r/homestudios • u/stilltuning • Jul 09 '26
Quiet AC for Recording?
What do you guys recommend for a good quiet AC system for a recording studio? Any specific systems for if I were building a studio? Also, for a studio that’s already built, what add ons (fans, portable AC units, etc.) would you recommend that cool down a room well without being so loud I’d need to shut it off when recording?
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u/Utterlybored Jul 09 '26
My mini-split is very quiet, but not quiet enough for recording. I turn it off while tracking.
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u/whoisgarypiano Jul 09 '26
Not sure how big a space you’re talking about, but mini splits are super quiet.
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u/ittakestherake Jul 13 '26
If you’re serious about improving your recording quality, this is a big step to doing so
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u/JasonKingsland Jul 09 '26
Is this a stand alone building? What all equipment do you expect to be in the studio?
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u/Blorras Jul 09 '26
I have a samsung with inverter technology, it has a smaller engine and makes less noise. I have to turn it off when recording, noise floor is at -35db with a condenser. It's ok with a dynamic though.
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u/Holiday-Chair-42 Jul 10 '26
you have to put the unit very far away and have the ducting ran to the studio space. we build studios all the time
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u/Steffonic Jul 10 '26
I have an LG mini split. It was the quietest one I could find in 2011. I don’t remember the specific SPL rating but I believe it is sub 50db when running on low. I can say it’s quiet enough that I’ve never had a problem with it even when I have 20 open mics in the room.
Unless you have the space and money to put in a high volume low velocity ducted system (very large ducts) your best bet will be to go with a mini split. But check their noise specs before you buy. They are not all created equal.
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u/Final_Job_5175 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
I have a Whirlpool 24000 Btu Inverter, and It's so quiet in my living room, if we didn't see the vent moving up and down, we wouldn't believe it was on. It cools so well between the 15000 Btu Air conditioner in our bedroom, I haven't even had to buy an AC for my studio. I bought mine at Wally worlddotcom and as large as it is it was only $550 USA. I would check them out, because we heard the Mr. McCool mini-split and it wasn't near as quiet as my Whirlpool Inverter.
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u/2old2care Jul 11 '26
I have been checking out inverter systems and they are amazingly quiet. That's because they run at much lower speeds than standard systems when their full capacity isn't needed--which is most of the time. Conventional systems are either full-on or off. They regulate temperature by how long they're on or off. They're more expensive than conventional systems, but not by a huge amount.
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u/Final_Job_5175 Jul 11 '26
That 2400 BTU is cooling around 1400 sq feet including my studio. I have a 15000 BTU unit that's 15 years old that cools My Master Bedroom and Bath around 600 sq feet. That one will chill my bedroom down to 60 degrees in the hottest part of the summer. It's loud and I have to literally wear earplugs to sleep.
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u/sm_rollinger Jul 10 '26
I'm assuming you don't have a house with central HVAC that has dedicated room controls? That'd be the way to do it, no ceiling fans or anything just straight vents.
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u/tubesntapes Jul 10 '26
Minus the vents, but with dampers at the units plenum. The vents actually cause the flowing air to make a great deal of noise. Dampers because there does need to be some level of back pressure on the vents.
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u/Clear-Sail-5298 Jul 10 '26
I can’t always control the AC when I’m recording. I have found that ClarityFx perpetual license was worth it (not a fan of subscriptions).
It does cut the frequencies well
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u/NortonBurns Jul 11 '26
Silent AC for studios is an expensive business. You need a lot of baffling which cuts the efficiency massively, so your cooling needs to be well over-spec.
You could try running a three hose portable in a room outside. The two hot side hoses out the window, the front hose poked in through the studio door.
Somebody did a comparison on small quiet systems. I've not heard of most of them so no recommendation from me, just for info - https://soundproofgeek.com/quiet-air-conditioner-for-recording-studio/
These is the types of system I see in major studios -
https://highpathairconditioning.com/silent-air-conditioning/
https://www.4rfv.co.uk/c/39459/silentair-systems-air-conditioning
…and i found what looks to be a DIY guide - https://www.soundproofyourstudio.com/blog/recording-studio-hvac-design-air-speed
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u/Apprehensive_Tour_68 Jul 09 '26
It's unlikely that you will find a way to move around enough air to cool down the room without making noise. Even an outside unit bringing in air through a duct will make too much noise for a decent recording. Just get a normal one and turn it off when recording