Motu HD192 - how loud is yours?

Wave · Post by **Wave** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:18 pm

Can anyone elaborate? Can you comfortably sit next to yours and still be able to think, write, and record in silence? How loud is this thing?

Thanks, Wave

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:41 pm

There's definitely some fan noise. When MOTU called me with their follow-up to ask how I liked the unit, I mentioned this to the rep and I could tell he had definitely heard this criticism before. I think someone on here had recommended a replacement fan that's supposed to help. All in all though, it's not terrible, but you can definitely notice it, however I think my G5 dual 2.3 is louder.

Wave · Post by **Wave** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:44 pm

James Steele wrote:There's definitely some fan noise. When MOTU called me with their follow-up to ask how I liked the unit, I mentioned this to the rep and I could tell he had definitely heard this criticism before. I think someone on here had recommended a replacement fan that's supposed to help. All in all though, it's not terrible, but you can definitely notice it, however I think my G5 dual 2.3 is louder.

Thanks for bouncing back James. Have you replaced the fan in your unit? There isn't a single computer in my control room so naturally I'd like to continue on living in silence

Thanks, Wave

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:48 pm

My unit is definitely stock. I'd love to do the Black Lion analog mod, but unfortunately, I just can't afford right now to have the unit gone for that long as it's for now my best set of converters. Perhaps I can buy some comparable standalone 2 channel ADC (that's the most I use at once) and then be able to send it off.

Normandyrocks · Post by **Normandyrocks** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:03 pm

I don't notice it while my computer is on. My computer is reasonably quiet. you might notice it on a heavily compressed mic if you track in the same room, but it is not loud enough to obscure anything while mixing IMO. I havent had mine that long... maybe the older ones are louder??

zmix · Post by **zmix** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:29 am

Too loud.... !

Wave · Post by **Wave** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:52 am

zmix wrote:Too loud.... !

Agree. HD192 Is!!! the loudest piece of gear in my control room.

Wave

mesaken · Post by **mesaken** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:18 am

I purchased new "quiet" fans and as soon as I screwed them down the same noise issues were still there. The real problem is MOTU mounts the fans directly to the chassis.
I fixed three HD 192s by removing the fans then cutting squares of 1/2" foam rubber that are big enough to fit the fan into after you cut out the inside of the square. Make the cut slightly smaller than the fan so that it grips the fan well. I used tacky glue to stick the foam to the inside of the HD 192 side panel centering it around the exhaust port. Mount the fan inside the foam square and reconnect. Be careful of the capacitors which make it difficult to remove the lower screws when first taking out the fan. Also, be careful when tightening the XLR screws as the connectors are nylon and the screws will strip it fairly easily.
When you're finished, the fan is only touching the foam and the units are nice and quiet. This mod would work for 1296s as well.
It takes a couple of hours and is well worth it.

Wave · Post by **Wave** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:29 am

mesaken wrote:I purchased new "quiet" fans and as soon as I screwed them down the same noise issues were still there. The real problem is MOTU mounts the fans directly to the chassis.
I fixed three HD 192s by removing the fans then cutting squares of 1/2" foam rubber that are big enough to fit the fan into after you cut out the inside of the square. Make the cut slightly smaller than the fan so that it grips the fan well. I used tacky glue to stick the foam to the inside of the HD 192 side panel centering it around the exhaust port. Mount the fan inside the foam square and reconnect. Be careful of the capacitors which make it difficult to remove the lower screws when first taking out the fan. Also, be careful when tightening the XLR screws as the connectors are nylon and the screws will strip it fairly easily.
When you're finished, the fan is only touching the foam and the units are nice and quiet. This mod would work for 1296s as well.
It takes a couple of hours and is well worth it.

Thanks Mesaken. Do you have any suggestions as to where I could find suitable "quiet" fan replacements. This will be my next project.

