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Lupez

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Guys,
sorry for the idiotic title but I need a suggestion on how to tuck a weighted keyboard controller under my...desk.

Problem is, now my desk is at the right height for mixing / editing / surfing duties, but it leaves less than 10cm of space to tuck a keyboard before it hits my legs.

Yes I could raise the desk a bit higher but I fear it would be uncomfortable for prolonged work.
Alternatively I could look for a very shallow keyboard controller, but is there anything below 10cm on the market?

Suggestions? thank you very much...
 
Welcome to the vortex, where we continually try (and fail) to get a comfortable working environment.

The M-Audio 88 is the cheap solution, but you'll sacrifice feel and playability for ergonomic gain. I use one and don't really like it.

Another idea would be to keep your existing keyboard, but place it behind your computer keys and mice. If it's too high on the desktop, you could "sink" it down by cutting a giant hole in your desk(!) and placing a stand underneath.

<rant>I think the perfect solution would invoice bending the laws of physics. Currently, my keyboard is tucked under the desk, but I *hate* stretching over it to get to the mouse. On the other hand, placing it on the desktop means I have to stretch over the mac keys to play. Basically, I can't be satisfied either way. </rant>

It's a process. Good luck!
 
If you could squeeze one more centimeter, I have taken the keybed of a yamaha digital piano and installed it in my desk, I think it is 11 cm tall.

If you buy a doepfer, it could be even less.
 
This is a dilemma for me as well. I've been using this Studio RTA for years. I want to upgrade, but I can't find anything that will allow me to put my midi controller underneath without the main workspace being too high. I really like the Output desk, but it's 30.25 inches to the desktop (to high) and my knees will just fit under the controller with little room to spare. I have some back issues and it's imperative that I sit with my feet flat on the floor and have my knees at a right angle. That put's a 30 inch height of a desktop way to high... I've given up for now. My desktop is 26.5 inchs high. The controller is not in the ideal position here. It's a little high and a little far, but if I raise my chair a bit and pull it in close, it's not too bad.

IMG_3184.jpg
 
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I went over, rather than under. My keyboard sits on my desk, right at the front, and I have an Ikea-hack "second level" (a shelf on four cabinet legs) behind it which my computer, mouse, etc. sit on. Everything is within reach, and there's plenty of room under the desk.

The keyboard isn't quite as low as one might want it, but this'll have to do until I can get some excellent chillbot-grade desk.

I can't take a picture at the moment, but I'll try to remember for later, not that it's such a groundbreaking or pretty setup.
 
Hi, this is my setup. The chair , Capisco Hag, is the first one ever to allieveate my back-& neckproblems..
I already had an electrically height adjustable column on which I put an IKEA massive beech tabletop named "Gerton" plus I put casterwheels on the foot, rated for the weight of course. Size of the tabletop = 75x155cm (29,5"x61")
The monitor arm is an Ergotron HX to take the load of a Dell Canvas 27" pen&touch-screen.
For keyswitches I use a Komplete Kontrol S25 keyboard. For playing, a Fatar Studio Logic 88 that sits on an IKEA "Hemnes" desk with 2 drawers. The desk is retrofitted with casterwheels with brakes.
I write the notesymbols directly on the screen in Notion 6 and it is working flawlessly for me. I have N.I. Symphony Series and LASS first chairs but I rarely use them. My favourite library is Xsample Complete Library and that is all I need. Hans Josef Winkler@xsample has prepared rule sets for Notion. The sound of this library is very realistic and is really driving my inspiration. I have no need for a sequencer as I do not deliver anything but scores.
Workstation.jpg
 
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Bad hair day today.. no - I always draw in Sketchup what I intend to build. I´m telling myself there will be less error that way. (You wish..)
 
Thanks guys.
I use a custom copy of a Sterling Modular desk, my setup has an SSL Nucleus in front of me plus some hardware on the side pods. It really is a mix-master setup so the only place available is beneath the top. I must assume no keyboard is less than 10 cm so I guess the only options are a modification of the desk to make it slimmer or placing the keyboard sideways. But the second option would force me to duplicate audio and video just for playing on the keyboard...ugh.

IMG_0504[1].JPG
 
@Lupez
The chair I was referring to - Capisco Hag - comes with normal or extra high column. I recommend the high one.
The "saddle"-shape of the seat makes it easy to sit on even in elevated position, your feet should rest completely on the floor an from pelvis to knee, there can be a significant difference in height above the floor, like how you sit on a horse. That way chances are that you won´t hit your knees in an under-the-table-mounted-on-extensions keyboard. You will have to raise the table surface the corresponding height of the keyboard of course. I often sit by an old architect table (drawing in Sketchup of course..) that is 98cm/38,5" height. Under the table top there is a drawer sitting quite low and I don´t collide with it thanks to the sitting posture on this chair. Capisco Hag is expensive though..but it solved my various problems.
 
Thanks guys.
I use a custom copy of a Sterling Modular desk, my setup has an SSL Nucleus in front of me plus some hardware on the side pods. It really is a mix-master setup so the only place available is beneath the top. I must assume no keyboard is less than 10 cm so I guess the only options are a modification of the desk to make it slimmer or placing the keyboard sideways. But the second option would force me to duplicate audio and video just for playing on the keyboard...ugh.
That's a lovely desk but really thick. I'd imagine with a weighted controller underneath you'll practically be sitting on the floor.

Thinking outside the box then..
Perhaps something like this on the desktop for when you want to write? It's thin and light enough that you can put it out the way when not required. You might even have space for the mac keys to remain on the desk too.

I can't comment on the feel of the keys, but life is full of compromises. ;)
 
I used to have similar challenges as you Lupez and in the end I have opted for a motorizes desk where I can adjust its height to my liking, this solution will also give you the possibility to work standing up, which is great as too much sitting is not good and neither healthy. My two cents....Cheers, Max T.
 

That's very similar to mine in terms of layout. My mouse stretches over to the midi keyboard desk and I have a second computer (typing) keyboard under the S61. I can easily switch from my composing position to my editing position and it works well. It was born out of lack of space but I really like it now.

IMG_20170815_191045__01.jpg
 
Guys,
sorry for the idiotic title but I need a suggestion on how to tuck a weighted keyboard controller under my...desk.

Problem is, now my desk is at the right height for mixing / editing / surfing duties, but it leaves less than 10cm of space to tuck a keyboard before it hits my legs.

Yes I could raise the desk a bit higher but I fear it would be uncomfortable for prolonged work.
Alternatively I could look for a very shallow keyboard controller, but is there anything below 10cm on the market?

Suggestions? thank you very much...
Well, ask yourself the question where you work the most? On the midi keyboard, or on the computer keyboard/mouse? I asked myself the same question when I built my desk and I ended up preferring to have my midi keyboard under my desk right on my legs, and my computer keyboard/mouse and extra controllers on the top. I also use an iPad with touch osc just in front of my midi keyboard so I don't use much the PC keyboard/mouse.
 

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