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Show me your desk

I wonder: Do any of you use a slanted desk (like a drafting desk, for example)/a desk with a slanted 'main work area' (though not necessarily wholly-slanted) as your main DAW desk? Or is everybody pretty horizontal?
That almost sounds like Carpal Tunnel waiting to happen. Drafting desks are great for drafting but for using a mouse and keyboard or playing piano, I wouldn't do that. I think if I was using something like a touchscreen, most of those come with stands that slant already so those should be good. For anything else, I'd avoid it or just build a small ramp for what gear you're trying to angle.
 
My dilemma is this: I have a Studiologic SL88 Grand. Currently sits on a 1 3/4" solid slab door/desktop. Way too thick to 1. Have proper height keys, 2. Clear my legs. So right now, it's way too high, therefore I must sit way too high. I'd go ahead and cut-out the desk and support keyboard at left and right ends, so as to be flush with desktop and still clear my legs, but here's my question:

Is it 'safe' to support keyboard just at the left and right ends, without eventually causing 'sag' in the middle (and the subsequent key bed issues)? I ask because there are little rubber feet at the left end, right end, and also in the center! This leads me to believe that it requires support at the center (and then things are getting too thick again).

What do you think?

OK. Here's the (kind of wishy-washy) reply from Studio Logic:


"Theoretically there could be no problems, due to the strong frame and cabinet, but considering the force applied to the center section of the keyboard at higher dynamics, I would not keep that position for a long time.

Playing with both hands in the middle section of the keyboard, the resulting total force applied might reach many lbs in a concentrated area.

The SL will not bend, but it will not be happy :)"


So... Looks like I'm back to my own "studio logic".
 
That almost sounds like Carpal Tunnel waiting to happen. Drafting desks are great for drafting but for using a mouse and keyboard or playing piano, I wouldn't do that. I think if I was using something like a touchscreen, most of those come with stands that slant already so those should be good. For anything else, I'd avoid it or just build a small ramp for what gear you're trying to angle.
Yeah, which is why I ask re: a "mostly" slanted desk, with a flat area for the keyboard/s. More interested in the sheet music drafting capabilities of a slanted desk than angling gear...
 
You could just make a shelf like this. But you'd want to use a router to round the edges so you don't hurt your knees.

The side view isn't important - I just drew it because I was thinking about it for the next desk I make.

1595276469843.png
 
I have that same stand, could easily hold a Volkswagon, crazy sturdy. Two questions: still happy with the SL88 Grand as far as action & velocity? And how high are the tops of your white keys from the floor? I'm in rearrange mode and I'm curious what you find as a comfortable height. Thanks!

Remember... I am not a player, but still very happy with the SL88Grand action for its price. It is stiffer than my real grand piano so really fast passages are difficult, but then I can not play really fast! For those (in my DAW) I just record slower.

The top of my white keys are 26.5 inches from the carpeted floor. I am only 5'7" and of course my chair's height is also adjustable. Good luck!
 
OK. Here's the (kind of wishy-washy) reply from Studio Logic:


"Theoretically there could be no problems, due to the strong frame and cabinet, but considering the force applied to the center section of the keyboard at higher dynamics, I would not keep that position for a long time.

Playing with both hands in the middle section of the keyboard, the resulting total force applied might reach many lbs in a concentrated area.

The SL will not bend, but it will not be happy :)"


So... Looks like I'm back to my own "studio logic".

This certainly is wishy/washy. You would think they could at least tell you if any of their testing show ANY flex, and wether or not they had any warranty claims for damaged based on frame flex. As I said, I can not press hard enough on mine to crate a discernible flex. That of course could be tested easily in a lab.
 
I didnt like most of the commercial solutions. Its often an ergonomic compromise. If the Keyboard is on perfect height moune and keyboard all is too high.

Now with commercial solutions they have to cope for different keyboard heights where u loose even more leg room or its even higher.

So I built my own desk using aluminium profiles. Also it works as a mount for an external watercooling solution for my 2 pcs to have complete silence.
 
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The keyboard barely fits below and there is no extra layer wood below blocking the legs.

If not in use I can just push it so far under the table that its completely out of the way.
Looks very nice, is the keyboard moving while you play? That would be my worry.
 
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The keyboard barely fits below and there is no extra layer wood below blocking the legs.

If not in use I can just push it so far under the table that its completely out of the way.

