Power Management in Recording Studios

Hardware needs power

If your recording studio is full of hardware boxes, each with their own power supplies, it will consume a decent amount of total power. Some devices need to be powered constantly, while a number of devices are probably seldom used. Some devices are prone to failure if left constantly on, others are known to occasionally break down when turned on.

Save money – and the environment

Breaking down your power consuming devices in logical groups can save energy and money, and extend the life of your devices. When devices are clearly segregated, you can gain a lot by making an individually controllable power switch for each logical device group .

Hidden Villains

Pay special attention to external power supplies (“Wall Warts”), since they produce heat, are more prone to fire, and can easily be forgotten on hidden utility devices.

3 examples of differently sized power control systems:

BASIC CONFIGURATION (5 Groups)

  • Always: Servers, Routers, NAS Drives, Service Lights.
  • Essential: Mixing Desks, DAWs, Tape Machines, Amplifiers, Loudspeakers, Lights, Aircons
  • Often: Effects processors, keyboards, guitar amps, tuners.
  • Occasionally: Special processors and instruments, TV Monitors
  • Variable: Studio Lights

EXTENDED CONFIGURATION (10 Groups)

  • Servers, Switches & Routers
  • Workstations
  • Keyboards
  • Outboards
  • Video
  • Speakers
  • Device Chargers
  • Studio Lights
  • Aircon
  • Servicing Lights

LARGE CONFIGURATION (20+ Groups)

  • Servers, Switches & Routers
  • Audio Workstations
  • Video Workstations
  • Video Displays & Peripherals
  • MIDI Devices
  • Sound Cards
  • Mixer & accessories
  • Keyboards
  • Modular System
  • Basic Outboards
  • Extended Outboards
  • Monitors & Speakers 1
  • Monitors & Speakers 2
  • Office Devices & Peripherals
  • Device Chargers
  • Studio Lights 1
  • Studio Lights 2
  • Studio Lights 3
  • Aircon
  • Servicing Lights

Ranum Studio Power Solution

My own large electronic music system is divided in more than 30 different power strings – each with their own control.

This makes it much easier to control your power consumption, and saves your equipment from wear. When the studio is shut down for the night, only the absolutely necessary devices are left powered. And depending on the requirements of the session, sections are turned on as needed.

rs-power-panel-clean-980x550

Central relayed power control panel in Ranum Studio Copenhagen. Green buttons: Device groups. Red buttons : Light groups.