New recording desk costruction.

I got tired of my computer desk setup and set out to design and build a desk that would somehow encompase my Mackie Control Universal, an extender and a Big Knob. I came up with on idea which would make the Mackie units appears to be somewhat enclosed while the operational surfaces would be nice and open. This desk has an intergrated trackball (I hate using a mouse while recording) and will have enough top shelf surface area for my 3 flat screen monitors. The legs are metal and have the look of a large console like you'd see in a big analog studio. The ends are made of 3/4 maple with the bulk of the project being constructed of 3/4 MDF. Here are links to a few pics. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/recordi ... iton_1.jpg There are beautiful flamed maple end caps which have yet to be placed on each end of the console. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/recordi ... tion_2.jpg This pic show how a Mackie Extender fits into place. The regular Mackie Control Universal will sit just to the right and a Mackie Big Knob will fit just behind the trackball platform. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/recordi ... tion_3.jpg Just a front view. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/recordi ... tion_4.jpg Another shot showing how the extender blends in with the desk. The project is basically a sheet of 3/4 inch MDF measuring 24 x43inches. Attached to the front edge is a piece of 3/4x3/4 inch tiger maple. Sitting at the back about 3 inches higher is the computer monitor shelf. Mine measures approx 8x43 inches and again has a leading edge of 3/4 inch square maple. You don't have to add the fancy wood if you don't want but I really wanted something that would impress first time visitors to the studio. I traced one of the Mackie Extenders and used its profile to give the proper shape/look. The metal legs were purchased on the internet for about $50. If you want the same legs I used check out this link: http://www.woodtechnology.com/onlinecat ... age047.htm I like having a track ball but you could just as easily have a mouse area. A USB trackball from Happs will run about $90. Two horizontal pushbuttons will run about $4 and you can select any color you like. My console is now silver with a blue 2 1/2 inch trackball and black buttons. MDF is cheap and I think I spent about $12 on MDF. The maple was expensive. I purchased a single 7 foot x 6 inch board for $45 and cut 2 end caps, 26.5 x 6 inches. I then used a table saw and cut the front 3/4 sqaure strips. When mounting the front edges take your time and use plenty of glue. If you have a finish nail gun this will be alot easier and quicker. The metal legs attach along the bottom of the MDF shelf and are also supported by a piece of 3/4 inch MDF which is joined to the main shelf at a 90 degree angle. This gives the console lateral stability so it doesn't woble. You can kind of see that support piece in the construction pics. Here are a few pics of the finished console in the studio. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/dsc00426.jpg http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/dsc00439.jpg Better not so blurry pics. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/studio_console_007.jpg http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/studio_console_008.jpg http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/studio_console_010.jpg One more pic of the flamed maple side. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/studio_console.jpg

Here is an additional pic of the finished product.

A side pic.

Another nice shot.

Pic of my old poorly organized previous setup.

Gorgeous work! :) Those buttons accompanying your integrated trackball seem very far from the trackball itself -- are you able to reach them with the same hand operating the trackball? If you had a chance to do it again, would you put the buttons closer to the ball? --Keith :mrgreen:

Very good question. I'm thinking of moving the left button and placing it directly north of the trackball. Great eye.

I may just add a button for the left mouse and rewire the existing button to an F3 function via a small encoder. This would allow the mixer view in cubase sx3 to open or close. Just a thought.

You could eliminate the track ball altogether and use a keyboard with an integrated pointer device, like this one -- I'm a huge fan of it (obviously -- I wrote the review). I admit, most people hate this type input device -- they're the size of a pencil eraser wedged above the "B" key. But I'm convinced it's because people have given up on it too soon. Once you learn to like it (it takes a couple of weeks), it's awesome... And you'll chuckle at everyone else who wastes all that desk space on that silly mouse. ;) Note that these keyboards are hard to find... I got both of mine (work and home) used. --Keith :mrgreen:

With 3 screens you really want a trackball. You can give it a quick spin and cover alot of real estate.

I've decided to plug up the current buttons and place the left and right mouse buttons just north of the trackball mounting plate. It I ever decide to add more buttons I'll already have 2 holes ready. Again, thanks for the comments.

nice, inspirational work, thanks for sharing!

Looks great.... How are you driving 3 monitors? Dual head AGP card plus a PCI video card? Or 2 PCs? Cheers, Kris

I have a single computer with a single Matrox video card which handle up to 3 monitors. I believe its the P650 but not 100% sure of model. It was very easy to set up. Here is a better pic of my desk and setup.

And one last pic.

Here is an update of a rack that I made earlier but added nice flame maple trim. Its also been painted in silver Hammerite. Also notice new VU panel I built to match. I got the VU meters used off EBay. There are made by Dixson. http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/studio_ ... cs_002.jpg http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/studio_ ... cs_003.jpg

Pic of matching keyboard stand.

Awesome!! Looks fabulous! Now put them carpentry skills to work and get some baseboards on them walls!! :lol: --Keith :mrgreen: