BEFORE YOU COMMENT ABOUT THE YAMAHA MONITORS ON THE SIDES!!! PLEASE READ THIS! 👉🏾I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
I would be worried about having the driver magnets so close to the screens. I've seen them wreck screens over time. Might be better to get some floor stands.
John Mike. Man I think I went Totally left when I saw your video. So now I’m gearing toward the Argosy E2 Sit and Stand with only the one Raven monitor. But I still love your set up with the Raven. I thought about gear space. But still in all The Raven setup is the boom 💥.
Don’t know of someone already said this, but for port/power situation, I’d look into the Caldigit TB3. It should be able to charge/power the Mac and display 2 4K outputs or 1 5K via one single Thunderbolt cable. Plus it has 11 additional I/O.
Will Lewis hi, I use it as a 16 channel interface and once I'm done recording, I push one button and it becomes a DAW controller. I use it with Studio One Professional and I love them both. I have also used the mixer for live band recordings direct to SD card, then I mix down in my studio later and get the musicians in for any overdubs.
For a cleaner setup with the limited ports on your MacBook, check out a good Thunderbolt dock. You can find ones that will provide power to your MacBook and give you multiple HDMI outputs using just one Thunderbolt port on your MacBook, and it sounds like that could clean up Dongle City for you a bit.
Yeah, if i'm spending $2k - $3k for a desk. I want ZERO gripes or cons. But i'm glad for this video. I always did wonder what the purpose of these fancy desks.
spending 2-3k you're gonna have gripes and cons regardless. no such thing as perfect with gear. example, studios ive worked at always had their avalons (i never used them) out for repair...thats a 3k channel strip, so you would think it would always work no?.
Its an interesting conundrum. The screens wouldn't look half as good sitting on a desk. it looks so tight because its built in. Its like your piloting a spaceship. :)
It’s a mixing desk. Steven Slate is a mix engineer. It’s not really a production center. Made for a keyboard and mouse. All mix and mastering desks are that way. I extended the platform on my mix desk custom order.
I agree! But every mixing desk comes with rack space...if you want rack space with this desk you have to buy the sidecar...sold separately for an additional $500...which puts the desk price at $2000...if the screens and the desk(with sidecar) were only a packaged deal and the desk by itself wasn’t sold as a product by itself...then I wouldn’t take issue with it...and while it is geared towards mixing and mastering engineers...increasingly there are a lot of producers that are interested in getting one of these...Which is why I spent so much time talking about the desk itself...wanted to inform the average jo-smo about this from a producer’s perspective...because this thing shipped via freight...so it’s not gonna be easy to just return...but I totally agree with you on it and like I said in the video...I’m a Slate fanboy so I would definitely buy it all over again
It's a custom desk made by Zaor. Slate Digital makes their Ravens that fits many of the higher end desks from Argosy, Sterling and Zaor. Argosy Console is acutally the original creator of those angled rack console desks. The company is pretty much a veteran that's been around for over 25 years which became the industry standard in many professional high end studios. Zaor, Buso many others are basically copies of Argosy's designs.
Most really nice desks are expensive. The number one con for me is, as you mentioned, the lack of rack integration. It would be a no-brainer for me if the desk were a little wider, with the ability to center one screen and house a few choice hardware pieces peripherally. Not being able to do that makes it a no go, no matter how nice it looks. If it can be retrofit for rack integration, it would be awesome.
For some reason I can’t add tracks by swiping from edge and my studio one mixer s faders are waaay off. If I move one it adjusts a fader 5 faders to the left… 😭. Just got it!
Sounds like you need to calibrate the screen…there’s a calibration app that comes with it…if you’ve done all that then the other option is to unplug and replug everything
I never liked mixing on a touch screen. I am old school when it comes to faders. I saw that you have the Faderport 8 also on the desk. I was thinking about one of those although I was also looking at the X-touch. How do you like the faderport?
I love the Faderport series. I use the Faderport 16 and Faderport 8 together in Pro Tools. If you use Pro Tools, there is a blog on the Presonus website that shows how I use the Faderport controllers.
A couple reasons...one I’m testing out the Faderport so I can do a review on it...and two because I prefer the tactile feel when writing volume automation...I mainly still use the raven for everything else...
It is a desk. Slate digital doesn't manufacturer or even make their own furniture. They partnered up with Zaor to custom make that desk for them and just threw in some Raven MT displays to sell you. You can use any desk for those raven screens esp an Argosy Console which way better and more pro looking thats found in many professional control rooms.
Man ilove your vedios but i have a qustion i was serching for a touchscreen portable 15 inch monitor that i can move the faders with my fingers buy now im so lost my mac book is 2012 mid running with mojave and i tried an i pad but unfor it wont connect with my macbook couse the logic remote version on my ipad is newer than my logic x pro 10.5.1 so please help i wanna a 15 inch hdmi touchacreen monitor
Ooh yeah this video helped me big time. I didn’t know this. I’m about to order one at the end of May 2022. Also I’ll be using my MacBook Pro. M1 Max. Any more tips will help. Now I gotta figure out what ports to buy.
John, I suspect that if the desk was deeper ergonomically could be an issue and cause you to reach too much. This could be quite unsafe for the user’s back.
Most definitely...like I said in the video...I understand because of the ergonomics why there’s not much space...I think the lack of rack space or implementation of it(without spending an additional $500) for the list price of the desk alone was my main concern...
I have this same set up with the sidecar and I bought for the same reason you did looks.The pros are it looks good and I love sitting down to my starship. The cons: not enough desk top space (I have 49 key Akai Advance that barely fits), in windows 10 you can’t utilize the dual monitors for separate views. I need you to put me on to the batch feature please and thanks
I’m considering buying this, but the lack of a dedicated single cable IO to laptop integration (single USB3 or Single Thunderbolt) is basically a dealbreaker. An integrated hub dongle costs less than $100 to manufacturer and can easily be integrated into its design
To be honest, when you go to purchase something, you really need to research it. So sure, no one will tell you about some of these issues. I feel, a desk like this is geared more for a studio that is mostly or 100% digital. Example: using it with Reason Studios. But i am very grateful for this video. Thank you for sharing your insights. This is extremely helpful and is the most honest review. Take care
Awesome video and happy to see an update, your videos on this setup continue to be super useful to me, as I'm still planning to buy one, just need to finish up the studio renos first. But about the ports - I wanted to let you know that there are powered USB hubs with dual HDMI outs. I got one off Amazon for $80 ("VAVA" brand) that takes up a single USB-C port on my Mac Pro and has two HDMI out and 4 USB. If you got yourself one of those, all 4 Raven connectors would fit on a single one of your macbook's ports, with 2 extra USB ports open on the hub for your controllers or whatever. Your Raven doesn't need to be hogging quite so many ports.
