Great video, thanks Craig. I first saw the synth drawer idea years ago on a video tour of Moby's Studio posted on UA-cam. I was immediately impressed with this idea and thought that's what I would love to have for the ultimate organization of my synths and equipment. But unfortunately like you I am no carpenter, so this will probably remain on my wish list.
I saw that video of Moby's studio too!!! I have seen a number (very small number) of companies making these style draws. They're def nicer than mine but also come with a much larger price tag. I thank my brother-in-law every time I see him for helping with the project because without him this wouldn't have been finished.
It's not an easy task to make a compact composer's work desk, workbench? The key is to have everything at the ready when you are using your music workflow, and as such, workflow will dictate the overall design. So what is a music composition workflow? I can give my approach to music workbench/desk by highlighting some features that I felt were important for my workflow. I wanted two primary work surfaces, the first (lowest tier, at nominal desk height) is a general work area (like a writing desk) which will include a computer keyboard, mouse and other computer input devices. The next tier up (4 inches above the first) is for the 88 key synthesizer, and the third tier (highest, 7 inches above the second) provides a surface for two computer monitors, small stereo speakers and other electronic devices (patch bay, etc.). The basic solution is similar to what is shown in the video except the two lowest tiers act like work desks in terms of hand position, proper posture for typing, and general work desk ergonomics when using an adjustable height ergo desk chair (the chair can be adjusted to span the two first tiers, that is, up or down by 4 inches). I wanted the shelves to extend forward like a cantilever desk surface(s) so there are no desk supports or structure to get in your way or bump you legs. This means that the pull out guides have to be heavy duty (500 pounds, for an extension travel of 24 inches). My pull out shelves (work surfaces) are rather large (64 inches wide and 24 inches deep, the 88 key synth is almost 60 inches wide and very heavy) as compared to the video, but when in the recessed position they are all stacked like in a book shelf. The heavy duty slides I used are locking in the full in or full out position. I put the shelves recessed into a closet so when the folding closet doors are closed it looks like a normal closet. To use the music workbench you first open the closet doors and then adjust your chair down, unlock and pull out the working shelve you want until it locks, and adjust your chair for proper working height. The pull out shelves are hard mounted into the closet structure so you can pull out all the shelves to where ever you want in relation to one another without worrying that the bench will fall over. When done working or on a break you can push the selves to their full in position. One of my normal work flows is to have the bottom tier pulled out all the way and locked, next the synthesizer shelf is pulled out just behind the computer keyboard, and then the monitor shelf pulled out to easily read the monitors. The two computer monitors on the third tier are mounted on articulating arms so you can position them were ever you want. So, in this configuration you can simultaneously work with your DAW, play the keyboard and access other items which fit on either the first or third tier. Under the lowest shelve in the closet is a small 19 inch rack (500 series analog modules) on wheels the you can pull out and position to your left, is has a top organizer for writing materials (paper pad, general office supplies), and two cup holders one for a bottle of water and the other a coffee mug. The closet houses the DAW computer and other electronics. Inside and above is an LED work light behind a valence. If you want you can move the computer keyboard and mouse to the third level (however, not in an easy position to type ergonomically) and put another smaller synthesizer key board or perhaps two on the lower tier, but they have to fit a 4 inch space. So, there is some flexibility in the design. In making your own music desk it needs to address your particular workflow. I think my somewhat generic three tier approach is very flexible, more than three would be either too high or too low.
You're welcome. I'm really happy with how they turned out and it's a def wow factor when people come work with me int he studio. They're also super useable!!
I'm still working out cable management. This issue is made tougher because I'm pulling equipment out for videos and if I don't put it away right after I make the video things can get untidy. I still really love the setup.
Keyboard Stands that allow ergonomic programming and playing positions as well as rock solid non-moving strength cannot be purchased, they must be made. Very disappointing the stands out there today, non-designed for permanent installs, they all seem to be portables only, and weak, moving all over the place with each chord I play. I hate them all. So I built my own. My entire studio has to fit in the corner of my living room. I live in an apartment and so can't cut wood in my apartment. So, I designed a stand on paper, and then had all the cuts done at the lumberyard, then assembled and screwed together in my apartment. Even one mistake in my calculations and the stand would not assemble; pressure in perfection :). I wanted a 3 tier and waterfall design, so each keyboard could be seen and played. Drawers are the answer, but I only needed a sliding shelf for the top tier. I started with a simple wood desk and then used 11x1 pine boards to build the tiers. Above the tiers I designed a place for a 32-channel mixing board, 2 near fields, a 24-track recorder and effects pedals. It all worked and playing the keyboards is as solid as playing a grand piano. The starting desk had a sliding drawer already in it (computer desk) and I use that for my groove box. The three tiers holds three 61 note keyboards. For the rest of the studio used commercial two-tiered Xstands, 2 of those. And a little stand a tiny computer desk for a small 37 note synth and a RefaceDX. It is the typical square configuration of instruments surrounding me so I sit in the middle on a rotating stool and can play any group of keyboards with a rotation on the chair. 11 synths, one sampler, one groove box, plus the recording gear mentioned above all fit in a 6x7 feet of space (2-meter x 2.3-meter). And all in ready to play or programmed position. Then a desk next to all this holding an 88 note Kurzweil PC4 and 4 Roland Boutiques.
Great video, thanks Craig. I first saw the synth drawer idea years ago on a video tour of Moby's Studio posted on UA-cam. I was immediately impressed with this idea and thought that's what I would love to have for the ultimate organization of my synths and equipment. But unfortunately like you I am no carpenter, so this will probably remain on my wish list.