Thanks, Wave

mesaken · Post by **mesaken** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:25 pm

Wave,

I used the Evercool EC 5010, 5 Volt, 4500 RPM, one ball bearing fan from Nexfan.com.
For air flow noise, its not that much quieter than the MOTU stocker. My 192s are mounted in an open back steel rack and fan airflow noise was never an issue. Its the mounting directly to the steel chassis often with one or two loose screws that are the real problems.

jnunally · Post by **jnunally** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:46 pm

mesaken wrote:Wave,

I used the Evercool EC 5010, 5 Volt, 4500 RPM, one ball bearing fan from Nexfan.com.
For air flow noise, its not that much quieter than the MOTU stocker. My 192s are mounted in an open back steel rack and fan airflow noise was never an issue. Its the mounting directly to the steel chassis often with one or two loose screws that are the real problems.

I have had my HD192 for almost 11 months. I have been using it a lot over the past 6 months. I moved the unit into a machine room in the studio because it was becoming too loud in the control room. Today while doing a session I opened the machine room door and the HD192 was extremely loud. I am going to contact MOTU concerning this issue. When I originally bought the unit I considered returning it because of the fan noise. I spoke to Tech support about the issue back then and they said they would repair it under warranty. Now the warranty is up and the fan has gotten much louder. We'll see what MOTU says now, but my guess is $$$.

Jim

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:52 pm

mesaken wrote:I purchased new "quiet" fans and as soon as I screwed them down the same noise issues were still there. The real problem is MOTU mounts the fans directly to the chassis.
I fixed three HD 192s by removing the fans then cutting squares of 1/2" foam rubber that are big enough to fit the fan into after you cut out the inside of the square. Make the cut slightly smaller than the fan so that it grips the fan well. I used tacky glue to stick the foam to the inside of the HD 192 side panel centering it around the exhaust port. Mount the fan inside the foam square and reconnect. Be careful of the capacitors which make it difficult to remove the lower screws when first taking out the fan. Also, be careful when tightening the XLR screws as the connectors are nylon and the screws will strip it fairly easily.
When you're finished, the fan is only touching the foam and the units are nice and quiet. This mod would work for 1296s as well.
It takes a couple of hours and is well worth it.

So basically this means that the only thing holding the fan in place is the foam rubber glued to the inside of the chassis? You don't suppose that just putting some sort of rubber washer between where the fan mounts would decouple the fan enough to cut down on the noise? I'd love to do this to mine as well.

mesaken · Post by **mesaken** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:40 am

Yea James, only the foam rubber holds them in. Its been over a year, including roundtrips to Black Lion for the analog mod. Two of the three fans came loose during the return shipping, but all I had to do was reposition them with needle nose pliars. You could use a couple of drops of adhesive
between the foam and fans if you move them a lot.
Mine are still working perfectly.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 am

Thanks... when I get brave enough I may attempt this. How did the Black Lion mods go. I'm sorely tempted, but I'd be down for a while while they were gone as I rely heavily on the HD192.

mesaken · Post by **mesaken** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:07 am

I did my three 192s in a couple of batches so I could hear one against the originals before sending them all in for the mod. I was a bit nervous before I committed, so I talked with a couple of guys who had modded theirs who were very pleased. Even then, it wasn't until I got one back and A/B'd the DAs, that I was convinced. At the time I only had stuff previously recorded with the factory 192. I clock with a Big Ben.
I started listening to drums. There was a more open soundstage, the low end was tighter and rounder. There's more headroom as well. I do a lot of jazz and acoustic stuff, and as Matt had indicated, thats were you can tell the difference the easiest.
I noticed as I added in more and more tracks, it became harder to discern the differences. When SOS was reviewing the UA 192 AD/DA with a couple other converters, they noted the same thing. The more stuff going on leads to more frequency masking and smearing and it gets harder to hear what is going on.
Black Lion was at a fever pitch and going through growing pains when I sent my first one in, so it took a little longer than anticipated. That has been smoothed out. Matt's a dedicated and responsible guy. My units have never had a problem.
I would say the difference in the mod is similar to using a good clock and I'm glad I did it.

MOTUnation.com

Motu HD192 - how loud is yours?

Motu HD192 - how loud is yours?

Noisy HD192