I know your struggle with desks that have no side rack mounts lol. I needed a new desk with rack mounts to the sides. Argosy and Omnirax offer them but they start in the thousands. I was using a Omnirax Presto 4 but I am not crazy about how it fits my control room and with my Mackie MCU. After long thought I decided to design and build my own desk. I am not a carpenter but am handy with tools and can read a ruler. I must say it came out pretty damn good and I am very happy with the results. I am thinking of posting a vid of the before and after of my stuff.
I have an Argosy Console Halo desk. I was thinking of getting the Raven MTi2 for my Argosy but not sure if I like the touch screen though as I'm old school as a Producer that use to working behind a recording console. I have the Presonus Faderport 8 that works tightly integrated with Studio One that gives it that console like feel especially on an Argosy that has the padded arm rests. I like faders and touching nobs. You use your ears rather than staring at a screen.
@No Lives Matter Yeah they make them for the flagship Argosy Eclipse console desks but seen people use it with the Halo model as well. The desk in the video is really a custom made desk made by Zaor for those dual Raven MT screens that gets installed in.
@No Lives Matter Yup. Slate Digital doesn't even make furniture. Lol. They use many 3rd party contractors to make products for them that they sell you as the average buyer wouldn't know the difference. They are more of a software company. Honestly you can use any desk. I prefer Argosy as thier build quality is unmatched with a steel metal frame body and MDF wood built to last 20 plus years.
@No Lives Matter Definitely very ergonomical for smaller studios. I almost bought the 70 V-Series model but the depth was to deep. Grandham from the Recording Revolution has the 70 V-Series. I still plan on getting that one later when I open up a commerical private facility. I know Dave Pensado owns an Argosy Dual 15 pretty much the bigger brother of the Halo.
The whole point of a console is the analog saturation and eq’s. Other wise just get a regular motorized console. You basically have a screen that can be touched with multiple fingers which will not have a tactile feel. It’s more of a flex than something functional.
Or get something that works and you can TOUCH without getting those shitty cheap china made monitors that cost about 100-150 bucks and slate buys hundreds so maybe you pay 15-20X what it actually cost. Think about it! These monitors are old even before they arrive at your sad studio and worth 30% of what you paid after 4-5 months and then even less...
Bro I have the same monitor that raven use on the raven slates the only difference is the name on the product they use exactly the same model as the Hanns G touchscreen monitor loool they are selling you a £330 touchscreen monitor and charging you over £1000 for something that cost way less
I've set up a couple of these desks and they're a classic example of form over function. You're not going to be able to edit nearly as quick as you can with keyboard and mouse. Plus you lose a lot of the ergonomics mentioned in the video. People who want "hands on" control, should really just get a proper control surface where you're physically touching actual faders rather than lifting your arms up to touch a screen. I would imagine if you had to do a lot of editing your arms would get quite tired. It looks amazing, but completely impractical.
Can you customize multiple interfaces with your software? That's what I'm confused about if it's only meant for programs that has been customized for or will your dog see it as a midi controller and then if you go to set all your controls with your dog by moving the fader midi learn thing.
No You have to have the batch commander for your daw of choice…you choose that when you set it up…if you get the 2 screen setup you can choose two daws…and you launch the batch commander for the daw you use…but it doesn’t show up as a general midi controller in your daw
JM, here you are speaking to the obvious marketing value in presenting a professional appearance. That makes this a worthwhile investment, and more than just a gimmick or a toy. Also, if it speeds up your workflow, that's less time and therefore less money your clients have to pay. I daily drive a touch screen. All touch screens screw up from time to time. Nature of the beast. Macs in particular don't get along well with touch screens, and, as you said, the solution is almost always a restart. Not the end of the world. Have you considered the now-discontinued Acer T272HUL? Obviously, it does not have the Slate's automation, but a ridiculously accurate glass touch screen monitor. This is my daily driver for work. It has the zero-gravity kickstand, meaning you can raise and lower it with one finger anytime you want, and it'll stay solidly wherever you position it. This is one of those wonderful products that, as so many do, fell victim to the demands of scale. The average person would not necessarily appreciate a device like this, so I suppose that's why Acer stopped making it. If you can find one new in a box it'll cost you somewhere around 675. Used on eBay for around $400. Not to be confused with the lower resolution 272HL. Make sure the product number has the letter U in it. But, for those of us on a budget, you can get close to this look for a lot less money. Lastly, I'm kind of surprised you're running your room on a laptop. Macs plummet in value almost immediately, almost as bad as Cadillacs when you roll them off the lot. Which is to say, you can find Mac Pros out there that are powerful enough to do what you need to do and you can probably find them pretty cheap.
Agree with everything you said! I’ll check into that one soon! Sounds interesting! And I eventually went and got a Mac mini M1 and 90% of the issues went away…I got a update video coming soon!
I bought the Raven and ended up moving it to another area in the studio to use just as an additional monitor. For a "real" desk, I went with the Presonus StudioLive 32S and couldn't be happier!!
100 percent facts for 1500 dollars its should come rack space I ended it up scrapping the desk and the raven because you have to keep calibrating the screen you have to pay for the all the batch commands for each daw there is no space at all it looks super good but soon as you use it for a few months it gets annoying I bought a new desk and put the slate desk back in the box and my son uses the raven screen to play his game on it
Sell it all. We got 450 bucks per Raven MTi2 and 670 usd for the 1500 dollar piece of wood! 9 months old bought new by us and the worst purchase we ever done! All the issues and shit with the BC and agonybafter working at that angle for a few hrs.. fuck that
Thanks How does the touch screen compare to physical faders for writing automation or fader rides? I also wondered about the angle of the screens and if their experience would feel better being tilted/angled a little more forward.
It’s actually pretty cool to use...I’ve used the touchscreen for automation on a few dozen mixes...I just recently bought the faderport 8 by presonus...it’s tactile faders so of course that’s much better...but you can do decent automation on the touchscreens
Great vid brother! Now that I seen the shape of the desk, I am gonna build one. But I am gonna add some cool features like pull out side trays to extend the width of the table section and with swing capabilities so you can swing the extensions in. Oh yeah! Plus a double layered table part so I can add the keys and leave room for the components like the interface etc...
It's cute, very modern and a little sexy but there is no fucking way this feels like Studio A. Engineers like large format consoles and at very least a control surface with real faders. Touch screens are bogus.
Question? Would any large touch screen/ computers type had done the same job? Or is there something special about these screens? Like would a Microsoft surface studio do the same?
@@JohnmikeThanks I dig it. I guess was just trying to figure out if the screen themselves were needed for the software to work. Now I’m thinking these screens might actually be an answer to large touchscreens for Macs since they don’t give us options like that yet. At 1k a piece and with the New M1 chips in Mac mini’s.. we might have something here. Basically a Surface Studio killer- Besides not being able to draw on it {well}maybe.
