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| Standalone or Stand Alone |
A term that describes a hardware device or software program that is capable of operating by itself, with nothing else required. Standalone can have many contexts, but in music and video production it is generally applied to components that can function both with and without a computer connection or host software.
An example of software is a virtual instrument that can run on its own without being used as a plug-in in an audio/MIDI sequencer. Such an instrument only requires the computer's OS and support for the transfer protocols of the audio and MIDI interfaces, for example ASIO, CoreAudio or CoreMIDI. Most virtual instruments also support one or more plug-in formats such as VST, AU or DXi.
A common standalone hardware device is a MIDI interface, which can be used by itself to route data to a number of synths and sound modules in a live music setting. The interface can be programmed using its front panel controls. Again, most MIDI interfaces are also able to connect to a computer to respond to commands from a sequencing program.
Other hardware examples include a portable MP3 player, which can play back audio it has downloaded from a computer, and a RAID server that connects directly to a network without requiring a computer to run it.
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| How to choose the right sized UPS for your gear |
Q: "What are the differences between Watts and VA and how are these terms used in choosing a UPS?"
A: Power consumption information on computer loads is often specified in a way that makes it difficult to correctly choose an uninterruptible power supply - a UPS. It's important to understand the distinction between the Watt and Volt-Ampere (VA) measures for UPS load sizing. Both ratings are important; be sure to read the Word for the Day definitions of these terms.
The power in Watts is the real power drawn by the equipment - it defines the actual power purchased from the utility company and the heat loading generated by the equipment. VA is called the "apparent power" and is calculated as the product of the voltage applied to the equipment times the current drawn by the equipment. The VA rating is used for sizing wiring, circuit breakers and power protection equipment such as a UPS.
The VA and Watt ratings for some types of electrical loads, like incandescent light bulbs, are nearly identical. However, for computer equipment the Watt and VA ratings can differ significantly. The VA rating is always at least equal to or larger than the Watt rating. The ratio of the Watt-to-VA rating is called the Load Factor and is expressed either as a number (i.e. 0.6) or a percentage (i.e. 60%).
A UPS has both Watt ratings and VA ratings and neither may be exceeded. In most cases, UPS manufacturers only publish the VA rating. However, it is a standard in the industry that a typical load factor is approximately 60% of the VA rating. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the Watt rating of a UPS is 60% of the published VA rating.
Since UPS manufacturers often list only the VA rating on their nameplates, you run the risk of choosing a system that appears to be correctly sized based on VA ratings but actually exceeds the UPS Watt rating. By making sure the VA rating of your load - the combined ratings of your computer and all other equipment you intend to plug into the UPS - to be no greater than 60% of the VA rating of the UPS, you'll never exceed the Watt rating of the UPS. Unless you're absolutely certain of the Watt ratings of the loads, the safest approach is to keep the sum of the load nameplate ratings below 60% of the UPS VA rating. While this conservative sizing approach might lead you to choose an oversized UPS with a longer run time than absolutely necessary, the added protection isn't wasted. It pays off in longer battery life and better handling of multiple power outages.
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