Looks great! Did you have to take any countermeasures against the bell-like ringing and resonances from the aluminum profiles?
 
Looks great! Did you have to take any countermeasures against the bell-like ringing and resonances from the aluminum profiles?

Thats a very good point. All moving parts (like pumps and fans= are isolated with rubber dampeners. Bit a weak point are the speakers which are only isolated with the ISO accoustic stand. Good thing is the table weighs around 150 to 200 kg so it doesnt vibrtate easily.

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I had a long think about the speaker stand. Either risk some vibrations or have a way too wide stereo field by putting them on stands next to the table or option c have sthem sit very high.

So I went with option A.

As to the keyboard moving i have stop levers on the wheels but actually never used them as it moves less than expected.

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Thats a very good point. All moving parts (like pumps and fans= are isolated with rubber dampeners. Bit a weak point are the speakers which are only isolated with the ISO accoustic stand. Good thing is the table weighs around 150 to 200 kg so it doesnt vibrtate easily.
I see. The reason why I was asking is that I have a custom-built aluminum "cage" construction for my 3D-monitoring, and I took me quite some time get rid of those ringing resonances in the otherwise completely disturbance-free listening area. 8-P
 
I´ve tried to simplify things, and go for the most essential elements. As Im only doing this for fun and as counter weight to my work as copywriter I can adjust it to my kind of "Slowfood" view of creating music. Along with this setup there is a wall of guitars and amplifiers in the same well isolated studio room. IMG_7203.jpg
 
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Here a few images from my website:


The desk itself is a pretty standard computer one. I have it for almost 20 years now and in 2008., when I began outfitting my studio, I've added the top shelf. I've found the support struts in a local hardware store that looks and feels like they've been a part of the desk right from the factory.

Although a piano is my primary instrument, I prefer to have my 88-keys controller next to the computer rig, while a smaller one (which I use for everything else) resides on a top of the desk, above the keyboard and mouse shelf. My M-AUDIO Axiom 49, now 12 years old, fits perfectly there. Several times I thought of replacing it with something more modern, but I found only a few similar featured controllers of the ideal dimensions.

When working with a piano controller and the other instruments, I prefer using a separate bench and a performance stool rather than an office chair. The downside of not having 88-keys right bellow the screen is the inability to use the monitors when tracking piano parts, though I'm quite comfortable wearing headphones while doing so.

Although my setup might not be the most ergonomic one, I'm quite used to it and it serves me rather well. I'm thinking of replacing the X-stand underneath the piano controller with the single-tier Z type one in the future for some more comfort. I've also replaced the 22 inch Samsung monitor shown on the pictures with the new 27 inch Dell, so I don't plan going dual screen for the time being.
 
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MY HOMEMADE STUDIO DESK from IKEA = 214€:

2x LINNMON
1x KOLON
1x CAPITA
1x SIGNUM
1x 3m LED lights /Aliexpress 8€
KKmoon Large Size mouse pad 900x400x3mm /Aliexpress 8€
ALL = 100€

1x ST227 R
https://www.porezdrevotriesky.sk/stolova-podnoz-st227-r-vyskovo-nastavitelna-i43140.html
114€

ALL DESK COMPONENTs: 214€
------------------------------------------------------------------

1X RME Babyface Pro
2x Dynaudio BM5 MKIII Stand Bundle
1x Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2
1x K&M 18810
1x Presonus Faderport
1x Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 250 Ohms
1x Nektar Impact LX61+
1x M-Audio SP-2
very neat and gives a sense of spaciousness
 
I didn't find any tutorials, I just went for it. Undo screws etc. and go slow. The only issue I had at one point was having to unplug some wiring that connected to the pitch bend/volume knob. The keyboard didn't play the correct notes until I reconnected those wires, so if you disconnect any wiring be sure you make note of how to put it back together.
Hi Jeremy, sorry for the resurrect, can you tell me how tall the hammer88 keybed is after you disassemblied it?
 
Hi Jeremy, sorry for the resurrect, can you tell me how tall the hammer88 keybed is after you disassemblied it?

It's been fine. I wish I had a real desk and had the pitch bend and mod wheel where they're supposed to be instead of gaffer taped to the underside of my desk, but I'd rather save my money for now. They keybed is still working without issue. I do wish the hammer 88 had aftertouch for synth work.
 
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