In the production of music, the individual hardware requirements of each producer vary dramatically. A coffee table could be used by people who only use a keyboard and headphones. Hardware producers need something more specific.
Generally speaking, the studio desk is a large, multi-level desk with support of the gear rack. As a result of these basic criteria, any music manufacturer will find hundreds of options for studio desks. Instead of spending days browsing store-to-store, you should decide to buy the most perfect studio desk by comparing all the best alternatives available online to ensure that the one you buy increases your workflow.
What to Look For in a Studio Desk?
You must weigh personal interests, affordability, size and several other considerations when searching for a studio desk.
For me, the most important features of a proper studio desk are these five traits: adjustable height, compatibility with hardware, sturdy design, angled monitor stands / extra top shelf height, and multiple levels of desk. When choosing a desk, if you take each of those five into account, you will better ensure that you can make the correct decision.
Price range
Furniture is not exactly inexpensive in general and if you are going to invest in a solid model, some of the best desks there would cost you a decent amount of money.
Adjustable Height
Although not all desks are adjustable, it can be extremely useful to have the ability to alter the height for production. As a general rule of thumb, without feeling tension on your hands, you should be able to hold your elbows at a 90-degree angle. This is even more critical for producers with several instruments to get it right.
An MPC and a MIDI keyboard controller, for instance, would have various optimal playing angles. One may easily raise the vertical height of the desk instead of struggling with hand-cramps or attempting to jerry-rig a riser.
Ensure the desk suits your hardware
One of the most common errors that can be made when searching for a studio desk is not taking into consideration the size of your hardware. Measure and document the measurements of your production equipment before you buy a desk.
This is particularly important if you have a full-sized keyboard. For most keyboard shelves, an 88 key MIDI controller is typically too big, meaning that it will have to lie down on the desk itself. Essentially, make sure that the dimensions of the desks are double-checked against your current and expected gear.
Capacity to angle your monitors
Monitors are typically part of your production gear if you are a producer. Everybody know that to obtain accurate sound, the direction, angle, and location of monitors are necessary.
If you have a smaller studio desk, it can be hard to find a good place for your monitors without having to remove other hardware components. The general rule of thumb for positioning is that you want your head to be the same distance from each speaker as the speakers are from each other, i.e. the equilateral triangle.
Multiple Level Surface
The advantages of multi-level surfaces are twofold. For one thing, verticality allows a much more efficient use of the size of the desk. For a keyboard and a computer, a 60 ”by 30 ” inch flat desk surface is large enough. But, a pair of monitors, a grid controller, and a second monitor for faster mixing might also accommodate a two-level desk of the same size.
The other advantage of having multiple surface levels is that it ties back to an earlier point , making sure the desk fits your hardware. The keyboard is one of the most common and cumbersome MIDI instruments used by producers. Having a slide-out shelf saves space , time, and frustration when you set up different gears.
Durable Construction
In determining the quality of the product, the materials used in the construction of the desk are important. Cheaper desks are constructed from materials such as plywood or aluminium and, if they are not delicately handled, are very prone to warping / bending / breaking. Look for steel, birch, wood, or any other hardwood desks. Birch is particularly useful because it repels moisture and is very resistant to warping.
Plenty of space.
Studio monitors can take all the space you have, such as preamps, processors, power supplies, and everything else, to position gear. But there’s more to a studio desk than finding out how much rack space you need to fit all of your gear. With angled rack spaces, there are studio workstation desks, and these have the function of housing some compressors and EQs.
Don’t forget that you will want enough room in the future to fit the equipment you intend to bring there. In addition, note that you want to position your gear so that the whole process will be successful and you will get maximum out of your layout productivity. The need to invest in another separate equipment rack that sits further away from your main workstation can also be discovered.
Here are, according to my research ,the five best music production studio desks.
Studio RTA Producer Station
This kind of desk is suitable for producers with 88 keys
Where to Purchase:
- Musician ‘s Friend
- Guitar Center
- Amazon.com
The Producer Station by Studio RTA is a behemoth of a desk. the Producer Station lives up to its reputation by being able to comfortably accommodate an 88 key MIDI controller.
It can accommodate the production gear of an entire studio with dual 13U racks under the work surface, a 5U top rack, and a retractable upper shelf. The features include two headphone hooks for storage, locking wheel casters for transport, and a CD rack to store physical audio, are what makes the Producer Station so iconic.
Colors available –
- Studio RTA Producer Station Cherry
- Studio RTA Producer Station Maple
- Studio RTA Producer Station Black
One caveat to the great price of the desk is the construction materials, with painted plywood used for much of the body. While I would not generally suggest plywood, Studio RTA uses a high-quality supplier, so you will not experience any warping or bending problems.