I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
Yo, my man! How do you work with your monitors like that? First of all, having them on their sides can lead to overheating and a really really bad stereo field. Basically, your tweeters are firing to the ceiling and floor that way. Secondly, IF you do have them like that the woofers are supposed to be on the inside of both speakers. The woofers on both speakers should be the closest to you but you really shouldn't do it at all. Just a heads up man. I'm a professional audio engineer of over 25 years. Thanks for the video on the Raven! I thought about them a few years ago and decided against them. Not my kinda flow.
I agree with you, but not on the overheating issue, come on you know that’s bogus as long as the heat sink on the BACK isn’t impeded. 2nd, your tweeters and woofers are ALWAYS firing to the ceiling and floor, no matter the orientation. But you are right, it doesn’t make sense how he has his pair laid out. The Yamaha HS-5 is designed by the manufacturer to be vertical, not horizontal (but its ok to do, just keep in mind your stereo field). That’s why they adjusted the tweeter location on the NS10 (doesn’t solve the issue completely but it still helps). Just turn that left speaker 180 degrees. I’m not even going to touch the fact that at that height, they firing at his chest and not his ears.
@@KC-bi9jw Cool man thanks for the update. I just remember back in school one of the instructors telling us about keeping monitors sideways. It was so long ago and I really don't remember much about it lol. I was just trying to help him out. :)
Thanks so much for the comment! I too have been in the audio industry for about 20 years...I used to use my yams for everything and kept them right side up when I did before I got this desk...and kept them on ISO pads...but now I use my Adams to reference everything...THE ONLY time I use the Yamahas is to reference my mix in MONO...and I also use them when tracking because they are quieter and near field so I can hear better what’s going on...and again...I’m only listening to MONO sources through them...
Dude get yourself a Desktop Mac or PC you can get more USB and you can get one built to your specs and you will be happier. don’t use a laptop for studio producing that’s just lame.
Ha ha...I don’t know about lame...but I’ve been producing for over 10 years on a laptop and have produced some really dope things using only a laptop! 😉....but yea one day soon I will get something custom built...
@@garethde-witt6433 none taken...dope stuff...you see I have 6 kids...so I’m on a budget with everything lol...one day I’ll have a Mac Pro and my MacBook to take with me and travel with...but for now...I’ll keep making it happen with the MacBook lol...
Id never hit on a raven. Seems like just a touch screen with some added bonuses. I stick with analog front end mics/pres and then itb with a mouse is fine lol. Looks bada$$ but meh. Thanks for your killer vid bro!
Great point...and so true...most people will still look at it as a desk...I just wanted to give some insight on it...because when I was looking at it online I was imagining more space than what it actually was...
The desk is actually made by Zaor. Slate Digital doesn't make furniture. Slate Digital makes the touch screens that fit all the higher end desks from Argosy, Zaor, Sterling etc.
I dont understand why you would buy some thing like this to use with a Mac book of any kind.. I understand you were trying to have that show peace. But honestly these touch screens are over priced. Not a great desk desgin.. I think you would have been better off with an argosy desk. I personally got something close to an argosy but not quite as exspensive. I can fit a 42 inch super ultra wide monitor and a 23 inch touch screen. It has 12 RU spaces .. and a keyboard bull out for most 61 key. My point is these slate desks are intresting. But I think the only make sense for certen things.. id say build a pc or if you have to have a Mac get there tower.
Simple answer...I wanted it! 😂😂....I had planned to get a Mac mini to go with it but wasn’t in the budget at the time and then other things have been ahead of getting another computer or building one...overall it’s been a dope experience having this...I could’ve literally spent the whole video talking about how much I love this thing and never mention any of the cons...but I wanted to mention a few gripes to kinda give people perspective of some possible issues that you might have with it...
I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
Not trying to be picky or anything , but this video was released on the 19th Feb 2021, and he says he's been using it for 10 months having bought it in July last year. Is it just me , or are his numbers a bit off there?
While you were counting did you notice the on screen correction of *8 months popping up on the screen as I said “10 months”??...which is why most people didn’t say anything lol...I’m human...it happens ha ha
REASONS 12 IS A MUCH BETTER DEAL, YOU GET A FULL EMULATION ON A 700,000 dollar mixing ssl board thats super mouse friendly and responsive plus reasons 11 -12 works great with the slate plugins now your looking at $500 for reasons and 15 a month for ALL THE SLATE plugins that you can endlessly use as much as you want alot, Reasons plus the Slate plugins....way better Studio.....totally digital with about 80 percent hardware analog stereo sound!
Great vid bro, thnx. I never got the desk bcz it moved Ravens too far for my little arms, also no longer have any choice of angle, which I used to change now & then. Having to wait until Ravens were ready for updates to my DAWs was un-fun. I too had issues with Ravens not working quite right. I switched to a 43inch Motion Command touchscreen monitor by Music Computing for $2700. I even bought separate Batch Commanders to use with the Motion Command, now instead I just use iPad for programming shortcuts for Logic 6, Studio 5 & Cubase 11. The monitor just works, no restarting, no recalibrating, nothing ‘not’ lining up, no other software to have to consider. I also love how my S61 mk2 offers transport and mixer functionality. Faderport 1 v2 now collecting MIDI cobwebs. I hope this can be helpful to someone. Peace 🎹🎶❤️
Who run a professional studio with a single laptop??? It’s not the Raven the problem, the problem is your computer configuration man. On my Mac desktop with two Raven I don’t have a single trouble. All is perfect and after using many hardware controller I will never come back.
Ummmmm I do! 🙋🏾♂️...6+ figures a year! All from my 2016 MBP...🤷🏾♂️....and I can name about 100 other successful engineers and producers that do the same...but to your point I’ll never go back as well...looking at switching to a Mac mini or iMac soon
I bought the Raven MTi2 and I was like “Did I make a mistake?” (The answer for me is yes). It’s really just a gimmick to impress my clients lol. I shoulda bought an ultra wide instead.
Talk about long winded! Try getting to the point without all the tangents and meanderings. You list the lack of rack space as a grievance, and title the video "what I wish someone would have told me before I bought it", inferring that when purchasing the desk, the lack of any rack space wasn't obvious? Ugh.
Title should be “what I wish I would have researched before I spent $3k” This desk looks really cool, but that is all that it does for the studio IMO! Functionality absolutely sucks! Your #3 complaint was my #1 first time hooking this up. Similar setup to yours with the MacBook Pro. They need to design a hub that can drive the two screens independently of the computer’s processor. #2 I hate the mix position! Don’t you get tired of leaning your head forward to see? Adjustable screens would be great! Not sure how much the software has improved in the two years since I’ve used this, but definitely not reliable. Where is the space to fit anything I reach for regularly!? Volume control? Interface? MIDI keys? And the price point!?! Pfffttt, this desk is a scam! 1 out of 5 stars would not recommend.
