QWERTY keyboard over piano or other way around. That is my question. I’m building a studio desk and I’ve seen both approaches. Not sure if I want a sliding drawer underneath for a midi keyboard or for my computer keyboard.
Experiences? Opinions?
B.
Home studio desks
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- KVRist
- 337 posts since 5 Jun, 2017 from Los Angeles
My opinion....I don't like a heavy 88 keyboard on a sliding drawer at all. Also hand position and distance from the monitor could become an issue. I guess it depends on logistics and the type of midi controller(s) you use.
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- KVRist
- 318 posts since 5 Jul, 2019
Because my music iMac is also my home office computer, the more ergonomic QWERTY position is more important to me.
I'm looking at a 4-legged standing desk because I could go without a drawer but raise and lower it to proper ergonomics either way (though I'd have to move the keyboard when not in use) - or I could DIY a drawer myself at some point.
I'm looking at a 4-legged standing desk because I could go without a drawer but raise and lower it to proper ergonomics either way (though I'd have to move the keyboard when not in use) - or I could DIY a drawer myself at some point.
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- KVRAF
- 7838 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
You can't get a wireless qwerty and put it in your lap?
Or just get an adjustable flip table?
Or just get an adjustable flip table?
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Dell Vostro i9 64GB Ram Windows 11 Pro, Cubase, Bitwig, Mixcraft Guitar Pod Go, Linntrument Nektar P1, Novation Launchpad
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- KVRist
- 166 posts since 18 Oct, 2014
I've tried both and didn't really like either. It always seemed like one was in the way of the other or uncomfortable. I moved it off to the side as it is not in heavy use.
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- KVRist
- 102 posts since 4 Feb, 2012 from residant in ksa/jeddah
look at the one i've drawn, it's simplified and easy to make
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/ ... -32-by-295
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/ ... -32-by-295
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- Banned
- 35 posts since 11 Dec, 2024
It really depends on your workflow. If you do a lot of MIDI programming and live playing, having the MIDI keyboard on top is more convenient. But if you mostly mix, edit, and use shortcuts, keeping the QWERTY keyboard on top makes sense.
A sliding drawer works well, but make sure it’s sturdy and has enough clearance for comfortable playing. Some people even go for a split design where both keyboards are on the main surface. What’s your primary focus—playing or editing?
A sliding drawer works well, but make sure it’s sturdy and has enough clearance for comfortable playing. Some people even go for a split design where both keyboards are on the main surface. What’s your primary focus—playing or editing?
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35440 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
whoever you're addressing that to, please note that the OP created this thread 5 years ago
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRian
- 991 posts since 24 May, 2024
Many years ago, my dad gave me his home office room to compose in and that way I inherited a huge professional office desk. At the time, I also had a desktop computer/monitor and an Alesis QS 6.2 61 key keyboard. What ended up working out best was to cater to the musical keyboard (61-key) and then make sure that my computer QWERTY had a long enough cord that I could just keep it on my lap if I was sitting down.
Most of the time back then I preferred to be standing while playing the music keyboard. During those times, I'd set the QWERTY on the floor beside the computer chassis, or I'd set it just below the monitor screen, behind the musical keyboard (if there was space).
These days, I only have a laptop computer, and a 49-key miniature musical keyboard, but I keep the laptop behind the musical keyboard, and the mouse on the side.
Rarely do I ever need to have access to both items at the same time. But these days I'm usually sitting down instead of standing.
However, I might buy a desk and if I do, it might be a pathway to storing more durable items than miniatures and portables. And then, finally I'd have better placement of my monitors (speakers) too.
Most of the time back then I preferred to be standing while playing the music keyboard. During those times, I'd set the QWERTY on the floor beside the computer chassis, or I'd set it just below the monitor screen, behind the musical keyboard (if there was space).
These days, I only have a laptop computer, and a 49-key miniature musical keyboard, but I keep the laptop behind the musical keyboard, and the mouse on the side.
Rarely do I ever need to have access to both items at the same time. But these days I'm usually sitting down instead of standing.
However, I might buy a desk and if I do, it might be a pathway to storing more durable items than miniatures and portables. And then, finally I'd have better placement of my monitors (speakers) too.
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- KVRian
- 1498 posts since 7 Jun, 2021
I´ve built this one in 2025.
check picture 1 vs. QWRTY vs. keybed position ! (that´s my message vs. -the old- initial topic)
- "For me", it HAS to be like this !
- with that type of setup, a mouse is not exactly working, HAS to be a Trackpad (at least for me).
- NO HW midi controls on the keyboard itself ! or you can´t built this type of setup. It would just change the whole game. Not to the good.
this is built vs. "play & perform" duties, and NOT vs. DAW production work.
I create complex patches in a live play host. This is a permanent "programm while playing" situation. Program....and reprogram,....and reprogram.....always while playing !
Any cm distance inbetween QWRTY and keybed, or TP and keybed would slow down the whole workflow.
Normally seen setups -with the mouse and QWRTY placed somewhere out in the wild- would be something like 5 times slower to operate than this one. NOT what i´d ever wanted to deal with.
This setup feels as quick and fluid like operating an Elektron. The quick save command is probably even quicker. It´s that quick !
Also: does the Trackpad feel like operating HW when i "jam" with single parameters for test purposes "bevore" these get CC mapped........even with TP, feels like HW ( repeating myself)
I had also a mouse. it´s 5 times slower vs. that ever occouring "play+program+ workflow.
pics are with two different hydraulic table elements, since i had to exchange for some new one. (But the table itself is the same) I could not load all my stuff, since the weight was already too much. pics are from the last 4 weeks or so. it looks right now already slightly different ( more stuff loaded) (pic 2 and 3 = new)
i was running the same type of setup for years already. Just not on one single table.
