John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Hi Guys,

I have attached some images of my receptacle plan for my 21' x 13' basement studio. I might prune a few receptacles before I'm done (I put a lot in for future flexibility), but I have intentionally designed the electrical plan to keep my audio gear separate from non-audio gear.

Here's where I get a bit confused...

I'm not sure if electrical noise can travel through other types of cables (audio, video, etc.), and for a few devices, it's not clear to me if I should plug them into clean outlets (my audio-only, star grounded, IGRs), or plug them into my standard receptacles (or what I'll call "dirty power"). I'll probably put a Furman power conditioner and voltage regulator between my most important audio devices and the receptacles.

For the few devices with question marks, can you help clarify the best plan?

Thanks in advance.

Synths, mixer, DAW CPU tower, powered NFMs - Clean Audio-Only Power
LCD monitors, currently using DVI-D cables - Dirty Power ???
DVD player that I sample from - Clean Audio-Only Power
Tiny LCD display that the DVD player plugs into - Dirty Power
MIDI Interface with a wall wart - ???

the plan looks good, however, you do need to adhere to electrical code and those outlets on the floor level will not cut it.

gullfo wrote:the plan looks good, however, you do need to adhere to electrical code and those outlets on the floor level will not cut it.

Hmm. They are all 12" off the floor level which I thought was the NEC recommendation. I'm having an electrician do all the work, so if they are a bit low, he should know.

Todd

ah , ok. it looks like they're in the baseboard on the drawings you provided which is why i mentioned it.

How does the electricity get from the breaker panel to the outlet boxes and receptacles?
How do they get around the door?
Most homes basement studios don't use ridge (EMT) or flexible metal conduit.

You are way over thinking this.

Speedskater wrote: You are way over thinking this.

Hi Kevin,

Well, I just don’t want to look back with any regrets. Not after spending all this money and time… I have some power-related noise in my present studio and I look forward to a time when my power is as clean as it can be (within reason).

To your question, audio circuits will be fed with solid MC 10/2 with the grounds all tied to a common bar (star ground). Nothing else will be on those circuits (no lighting, no convenience outlets, etc).

As for getting around the door, I trust we will use the joists to get to the outlets, but if not, there should be enough clearance above the door header to run wire.

Todd