Definitely agree with all of your points! Which is why I did this video...when I was researching...nobody was talking about the downsides of it like I did in this video... but that aside I wouldn’t rate it that low tho! Lolol...maybe a 2.5-3.25 lol...I’ve gotten into a groove with it and enjoy its functionality in studio one...but outside of that...it’s just a great toy that impresses the clients that come in...which in turn has brought me more work...but I definitely caution that “results may vary” lol
Whenever I see someone with vertical monitors on their sides, I can't listen to their advice. They've literally shown all of their actual knowledge about audio. Sure, he can be a pro and have LOTS of work, but when it comes down to it, those (first of all) cheap monitors are vertical; you change the high-end dynamics when you put them on their side and not in a good way. Also, if you're willing to buy the Raven for your studio, you're in it for the looks. Touch screens are not practical in any studio.
The monitors are on their sides because I don’t even use them to mix…I use them to reference in mono(so the stereo field doesn’t even matter) if you pay attention instead of making a blanket judgment you’d have seen that I have a set of Adams that I use(in the correct position) for mixing…98% of the time the yams ain’t even on…but hey…don’t take my advice…I’m nobody just a dude on the internet running my mouth…nobody is really paying attention to me…
You need a PC brother. This whole Mac thing is just an overpriced lifestyle with so many limitations. For half the price you can build a beast of a Recording studio PC with so many more options and the opportunity to upgrade any part of it. Plus the ports it has just outta the box. Mine has 9 ports not including the video card ports. The I have 3 ports connected to power hubs. In total I have access to over 20 ports to use.
You couldn’t pay me to go back to PC…either way I’ve way since solved these issues and no longer have the MacBook I was trying to connect it to…I went with an M1 Mac mini solved my problems and performance wise the M1 chips are killing everything on the PC side for now half the price of a PC build…tables have turned…beast powered macs are no longer more expensive than PCs…I have a 20 port usb hub that’s plugged into my Mac mini…solved all my issues
Your monitors are the wrong way up mate. They aren’t designed or engineered to be on their sides. Your already ruining your sound simply by doing this. Junior error
Naa more like a senior that doesn’t care lol...I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
@@Johnmike 😂 and the mixing controller in front of the already mixing controllers (Raven) Love mine, built my own custom desk. Looks better totally practical and fraction of the price
I was going to buy these years ago when they came out. And since then I have had them in the cart a couple times but decided against it. I run on two screens plus a tablet and I use dedicated control surfaces for PT. It just seems more of a novelty compared to my current work flow. And if it's one thing I have learned in 20+ years, it's never fuck with the work flow. Every bit of equipment in my studio has been selected to provide rock solid performance. I still operate on a 2010 MacPro. But that MP has an RME PCIe based interface that cables to a separate rack that handles just my i/o. And it literally never fucks up. I haven't had to restart my computer during a session in well over 8 years. I can understand the draw to these monitors because if I'm being real it replaces the need for a hardware control surface. And the price is better than buying two large monitors + a good control surface. In most cases you can't even get a control surface for a pro workflow for the price of two of these monitors. I like how you put the time in before airing your grivences with these. It's definitely genuine what you have to say about them. I feel like these aren't for everyone so getting real world perspective on them helps. I will personally never buy these. But it is the right purchase for allot of people.
@@Johnmike not when money is on the line! Down for a day is $400 lost. I'm not Sony Music group so every dollar counts. And I know we're all in the same boat.
BEFORE YOU COMMENT ABOUT THE YAMAHA MONITORS ON THE SIDES!!! PLEASE READ THIS! 👉🏾I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
No hate for Yamaha near fields I’m a Genelec user now but there are worse monitors than Yamaha I think I had them all, lol
I would be worried about having the driver magnets so close to the screens. I've seen them wreck screens over time. Might be better to get some floor stands.
John Mike. Man I think I went Totally left when I saw your video. So now I’m gearing toward the Argosy E2 Sit and Stand with only the one Raven monitor. But I still love your set up with the Raven. I thought about gear space. But still in all The Raven setup is the boom 💥.
Don’t know of someone already said this, but for port/power situation, I’d look into the Caldigit TB3. It should be able to charge/power the Mac and display 2 4K outputs or 1 5K via one single Thunderbolt cable. Plus it has 11 additional I/O.
hi, which version of the raven is this? The desk looks like it's not that high as mine which would be much better. thanks
I can't work on touch screens. They look impressive but are not very tactile :/
nothing beats real gear
@@Avryg00 Yes, I have a Presonus Studiolive 32 digital mixer with motorised faders and it works great for me :)
@@officialWWM Do you use it primarily as a DAW controller and if so, what DAW?
Will Lewis hi, I use it as a 16 channel interface and once I'm done recording, I push one button and it becomes a DAW controller. I use it with Studio One Professional and I love them both. I have also used the mixer for live band recordings direct to SD card, then I mix down in my studio later and get the musicians in for any overdubs.
Hey what solution did you come up with for fitting your 61-key midi controller below the desk?? Thanks!
For a cleaner setup with the limited ports on your MacBook, check out a good Thunderbolt dock. You can find ones that will provide power to your MacBook and give you multiple HDMI outputs using just one Thunderbolt port on your MacBook, and it sounds like that could clean up Dongle City for you a bit.
You’re right! Because I bought the UAD Arrow I had to buy a thunderbolt 3 power port station and that gave me extra ports.
Never seen this before! Interesting! Am I gonna buy? No. Don't need it....but still interesting.
Yeah, if i'm spending $2k - $3k for a desk. I want ZERO gripes or cons. But i'm glad for this video. I always did wonder what the purpose of these fancy desks.
spending 2-3k you're gonna have gripes and cons regardless. no such thing as perfect with gear. example, studios ive worked at always had their avalons (i never used them) out for repair...thats a 3k channel strip, so you would think it would always work no?.
Is it me or the monitors are placed in the same direction? Lol Im a gearhead so I look at everything.
Yup but I don’t really use them...I use my adams...you should see them in the back underneath my darth Vader helmet
@@Johnmike yeah I noticed them in the back!! I figured that was the case!! Thanks for the video!!
John you answered every question I have thought about when looking at this same set up. Thanks for the great video!!!!!
Its an interesting conundrum. The screens wouldn't look half as good sitting on a desk. it looks so tight because its built in. Its like your piloting a spaceship. :)
Yuuuup!
It’s a mixing desk. Steven Slate is a mix engineer. It’s not really a production center. Made for a keyboard and mouse. All mix and mastering desks are that way. I extended the platform on my mix desk custom order.
I agree! But every mixing desk comes with rack space...if you want rack space with this desk you have to buy the sidecar...sold separately for an additional $500...which puts the desk price at $2000...if the screens and the desk(with sidecar) were only a packaged deal and the desk by itself wasn’t sold as a product by itself...then I wouldn’t take issue with it...and while it is geared towards mixing and mastering engineers...increasingly there are a lot of producers that are interested in getting one of these...Which is why I spent so much time talking about the desk itself...wanted to inform the average jo-smo about this from a producer’s perspective...because this thing shipped via freight...so it’s not gonna be easy to just return...but I totally agree with you on it and like I said in the video...I’m a Slate fanboy so I would definitely buy it all over again
It's a custom desk made by Zaor. Slate Digital makes their Ravens that fits many of the higher end desks from Argosy, Sterling and Zaor. Argosy Console is acutally the original creator of those angled rack console desks. The company is pretty much a veteran that's been around for over 25 years which became the industry standard in many professional high end studios. Zaor, Buso many others are basically copies of Argosy's designs.
