't mention "power-amp" and "speakers", so I'll assume you are using your PC speakers, or headphones?

Regardless, I (personally) would get two of the $100-range Furmans. One for the computer and (it's) peripherals, and the other for the 'out-board' gear.

[2c]

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:04 am

I've drooled over this one before

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Monster-Pow ... 1125240.gc

I no longer wish to have a rackmount as believe it or not it will just be in my way.

I think that they can be important under certain situations. I'm sure that regardless the "it's all the same" crowd will jump in and tell you how they do not matter and how bad monster is, etc....etc.....

DeAFone · Post by **DeAFone** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:10 am

Thanks guys... right now I have the pc running through my sony reciever and house speakers then go and check the mix in my car system and come back and make adjustments. I don't like monitoring through the house speakers but I am trying to save some money for a good set of monitors... I had some Behringer monitors but ended up selling them to my Uncle and am trying to save up some cash for some mackies or jbl's

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:19 am

The thing is, unless you are moving from one situation to the next (gigs, laptop/monitors) there are probably ways to check the voltage and make sure you within acceptable parameters.

Just from my experience, I'd say a decent set of monitors or even some good cans might better be a priority money wise. You could get a basic furman power strip for much less money.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Furman-M-8X ... 1389441.gc

just my 2cents

MWSOS · Post by **MWSOS** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:37 am

Hi,

I agree with hibidy. Yes, it does seem like a good idea to use power conditioners in theory, but in my experience they won't actually do you any good at all unless you're experiencing power problems. Devices like those from Furman are reassuring to have, and a great boon if you're playing live when the mains power might be a little dodgy.

However, in my opinion it's only worth 'cleaning up the power signal' if it's dirty, and a huge number of background noise problems are caused not by mucky mains, but by audio wiring that results in ground loops.

If you're experiencing any ground-loop problems, you won't solve them by installing a power conditioner or an Uninterruptable Power Supply, so before you even think of spending money on either of these options you should examine your basic wiring.

I wrote a Q & A for Sound On Sound some time ago entitled 'Q: How can I stop mains noise in my studio once and for all? 'in response to a reader query, and it's on-line here:

www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul05/articles/qa0705_1.htm

Hope someone finds it useful!

Martin

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:38 am

It depends on the type of your hair.

a6jamp · Post by **a6jamp** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:58 pm

If you have a lot of hardware or expensive equipment in your studio/room YES and YES! Furman is a nice cheap choice! Personally i want to upgrade my power condition to a bigger one cause you get a few extra minutes (like a UPS) but these kind of power conditions are really expensive!!

DeAFone · Post by **DeAFone** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:47 pm

MWSOS wrote:Hi,

I agree with hibidy. Yes, it does seem like a good idea to use power conditioners in theory, but in my experience they won't actually do you any good at all unless you're experiencing power problems. Devices like those from Furman are reassuring to have, and a great boon if you're playing live when the mains power might be a little dodgy.

However, in my opinion it's only worth 'cleaning up the power signal' if it's dirty, and a huge number of background noise problems are caused not by mucky mains, but by audio wiring that results in ground loops.

If you're experiencing any ground-loop problems, you won't solve them by installing a power conditioner or an Uninterruptable Power Supply, so before you even think of spending money on either of these options you should examine your basic wiring.

I wrote a Q & A for Sound On Sound some time ago entitled 'Q: How can I stop mains noise in my studio once and for all? 'in response to a reader query, and it's on-line here:

www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul05/articles/qa0705_1.htm

Hope someone finds it useful!

Martin

Thanks! Good reading..... I'm going to test all my connections today to see if it's making any extra noise......

MWSOS · Post by **MWSOS** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:24 pm

DeAFone wrote:Thanks! Good reading..... I'm going to test all my connections today to see if it's making any extra noise......

Fingers crossed that you don't have any problems, but if you do, good luck in tracking them down

Martin

eduardo_b · Post by **eduardo_b** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:18 pm

pandashake wrote:
DeAFone wrote:I've read a little about these and it seems like a good idea to use them but I was wondering if it's really necessary? Do you guys use one? They sell new and used from $50 to $1,000 and even more for some... I run a pc with Fl Studio, Sound Forge, Pro Tools, Korg Midi controller & also record with a Korg Synth, electric guitar & electric bass. I can afford $200 so is there any I could get new or used in this price range that would be worth it?
Yes, especially in California. Furman, and I think even Monster, make one that should be within your price limit.

And this is because...?

tomg · Post by **tomg** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:42 pm

eduardo_b wrote:
pandashake wrote:
DeAFone wrote:I've read a little about these and it seems like a good idea to use them but I was wondering if it's really necessary? Do you guys use one? They sell new and used from $50 to $1,000 and even more for some... I run a pc with Fl Studio, Sound Forge, Pro Tools, Korg Midi controller & also record with a Korg Synth, electric guitar & electric bass. I can afford $200 so is there any I could get new or used in this price range that would be worth it?
Yes, especially in California. Furman, and I think even Monster, make one that should be within your price limit.
And this is because...?

I live in storm alley (Texas). I lost a computer and a Akai sampler once. The power goes off at the first sign of a big storm. Sometimes it can cycle 3-4 times before finally staying on (or off). Usually before I have a chance to shut things off safely. I don't use a power conditioner but I have uninterruptible power supply's on a lot of my equipment.

California has rolling blackouts and other power problems.

APC BE750G 10-Outlet Power-Saving Uninterruptible Power Supply
http://www.amazon.com/APC-BE750G-10-Out ... 383&sr=8-2

eduardo_b · Post by **eduardo_b** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:23 pm

tomg wrote:California has rolling blackouts and other power problems.

There were minor issues with this for some very hot periods during some previous summers, but it's been a couple of years since there have been blackouts, and power stability remains fine...at least in SoCal.

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:13 pm

Well we have power outages quite a bit, but it's not storms. It's that my house just happens to be on a shaky grid. Houses across the wildlife preserve, fine. Behind me, fine. It's really a problem.

But here in norcal we are not experiencing rolling blackouts since davis was removed from office. That's been some time.

Should I use a power conditioner?