KVR Audio

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 5:20 pm

So I've been using a two layer desk which worked well for a while but essentially the laptop was too high up and far away to ever be quickly usable. I'm having a hard time arranging everything to fit well but work efficiently. Anyone have any ideas? Thank you.

ere2learn · Post by **ere2learn** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 5:50 pm

would a wireless keyboard help

willdub1 · Post by **willdub1** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 1:03 pm

You need a proper workstation desk like this one

The keyboard shelf slides in & out.

http://www.gearnuts.com/images/items/18 ... xlarge.jpg

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 2:52 pm

I tend to agree with willdub1 - office furniture sometimes works but musicians have different needs when it comes to desks; however, I don't think this particular desk is roomy enough and will not offer the fix for the laptop problem. At least for my purposes it would not. YMMV of course.

In addition to a proper desk I would also acquire a keyboard stand to set the keyboard perpendicular to my desk. I have done this in my set-up (actually twice - one on each side of me) and with a swivel chair I am able to keep the area small and compact. To keep the better half happy of course

At center I am working the computer and MIDI controllers, swivel left and playing keyboard 1, swivel right and playing keyboard 2. You get the picture.

Good luck in your search arkmabat! I know how much fun I had (yeah, right!) trying to find suitable furniture and set-up.

HTH

Happy Musiking!
dsan

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:01 pm

Looking for a place to put my midi keyboard too now... no space on my computer table, and the stand is always in the way in this room... no solution really apart from buying a new desk, which i wouldn't really like to do atm.

fluffy_little_something · Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:02 pm

Maybe a notebook is not so good when you have little space. I have a desktop computer, which is under the desk on the floor, the midi keyboard is at the front of the big top surface, and the computer keyboard and mouse are on the smaller sliding surface underneath the main desk surface, and the monitor is way back on the wall behind it all.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:35 pm

arkmabat wrote:So I've been using a two layer desk which worked well for a while but essentially the laptop was too high up and far away to ever be quickly usable. I'm having a hard time arranging everything to fit well but work efficiently. Anyone have any ideas? Thank you.

I have an external monitor, keyboard and mouse attached to my Laptop, so I don't need my Laptop to be within spitting distance. My external keyboard is flat and sits comfortably in front of my MIDI keyboard. My external monitor sits behind my MIDI keyboard.

Maybe this helps? Maybe not.

original flipper · Post by **original flipper** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:53 pm

Hi

for many of us the workflow revolves around three main peripherals: mouse, computer keyboard and midi keyboard - they are all vying for the same position (well most people are probably comfortable with the mouse to one side of the keyboard) - but certainly in a seated position I invariably find that both keyboards want the same space.

I would say that having the midi controller/keyboard at a right angle to your computer keyboard/monitor is a good position - but then again you may not have the room?

I have had a workstation table - it was BIG and actually took up more space than I wanted it to - in a small room it was almost the size of a single bed!

I have also had mega high speaker stands and they also took up lots of space.

A smaller keyboard?

RickH · Post by **RickH** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:53 am

Why not get a swing arm laptop mount for your desk? Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CM9NG1 ... -2&pi=SL75

The low tech alternative I suppose could be an old music stand, set just to the side of the desk.

Tricky-Loops · Post by **Tricky-Loops** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 2:15 am

My MIDI keyboard is on a rack 1 meter above me. I cannot play it (except whilst standing on my chair) but at least it looks good and there's a place for my clotheshorse besides my computer.

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 3:35 am

Current and most confortable set up I have had:

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 4:51 am

MachFront · Post by **MachFront** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 6:08 am

Can I just use this space to say how much I hate the pull-out keyboard trays on "computer desks"? They are the most annoying and useless things. Honestly, I'd much rather a pull-out MIDI keyboard tray.
Of course, I can't remember a time I was ever comfortable at any desk 'designed' for computer use.

Also, descriptions and pics of folks' setups always weird me out. My setup includes (after 10 years of this):
computer

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:14 am

Pull-out keyboard trays have always worked fine for me. I have a couple of cheap 8-foot folding tables, and I've attached keyboard/mouse trays under each of them. That leaves the table free to have a MIDI keyboard right up against the edge without competing for space with the mouse and keyboard. That also means that my computer monitor doesn't have to sit so far back. I have my monitor speakers on risers on either side of the monitor, and I can store additional gear underneath the risers.

meldavid · Post by **meldavid** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:20 am

This help to save space.

I'm still trying to find one that has the feather-touch feel of Apple keyboards though.

Help! Where to put huge midi keyboard in my small one-room?