Desk upgrade almost complete.

[BCRatRod73]

I ordered three 4U rack units, then picked up a nice desk surface that was in the door section at Home Depot. Turned to be the perfect size and cheaper than the wood I wanted to get. Already smooth so no sanding involved. I need a keyboard tray to get the keyboard off the desk, then I’ll extend the MIDI keyboard tray to have a little more room to play the keys. If I can find a nice padded leather end piece that will almost complete it. I figure I can add another rack each end under the desk but that will come later. Luckily the desk sits on rollers which will come in handy as I need to tidy up all the cables in back.

If you have patchbays you know the fun involved in hooking everything up. It’s definitely worth it in the end though.

This desk started life as a basic computer desk. Over the years I added more wood to it to become more useful. With all I’ve done to it I’m nowhere near the cost of one of those professional desks. They are nice but pricey.

 

[Emergence]

Creative and functional. I like it. I made a career out of reengineering from parts that were readily available and moved on to original de novo designs. My specialty was laser imaging instruments but we all started somewhere.

 

[BCRatRod73]

Creative and functional. I like it. I made a career out of reengineering from parts that were readily available and moved on to original de novo designs. My specialty was laser imaging instruments but we all started somewhere.

Thanks. I’ve always tried to re-use existing things I have. Just makes sense. Old frugal habits die hard. I could buy one of the fancy desks but I’d rather stick with what I have and add on as needed. That desk money would be better spent on a high end Gretsch.
I think a 10U rack case ea. side on the lower end will have me set for a long time.

 

[NJDevil]

@BCRatRod73 - I think my request my be a pain because you have a good degree of hardware but......here it goes:

Can you provide an inventory list of all that is on the desk? I'm "ramping up" on my home studio knowledge and the baseline of my knowledge is at novice level but I am reading as much as I can watching videos like Paul Davids on you tube has created on the subject.

I figure that finding out what folks are currently using can help in my quest of learning what is out there and the functionality.

No problem if you can't as I know time is a valuable commodity that seems to never increase.

 

[BCRatRod73]

@BCRatRod73 - I think my request my be a pain because you have a good degree of hardware but......here it goes:

Can you provide an inventory list of all that is on the desk? I'm "ramping up" on my home studio knowledge and the baseline of my knowledge is at novice level but I am reading as much as I can watching videos like Paul Davids on you tube has created on the subject.

I figure that finding out what folks are currently using can help in my quest of learning what is out there and the functionality.

No problem if you can't as I know time is a valuable commodity that seems to never increase.

ART MPA Gold, Behringer T1953 Tube Ultragain, ART Voice Channel, MOTU 896mk3, Behringer Virtualizer 3D, Behringer Ultra-Q Pro, ART Pro VLA II, Behringer Ultrapatch Pro, Hosa PDR-369, Maschine MK3, Tascam Model 24, Roland MC-707, Roland TR-8S, Apple iMac, M Audio BX8 monitors.

 

[JackNangle]

I know what about three of those things are!

 

[bobeschism]

I have a Maschine Mk3. Brilliant for sketching out ideas or even creating whole songs.

 

[thunder58]

NASA Technology at it's finest

 

[cielski]

I've a few hints for you....
1. It looks like there are wheels under your desk. That's a major help. Getting behind a desk is a PITA and the wheels make it a whole lot easier to access things. Connections seem to always be where you can't get to them easily.
2. Cable management is important. If you can do a proper patch bay, it'll help. You will also need tons of jumpers to enable the patches. Nothing is permanent in a rig like this, so avoid zip ties but have something else to tie the cables into a neater mass. Even the twisty ties you find on bread packaging will help.
3. AC power strips are a necessary item. You can find them with integral surge protectors, also necessary items. Keep AC and signal line as far apart as humanly possible. It'll save you in the long run. If at all possible, keep your gear on a separate breaker. Line conditioners and surge protectors are life savers. Avoid being near (and especially on the same circuit as) HVAC gear, dimmers, and motors. A freezer or fridge have motors that can be a noise source. We had an issue with noise from a small neon light in a fish tank heater. Those tiny gremlins can be frustrating to find and troubleshoot.
4. You mentioned a keyboard to be included. Be mindful of your playing position, and access to the rest of the gear. If you're not in a comfortable spot, your playing will suffer.
5. Lighting is often overlooked. LEDs are the way to go anymore. Power saving, no noise (compared to fluorescent), and no heat (compared to incandescent). Lights behind you may cause shadows where you don't want them. A swing arm lamp will help if you need to direct light to a specific area. You're better off with floods than spots.
6. Instead of just stacking gear, consider a rack system. You can get basic rack rails and build your own rack to suit. It'll make it far easier to pull one piece of gear out without having to unstack the whole pile.
7. consider noise reduction in your room. Heavy curtains, carpeting, and diffusers, absorbers, and other treatments may help. In a studio, the deader, the better.
8. Never underestimate the need of a comfy wheeled chair.