@@eman0828 great info!
I’ve heard some pros and cons about this but still thinking of buying one in the near future
are you using a usb interface mixer with that set up
Yup studiolive 16r
Most really nice desks are expensive. The number one con for me is, as you mentioned, the lack of rack integration. It would be a no-brainer for me if the desk were a little wider, with the ability to center one screen and house a few choice hardware pieces peripherally. Not being able to do that makes it a no go, no matter how nice it looks. If it can be retrofit for rack integration, it would be awesome.
For some reason I can’t add tracks by swiping from edge and my studio one mixer s faders are waaay off. If I move one it adjusts a fader 5 faders to the left… 😭. Just got it!
Sounds like you need to calibrate the screen…there’s a calibration app that comes with it…if you’ve done all that then the other option is to unplug and replug everything
I never liked mixing on a touch screen. I am old school when it comes to faders. I saw that you have the Faderport 8 also on the desk. I was thinking about one of those although I was also looking at the X-touch. How do you like the faderport?
I’ve had it for about a month and I’m still reviewing it personally...I love it so far...will be doing a full video on it soon
I love the Faderport series. I use the Faderport 16 and Faderport 8 together in Pro Tools. If you use Pro Tools, there is a blog on the Presonus website that shows how I use the Faderport controllers.
Why have the faderport with the raven?
A couple reasons...one I’m testing out the Faderport so I can do a review on it...and two because I prefer the tactile feel when writing volume automation...I mainly still use the raven for everything else...
Loving the upgrades to channel. Your content just gets better and better!
Thanks!!!
But aside from limited space on top, there is a keyboard drawer isn't there??
No there is not…I just have a keyboard on a stand that fit under the desk
“There’s not much desk to this desk.” :)
haha
It is a desk. Slate digital doesn't manufacturer or even make their own furniture. They partnered up with Zaor to custom make that desk for them and just threw in some Raven MT displays to sell you. You can use any desk for those raven screens esp an Argosy Console which way better and more pro looking thats found in many professional control rooms.
@@eman0828 perfectly put
Thanks my G. Definitely decided NOT to get this based on this video and a couple other reviews.
Man ilove your vedios but i have a qustion i was serching for a touchscreen portable 15 inch monitor that i can move the faders with my fingers buy now im so lost my mac book is 2012 mid running with mojave and i tried an i pad but unfor it wont connect with my macbook couse the logic remote version on my ipad is newer than my logic x pro 10.5.1 so please help i wanna a 15 inch hdmi touchacreen monitor
I actually built a rack mount on the underneath space on the desk. Came out perfect.
Thought about doing that...
I hear a lot of complaints about Apple and music gear interface issues...Makes me thankful I stuck with building my own PC's.
Will a 88 keyboard 🎹 fit underneath ?
A small one..my Studiologic SL88 fits under no issues…much bigger ones…not so much
Ooh yeah this video helped me big time. I didn’t know this. I’m about to order one at the end of May 2022. Also I’ll be using my MacBook Pro. M1 Max. Any more tips will help. Now I gotta figure out what ports to buy.
John, I suspect that if the desk was deeper ergonomically could be an issue and cause you to reach too much. This could be quite unsafe for the user’s back.
Most definitely...like I said in the video...I understand because of the ergonomics why there’s not much space...I think the lack of rack space or implementation of it(without spending an additional $500) for the list price of the desk alone was my main concern...
Don’t you have a slide out midi keyboard tray? Or is that something you added?
It’s just a regular keyboard stand actually
Mike what are the specs on your M1 Mac? Do all of your plugins work?
I just got the 8gb M1 Mac mini…and I’m running Big Sur not the newest OS so yes everything is working…
@@Johnmike Thank you for the quick reply. I am trying to figure out what I need. I can’t get my 2 MTi2’s to work with my 2014 iMac and my UAD quad.
Can I use this will Final Cut Pro for video editing as well
I have this same set up with the sidecar and I bought for the same reason you did looks.The pros are it looks good and I love sitting down to my starship. The cons: not enough desk top space (I have 49 key Akai Advance that barely fits), in windows 10 you can’t utilize the dual monitors for separate views. I need you to put me on to the batch feature please and thanks
I’ll be doing videos on the batch commander soon!
The two screens are totally useable as separate screens under Windows 10. I’m using them this way.
@@Johnmike thanks...looking forward to it
@@kieranreilly7511 Hey, would appreciate if you could tell me how?? Do I need a splitter or something?
You might be able to do that from display settings...maybe?
I’m considering buying this, but the lack of a dedicated single cable IO to laptop integration (single USB3 or Single Thunderbolt) is basically a dealbreaker. An integrated hub dongle costs less than $100 to manufacturer and can easily be integrated into its design
To be honest, when you go to purchase something, you really need to research it. So sure, no one will tell you about some of these issues. I feel, a desk like this is geared more for a studio that is mostly or 100% digital. Example: using it with Reason Studios.
But i am very grateful for this video. Thank you for sharing your insights. This is extremely helpful and is the most honest review.
Take care
Absolutely! Which was one of the reasons why I did this video…because when I was researching…there was nothing really outside of the slate videos
Awesome video and happy to see an update, your videos on this setup continue to be super useful to me, as I'm still planning to buy one, just need to finish up the studio renos first. But about the ports - I wanted to let you know that there are powered USB hubs with dual HDMI outs. I got one off Amazon for $80 ("VAVA" brand) that takes up a single USB-C port on my Mac Pro and has two HDMI out and 4 USB. If you got yourself one of those, all 4 Raven connectors would fit on a single one of your macbook's ports, with 2 extra USB ports open on the hub for your controllers or whatever. Your Raven doesn't need to be hogging quite so many ports.
Good idea...I’ll take a look at that one
Good video! …… I’m really thinking about getting this setup for my Mac. Maybe with a SSL uf8 fader pack
Finally bit the bullet and got it a couple months ago!
Really appreciate your honesty. Great info.
I know your struggle with desks that have no side rack mounts lol. I needed a new desk with rack mounts to the sides. Argosy and Omnirax offer them but they start in the thousands. I was using a Omnirax Presto 4 but I am not crazy about how it fits my control room and with my Mackie MCU. After long thought I decided to design and build my own desk. I am not a carpenter but am handy with tools and can read a ruler. I must say it came out pretty damn good and I am very happy with the results. I am thinking of posting a vid of the before and after of my stuff.
does raven mti2 work with ryzen 9 5950x?
