Yes.
If you analyse gear schematics, you see that “most” of the time the power on/off switch is connected before the transformer primary, so that switch acts exactly the same way as the outlet on/off switch. I say “most” because some gear (exceptions) might have switching arrangement in the secondary of the TX, or in the PSU, or have a relay switching arrangement, but even in those it’s completely fine.
Like it was said here, Computers should be separate, as also powered speakers or monitors amp, and also the console (only large format consoles) if there is one.
That’s exactly the arrangement we had in the big professional studio I used to work. All the rack units where connected to power outlets without a switch and then we had a Switch/Fuss breaker on the back of the rack that was used to turn off or on all the rack units at once.
Every studio has then it’s own quirks, for example we had to change the sequence we turned on the converters, not because they could be damaged but because they would not communicate to each other.
We had Digidesign 192 and 96 (main interfaces) and then connect led to it we had Lavry converters, plus an Apogee Rosetta and Apogee AD8000. So what happen was that we had to turn on the Lavry and the Apogge converters first, wait some seconds and only then turn on the Digi 192 and 96, otherwise those would not lock with the external converts. But nothing to do with damage.
On a side note for Large Format consoles, back in the day they used to be left turned on all the time, but back in the day the studios made much more money than nowadays…
An SSL (48chsnnek or more) console turned all the time wastes a lot of energy, not only in its own power consumption but also in the power needed for the AC cool down systems both in the control room and in the consoles power supply room. Electrical bill is quite high.
Nowadays I don’t see people doing that anymore, they turn off thr console at the end of the day, the way it’s done is using the Bank on/off switches under the console, that turn on and off 8 channels at a time. So people will turn if off by slidding one bank switch at a time, and then at power up the same. Turn it on, the master section will light up, and then turn 8 channels on in sequence, this procedure is followed so you don’t stress too much the PSU by turning on all at once.
This is my sequence in studios:
1) all rack units
2) converters
3) Audio interfaces
4) computer
5) powered monitors and/or monitor amplifiers
Hope this helps
Totally. Thanks so much Whoops.
In this post, this was what I was
exactly after:
"Yes.
If you analyse gear schematics, you see that “most” of the time the power on/off switch is connected before the transformer primary, so that switch acts exactly the same way as the outlet on/off switch. I say “most” because some gear (exceptions) might have switching arrangement in the secondary of the TX, or in the PSU, or have a relay switching arrangement, but even in those it’s completely fine."
I thought of looking at the schematics of my gear, with the limited knowledge that I have for that, but let's say that at the moment I'm in vacactions due to burnt out, 24/7 no holidays work schedule for over 10 years. And I wouldnt have been able to
really pin it down.
I'm quite savy on the basics of handling studio equipment, been doing this over 20 years. But I do not presume to know what dedicated people know, everyone has a one or two things that their good at, that they do 24/7. That's why I ask what seems like obvious and primary/basic questions, but if you look deep in it, there it is. I like what John Roberts answered about this matter: "It's complicated". If I recall he was answering about only turning on equipment with the switch on, from a power source, not the sequence in which was turned on.
For example, at the moment, I'm switching on, gear wise, Racks: Vermona Phaser and Lexicon 2000mxl, with the power strip, those come without an on switch, they're 240V. Midi Modules, a Proteus 1/xr, super 1080 JV, Proteus 2500. Drum Machines Sequencers, MPC500, MPC1000, SP-404SX, Roland MC-303, Alesis Master Reverb, a couple of cheapo drum machines, a vhs, a couple of 70's hi fi amps . Other, Behringer mini mixer, furman guitar board with effects, which I route sometimes to the midi modules, and some other stuff I forget now, and basically that's it for now.
Then my 67' Blackface and other amps require some care as well when turning them on, cuz the poor wiring of the building. That's the quirk part of my home studio. If I dont follow a certain sequence, I can hear pop and crackles when I turn on other gear in my Amps, and I don't like that very much. Even tho those amps are often used at 10 and over fuzzed out (hi gain over what ussually they can take). But I take care from "non musical" "sounds" coming through them. That can easily damage those 50 plus old speakers, I think. Even if not, I dont feel comfortable hearing high peak crackles and loud, loud pops in them, which are not intended for guitar speakers.
I follow the signal path. I'm skipping the rest of components.
In a place I used to frequent, they had an SSL G series, that was turned on all the time. It was true that was in use basically 24/7 (who wouldnt have that console in use 24/7, it's an 100 thousand bucks plus priced console), their explanation for having it on all the time, even when was not in use, with an Air Conditioner, even in winter, and if I recall even when the studio was closed for like xmas, was that it needed constant electricity flowing through the components, so it wouldnt get effed up, that's how it was designed, to be on 24/7. So that every component would wore down the same as well, and that a large quantity of components cant handle been turned on and off every day. I dont remember, but that G series probably had around 60 some channels, so imagine turning on and off 60 compressors, 60 limiters, 60 equalizers, 60 routing system, 60 motorized faders, etc etc at once, every day. And if I recall well, that the trasnformers and psu part wasnt intended to be turned on and off, that it actually damaged that part, that section of the console. Probably not non functioning from one day to another but that It wasn't good for those components. I dont recall that console having those little strips in which you can turn on/off 8/16 channels at a time. That's what I remember, I can be wrong.
Please overlook the typos in gear models and so on, I'm writing this down quickly.
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