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Downsizing recommendations

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 3:41 pm
by tresero
Due to personal issues, I've moved and no longer have a dedicated studio. My new studio will be in a friends house and in the living room (sort of).

I'm looking for recommendations for a desk and also chair.

Also, the desk needs to back up to a wall so any ideas on making the sound better would be great.

I've purposely left this vague just so I get more ideas.

Thanks

Re: Downsizing recommendations

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 3:27 pm
by GBall
FWIW... I had my desk custom made. (I could have made it myself, but my son-in-law likes that kind of project and has an artists touch.) The reason was that the cost was a tenth of the production model that we more or less copied, and looks more like furniture instead of a techie studio thing. Cost me about $400, but that is with some really expensive hardwood that my son-in-law wanted to use and I didn't really need, but in the end I don't really regret. I think it helps cut down on any objection to having it someplace like you describe, and just feels good to work there.

There is a drawer for a full size 88 key MIDI keyboard that pulls out under the work surface, and a sort of enclosed deck on the back half of the desk that holds a total of 10 U of rack devices. The Monitors sit on top of that... The key to making this work was these REALLY long drawer slides that allow me to push it out of the way of my knees under the desk. I don't know its there unless I need it. But you do need a chair with a long range of height adjustment to make it work for both piano keyboard and writing.

I own sand filled monitor stands and I had intended to use the Cardas method of placing desk and speakers. Truth up though - when I measured the frequency response, I actually got a FLATTER response (especially bass) putting the monitors on the desk next to the wall. I know what the common wisdom is, that they should be off the desk etc. but the numbers say what they say and I feel like I'm getting better mixes at the end of the day than before. I do have isolation pads for the monitors.

I have a patch bay in the center rack section - that is a key IMO for any desk next to the wall to avoid pulling it out and cord fiddling. They're cheap.

Regards,
Greg

Re: Downsizing recommendations

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 5:30 pm
by tresero
GBall wrote:
Tue Aug 06, 2019 3:27 pm
FWIW... I had my desk custom made. (I could have made it myself, but my son-in-law likes that kind of project and has an artists touch.) The reason was that the cost was a tenth of the production model that we more or less copied, and looks more like furniture instead of a techie studio thing. Cost me about $400, but that is with some really expensive hardwood that my son-in-law wanted to use and I didn't really need, but in the end I don't really regret. I think it helps cut down on any objection to having it someplace like you describe, and just feels good to work there.

There is a drawer for a full size 88 key MIDI keyboard that pulls out under the work surface, and a sort of enclosed deck on the back half of the desk that holds a total of 10 U of rack devices. The Monitors sit on top of that... The key to making this work was these REALLY long drawer slides that allow me to push it out of the way of my knees under the desk. I don't know its there unless I need it. But you do need a chair with a long range of height adjustment to make it work for both piano keyboard and writing.

I own sand filled monitor stands and I had intended to use the Cardas method of placing desk and speakers. Truth up though - when I measured the frequency response, I actually got a FLATTER response (especially bass) putting the monitors on the desk next to the wall. I know what the common wisdom is, that they should be off the desk etc. but the numbers say what they say and I feel like I'm getting better mixes at the end of the day than before. I do have isolation pads for the monitors.

I have a patch bay in the center rack section - that is a key IMO for any desk next to the wall to avoid pulling it out and cord fiddling. They're cheap.

Regards,
Greg
Thanks Greg. Any chance for a pic?

Re: Downsizing recommendations

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:42 pm
by GBall
Sure, I've got a cropped shot at www.2ndfork.com - if you won't penalize me for having not finished the web site yet. If you're interested enough to see the whole thing, different views etc. I'll have to make a page and upload them somewhere - or PM me.

Re: Downsizing recommendations

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:58 pm
by tresero
GBall wrote:
Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:42 pm
Sure, I've got a cropped shot at www.2ndfork.com - if you won't penalize me for having not finished the web site yet. If you're interested enough to see the whole thing, different views etc. I'll have to make a page and upload them somewhere - or PM me.
I have no idea what a finished website is as you can tell by mine :)

Re: Downsizing recommendations

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:14 pm
by lgstarr
GBall wrote:
Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:42 pm
Sure, I've got a cropped shot at www.2ndfork.com - if you won't penalize me for having not finished the web site yet. If you're interested enough to see the whole thing, different views etc. I'll have to make a page and upload them somewhere - or PM me.
Really nice looking studio!

--Linda