I have an Argosy Console Halo desk. I was thinking of getting the Raven MTi2 for my Argosy but not sure if I like the touch screen though as I'm old school as a Producer that use to working behind a recording console. I have the Presonus Faderport 8 that works tightly integrated with Studio One that gives it that console like feel especially on an Argosy that has the padded arm rests. I like faders and touching nobs. You use your ears rather than staring at a screen.
@No Lives Matter Yeah they make them for the flagship Argosy Eclipse console desks but seen people use it with the Halo model as well. The desk in the video is really a custom made desk made by Zaor for those dual Raven MT screens that gets installed in.
@No Lives Matter Yup. Slate Digital doesn't even make furniture. Lol. They use many 3rd party contractors to make products for them that they sell you as the average buyer wouldn't know the difference. They are more of a software company. Honestly you can use any desk. I prefer Argosy as thier build quality is unmatched with a steel metal frame body and MDF wood built to last 20 plus years.
@No Lives Matter Definitely very ergonomical for smaller studios. I almost bought the 70 V-Series model but the depth was to deep. Grandham from the Recording Revolution has the 70 V-Series. I still plan on getting that one later when I open up a commerical private facility. I know Dave Pensado owns an Argosy Dual 15 pretty much the bigger brother of the Halo.
The whole point of a console is the analog saturation and eq’s. Other wise just get a regular motorized console. You basically have a screen that can be touched with multiple fingers which will not have a tactile feel. It’s more of a flex than something functional.
your studio looks like a million dollar studio with this console
Check out the Slate Raven here:(affiliate link)
amzn.to/2MbxE8f
Or get something that works and you can TOUCH without getting those shitty cheap china made monitors that cost about 100-150 bucks and slate buys hundreds so maybe you pay 15-20X what it actually cost. Think about it! These monitors are old even before they arrive at your sad studio and worth 30% of what you paid after 4-5 months and then even less...
when buying these touch screens, does slate also throw in some free plugins?
No sadly they don’t
Bro I have the same monitor that raven use on the raven slates the only difference is the name on the product they use exactly the same model as the Hanns G touchscreen monitor loool they are selling you a £330 touchscreen monitor and charging you over £1000 for something that cost way less
Is slate raven over kill for video podcasting?
I would say so
I've set up a couple of these desks and they're a classic example of form over function. You're not going to be able to edit nearly as quick as you can with keyboard and mouse. Plus you lose a lot of the ergonomics mentioned in the video. People who want "hands on" control, should really just get a proper control surface where you're physically touching actual faders rather than lifting your arms up to touch a screen. I would imagine if you had to do a lot of editing your arms would get quite tired. It looks amazing, but completely impractical.
Can you customize multiple interfaces with your software? That's what I'm confused about if it's only meant for programs that has been customized for or will your dog see it as a midi controller and then if you go to set all your controls with your dog by moving the fader midi learn thing.
No You have to have the batch commander for your daw of choice…you choose that when you set it up…if you get the 2 screen setup you can choose two daws…and you launch the batch commander for the daw you use…but it doesn’t show up as a general midi controller in your daw
@@Johnmike so I will be able to do my own customized setup? For FL studio
JM, here you are speaking to the obvious marketing value in presenting a professional appearance. That makes this a worthwhile investment, and more than just a gimmick or a toy. Also, if it speeds up your workflow, that's less time and therefore less money your clients have to pay.
I daily drive a touch screen. All touch screens screw up from time to time. Nature of the beast. Macs in particular don't get along well with touch screens, and, as you said, the solution is almost always a restart. Not the end of the world.
Have you considered the now-discontinued Acer T272HUL? Obviously, it does not have the Slate's automation, but a ridiculously accurate glass touch screen monitor. This is my daily driver for work. It has the zero-gravity kickstand, meaning you can raise and lower it with one finger anytime you want, and it'll stay solidly wherever you position it.
This is one of those wonderful products that, as so many do, fell victim to the demands of scale. The average person would not necessarily appreciate a device like this, so I suppose that's why Acer stopped making it.
If you can find one new in a box it'll cost you somewhere around 675. Used on eBay for around $400.
Not to be confused with the lower resolution 272HL. Make sure the product number has the letter U in it. But, for those of us on a budget, you can get close to this look for a lot less money.
Lastly, I'm kind of surprised you're running your room on a laptop. Macs plummet in value almost immediately, almost as bad as Cadillacs when you roll them off the lot. Which is to say, you can find Mac Pros out there that are powerful enough to do what you need to do and you can probably find them pretty cheap.
Agree with everything you said! I’ll check into that one soon! Sounds interesting! And I eventually went and got a Mac mini M1 and 90% of the issues went away…I got a update video coming soon!
What program do you use with the Raven ?
Studio one
@@Johnmike brotha, is the raven able to be used with fl studio
I bought the Raven and ended up moving it to another area in the studio to use just as an additional monitor. For a "real" desk, I went with the Presonus StudioLive 32S and couldn't be happier!!
Is the presonus analog or digital? I was consider presonus for a while now.
I have the studiolive 16r rack mixer!!
Thats Big Boi Studio Equipment Right There .
Hahahaha Yeah riiiight ... maybe not thoug
What DAW are you using with it?
Mostly studio one...but I also use logic
100 percent facts for 1500 dollars its should come rack space I ended it up scrapping the desk and the raven because you have to keep calibrating the screen you have to pay for the all the batch commands for each daw there is no space at all it looks super good but soon as you use it for a few months it gets annoying I bought a new desk and put the slate desk back in the box and my son uses the raven screen to play his game on it
Sell it all. We got 450 bucks per Raven MTi2 and 670 usd for the 1500 dollar piece of wood! 9 months old bought new by us and the worst purchase we ever done! All the issues and shit with the BC and agonybafter working at that angle for a few hrs.. fuck that
Thanks
How does the touch screen compare to physical faders for writing automation or fader rides?
I also wondered about the angle of the screens and if their experience would feel better being tilted/angled a little more forward.
It’s actually pretty cool to use...I’ve used the touchscreen for automation on a few dozen mixes...I just recently bought the faderport 8 by presonus...it’s tactile faders so of course that’s much better...but you can do decent automation on the touchscreens
Great Video. I HATE my raven! Sold it and unfortunately bought a console 1. I think I want my Raven back! Great work though.
Main reason i bought it was the look !!!!!!!!!! well next do some research !!!!!!!
I did lol...nobody was talking about the cons as openly as I did in this video lol
I've always been wary of that thing.
It’s still a good buy...like I said in the video I would still buy it again if I had to do it all over again
Great vid brother! Now that I seen the shape of the desk, I am gonna build one. But I am gonna add some cool features like pull out side trays to extend the width of the table section and with swing capabilities so you can swing the extensions in. Oh yeah! Plus a double layered table part so I can add the keys and leave room for the components like the interface etc...
I’ve totally considered building my own desk to spec that I want…and may do it soon
It's cute, very modern and a little sexy but there is no fucking way this feels like Studio A. Engineers like large format consoles and at very least a control surface with real faders. Touch screens are bogus.
ok I’m not the only one to wish apple would just make a macbook pro for us music people with all the ports we need!
