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Reviews
Silence Case. A solution to noisy computers in the workspace
By Kurt Foster
Mar 16, 2003, 14:58
I have an obscene amount of recording equipment. I have been collecting
stuff for 20 plus years and I was able to retain most of the equipment
from KFRS, my commercial studio, when I finally retired at age 48. There
are sooo many purchases I have made that I'm very happy with it's hard
to decide which one is the best. I once bought a LA2a for $50! That was
a good one.
But other than that, I think the one purchase I have made that stands
out the most in recent history is that of a 'Silence Case' for my DAW computer
from Elias Reitz/Bechtold, in Oakland CA. I just didn't realize how much
racket the computer was really making and how much it was interfering with
my work. I find now, that I have installed my computer into a 'Silence
Case', I can do much longer sessions due to less noise fatigue. Even when
the music is playing loudly, the difference is very noticeable when I open
and close the door of the case. With the door closed I can hear without
straining. When I open the door I have to focus harder to hear detail and
quieter elements of the mix.
Silence Cases come supplied with castors for ease of movement. They
may be ordered with glides, to cut down on height if you wish, to fit into
a tight space or under a table or desk. The insides of the cases are lined
with a thin layer of foam to help insulate them and to aid in dissipating
noise. Elias was very helpful and provided considerable up front customer
service even before I sent the check for my purchase.
Each case is custom built to customer order. This allows for special
configurations. Want the cable passes on the right side? No problem. Need
the doors to open in a certain direction? 'Custom shop' fabrication again
makes arranging this a breeze! I found Elias to be very accommodating and
willing to do what was necessary to make me happy. I just can't say enough
good things about the customer service that this company provides.
I found the finish and fit of these cases to be absolutely first class.
They are very handsome indeed! A 'Silence Case' will be an attractive addition
to your existing studio furniture or in any office dÈcor. They have
the look of fine furniture. There are doors on the front and rear of the
case. The front door is held closed securely with a simple latch that catches
when the door is closed. To open you just pull on the handle. The rear
door is secured by a compression latch much like that found on a common
guitar case. It will not pop open, even under the most severe movement.
I was able to get the case in a finish that exactly matched the oak
racks I already have. Very cool! I chose brass finish on the hardware for
my case but chrome hardware is also available also along with a variety
of finishes. A set of 'quiet' fans, one for air intake on the bottom and
one for exhaust on the top, are placed in a housing mounted to the back
door of the case. A foam air filter that is removable for cleaning and
a power supply (wall wart) transformer with a switch to step up the fan
speed in six graduations from 3 to 12 volts are provided. There are quick
disconnects on the fan power supply in the event you need to disconnect
the power adapter from the fan case. Even at high speed (12 volts) the
sound emitted from the case is almost unnoticeable. A cable pass hole is
placed in the side of the case. As I mentioned previously, you can order
your case with the cable pass on either side. There is a rubber flap arraignment
that allows the cables to pass through but still retain a tight noise seal.
I found this to be a very satisfactory arraignment conveniently keeping
the cables to one side of the case, aiding in the ability to move it around
as needed.
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Installing the computer into the 'Silence Case' was simple. I just slid
it in through the front door and hooked all the cables up running them
through the cable pass on the side. I plugged in the power supply for the
fans and away I went. The whole operation took about three minutes. The
computer fit snuggly inside the case and the look was very clean. An added
benefit of keeping your computer in a 'Silence Case' is dust will be kept
out of it. The foam filter is a great addition to the concept, filtering
out unwanted dirt before it gets into your computer.
When I fired up the computer and closed the front door of the case it
became silent in the room. Wow! What a difference. I really didn't realize
how much noise that the computer was making. Now I can record acoustic
guitar parts, vocals and other acoustic instruments in a quiet environment.
I can mix for hours on end without experiencing the fatigue I previously
encountered after only a short time. In my situation the difference was
night and day. The silence was absolutely deafening! Elias sure named these
box's correctly. Now, I am looking forward to the next time I need to record
vocals. I used to dread cutting vox tracks as I had to deal with tricky
gates and other means to reduce the noise to an acceptable level. I had
to refrain from using heavy compression on acoustic guitars because it
would bring up the background noise to an unacceptable level. I was being
confined in my artistic endeavors. Not any more! Now I can sit right at
the workstation and sing or play my little heart out without fear of hearing
fan noise build up across multiple tracks!
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Great looks, great fit and finish, custom configuration, excellent customer
service is all part of the package that Elias' 'Silence Cases' provides!
If you are experiencing a lot of noise in your work environment from the
fans in your computer this is the way to go.
SC1-Single computer $429
SC2-Single computer with 5" external device compartment $459
SC3-Double wide for 2 computers $529
SC4-Double wide with 5" external device compartment $559
Elias' Silence Cases' can be found on the web at;
www.silencecases.com
Elias Bechtold
Silence Cases
(510)655-3440
Try one! You'll like it! Kurt Foster
©2003 Kurt Foster (p) 2003 Kurt Foster
All Rights reserved 2003 Æ Kurt Foster
Kurt Foster has been involved in music and recording for over 35 years.
He owned and operated KFRS, a 2000 sq. ft. commercial analog and digital
recording facility in the San Francisco Bay Area beginning in late 1980's
through the 1990's, recording and working with greats such as Brownie McGhee,
cult following guitarist, Kenny 'Blue' Ray, Jackie Payne (Johnny Otis Band),
Nick Turner (of Hawkwind) Polo Jones (of Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel,
Whitney Houston) and individual members of The Doobie Brothers, Tower of
Power, Huey Lewis and The News and The Tubes. He is retired to Cedar Flat,
Oregon but continues to be active in recording, artist development, procuring
recording contracts for new talent, music publishing, writing both music
and music related articles as well as serving as a Moderator and Review
Editor for a popular online recording forum, Recording.Org.
© Copyright 2004 Recording Org