I saw that video of Moby's studio too!!! I have seen a number (very small number) of companies making these style draws. They're def nicer than mine but also come with a much larger price tag. I thank my brother-in-law every time I see him for helping with the project because without him this wouldn't have been finished.
Thanks for the video!! Great idea of the patch bay and power conditioner on the back I will be using this.
You're very welcome. Cable management gets a little crazy when you have multiple boxes in the stand but for the most part it's pretty good.
It's not an easy task to make a compact composer's work desk, workbench? The key is to have everything at the ready when you are using your music workflow, and as such, workflow will dictate the overall design. So what is a music composition workflow? I can give my approach to music workbench/desk by highlighting some features that I felt were important for my workflow. I wanted two primary work surfaces, the first (lowest tier, at nominal desk height) is a general work area (like a writing desk) which will include a computer keyboard, mouse and other computer input devices. The next tier up (4 inches above the first) is for the 88 key synthesizer, and the third tier (highest, 7 inches above the second) provides a surface for two computer monitors, small stereo speakers and other electronic devices (patch bay, etc.). The basic solution is similar to what is shown in the video except the two lowest tiers act like work desks in terms of hand position, proper posture for typing, and general work desk ergonomics when using an adjustable height ergo desk chair (the chair can be adjusted to span the two first tiers, that is, up or down by 4 inches). I wanted the shelves to extend forward like a cantilever desk surface(s) so there are no desk supports or structure to get in your way or bump you legs. This means that the pull out guides have to be heavy duty (500 pounds, for an extension travel of 24 inches).
My pull out shelves (work surfaces) are rather large (64 inches wide and 24 inches deep, the 88 key synth is almost 60 inches wide and very heavy) as compared to the video, but when in the recessed position they are all stacked like in a book shelf. The heavy duty slides I used are locking in the full in or full out position. I put the shelves recessed into a closet so when the folding closet doors are closed it looks like a normal closet.
To use the music workbench you first open the closet doors and then adjust your chair down, unlock and pull out the working shelve you want until it locks, and adjust your chair for proper working height. The pull out shelves are hard mounted into the closet structure so you can pull out all the shelves to where ever you want in relation to one another without worrying that the bench will fall over. When done working or on a break you can push the selves to their full in position.
One of my normal work flows is to have the bottom tier pulled out all the way and locked, next the synthesizer shelf is pulled out just behind the computer keyboard, and then the monitor shelf pulled out to easily read the monitors. The two computer monitors on the third tier are mounted on articulating arms so you can position them were ever you want. So, in this configuration you can simultaneously work with your DAW, play the keyboard and access other items which fit on either the first or third tier. Under the lowest shelve in the closet is a small 19 inch rack (500 series analog modules) on wheels the you can pull out and position to your left, is has a top organizer for writing materials (paper pad, general office supplies), and two cup holders one for a bottle of water and the other a coffee mug. The closet houses the DAW computer and other electronics. Inside and above is an LED work light behind a valence.
If you want you can move the computer keyboard and mouse to the third level (however, not in an easy position to type ergonomically) and put another smaller synthesizer key board or perhaps two on the lower tier, but they have to fit a 4 inch space. So, there is some flexibility in the design.
In making your own music desk it needs to address your particular workflow. I think my somewhat generic three tier approach is very flexible, more than three would be either too high or too low.
It looks fantastic and seems very usable. Thanks for sharing the ideas you came up with! ...and whatnot ;-)
You're welcome. I'm really happy with how they turned out and it's a def wow factor when people come work with me int he studio. They're also super useable!!
Very nice! 🙌 Got me inspired to do some myself.
Awesome, please let me know if you end up making them!!
Now that you’ve been using this system, is there anything that doesn’t work well? Anything you would change?
I'm still working out cable management. This issue is made tougher because I'm pulling equipment out for videos and if I don't put it away right after I make the video things can get untidy. I still really love the setup.
Keyboard Stands that allow ergonomic programming and playing positions as well as rock solid non-moving strength cannot be purchased, they must be made. Very disappointing the stands out there today, non-designed for permanent installs, they all seem to be portables only, and weak, moving all over the place with each chord I play. I hate them all. So I built my own.
My entire studio has to fit in the corner of my living room. I live in an apartment and so can't cut wood in my apartment. So, I designed a stand on paper, and then had all the cuts done at the lumberyard, then assembled and screwed together in my apartment. Even one mistake in my calculations and the stand would not assemble; pressure in perfection :). I wanted a 3 tier and waterfall design, so each keyboard could be seen and played. Drawers are the answer, but I only needed a sliding shelf for the top tier. I started with a simple wood desk and then used 11x1 pine boards to build the tiers. Above the tiers I designed a place for a 32-channel mixing board, 2 near fields, a 24-track recorder and effects pedals. It all worked and playing the keyboards is as solid as playing a grand piano.
The starting desk had a sliding drawer already in it (computer desk) and I use that for my groove box. The three tiers holds three 61 note keyboards. For the rest of the studio used commercial two-tiered Xstands, 2 of those. And a little stand a tiny computer desk for a small 37 note synth and a RefaceDX. It is the typical square configuration of instruments surrounding me so I sit in the middle on a rotating stool and can play any group of keyboards with a rotation on the chair. 11 synths, one sampler, one groove box, plus the recording gear mentioned above all fit in a 6x7 feet of space (2-meter x 2.3-meter). And all in ready to play or programmed position. Then a desk next to all this holding an 88 note Kurzweil PC4 and 4 Roland Boutiques.
Thats awesome, I don't think I could have made this happen without my brother in law helping me out.