G4 tower enclosure designs?

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:17 pm

I just purchased a Sonnet upgrade for my mirror-drive G4. I'm trying to get some more milage out of my old tower before diving into a whole new setup.

However, this thing is so loud! There's a new fan attached to the processor instead of the old heat sink, and I don't think I'll be able to record anywhere near my computer. Keeping the tower in another room isn't really an option with my room setup.

Does anyone know where I could find designs for a wood/glass/plastic/whatever enclosure for my tower? Obviously proper air circulation would be required. I have firends with woodworking equipment, so I could probably get some help building what I need. I'm not even sure where to look for a manufactured option.

Ideas? Just listening to this thing makes me wonder if I should just send it back...

Thanks!
n

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:09 am

There are few companies that make such racks like Sound Construction and KK Audio. They are expensive, so $1500 or much more are not uncommon prices-- like these:
http://custom-consoles.com/isobox.php

http://www.buyaudiogear.com/whisperrack.cfm

I haven't found any proper blueprints, but this should at least give you some idea of how they are constructed...

http://www.starcase.com/images/customrack_big.gif

If you know someone with one or know of a music store that has one, you could get a first hand look at it-- and then build one with about $50 worth of materials.

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:39 am

Thanks, Frodo. Very thorough!

What I'm trying to figure out is how one would ventilate a box like this (including cabling requirements) without "letting the noise out", thus defeating the purpose. How much would be enough to keep air cool and circulating?

OK, now that I looked again, I can see that these have built in quiet fans and even Hepa filters.

Hmmm. So is it hopeless for me to think I could create a simple box to block in sound while allowing circualtion?

My setup has my tower under my workstation desk, backing up to a wall. Stacking pillows around the sides and near the back of the tower (not blocking the vents) just made it hotter, thus making it louder, without damping much sound. I jettisoned that idea pretty quickly (plus it was o, so attractive to have random pillows sticking out from under my desk...)

Any more ideas, anyone?

Thanks again!
n

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:46 am

npatton wrote:(plus it was o, so attractive to have random pillows sticking out from under my desk...)

You mean that isn't the new look for 2007?

I still haven't found a blueprint or schematic (and would like to find one), but in a review of the KK Audio Quiet Rack, it talks about the inclusion of "sound traps" for device fan noise, foam baffles to help control noise without adding to internal temp significantly, and acoustically shielded intake filters that work in conjunction with the quiet fan used right on the rack to keep the interior cool. I think there is also a thermometer included with the KK design. Overall, they claim a reduction of -22dB, fwiw.

If I run across any other info I'll post it here. Hopefully, someone who actually has one-- or better-- someone who has actually built one can be of more help to us both!

Cheers,
Frodo

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:58 am

Thanks again!

I'm actually brainstorming a cheap/easy/dirty design that might git'r'done with my particular brand of carpentry skills...

My under-desk area is a very open design. I might be able to wall in a section of the front, stretching to the rear of the desk, creating a large compartment with a hinged door in front (for CD/DVD access). It would remain open in the rear for ventilation. Then, lined with carpet, and carpet on the wall behind the desk, I could probably get this back to where it was with my old processor/heat-sink. All for a lot less than buying a new computer. These prefab designs, along with my upgrade, would cost me as much or more than a nice G5 or low-end Intel.

Might allow me to try a rough version first, as well. Then if it works, I could go back and sand/stain it so it looks presentable. THEN I could go back to having the pillows ON my desk for my little nap sessions...

I'll keep working on this. Any other ideas are welcome!

Thanks,
n

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:36 pm

npatton wrote: THEN I could go back to having the pillows ON my desk for my little nap sessions...

LOL! Hey, that would take the fun out of waking up with the impression of your mixer embedded into your forehead!

I think you are wise to toy with a homespun solutions. Sometimes it doesn't make sense to pay so much money for a computer isolation box.

One thing I was toying with was getting wireless remote keyboard and monitor control. The keyboard/mouse thing is easy enough, but perhaps some repeater cables to run a second monitor into another room for tracking with open mics would at least address one part of the noise issue. Yet, having as quiet a listening/mixing environment as possible remains the issue du jour.

Even with the homespun computer enclosure, something like this would also come in handy for control room tracking:

For a good DIY equivalent, here's what I suggest:

1 sheet of 1/8" polyboard or 1/8" oak sheet (24" x 48") available at home improvement stores for about $5.

3 sheets of mineral wool (about $8 a sheet) 24 x 48 x 2" available from places like ATS
http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--SAFB- ... -1003.html

1 can of 3M 77 spray adhesive

2 inexpensive bed sheets (not fitted), in your favorite color! Can be found for as little as $1 in discount stores

-- wrap 1 sheet of mineral wool in one sheet, and then wrap the other two panels of mineral wool in the other sheet. Secure with spray adhesive-- and make it look neat. You could splurge by going to a fabric store and buying something more attractive such as black polyester (which looks amazing-- like speaker fabric). There is stuff that's $3-4/yd and you'd only need about 6 yards-- about $20 for a savvier look than bed sheets.

