Creation Station Technology
The finest quality components available
We've learned through 25 years of configuring systems and being on the leading edge of music technology that quality components make a difference in the performance and reliability of an audio computer. For Creation Station computers, we chose components that are not only the best in terms of build quality and performance, but in terms of how well they interact with all of the other elements in the system and how well they meet the numerous and demanding requirements of audio production.
The best processors for audio production
We spent countless hours evaluating CPUs to determine which processors would perform reliably on all Windows audio applications. We chose the latest generation Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium D dual-core, and Pentium 4 processors ? some of the fastest and most powerful CPUs made!
Glyph hard drives for performance and reliability
Thanks to our long-time partnership with Glyph, Creation Station hard drives provide the ultimate in quiet, reliable service. Glyph drives effortlessly handle the extreme demands of audio recording. Glyph drives are so reliable that, in addition to their standard five-year warranty, Glyph provides overnight advance replacement of your hard drive should it fail within the first year!
Glyph - approved by major DAW applications
Another advantage that comes with having Glyph hard drives in your Creation Station is that they are qualified with all major audio production packages that support FireWire recording, including Digidesign Pro Tools, Steinberg Nuendo and Cubase, Cakewalk SONAR, Sony Vegas, and more.
The most reliable motherboards - an essential component
When it came to selecting motherboards for the ultimate audio production computers, we chose ASUS based on our own real-world experience with their quality and reliability. At various times in most computers' lives, cards will be removed and installed, which could cause cracks and broken connections in lesser motherboards. Also, our rack models will often be taken on the road. The motherboard needs to be able to stand up to stresses applied to the case. ASUS motherboards are designed to accommodate Intel chipsets, which provide the best audio performance and application compatibility.
Audio-grade RAM for error-free performance
When it comes to your music and audio production, the last thing you need is a RAM-related system crash or data error that ruins the take, the track, or the whole session. We didn't have to look far to find the best RAM for the Creation Station Series - we've been installing and recommending Lifetime Memory RAM for years! Lifetime uses only the highest quality, performance-tested chips such as Micron, NEC, and Samsung. Unlike many generic memory manufacturers, Lifetime tests every single chip on every single board.
Reliable and blissfully quiet power supplies
If you're serious about making music or creating the perfect audio for your next project, the right power supply is essential. For the Creation Station, we chose power supplies from Antec, a company that has a reputation for quality. Both the 500-watt model found in the Creation Station Rack XT, Rack Pro, and Rack Plus, and the 380-watt version found in the Creation Station Rack, Tower Plus, Tower, and Tower LE deliver robust performance with barely a hint of any noise. Better power means a quieter, more reliable pro audio system!
Optical drives with Lightscribe technology
One of the noisiest components of a typical off-the-shelf computer is the optical drive. It can whir, buzz, and whine loud enough to be a distraction! That?s why we searched worldwide for the fastest, quietest optical drive for the Sweetwater Creation Station. A special vibration absorption system and balancing mechanism ensure that you can burn DVDs and CDs and load files quickly and quietly. Plus, these drives support Lightscribe, a truly innovative labeling technology. Lightscribe labels discs by laser-etching an image directly onto the top of a CD or DVD. There's no ink involved so the label will never smudge.
Zalman CPU cooling systems
When it comes to making noise, CPU cooling systems are among the worst offenders. But excessive heat in a PC will lead to system failures and short life span. The CPU fans in the Creation Station Rack XT, Rack Pro, Rack Plus, Rack, Tower Plus, and Tower come from Zalman. Their increased heat transfer efficiency and larger surface area coupled with a larger fan means that the fan can rotate at a lower RPM rate, eliminating the high-pitched whine often associated with high-powered PCs. Your Creation Station remains quiet and operational so you can hear your music INSTEAD of your computer!
Sweetwater-exclusive Sheetblok-Plus Isolation
To ensure a quiet case, we took a step that no other computer manufacturer has taken. We collaborated with Auralex Acoustics to strategically place exclusive Sheetblok-Plus coating on every Creation Station computer. Sheetblok-Plus acts to stop mechanical vibrations from being transmitted to the computer body. How effective is Sheetblok-Plus? Auralex lab tested it and found it was 6dB quieter than solid lead! This Sweetwater "extra" helps make the Creation Station so whisper quiet, you'll have to check the LEDs to be sure it's on!
Maximum internal airflow
Keeping your system cool will keep it quiet. Why? Well, for one thing it will keep the fans from churning, and for another, it will keep resonating frequencies from affecting the rest of your hardware within the case. In addition to the CPU cooling system, each Creation Station case is designed to provide maximum airflow for convection cooling! We've kept these air paths clear by routing and bundling internal cables to prevent any interference with cooling.
AcoustiFeet: noise-free from top to bottom!
Vibrations from hard drives, CD/DVD drives, fans, and other noisy components can travel right through the chassis, and "off-the-shelf" computer feet, into the surface of whatever your computer is sitting on. To stop those vibrations cold, we fit Creation Station computers with special AcoustiFeet, made from a special soft silicone that combines shock absorption, vibration isolation, and vibration damping characteristics to create the ideal acoustic damper and absorber.
