Homestudioguy's new $40 Keyboard Stand/Desk.

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homestudioguy

homestudioguy

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Here are 2-photos of my new Keyboard Stand/Desk Design I just finished building this afternoon.
Although I haven't put pencil to paper, it looks like I spent (only) about $40 on materials for the Stand/Desk.
I went this design route as I write Trombone Performance Exercises as well as Music and Words generally so having this Music Rack will help me tremendously. I took about 80 photos during the design and build process and hope to get some DIY Build Plans written some time this century. ;)

The monitors are sitting on 8-inch square sections of this incredibly thick, heavy and dense rubberized outdoor flooring I found at Lowes. ($5 for each 16" X 16" piece.) I may glue some thick steel plates on top of each to emulate in some small part what the Primacoustic Recoil Pads can do.

PDF40KeyboardDesk (800x707).webp

PDF40KeyboardStandLeft (728x800).webp
 
PS-it would be a VERY simple process to attach a wider keyboard shelf for 88-Key Workstations............
 
Homestudioguy,

Looking great! A note on 'recoil pads' and other such decoupling devices; Many products on the market that are tested show decent decoupling and isolation. However, there are also many products sold that do not do a good job.

Good vibration isolation requires that the isolation material is chosen for the weight AND lowest frequency of isolation. For instance; A speaker weighing 11.3 kg or 24.9 lb (Yamaha HS80M) and lowest isolating frequency of 42 Hz will require a rubber isolator, Durometer 30, 1.5" by 1.5" by 1" thick to provide good decoupling. - You will need THREE of them - two front and one in the back.

You can't use hard rubber for this because you need it to deflect about 15% to be optimally loaded.

Cheers,
John
 
jhbrandt said:
Homestudioguy,

Looking great! A note on 'recoil pads' and other such decoupling devices; Many products on the market that are tested show decent decoupling and isolation. However, there are also many products sold that do not do a good job.

Good vibration isolation requires that the isolation material is chosen for the weight AND lowest frequency of isolation. For instance; A speaker weighing 11.3 kg or 24.9 lb (Yamaha HS80M) and lowest isolating frequency of 42 Hz will require a rubber isolator, Durometer 30, 1.5" by 1.5" by 1" thick to provide good decoupling. - You will need THREE of them - two front and one in the back.

You can't use hard rubber for this because you need it to deflect about 15% to be optimally loaded.

Cheers,
John
Click to expand...

Is this one instance, that Auralex foam actually would work as hyped? 'Mopads' to be exact?

I am asking, as I have a couple pairs, and they seem to work well for me. Though my monitors are supported by concrete cinder blocks, and a wood platform completely separate from my desk. I suppose I use them more for angling of monitors to my listening position.
 
Jimmy,

Yes, they DO work. Foam works well for this sort of thing, though I don't know the data for the Mopads. Foam can be a problem with heavier speakers and flush-mount installations because it will compress and loose some of it's resiliency. But for small monitors, it's fine. - I don't think they make Mopads for ATC SCM150s... :)

Cheers,
John
 
As an aside to the obviously "main" topic here (foam pads) and go way of topic, the actual stand looks pretty good. Sturdy, clean design, good utility and clean lines. My only criticisms would be maybe a bit too purpose-built (a different keyboard or monitors might look strange on that exact stand,) and the use of pine and butt joints makes it look more home-built than I would like. Dado, rabbet or lap joints might look more professional, and I would have been more selective in choosing boards with no knots, or at least none on one or two sides so they could be hidden.
 
jhbrandt said:
Homestudioguy, Looking great! A note on 'recoil pads' and other such decoupling devices; Many products on the market that are tested show decent decoupling and isolation. However, there are also many products sold that do not do a good job. Good vibration isolation requires that the isolation material is chosen for the weight AND lowest frequency of isolation. For instance; A speaker weighing 11.3 kg or 24.9 lb (Yamaha HS80M) and lowest isolating frequency of 42 Hz will require a rubber isolator, Durometer 30, 1.5" by 1.5" by 1" thick to provide good decoupling. - You will need THREE of them - two front and one in the back. You can't use hard rubber for this because you need it to deflect about 15% to be optimally loaded. Cheers, John
Click to expand...

Thanks, John!
I don't know what type of rubber this is but it is definitely not solid rubber.
Solid Rubber or not, I still don't know whether they are working correctly or not so I truly appreciate the feedback and info.
I'm also glad you like the Auralex Pads. I have them under my M-Audio BX8a's.
There are some who speak negatively about them saying that they aren't that good as they are susceptible to vibrating?
Well, Duh!
 
stevieb said:
As an aside to the obviously "main" topic here (foam pads) and go way of topic, the actual stand looks pretty good. Sturdy, clean design, good utility and clean lines. My only criticisms would be maybe a bit too purpose-built (a different keyboard or monitors might look strange on that exact stand,) and the use of pine and butt joints makes it look more home-built than I would like. Dado, rabbet or lap joints might look more professional, and I would have been more selective in choosing boards with no knots, or at least none on one or two sides so they could be hidden.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your kind words!

In regards to using lower cost wood and simplified building processes, for the past 8-years I've been designing and building studio items that are simple to build and very low-cost, respectively, with the intent to allow those of us with meager studio budgets to have functional studio-desks/racks/etc. that will work for now and allow "us" to use the money saved to buy (better?) equipment and get on with recording.

Perhaps my mission statement could be "more for less so more for more".;)

As far as this piece being too purpose-built? You are totally correct.
You caught me!!!:laughings:
I designed and built this one more so for me than the masses as most of my other items are.

However, my mind is continually envisioning (Mother! Make it STOP! :eek: )and I already have a more encompassing "for the masses" version in the design process.
BG
 
PS-For someone sitting at this desk and actually using it, the sweet spot is incredible!
 
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