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olledahlberg
Joined: Nov 28, 2012 Posts: 23 Location: sweden
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 7:05 am Post subject:
computer power supply for synth? |
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Noob question: Would itbe possible to just harvest the power supply from any used computer and use it for our synth builds? I just took out 2 from old computers that was in the garbage and they have +12 v (18 amps) , ground, -12 v (0.8 amps) and a some other voltages? If it works, anyone can find old junk computers anywhere and use the power supplies instead of just waisting them... |
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amongstmyselves
Joined: Sep 01, 2012 Posts: 20 Location: Australia
Audio files: 1
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:38 pm Post subject:
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howdy olledahlberg,
I would say that the quality of the pure dc coming out of a computer PSU would not be clean enough for audio and would need extra smoothing. But I'm no expert in this area. If the dc is not clean enough you will get hum.
hope this helps. But of course you could just try it anyway and see what happens.
Steve R. |
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elmegil
Joined: Mar 20, 2012 Posts: 2177 Location: Chicago
Audio files: 16
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:11 pm Post subject:
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PC Supplies are switching power supplies, and synths generally are recommended to work with linear ones. A switching supply is a lot noisier, as amongstmyselves points out.
On the other hand, I ordered a supply when I was starting out that I thought was linear but in fact was another switching supply, and I've used it as my bench supply ever since and had no problems with it that I have noticed. I believe it was built to a higher standard than your typical PC supply, but who knows.
I certainly don't think there's any reason the PC supplies wouldn't work, so I'd say go for it, with your ears open for potential troubles. |
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PHOBoS
Joined: Jan 14, 2010 Posts: 5591 Location: Moon Base
Audio files: 705
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 4:08 pm Post subject:
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I was thinking the same things as elmegil allready mentioned, but there is one more thing.
computer PSU's usually have a build in netfilter. These filters only work when it's connected to an earthed socket.
But that can cause ground loops resulting in a lot of hum. If you don't earth them it can put half the mains voltage
on your GND. But that probably depends on the filter that's used (if there is one)
I found this out the hard way when I build an amplifier years ago and used one of those filters I had laying around.
As a result the power transistors fried whenever a cable touched the case, untill I found out what was causing it. _________________ "My perf, it's full of holes!"
http://phobos.000space.com/
SoundCloud BandCamp MixCloud Stickney Synthyards Captain Collider Twitch YouTube |
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olledahlberg
Joined: Nov 28, 2012 Posts: 23 Location: sweden
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Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:21 am Post subject:
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Ok, I see. Ill probably just make a bench power supply from one ofthem and go for my orginal ideas with wall wart or transformer. |
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analog_backlash
Joined: Sep 04, 2012 Posts: 393 Location: Aldershot, UK
Audio files: 21
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Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:23 am Post subject:
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This may be a little bit off the subject, but I have one of those plug in multi-voltage switch mode PSUs and I've found that on old (and cheap) Casio keyboard doesn't work properly on it. It produces a superimposed buzzing noise over the keyboard output, which obviously is not what I want to hear! I don't know if the same problem could occur when using an old computer PSU.
Gary |
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otcx
Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 71 Location: Finland
Audio files: 4
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:56 am Post subject:
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Some years ago i try PC psu, but it did not work properly. So i purhased Doepher psu. |
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