So i knew what i had to build. This is a proven type of setup to me (and vs. my uses).
The goal was:
- put it ALL on one single table
- then: make that table hydraulic height adjustable
Goal achieved !
fun fact: it took me four hydrauilic table elements to build that table. ( FOUR !.....for F*cks sake)
this one is now rated for 180kg of load.
But: i´d never trust them. keep some spare !
The usual "good ones" have a rating of 125 kg......yeah, go f**k yourself........i´ve seen what that means
edit: the keyboard is on rails, but just vs. PC maintenance duties. Not vs. playing
check picture 1 vs. QWRTY vs. keybed position ! (that´s my message vs. -the old- initial topic)
- "For me", it HAS to be like this !
- with that type of setup, a mouse is not exactly working, HAS to be a Trackpad (at least for me).
- NO HW midi controls on the keyboard itself ! or you can´t built this type of setup. It would just change the whole game. Not to the good.
this is built vs. "play & perform" duties, and NOT vs. DAW production work.
I create complex patches in a live play host. This is a permanent "programm while playing" situation. Program....and reprogram,....and reprogram.....always while playing !
Any cm distance inbetween QWRTY and keybed, or TP and keybed would slow down the whole workflow.
Normally seen setups -with the mouse and QWRTY placed somewhere out in the wild- would be something like 5 times slower to operate than this one. NOT what i´d ever wanted to deal with.
This setup feels as quick and fluid like operating an Elektron. The quick save command is probably even quicker. It´s that quick !
Also: does the Trackpad feel like operating HW when i "jam" with single parameters for test purposes "bevore" these get CC mapped........even with TP, feels like HW ( repeating myself)
I had also a mouse. it´s 5 times slower vs. that ever occouring "play+program+ workflow.
pics are with two different hydraulic table elements, since i had to exchange for some new one. (But the table itself is the same) I could not load all my stuff, since the weight was already too much. pics are from the last 4 weeks or so. it looks right now already slightly different ( more stuff loaded) (pic 2 and 3 = new)
i was running the same type of setup for years already. Just not on one single table.
So i knew what i had to build. This is a proven type of setup to me (and vs. my uses).
The goal was:
- put it ALL on one single table
- then: make that table hydraulic height adjustable
Goal achieved !
fun fact: it took me four hydrauilic table elements to build that table. ( FOUR !.....for F*cks sake)
this one is now rated for 180kg of load.
But: i´d never trust them. keep some spare !
The usual "good ones" have a rating of 125 kg......yeah, go f**k yourself........i´ve seen what that means
edit: the keyboard is on rails, but just vs. PC maintenance duties. Not vs. playing
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"Plugin has turned Drug now"....and the business knows it.
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- KVRian
- 1498 posts since 7 Jun, 2021
my old ITB setup. ( had it till october _25)
this is where it all came from.
The table was DIY too. Here the upper board is on rails.
to notes, my quick and dirty DIY tinker job hand rest vs. the trackpad.
need to build something real, ASAP.
fact is: i damaged several sensors on my keybed, since with this setup, you start to use your keybed as your hand rest. ( NO GOOD !......but no way around it)
this is where it all came from.
The table was DIY too. Here the upper board is on rails.
to notes, my quick and dirty DIY tinker job hand rest vs. the trackpad.
need to build something real, ASAP.
fact is: i damaged several sensors on my keybed, since with this setup, you start to use your keybed as your hand rest. ( NO GOOD !......but no way around it)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"Plugin has turned Drug now"....and the business knows it.
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- KVRAF
- 11950 posts since 31 Aug, 2013 from Someplace else
Is that a Tascam Portastudio on that stand?tapper mike wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:22 am You can't get a wireless qwerty and put it in your lap?
Or just get an adjustable flip table?
“The Generals sat, and the lines on the map, moved from side to side.”
― Pink Floyd
― Pink Floyd
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- KVRAF
- 7838 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
I forget. It may have been a Yamaha or a Tascam had both. The prize in of the lot was my Roland VS 2480CD
The Yamaha UI was terrible to get around in.
I'm running a zoom L8 these days though I keep on thinking of trading up to a Boss Gigcaster 8. Same amount of inputs more features better UI.
The Yamaha UI was terrible to get around in.
I'm running a zoom L8 these days though I keep on thinking of trading up to a Boss Gigcaster 8. Same amount of inputs more features better UI.
Dell Vostro i9 64GB Ram Windows 11 Pro, Cubase, Bitwig, Mixcraft Guitar Pod Go, Linntrument Nektar P1, Novation Launchpad
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- KVRAF
- 11950 posts since 31 Aug, 2013 from Someplace else
Looks like a Porta.
I had a VS-880EX (still have it in the cellar, somewhere) and VS-2000. Sold the latter. They were cool at the turn of the century.
This is my desk. It is a modified IKEA Nørden kitchen table. My father-in-law built the shelves and the recess for the QWERTY.
I had a VS-880EX (still have it in the cellar, somewhere) and VS-2000. Sold the latter. They were cool at the turn of the century.
This is my desk. It is a modified IKEA Nørden kitchen table. My father-in-law built the shelves and the recess for the QWERTY.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“The Generals sat, and the lines on the map, moved from side to side.”
― Pink Floyd
― Pink Floyd