I bought the PreSonus sc32 for much of the same purpose.
Thank you man… cool review… want you to talk also about the assignments…. Well done.. Salute
Coming soon
Question? Would any large touch screen/ computers type had done the same job? Or is there something special about these screens?
Like would a Microsoft surface studio do the same?
Depends...if you are a windows user...maybe so...but if you are a Mac user...no...they don’t really make a inexpensive touchscreen for macs
@@JohnmikeThanks I dig it. I guess was just trying to figure out if the screen themselves were needed for the software to work.
Now I’m thinking these screens might actually be an answer to large touchscreens for Macs since they don’t give us options like that yet.
At 1k a piece and with the New M1 chips in Mac mini’s.. we might have something here.
Basically a Surface Studio killer-
Besides not being able to draw on it {well}maybe.
@@gabbishleegifted4752 yup that was the other reason I got it because this is the best solution for a touchscreen Mac
This is great man I as usual appreciate your honesty and your ability to talk about these products in a real way...my dude 🍻🇺🇸
Thanks for the tips!
Bro you’re speakers need sorting out you either need both tweeters facing inwards or outwards not one inwards and one out like it is now
I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
the monitors are not positioned correctly, the tweeters aren't mirrored
I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
Yo, my man! How do you work with your monitors like that? First of all, having them on their sides can lead to overheating and a really really bad stereo field. Basically, your tweeters are firing to the ceiling and floor that way. Secondly, IF you do have them like that the woofers are supposed to be on the inside of both speakers. The woofers on both speakers should be the closest to you but you really shouldn't do it at all. Just a heads up man. I'm a professional audio engineer of over 25 years. Thanks for the video on the Raven! I thought about them a few years ago and decided against them. Not my kinda flow.
I agree with you, but not on the overheating issue, come on you know that’s bogus as long as the heat sink on the BACK isn’t impeded. 2nd, your tweeters and woofers are ALWAYS firing to the ceiling and floor, no matter the orientation. But you are right, it doesn’t make sense how he has his pair laid out. The Yamaha HS-5 is designed by the manufacturer to be vertical, not horizontal (but its ok to do, just keep in mind your stereo field). That’s why they adjusted the tweeter location on the NS10 (doesn’t solve the issue completely but it still helps). Just turn that left speaker 180 degrees. I’m not even going to touch the fact that at that height, they firing at his chest and not his ears.
@@KC-bi9jw Cool man thanks for the update. I just remember back in school one of the instructors telling us about keeping monitors sideways. It was so long ago and I really don't remember much about it lol. I was just trying to help him out. :)
Thanks so much for the comment! I too have been in the audio industry for about 20 years...I used to use my yams for everything and kept them right side up when I did before I got this desk...and kept them on ISO pads...but now I use my Adams to reference everything...THE ONLY time I use the Yamahas is to reference my mix in MONO...and I also use them when tracking because they are quieter and near field so I can hear better what’s going on...and again...I’m only listening to MONO sources through them...
Yes, Tweeters Out or Tweeters Up, Matthew is 100% Correct. I wanted to scream when I saw them....
@@alexkiddie2022 cool...I only listen in mono tho🤷🏾♂️
Thanks
Dude get yourself a Desktop Mac or PC you can get more USB and you can get one built to your specs and you will be happier. don’t use a laptop for studio producing that’s just lame.
Ha ha...I don’t know about lame...but I’ve been producing for over 10 years on a laptop and have produced some really dope things using only a laptop! 😉....but yea one day soon I will get something custom built...
No disrespect meant😊 I also have a laptop that have a studio setup on , but I use it for mobile recording which I then transfer to my desktop.
@@garethde-witt6433 none taken...dope stuff...you see I have 6 kids...so I’m on a budget with everything lol...one day I’ll have a Mac Pro and my MacBook to take with me and travel with...but for now...I’ll keep making it happen with the MacBook lol...
Ah I have 3 of my own so I get it. I’m a PC guy bought some parts cheap and built my own. I upgrade stuff when I have the cash🙂. All the best 👍👍
Id never hit on a raven. Seems like just a touch screen with some added bonuses. I stick with analog front end mics/pres and then itb with a mouse is fine lol. Looks bada$$ but meh. Thanks for your killer vid bro!
It is called a Station not a desk hence not having desk room ....
Great point...and so true...most people will still look at it as a desk...I just wanted to give some insight on it...because when I was looking at it online I was imagining more space than what it actually was...
The desk is actually made by Zaor. Slate Digital doesn't make furniture. Slate Digital makes the touch screens that fit all the higher end desks from Argosy, Zaor, Sterling etc.
"The gear lust"😆😆🤣l know about that for sure.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I dont understand why you would buy some thing like this to use with a Mac book of any kind.. I understand you were trying to have that show peace. But honestly these touch screens are over priced. Not a great desk desgin.. I think you would have been better off with an argosy desk. I personally got something close to an argosy but not quite as exspensive. I can fit a 42 inch super ultra wide monitor and a 23 inch touch screen. It has 12 RU spaces .. and a keyboard bull out for most 61 key. My point is these slate desks are intresting. But I think the only make sense for certen things.. id say build a pc or if you have to have a Mac get there tower.
Simple answer...I wanted it! 😂😂....I had planned to get a Mac mini to go with it but wasn’t in the budget at the time and then other things have been ahead of getting another computer or building one...overall it’s been a dope experience having this...I could’ve literally spent the whole video talking about how much I love this thing and never mention any of the cons...but I wanted to mention a few gripes to kinda give people perspective of some possible issues that you might have with it...
WTF about position of these Yamaha HS5?!
I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
Take a shot every time John says desk
Those bezels, and their UI looks very outdated. In my opinion. I still think they are amazing, and I want one, once they update.
Thank you!
Not trying to be picky or anything , but this video was released on the 19th Feb 2021, and he says he's been using it for 10 months having bought it in July last year. Is it just me , or are his numbers a bit off there?
While you were counting did you notice the on screen correction of *8 months popping up on the screen as I said “10 months”??...which is why most people didn’t say anything lol...I’m human...it happens ha ha
REASONS 12 IS A MUCH BETTER DEAL, YOU GET A FULL EMULATION ON A 700,000 dollar mixing ssl board thats super mouse friendly and responsive plus reasons 11 -12 works great with the slate plugins now your looking at $500 for reasons and 15 a month for ALL THE SLATE plugins that you can endlessly use as much as you want alot, Reasons plus the Slate plugins....way better Studio.....totally digital with about 80 percent hardware analog stereo sound!
how often has he said desk? 😂
Acutally it is a desk. It's custom made by Zaor similar to what Argosy makes. Slate Digital doesn't make studio furniture.
