Movable console tray/table top...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter miroslav
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miroslav

miroslav

Cosmic Cowboy
Does anyone know if there's a more formal name for these things?
I've been trying to Google search for them, but I can't find the right keywords that gets me anywhere in the ballpark. They must be called something...? :D

ConsoleTray.jpg



It might be that they are custom made by the various console manufacturers...but I'm sure I've seen ones that look to be very generic, and their "legs" just fit in-between the knobs/buttons, and you can move them around anywhere along the console.
I've also seen the ones that are console-specific with a rail system...etc....but there must be more generic ones, and I'm trying to locate something ready-made...otherwise I'll just have to make something myself.

The Trident I just got is more densely packed on the surface, unlike my TASCAM 3500, which had enough room over the fader area for me to place my DAW keyboard.
The Trident has all the channel select buttons along side the fader strip, so even with the faders all the way down, I still don't have a flat surface for a keyboard...so that's why I need to find or make something that "floats" above everything...like in the picture.
 
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I'm beat

I tried searching every which way and came up with nothing.

I tried image searching on your pic, in case it came up with another desk with a tray. But no luck.
 
Miro, where did you get that picture. So far it seems like you're the guy who knows the most about this.

I'm guessing you'll have to make one. It would be pretty easy and custom fitted to your console. Could probably even modify a breakfast in bed tray.

Me, i just built a sliding drawer under my console desk for a mouse and keyboard. When not in use, I slide it back and my console never knows I was cheating on her with that nasty digital slut. :D
 
It's about getting the keyboard & mouse at the right arm/hand position.
My two computer screens sit on top of the meter bridge, in-between the speaker monitors.
When I sit at the console the screens are about 3' from my eyes...so it's hard on my eyes at that distance. At least that's what it was with the TASCAM, which is deeper than the Trident by about 8"...so I'll be a little closer with the Trident, but if I make a shelf in front of the armrest, I then have to roll back with the chair....and I'm still pretty far away form the screens.

If I can find or make something that sits on top of the console...then I can get in real close, up against the armrest, and put the keyboard/mouse on that, at the perfect position for my arms/hands.

One of the downsides of the larger console surfaces...they push you back from the meter bridge...which is great for audio monitoring, but sucks on the eyes if your computer screens are on it and that far away.

It shouldn't be a big deal to make something that fits...I just thought if there was really nice ready-made stuff, like in the picture, from plexiglass...it would be much cooler looking, as you could still see the knobs/buttons underneath. :)
 
I know what you mean about the screen. I have a 27 inch monitor right behind the meter bridge. Im sitting about 44 inches away. Even though its a big screen, its still a pain in the ass to see. Especially the tiny db #s. You know, kind of the important stuff. :D

I may end up doing a sidecar kind of setup with its own set of monitors (audio) for editing purposes. Something where I can get the monitor(visual) up close. Then when I'm ITB, I just swivel my chair to the digital workstation. In addition to my learning curve, I gotta figure out a practical work flow. You never how it works best till you get the experience.

On your previous setup with the tascam, what did you do? Have the keyboard on the desk? Where was your mouse?
 
RFR said:
On your previous setup with the tascam, what did you do? Have the keyboard on the desk? Where was your mouse?
Click to expand...

I squinted a lot! :D

Yes, I would pull the faders down, and put the keyboard in that space (fit perfectly), and then I had this small platform that I made that fit on the right side over the faders, and that was for my mouse. I actually use a trackball, so I don't need to move the mouse around, all the moving is done with my thumb.

I've been using trackballs for the last 15+ years, so I'm quite comfortable with them. My preference was always the Logitech TrackMan Marble+ trackball...and I've had about 4 of them for all those years...they last forever. When I switched to Win 7 last year for my DAW, I had to find something else, as the old drivers for the TrackMan wouldn't work...so I got a Logitech M570 wireless trackball, which has almost the same shape/fit of the old TrackMan...and I really like it a lot.

Been working all day/night on the studio....finally got all the old setup removed and I've started getting the new setup into place. Have a lot of patchbay shit to do tomorrow, and then after that I'll be able to slide the Trident into its position. :)
I'll figure out something after that for the keyboard/mouse. I'm sure I can make something that fits right.
 
Wow interesting problem. Never would have occurred to me -having swapped' from mixer/decks to ITB never having the 'overlap of the two.
 
cakewalkKaKed said:
my mate found it ... he's a superstar on the keyboard :D

$625 !!! /faints
Click to expand...

Hey! :)

OK...so they call it a "Script Tray/Sliding Tray". Looks like it's custom fit for the Avid Icon.
I guess they figure if you can afford the Avid Icon, you can afford a $625 tray!

:laughings:

Where's my saw and tape measure.... ;)

Funny...over on Gearslutz someone was asking the same thing..."what's it called". :D

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/525990-what-heck-called.html

So the accepted term is "Script Tray"...and it looks like a lot of the guys made their own in that thread...which I was kinda expecting. That way, you can size it perfectly to fit your console.
I know where I can get some 1/4" plexiglass.... :)
 
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" I guess the figure if you can afford the Avid Icon, you can afford a $625 tray! "

' First World Problem '
 
miroslav said:
Hey! :)

OK...so they call it a "Script Tray/Sliding Tray". Looks like it's custom fit for the Avid Icon.
I guess they figure if you can afford the Avid Icon, you can afford a $625 tray!

:laughings:

Where's my saw and tape measure.... ;)

Funny...over on Gearslutz someone was asking the same thing..."what's it called". :D

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/525990-what-heck-called.html

So the accepted term is "Script Tray"...and it looks like a lot of the guys made their own in that thread...which I was kinda expecting. That way, you can size it perfectly to fit your console.
I know where I can get some 1/4" plexiglass.... :)
Click to expand...


funny you should say that,cos after coming back with that link my mate said it be cheaper to make one and posted this idea :D

wheels Prime-Line 3/4 in. Round Narrow Tub Enclosure Rollers-M 6206 - The Home Depot <buy,buy now ! :P



bits

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/739021614/plexiglass.jpg

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/05/056c6282-ec3d-40f7-8667-d428915745b9_300.jpg




screw brackets to plexi,bolt wheel to bracket :D
 
Yeah...it wouldn't be a problem to make something. I've custom made all kinds of stuff for the studio.
I was just curious if there were any ready-made options...but not for no $625!!! :laughings:
 
Yeah. Especially when at 625 bucks it's made for a different console. :D
 
Custom tray?

miroslav said:
Yeah...it wouldn't be a problem to make something. I've custom made all kinds of stuff for the studio.

I was thinking (DANGER!DANGER!). Maybe a sheet of Plexiglas with the edges heated and turned down for feet. I did a piece for a stove shield when the kids were younger. A little felt on the feet and it should slide easily and it would look cool.
Click to expand...
 
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