--attach the wrapped mineral wool to each side of the polyboard (You could also paint the edges of the polyboard before attaching the baffles to it.

-- done and done

Mineral wool is cheaper than the standard Owens Corning 703 or 705 rigid fiberglass use in recording studios, but is just as effective with sound absorption.

Given that there has been no hammering, nailing or measuring you could cut the materials to suit your needs.

Spikey Horse · Post by **Spikey Horse** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:06 pm

I made an enclosure for my G4 733 which was the noisiest computer in the world.

I used 18mm thick MDF. It had two small 9v 'computer fans' - one in a hole in the floor right under where the mac stood, this blew fresh air in. The box had false floor so the air was drawn in from the back along this kind of inch high 'basement' part of the box.

The other fan sucking the hot air out was at the back at the top with a short duct to stop noise leaking. The back also had a door for cable access - when closed all cables where pinched between two 10mm thick strips of neoprene. Also had a door at the front (hinged on the bottom) so you could slide the mac in and out or open part way to get access to the optical drive.

The mac itself also sat on neoprene pads to absorb vibration transfering from mac to box.

It looked like crap but worked like a charm, it really contained the noise and the mac never overheated (although the few times I forgot to turn the fans on it got really, really hot in there very quickly, so be careful).

MDF board, some hinges, some neoprene strips, wood glue, a jigsaw, two PC fans, a mains to 9v adaptor, some wire. All in, probably cost under $40

Let me know if you want a sketch!

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:48 pm

Wow! I knew I could post somethng here and get some ideas!

Spikey, I'd be VERY interested in seeing a sketch of your design. I can kinda see it in my head, but a sketch would help me put it all together.

BTW, pardon my ignorance, but what's MDF board? Plywood, or something fancier?

Feel free to PM me if you have some time.

Thanks again!
n

P.S. I'm really hoping I can make this work. This is my second try on the processor, as my first one was causing multiple kernel panics. Very helpful tech support from Sonnet and good customer service from PC Nation (except they forgot to send my replacement when I returned the first one.)

I've had this one in about 36 hrs and no problems, other than the noise. This would be my first shot at trying some VI's, and it's so close I can almost taste it...

Spikey Horse · Post by **Spikey Horse** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:17 pm

Will get out the old pencil and paper and send you a pic sometime tonight/ tomorrow

(it's quite late where I am!)

MDF = medium density fibreboard - like chipboard which is woodchips glued and pressed together but more like wooddust glued and pressed together ... it's very heavy/dense (which is good for sound isolation obviously) and very cheap!

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:00 pm

Thanks, Spikey! Now I can picture MDF board. Just never knew what to call it...

(I was wondering what you were doing up so late on UN. It's 4:00 PM here, which means you're probably on caffeine by now...)

No rush. I'm just glad to find help (again) here!

Thanks!!!
n

Spikey Horse · Post by **Spikey Horse** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:15 pm

No, no it's only midnight here in the UK ... but you'll probably get that sketch tomorrow......

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:23 pm

Thanks again! And Frodo, props on the detailed isolation plans. I'll be filing that away for some future ideas. I work and teach in a great big 18x24 room with some bookcases and a couple couches, but with lots of nice bright "slappy" sound. These ideas will come in helpful I'm very sure. Some of your other posts re: room treatments have given me some great ideas for this space, once I truly get into mixing for "real" projects.

Much thanks for your time and help!
n

emulatorloo · Post by **emulatorloo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:39 pm

Here are some decent DIY designs for an "isobox" type enclosure for your computer from an old post of mine. I haven't made any of them yet -- this one looks like a lot of fun to build (and I think this guy is one of our unicornationers, or was at some point), plus you get to go to Home Depot:

http://www.billshafer.com/isobox.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here also another one, based on a bush furniture office cabinet -- this is a linked word document, but his box looks mighty good:

http://homepage.mac.com/osxlover/ParisFAQs/isobox.doc
-----------------------------------------
Another one here:

http://efod.se/writings/quietbox
---------------------------------------------
Some general ideas from an electronic musician article:

http://psbg.emusician.com/ar/emusic_sound_silence

<snip>

If you decide to take the DIY route and build your own custom isolation box, be sure to keep ventilation in mind. A simple plywood box with some acoustic foam on the inside can provide significant noise reduction if you're careful to make tight-fitting seams and caulk them to prevent any leakage. Use weather stripping to ensure a tight fit on the doors, and put intake and exhaust fans on the back of the unit. You can even make your computer's case into an isolation box by lining the inside with absorptive foam and sealing any gaps. Remember, you'll need to leave at least one hole for air intake and another for exhaust.

<snip>

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emulatorloo · Post by **emulatorloo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:39 pm

DELETE - operator posting error!

npatton · Post by **npatton** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:27 pm

Loo, yer a gem! This stuff is great! I'll have to read it through in detail later, (my wife is down sick and the kids need to be in bed) but these sites and docs look wonderful, and can get me going to do what I need for my particular situation.

I love this place. Very helpful indeed!

In your debt,
n