Great vid bro, thnx. I never got the desk bcz it moved Ravens too far for my little arms, also no longer have any choice of angle, which I used to change now & then. Having to wait until Ravens were ready for updates to my DAWs was un-fun. I too had issues with Ravens not working quite right. I switched to a 43inch Motion Command touchscreen monitor by Music Computing for $2700. I even bought separate Batch Commanders to use with the Motion Command, now instead I just use iPad for programming shortcuts for Logic 6, Studio 5 & Cubase 11. The monitor just works, no restarting, no recalibrating, nothing ‘not’ lining up, no other software to have to consider. I also love how my S61 mk2 offers transport and mixer functionality. Faderport 1 v2 now collecting MIDI cobwebs. I hope this can be helpful to someone. Peace 🎹🎶❤️
Who run a professional studio with a single laptop???
It’s not the Raven the problem, the problem is your computer configuration man.
On my Mac desktop with two Raven I don’t have a single trouble.
All is perfect and after using many hardware controller I will never come back.
Ummmmm I do! 🙋🏾♂️...6+ figures a year! All from my 2016 MBP...🤷🏾♂️....and I can name about 100 other successful engineers and producers that do the same...but to your point I’ll never go back as well...looking at switching to a Mac mini or iMac soon
@@Johnmike take the iMac it’s a beast
Thx!
Saved me! I aint gettin em now.
I am NEW to this music thing and I could have TOLD YOU that you bought an OVERPRICED Touchscreen monitor! LMAO
Giant iPad!
@@jfn467 not even that. It has no computing power. And that's fine. But if buying a monitor, buy a monitor.
And that he'd buy it again is HILARIOUS/
Did I Make a mistake? The kind of title that immediately makes me want to ignore this video
🤷🏾♂️ignore it...probably not for you unless you own the Slate console...or are thinking of buying one...
I bought the Raven MTi2 and I was like “Did I make a mistake?” (The answer for me is yes). It’s really just a gimmick to impress my clients lol. I shoulda bought an ultra wide instead.
Talk about long winded! Try getting to the point without all the tangents and meanderings. You list the lack of rack space as a grievance, and title the video "what I wish someone would have told me before I bought it", inferring that when purchasing the desk, the lack of any rack space wasn't obvious? Ugh.
Try watching a different channel then. Ugh
I still like real faders, non this screen based rubbish for me
Great video 👍🏽
Title should be “what I wish I would have researched before I spent $3k”
This desk looks really cool, but that is all that it does for the studio IMO!
Functionality absolutely sucks! Your #3 complaint was my #1 first time hooking this up. Similar setup to yours with the MacBook Pro. They need to design a hub that can drive the two screens independently of the computer’s processor. #2 I hate the mix position! Don’t you get tired of leaning your head forward to see? Adjustable screens would be great! Not sure how much the software has improved in the two years since I’ve used this, but definitely not reliable. Where is the space to fit anything I reach for regularly!? Volume control? Interface? MIDI keys? And the price point!?! Pfffttt, this desk is a scam!
1 out of 5 stars would not recommend.
Definitely agree with all of your points! Which is why I did this video...when I was researching...nobody was talking about the downsides of it like I did in this video... but that aside I wouldn’t rate it that low tho! Lolol...maybe a 2.5-3.25 lol...I’ve gotten into a groove with it and enjoy its functionality in studio one...but outside of that...it’s just a great toy that impresses the clients that come in...which in turn has brought me more work...but I definitely caution that “results may vary” lol
Well I'm not buying this now. Good looks homie 🙏🏾
Whenever I see someone with vertical monitors on their sides, I can't listen to their advice. They've literally shown all of their actual knowledge about audio. Sure, he can be a pro and have LOTS of work, but when it comes down to it, those (first of all) cheap monitors are vertical; you change the high-end dynamics when you put them on their side and not in a good way. Also, if you're willing to buy the Raven for your studio, you're in it for the looks. Touch screens are not practical in any studio.
The monitors are on their sides because I don’t even use them to mix…I use them to reference in mono(so the stereo field doesn’t even matter) if you pay attention instead of making a blanket judgment you’d have seen that I have a set of Adams that I use(in the correct position) for mixing…98% of the time the yams ain’t even on…but hey…don’t take my advice…I’m nobody just a dude on the internet running my mouth…nobody is really paying attention to me…
You need a PC brother. This whole Mac thing is just an overpriced lifestyle with so many limitations. For half the price you can build a beast of a Recording studio PC with so many more options and the opportunity to upgrade any part of it. Plus the ports it has just outta the box. Mine has 9 ports not including the video card ports. The I have 3 ports connected to power hubs. In total I have access to over 20 ports to use.
You couldn’t pay me to go back to PC…either way I’ve way since solved these issues and no longer have the MacBook I was trying to connect it to…I went with an M1 Mac mini solved my problems and performance wise the M1 chips are killing everything on the PC side for now half the price of a PC build…tables have turned…beast powered macs are no longer more expensive than PCs…I have a 20 port usb hub that’s plugged into my Mac mini…solved all my issues
Your monitors are the wrong way up mate. They aren’t designed or engineered to be on their sides. Your already ruining your sound simply by doing this. Junior error
Naa more like a senior that doesn’t care lol...I don’t even use them except to listen in mono...I mix on my adams which are seen off screen...and they are perfectly calibrated for my room and oriented with tweeters pointing at ears...the Yams are pointed at my chest off axis...so it’s not even there with the intention of trying to hear my stereo field...
@@Johnmike 😂 and the mixing controller in front of the already mixing controllers (Raven)
Love mine, built my own custom desk. Looks better totally practical and fraction of the price
@@anywherenearzero 😂 yea I just got the Faderport...I’m using it to evaluate it for another video! 😉
I was going to buy these years ago when they came out. And since then I have had them in the cart a couple times but decided against it. I run on two screens plus a tablet and I use dedicated control surfaces for PT. It just seems more of a novelty compared to my current work flow. And if it's one thing I have learned in 20+ years, it's never fuck with the work flow. Every bit of equipment in my studio has been selected to provide rock solid performance. I still operate on a 2010 MacPro. But that MP has an RME PCIe based interface that cables to a separate rack that handles just my i/o. And it literally never fucks up. I haven't had to restart my computer during a session in well over 8 years.
I can understand the draw to these monitors because if I'm being real it replaces the need for a hardware control surface. And the price is better than buying two large monitors + a good control surface. In most cases you can't even get a control surface for a pro workflow for the price of two of these monitors. I like how you put the time in before airing your grivences with these. It's definitely genuine what you have to say about them. I feel like these aren't for everyone so getting real world perspective on them helps. I will personally never buy these. But it is the right purchase for allot of people.
Good stuff! As one of my mentors always says...”You never upgrade a working system!” He’s still using an ‘08 Mac Pro
@@Johnmike not when money is on the line! Down for a day is $400 lost. I'm not Sony Music group so every dollar counts. And I know we're all in the same boat.
Big Facts!!
No offence but... Buying stuff for audio, for the looks of it.
I find it mental that your whole studio is run by a laptop. 😅
Lol
I candy for customers