Characteristics
- 26-1/4 “wide slide-out of the keyboard shelf
- Workspace for ergonomics
- Double 13-space lower racks
- 5-space top rack
- Retractable top shelf
- Dual hooks for the headphone
Output Platform
This is specifically suitable for producers with Style
Where to purchase:
- Output.com
The studio desk by Output Platform is an absolute sight to behold. Apparently the only studio desk designed with style in mind, the Platform is a minimalist three-level desk made of solid American birch. The Platform keyboard tray is wide enough to support most keyboards up to 61 keys and features an integrated cable manager to keep your workspace secure.
Colors available –
- Natural
- Kodiak Brown
- Driftwood Gray
The main level is narrow, but it has enough room to use a computer keyboard and a few MPCs comfortably. Nestled below the top level, the platform has three rack ears, each suitable for holding up to 9U of gear.
These rack ears provide enough room for a slew of analogue synth effects, as well as for a wide-body multi-input rack. Last but not least, the Platform is one of the few wooden desks with adjustable height, giving you an inch and a half of room for adjustment.
Characteristics
- Integrated horizontal cable management system
- Rack Ears up to 9U of gear
- Solid construction of birch
- 88 keyboard tray
Studio Desk WS7500
This studio desk is suitable for beginner and novice producers
Where to purchase:
- Amazon.com
- Guitar Center
- Musician ‘s Friend
Get the WS7500 if you’re a new producer or if you just don’t have the hardware. Incredibly inexpensive, durable and compact, the WS7500 is a no-frills small studio desk designed to hold the essentials.
With a width of just over 40 inches, the WS7500 main shelf struggles to fit controllers with a key count of 61 or more on its surface. The top shelf is the same width, which provides enough room to support the monitors and the vertical / small display.
Colors available –
- WS7500 Studio Desk – Rosewood
- WS7500 Studio Desk – Black
The best way to break down the WS7500 is depending on the style of production; the WS7500 will not be big enough for you if you are a pianist or you are using several controllers / gear racks in production. This is one of the best choices for you, though, if you are someone who just wants your screen, speakers, and a small controller.
Characteristics
- Ergonomic design
- Sturdy Structure of Steel Tube
- Compact Z-frame with a lot of legroom
- Hideaway keyboard shelf
- Expandable surfaces incorporating customizable accessories
Zaor Miza X2
This kind of desks are suitable for – Professional Producers
Where to purchase?
- Guitar Center
The Zaor Miza X2 is Zaor ‘s flagship studio desk, designed entirely for talented musicians and producers. Through its construction, this is evident: the MIZA comes with integrated height-adjustable speaker stands, 3-4 19-inch gear racks, and angled computer / controller surfaces.
Angled computer or controller surfaces are particularly helpful during long production sessions by reducing eye and neck-strain.
Colors available –
- Zaor Miza X2 Studio Desk – Titanium Wenge
- Zaor Miza X2 Studio Desk – Black Cherry
The underlying technology, the Aperta acoustic isolation of IsoAcoustic, is what makes the built-in speaker stands so excellent. Thanks to their innovative insulation technique that offers remarkably clear stereo imaging, the IsoAcoutic Aperta stands are some of the most admired speaker isolation solutions on the market.
I was able to suit all of my hardware comfortably with the Miza X2 (2 MPCs, full-size keyboard, two displays, monitor, and audio racks) without any hassle.
Characteristics
- Retractable Keyboard Shelf
- Expandable Desk Size
- Three 4U rack bays
- Computer storage shelf
- IsoAcoustic Aperta monitor stands
- Angled computer / controller surface
Omnirax Force 24 Studio Desk
This is a studio desk suitable for Audio & Video Producers
Where to purchase?
- Guitar Center(website)
The Force 24 by Omnirax is a mid-size Force desk by Omnirax, with a massive desk space and a huge monitor shelf. Easily capable of supporting 2 full-size displays as well as monitors, the verticality of the Force 24 helps to decode your workspace and focus on your production.
The desktop surface can support all key counts and multiple additional hardware parts. Instead of a piano tray, the Force 24 opts for a retractable keyboard and mouse shelf with adjustable angles.
Colors available –
- Omniraxx Force 24 Studio Desk, Mahogany
- Omnirax Force 24 Studio Desk – Black
There are also two 12U racks with cable management on or below the desk surface. The Force 24 is heavy as a warning. Like being oppressively heavy. Like, it’s 350 pounds heavy. If you’re a producer who often travels for gigs, this isn’t a desk for you. If the weight of Force 24 is not a hindrance, I would recommend this studio desk to anyone looking to edit audio or video for extended periods of time.
Characteristics
- Two 12-space rack bays under the desktop surface.
- Massive monitor elevator
- Computer shelf built-in
- Spacious work surface
- Heavy duty wheel casters for mobility
- Adjustable keyboard and mouse shelf
When you know what you are looking for and what to skip, finding a studio desk is a natural process. I think the only two steps you need to take before making a decision are measuring your existing production hardware and how much you want to spend.
Although no desk is ideal, I think all of the five on this list are great choices according to your production style.
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