Studio Workstation Furniture

  • Thread starter Thread starter edwardk
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edwardk

New member
Hello,

I work for Ultimate Support Systems http://www.ultimatesupport.com , and we are beginning to research some potential new products. One of the things we are exploring is a low cost, sturdy, lightweight digtial media workstation support solution. Primarily, we want to try and
help users like you have a better way to setup your studios.

Just to give you a little more background on me... I am not an audio engineer or even musician... I am actually a mechanical engineer. However, I did work in a studio environment for over 3 years involved in the post production of some film. I worked a lot in the studios and did a fair amount of audio editing. That's a very long story in itself, but all that to really say that I am familiar with some studio gear, but not fully immersed in the DAW world. Where I worked before, we did eventually move away from mix boards and switched over to DAW almost exclusively - running proprietary recording and post software that was programmed in house. Since I've left there, they are now moving away from the proprietary software and over to Nuendo for recording and post.

Anyway, if you respond to any of my inquiries below, please keep in mind that I may not be familiar with all the latest equipment models or latest lingo. All that means is I might need to a little more info on the gear you are using. A complete description of
brand/model should be enough for me to research on the web if I need to get some more specs.

I would appreciate your inputs on what would make a good digital audio/video workstation setup:

1) What equipment do you want in your workstation and how will it be mounted (desk top, rack mount, etc...)?


2) Where do you ideally want all your gear positioned? Please
describe the ideal position of ALL the equipment (audio & video
monitor, keyboards, any mix boards, computer keyboard, CPU box, everything...).


3) Any other features that you think would make a great workstation setup (cable routing, others...)?


In general, I just want to know what you guys want. You can post a reply directly to me at: edwardk@ultimatesupport.com . Or you can post your reply to the BB and I'll come back and check periodically to read responses. Depending on how many replies I get, I probably won't be able to respond back to each individual. However, I will try to read and document each response and share the information with others at Ultimate as we research this new project.

Thank you for helping us try to help you!

Edward Key
Design Engineering Department
Ultimate Support Systems
 
work station blues

Howdy, I'll try and post a drawing of what I would like to see. Give me a couple of days, but it will be in autocad format, which you probably can open, being an engineer. I use R14 which I know is wayyyyyyy behind, but it works for my needs. I don't care to convert to other formats as autocad drawings look like crap to me when they are converted. Besides, mine are in model and paper space which allow you zoom and detail observation. They are also blueprint format and E sized for plotting. At least youll get the picture of my intent. Eventually I would like to install Solidworks on my station to do 3d, but...for now this has to suffice. Say, got any files for downloading of say, tubing brackets and adustment type manufacturing drawings. That would be cool. Always wanted to see a system of interchangable tubes, adjustments, arms, electrical modules, etc. for building your own ideas. Kind of like studio tinkertoys, erector set stuff. Only pro. Heavy duty. Hi tech. New. different....cheap........easy to assemble..............configurable....................unique............comon guys, gotta have some fun here once in a while:D
fitz
 
Hello Rick,

Thanks for your reply.

We use SolidWorks for all our design work, but I can import an AutoCad drawing in and should be able to see what's going on.

We don't have downloadable drawings for all of our different components. In fact, some of them are older designs documented on hand drawings. What you described about "tinkertoys" is something that we have in our ThinkerToys assortment of fittings and tubing. You can build your own support solutions using these components. Lots of parts to build stuff from for the creative types.

If you go to http://www.ultimatesupport.com and then go to the "ThinkerToys" section, and you can see what's available.

Regards,

Edward Key
Ultimate Support Systems
 
I've set up and torn down my studio a dozen times and have gone through about 6 different "work station configurations" - based on that here are what I would look for.

I prefer a V shaped pattern with the monitor at the point of the V, on a raised platform with two "table tops" extending to the left and right. The work station would be on wheels (with wheel locks) to allow some basic movement (need to get behind the unit for cable hook-ups, etc.) and the two table tops would have a pivot point to allow the angle of the V to be adjusted by maybe 45 degrees (to allow for adaptability to specific room space).

Each table top should be long enough (wide enough) to hold an 88 key master controller - this should also make them wide enough to hold something like a 24 channel mixer.

The tops should be deep enough to allow for the depth of a keyboard/mixer and allow for maybe 6 rack spaces on each side of the monitor - for sound modules (on the master controller side) and frequently used effects modules (on the mixer side).

Naturally, there should be room between the keyboard and the mixer for a mouse pad with a slide out drawer for the computer keyboard.

There should be adjustable mounts on either side of the workstation to mount a set of audio monitors - allowing the monitors to be mounted either on the right or the left (the monitors would mount over/behind the mixer - but some users would have the mixer on the left table top and some on the right table top)

There should be an enclosed "vertical drawer" under the monitor to house a computer tower CPU, with the ablity to access the drivers, but with the ability to enclose the unit (to control sound). It would be ideal to have this enclosure fitted with sound absorbant materials - or at least configured in a way to allow the user to install some sound control material. Naturally, in addition to sound control enclosure - this drawer would need to allow some venting.

It would be great if there was then a "horizontal drawer" located right under the CPU drawer to house an amp for the audio monitors. This drawer would also need to allow for sound control and venting.

Each table top would have rack spaces under them for an additional 8 rack units per side (for additional sound mondules/effects processors).

Ideally, the workstation would be pre equipped with AC outlets and "cable trenches" to route AC cables seperate from the audio/MIDI cables. (ae there liability concerns wen you pre equip AC outlets???)

Lastly this should all be priced at a not to exceed $500 price range. Oh, yeah and it should come in an option of wood tone, chrome or black.

By the way, I have owned several Ultimate Support stands over the years (although no worksation units) and have always been satisfied which my purchases.
 
I owe you some pictures, coming soon to a mailbox near you (in a few days, I'm out of town at the moment).

Anyway, glad to see something like thinker toys exists... for years I've been cutting, merging, gluing and claming different things together to make what I want.

Oiy.

Just call me "The Hard Way Guy".
 
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