John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

I'm building out a custom desk and one of the models I am basing it on mentioned that it is made of MDF and the top has a matte non-reflective surface (https://www.studiodesk.net/wp-content/u ... models.pdf). Does anyone have suggestions on what I could use to wrap my top in?

Thanks!

depends on the look. could be a formica-type veneer, tolex, wood veneer, etc.

Hey Glenn! Thanks for responding.

So I've built my panels with exposed pine frames and was committed to using some form of wood for the desktop mdf for base and racks (they'll be below as support, not on the bridge). I was initially planning to have a solid piece of ash or black walnut milled to spec, but I got worried about reflections. But from what you're saying, I can use the MDF for the top, cover in veneer and that should help with reflections?

if you use a matt finish, i'm presuming we're talking about light reflections. acoustic reflections - you need minimal surface and some fairly steep angles.

Ah. I was thinking acoustic. Perhaps they're also referencing light.

Seems like I was overthinking it.

This is a very small desk, just big enough to support a computer keyboard and trackpad.
The comb filtering is pretty ugly. An angle of 10 degrees reduced the problem. I subsequently added a thick black towel, but haven't measured.