• Computers
  • Interface and Monitors - Off When Not In Use?
2017/04/04 02:09:52
Markubl2
Just a simple question regarding your electronics.  Do most people leave their electronics "off" when not in use?   I generally shut my DAW computer down after use, and I have been in the habit of turning off my audio interface and monitors as well.
 
Just wondering if it really matters if the interface and monitors get turned off and on all the time.
2017/04/04 02:27:34
gswitz
I leave all my stuff powered down when not in use. I have a power strip that turns everything on or off.

Electricity ranges from about 10 cents per KWH to 20 cents in the US. So the computer on 24/7 would cost $32.40@10 cents and $64.80@ 20 cents. The computer on 100% full power capacity 24/7 would cost about $193 to $386 per year.
2017/04/04 02:38:47
Leadfoot
I always turn everything off when not using it, also.
2017/04/04 03:12:39
highlandermak
I need to get better at saving power because I tend to leave everything on except my Amplifier. I metered how much money it costs to leave an amp on and its pretty bad. Desktops as well unless you have them power down after x amount of time which is what I do as well.
2017/04/04 03:52:07
abacab
Windows S3 standby/sleep state is a good compromise (without hibernation).  The CPU, monitor, disk drives, and port interfaces are powered down, and the RAM is kept alive with a small voltage.  You get a quick resume from sleep in a few seconds without booting, because the RAM has maintained the last state of operation before sleep.  You should save your work before entering this standby state.
 
Different System Sleep States in Windows 10/8
http://www.thewindowsclub...sleep-states-windows-8
 
Windows 10: Sleep States Available on your Windows 10 PC  
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/63346-sleep-states-available-your-windows-10-pc.html
 
Tweak Your Windows PC's Sleep Mode
http://www.pcworld.com/article/225833/Tweak_Your_Windows_PCs_Sleep_Mode.html
 
System Sleeping States
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff564575(v=vs.85).aspx
2017/04/04 12:29:44
Markubl2
I always shut my computer down - just an IT habit I've aways had.   I'm a big believer in fresh restarts at regular intervals as well.
 
I just worry about the toggle switches on the monitors and interface....
2017/04/04 12:52:40
BobF
hmmmm ... I never turn anything off except for brief periods when I need to do something that requires power to be off.
 
Power settings are such that nothings powers off or sleeps ... ever.
 
I reboot every few days when I see cached memory close to available memory.
2017/04/04 14:15:40
smallstonefan
I leave my PC, monitors, and UAD Apollo on 24x7.
 
I sometimes remote into my PC from work, so that's why I leave it running. I leave the Apollo on because the firewire drivers were a bit wonky at times and if I shut the interface down but not the PC, it wouldn't always recognize that it was turned back on. It seems to be better with Thunderbolt but I'm fine with my process.
 
I do press the mute button on my interface when I leave the studio though. My Adams then go into standby mode and I don't have to worry about the interface/pc sending any audio.
2017/04/04 14:42:58
abacab
I will add that boot times are so fast with SSD, that the difference between boot vs. resume from standby are minimal now.
 
I do use standby when I want to save my workspace for when I come back several hours later, or in the morning.  A typical case is like when I have a couple of applications and several PDF manuals open, and I just want a quick resume without opening them all up again.
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