It's that time again...
From the original Analog Industries archive. Some links and images from that era no longer resolve.
I’ve outgrown the “producer’s desk” I made a couple years ago, and I’m of the opinion that there are many things I’m good at, but finish carpentry is not among them. That being the case, I’m going to purchase a new producer’s desk, one that is expandable as needs must.
I’m thinking of either the Middle Atlantic system or the Raxxess system. They are essentially the same thing, but the Middle Atlantic ones seem to be LAN shit that has been a little bit reformated for music needs, while the Raxxess system is purpose built. Does any of my fair readers have experience with either of these desk systems? If so, what are the pros and cons of either one?
26 comments
raxxess is utter shit. you'd be better off going to target or something- particleboard and "wood" laminate.
for a couple extra bucks i'd get an argosy workstation...
www.argosyconsole.com
you can always expand with racks and stuff later...
Well, yeah. But the problem with the Argosy system is that it isn't really movable. I can move the Middle Atlantic (or Raxxess) one without too much drama, but the Argosy one requires a complete disassembly to get through a normal door. If I owned a house and had a proper studio, this wouldn't be a problem, but I don't, so it is.
The money isn't really an issue. It's size and mobility that are at stake. (Of course, if I stopped buying shit like this, I could probably buy a house, and have custom built-ins, then everything would be hunky-dory.)
-CR
Don't know if this helps, but I half made my workstation (and my woodworking skills are only moderate).
I bought a Quiklok mixer Z-stand, then custom made the top out of MDF to house my Mackie controls (master+expander), two flat panel displays and speakers and computer keyboard. I did a little trickery with some storage cubbies and transparent blue plastic surfaces (it was lying around!), but it was pretty simple. The only big secret is that you have to screw a 2x4 to the back/bottom for rigidity, otherwise the whole thing bends like VS on an Apex (how's that for a nerdy syynth reference?).
The cool part is that the black displays+Mackie controls look like one big piece of gear. Impresses the clients. Plus I don't look like all the geeks at G.C. who buy Omnirax, or whatever they're peddling!
I can send some pix if you'd like to see.
Mitchell
I really wanted to go the Argosy route but space was a consideration. The build quality on the Raxxess stuff is inferior to that of the Middle Atlantic (in my opinion) but neither one is any great shakes considering what the charge for the stuff.
I went with Middle Atlantic stuff. I am not over the moon with the desk i am currently using but i really like their side racks with the overbridges. They are tough and stable. i have a DM3200 sitting on top of one. I don't assemble all mine into their suggested desk layout. I also have one of their rolling 24 space racks and i like that as well.
I don't know what the models are but i think they are still made.
If you are interested in seeing how much can be stuffed in/on this stuff there are pictures posted here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/myrnaloy/sets/72157600278415925/
Hands down the best (read: most portable/affordable/build quaility/non-resonating/ergonomic with the best monitor positioning/sweet spot) producers desk I have ever owned is the KK Audio KD SDP1. They used to sell them at guitar center (sorry boutique shops), but I think they are no longer around. It might be worth your while looking around on craigslist for one. It is the biz. I only sold mine a while back to move out of the country(snif...), otherwise I would be typing this reply on it right now.
Otherwise, KK Audio might have some other, newer nuggets worth looking into (the Warner line looks pretty similar to the old KD series).
http://www.kkaudio.com/
My 2¢
Nice. I wasn't aware of them. (Actually, I have a feeling I _was_ but just forgot they were around. Too much information.)
I think that MDV-96 is just what the doctor ordered. Although, truthfully, I bet I can get a cabinet maker in Salem or Portland to do it for half that. I should look in to that.
-CR
here's one in Oklahoma that seems right in line with cabinet maker prices.
http://dashstudiofurniture.com/index.html
W
I picked up the KK Audio KD SDP1 for $600 new at GC. Used ones must be cheaper than that by now (if you can find one). I just saw that the new KK lines are much pricier. Odd...
Good luck on your hunt CR,
Mike
Have a look here:
http://www.anthro.com/
The stuff is really solid and customizable
It may be solid and customizable, but their website is just creepy:
http://www.anthro.com/images/fs/FS_KybrdTbl60w_Cnsl_Jeremy.jpg
"Jeremy completes his music setup by using a Keyboard Table alongside a Console Unit. A 60" wide Keyboard Table in Black holds his keyboard and the Console’s curved design keeps his equipment within easy reach."
