TOWARDS 2000 CREATES SILENCER
MODIFICATION FOR TRACKSPOT

Towards 2000, Inc. recently created fourteen silent High End Systems Trackspot fixtures for a major studio client. Silence was of essence as the fixtures are being used in one of the studio's film screening rooms. Technical Service Manager, Russell Ryan and Sales Manager, Roland Hammerl worked together on what turned out to be a full blown R&D and fabrication project.

The Trackspot were originally purchased to be used in one of the studio's conference facilities. Things began to change when Hammerl was alerted that some of the fixtures would be used in the studio's screening rooms. The staff was concerned with the humming noise produced by the Trackspot during quiet times. Rather than lose the sale, Hammerl and Ryan put their heads together and came up with a solution.

They began by testing several different types of fans. They had already determined that the majority of the noise was being produced by the fans inside the fixtures. These fans are necessary as they keep the fixtures cool, especially in environments where they are left on for long periods of time. Ryan found a smaller model with a lower RPM and installed in back inside the original Trackspot body. This replacement did not effect the fixtures performance as the screening rooms are always kept very clean and cool.

Even with the new fans in place, the fixtures were still too noticeable for the studio staff. This time the transformer was looked at as it also makes a considerable amount of noise, especially when dimming. Ryan decided to remove the transformer and create a remote module. When inside the Trackspot body, the transformer sits right up against the metal sides of the casing, causing the vibration and humming.

Ryan used standoffs to distance the transformer from the metal sides of the module. This design reduces the humming dramatically as the unit no longer vibrates the casing. To further cut down on any sound that escapes, Ryan placed plexiglass sound baffles beneath each unit. This arrangement reflects the noise back upward towards the ceiling muffling the humming even more. As a final touch, an absorbent material will be attached on top of the plexiglass.

"This modification dramatically reduced the vibration normally produced when dimming these fixtures," explained Ryan. When the modified Trackspot were compared to the standard version, the muffling effect was clearly observed. The studio was satisfied as were Hammerl and Ryan as they had followed the project through, making sure the fixtures would work in this unique application.

"These same fixtures can be used in many other atmospheres such as theatre, that require a very quiet environment," stated Hammerl.