 

[BCRatRod73]

I've a few hints for you....
1. It looks like there are wheels under your desk. That's a major help. Getting behind a desk is a PITA and the wheels make it a whole lot easier to access things. Connections seem to always be where you can't get to them easily.
2. Cable management is important. If you can do a proper patch bay, it'll help. You will also need tons of jumpers to enable the patches. Nothing is permanent in a rig like this, so avoid zip ties but have something else to tie the cables into a neater mass. Even the twisty ties you find on bread packaging will help.
3. AC power strips are a necessary item. You can find them with integral surge protectors, also necessary items. Keep AC and signal line as far apart as humanly possible. It'll save you in the long run. If at all possible, keep your gear on a separate breaker. Line conditioners and surge protectors are life savers. Avoid being near (and especially on the same circuit as) HVAC gear, dimmers, and motors. A freezer or fridge have motors that can be a noise source. We had an issue with noise from a small neon light in a fish tank heater. Those tiny gremlins can be frustrating to find and troubleshoot.
4. You mentioned a keyboard to be included. Be mindful of your playing position, and access to the rest of the gear. If you're not in a comfortable spot, your playing will suffer.
5. Lighting is often overlooked. LEDs are the way to go anymore. Power saving, no noise (compared to fluorescent), and no heat (compared to incandescent). Lights behind you may cause shadows where you don't want them. A swing arm lamp will help if you need to direct light to a specific area. You're better off with floods than spots.
6. Instead of just stacking gear, consider a rack system. You can get basic rack rails and build your own rack to suit. It'll make it far easier to pull one piece of gear out without having to unstack the whole pile.
7. consider noise reduction in your room. Heavy curtains, carpeting, and diffusers, absorbers, and other treatments may help. In a studio, the deader, the better.
8. Never underestimate the need of a comfy wheeled chair.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. Yes on the wheels. The original desk had them and I just left them on. It does make it easy to get behind the desk. Cable management is next. I’m still looking for the right solution. I do have power strips going into UPS battery backups. The keyboard on the desk works fine. No need to move it. The MIDI keyboard underneath needs a new longer surface to make it accessible. I have plenty of lights in the room now. I have some foam on the walls and ceiling but that’s just temporary. I plan to buy some better foam or panels. And the chair is also on the list.

 

[BCRatRod73]

I have a Maschine Mk3. Brilliant for sketching out ideas or even creating whole songs.

I like it. It’s pretty handy and versatile. I bought the Roland MC-707 which is another groove box. I planned to only keep one but I like them both. Different ways of doing the same thing. The Roland gets my eyes off the computer screen.

 

[Bertotti]

I have a Maschine Mk3. Brilliant for sketching out ideas or even creating whole songs.

I’m still on a mk2 and haven’t fired it up in a couple of years. sad really just as I was learning and making progress with it things got shuffled around and I was working way to much to dig it out and put it away every time I wanted to use it. NI has some great stuff though. Just playing around in Logic their stuff is excellent. Never did figure out how to make guitar rig work. I’ve never gotten anything but stating noise out of it.

@BCRatRod73 how do you like Mk3? I’m not sure how much long mk2 will be compatible with my Mac and I’m finally getting my area open enough to get it out and use it!

Ever tired the Korg apps? I electrode or I kaossilator? I have fun with those even iMaschine.

 

[BCRatRod73]

@BCRatRod73 how do you like Mk3? I’m not sure how much long mk2 will be compatible with my Mac and I’m finally getting my area open enough to get it out and use it!

Ever tired the Korg apps? I electrode or I kaossilator? I have fun with those even iMaschine.

I like the MK3. After a little bit of a learning curve I’m able to navigate and make music. It’s a great way to sketch out ideas. Creating drum loops is really easy and mostly why I use it. Once I create a pattern I like then copy & paste and modify. I wish I had this thing years ago. Drums have always been a roadblock for me. By the time I scroll through the Apple loops or sift through my drum loop folders to find something that works, the moment has passed.

There are loads of software instruments inside and one could spend days creating music. Overall, it’s earned its place on the desk. It’s nice to have the tactile feel of a pad or button instead of just moving a mouse or clicking it.

Never tried those other things you mentioned. I have enough toys to play with, although a hardware synth might be on the horizon.

 

[bobeschism]

@Bertotti @BCRatRod73

Here's a song I made completely in Maschine, using all virtual instruments:

 

[Bertotti]

@Bertotti @BCRatRod73

Here's a song I made completely in Maschine, using all virtual instruments:

I like it and it reminds me of something. On the tip of my tongue.

Anywho have you ever used Logic’s drummer to play with? I have had some fun with it.

 

[bobeschism]

I like it and it reminds me of something. On the tip of my tongue.

Anywho have you ever used Logic’s drummer to play with? I have had some fun with it.

Nope, I'm on PC so no Logic for me :/

I use Toontrack's EZDrummer 3.

 

[Bertotti]

Nope, I'm on PC so no Logic for me :/

I use Toontrack's EZDrummer 3.

Heard of it never used it. Logics is just quick and simple some Clicking pick a person whose genre is listed adjust a couple setting and play. Kind of cool.