Jeremy needs a fuckin' pimp slap in short order, is all I'm saying. Diamond Dave and he are of a mind when it comes to gear. Although, it's cool to see someone playing a right-strung guitar lefty, like Jimmy Haslip or Doyle Bramhall II.
-CR
oops, nice one. wrong thread.
I was like "UW? Is that some form of MDF I don't know about?"
-CR
if you're not rocking the [ikea] jerker, you're not making music. it'll improve your mixes and make your MD's foot *thump.*
Nice tetsubin in the messy-work-area photo.
--Adam
awesome.. 2X the sarcasm!
Yeah, MDF is the fluorescent light of wood. Plywood isn't that expensive, even 3/4" Finish Oak is around $50/sheet in an LA Home Depot last time I checked. I was able to make a monstrous desk out of two sheets and oak 1x2s for around $350 total.
Some inspiration (Zimmer, Isham, etc. setups):
http://www.jefflaity.com/?p=60
And my finished desk:
http://www.jefflaity.com/?p=68
I was thinking about selling you my desk, but I would have include the cost of shipping (three giant boxes), the cost of the woodworking class, the cost of the materials, and the time of a semester in shop. We have already exceeded $2000 here. Then of course I would have to use that money to sign up for a class I have already taken in order to use their shop in an attempt to build a new death star more powerful than the first. But since it IS designed in three separate and moveable pieces (2 people should easily handle it, even with equipment still in the racks)... I thought I could give you the blueprints and you could submit them to a capable local. There is MDF in the design, but the main surface is braced by 1"x5" pieces of solid oak with oversized dovetails and interlocks. It held the weight of two 17" CRTs for the better part of a year with absolutely no sagging, and now that those are gone I frequently walk across the top to get behind everything. It doesn't even squeak. Here are the lo-res scans, and if you find a woodworker to do it I would be happy to send all of the hardware and more detailed specs, such as flight case handles, angle iron, pass-thru's, and cable management.
http://usera.imagecave.com/thesimulacre/blueprints1rs.JPG
http://usera.imagecave.com/thesimulacre/blueprints2rs.JPG
http://usera.imagecave.com/thesimulacre/blueprints3rs.JPG
http://usera.imagecave.com/thesimulacre/blueprints4rs.JPG
I can't think of his name, but there was a guy with a mastering room who had a desk comparable (almost identical, but with the vertical racks brought forward to prevent gear-butt clutter) to this built by a carpenter in his area for like $200-300. I bet for a grand and a little patience you could have an ergo-dream.
can we see pictures of the final product? that looks dope.
My desk is it's own desk, and holds LCD's, converters, headphone amps and splitters all on the meter bridge.
Wheeled mixer stands make good computer keyboard stands, if you add a mouse surface (doable with normal stand parts).
Sure, here is one from just after lacquer and just before hardware:
http://usera.imagecave.com/thesimulacre/DSC01898_small.JPG
In answer to you next question... no, it cant tip over. Also, I recently treated the room and got a new monitor, so I'll take a picture of it in "action" later today. Oh, and thank you. It is dope, and extremely satisfying.
Here we go... it's hard to shoot the whole thing in this room, but you get a sense of it this way.
http://usera.imagecave.com/thesimulacre/ISR6-3-07.jpg
i seem to remember a big thread on gearslutz where people were showing their custom desks.
to truly get what you want and out of good materials you have to build yourself. find desks that fit most of your ergonomics and modify as you see fit.
here's my second attempt at a desk and i ended up selling it on ebay for more than i paid in materials (but probably lost money on the time to build and finish it):
http://www.mastermindrecordings.com/MastermindRecordings/Studio.htm
the desk i'm designing to replace it will be more of a cockpit feel (wrap around sides) with more depth on the top racks and a cut out so i always have access to the main keyboard controller. i'm also thinking about having a slide out shelf in the middle to bring my mackie control forward for mixing situations. feel free to e-mail me for a pdf of my current design.
oh, and if you can't tell from the pictures the top piece is separate from the two bottom pieces. yes, it's heavy but it is fairly easy to move to a new location.
That's a sweet design. I like the break-apart aspect. That was crucial to my design as well. I am interested in a pdf of your new design, just from an artistic standpoint anyway...
those look awesome...
Custom does appear to be the way to go!
i don't post on here that often (although i'm a constant lurker) so i don't know how to send attachments through here. just shoot me a private message with your e-mail address and i'll send you the pdf for my new desk design (very much still in the design stage).
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