I shall soon be moving house, and as part of the space saving thing I've suggested I condense my music equipment into a setup which effectively fits into my work desk (I work from home 100%). I'm thinking - computer plugged into my work monitor so I can switch between work and my own and use the big screen which is much nicer than pissing about with a laptop. Leave my interface always plugged in with wireless receiver, add some speaker stands either side of the desk (lkea ones looks good), and use the wonder of plugins such as Helix Native and Amplitube instead of what I currently use (Digitech GSP1101 modelling unit, which I'd sell to fund a desk and midi controller, as follows).
I'm looking to replace my current desk to one which is deep enough (currently my desk is not deep enough to have a laptop and computer keyboard back to back), I may even be able to rig up something whereby my 49 key music keyboard (Yamaha MX49) may be possibly stored on it as well and wheeled out - thinking a sort of shelf thing to stand my monitor on where the keyboard can sleep beneath it, to be dragged forward when I want to play it
I'm thinking like a usb midi foot controller on the floor under the desk (or in a case) to use with the guitar plugins, then either headphones or my speakers for sound. Will keep a few pedals which I like or which aren't modelled in Helix or Amplitube. I could also use the interface/computer setup to record more easily with my desktop mic stand for singing. I'm also looking forward to using said larger desk and better computer with my graphics drawing tablet and illustration software, but that's a separate thing and easy to set up.
I use Cubase as a Daw, but also have Reaper. I usually use Audacity to record as I find it records better than Cubase, not sure why. Loads of other plugins and IRs and stuff like that, I don't like "amp in the room" sounds so modelled recorded sounds (at managed volumes) are ideal for me.
I can foresee a few problems I may encounter.
- The noise that computer monitors seem to impart onto guitar signal, which is like nails on a blackboard to me.
- I'll need a new computer, and I'd like it to be able to play guitar stuff with a small enough buffer to keep latency down and not have the horrible popping crackle noises. My current laptop is unable to do this, hence I don't really use the plugins I have because i have to record my other kit to avoid the latency and popping.
- I'll need the computer to be a desktop as you can't switch on a laptop without opening the lid.
- My speakers are ok but they seem to lack oomph to the sound, I think it's bass essentially they lack. When I play using headphones on my modelling unit presets, I can hear i've really over compensated the bass to the point of it being muddy and muffled through headphones or on recordings, but through the speakers it sounds fine so there's clearly some frequency cut off. I'm not sure I have the budget to upgrade them to anything worthwhile. I do have Harman Kardon Soundsticks currently plugged into the TV which have a woofer, I used to use those when I lived with my parents, but I'm not sure I'd trust them with the job in case of volume spikes etc.
- The keyboard may be a pain in the arse to house on the desk and make accessible and may have to wait until I've got my head together on it
- My current chair has arms which are not retractable, I don't have the budget for a new one, so I may have to put up with that.
Anyway, thought i'd share my ideas and concerns, as much for my own benefit and keeping track of stuff I suppose, but may be an interesting topic I guess. Not least to see how my tight-budgeted warped and overcomplicated mind works and to see if any of it actually comes off...
Any thoughts, tips or illustrations of similar such set ups would be great (I've really enjoyed stickyfiddle's "show us your music rooms" thread)
Thanks
Comments
My monitor speakers are Fostex PM0.4n (Product Page), they are cheap and I think pretty unremarkable but sound ok when playing back recorded music, just a bit light I guess when just listening to my guitar playing so they need the bass jacking up (but i'd have to guess how much to reduce by when recording if that makes sense)
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
If the desk you are using is wide enough, it could help with not needing 'pro' monitors on stands, and they work well as stand alone BT speakers.
Surprisingly well.
I guess the Fostex monitor speakers are ok, they certainly sound nice and clear and good when I play spotify through them, they wouldn't be worth much to sell and the hassle of selling anything makes them basically worthless in a monetary sense, so I suppose I need to keep them for now. Maybe in future they might be dispensable
I can't have two desks - the wife will also have a desk in the same room, she works at home 3 days a week. Also my idea is to be more compact, having two desks would actually increase the amount of space my music setup takes up I would keep my existing crap laptop as a netbook for internet and office stuff, so my piano side hustle will be managed from that, and my day job work laptop gets shut at 17:30 each day so there's no issue with that.
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076CSNNG8
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Kind of need an inverted version of that kind of thing to house the keyboard on rails on top of the desk actually
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
Interesting video Erictheweary, also interesting that he uses his left hand for mouse and typing and stuff which I also do, strangely, though not because of an accident. It's because the technician in the music tech rooms at 6th form was left handed and it was just easier to not have to move the mouse and stuff around afterwards.
I do like his spartan setup, very satisfying to look at. I think I'd enjoy having put something compact and all-in-one together
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
Here is my similar setup. I find a single ultra wide screen preferable to a 2 screen setup. The HX stomp is wired into input 1 and a mic cable is on hand in input 2 on the focusrite, which goes out to the monitors. The screen acts as a usb hub, with ethernet, the focusrite and the keyboard and mouse receiver plugged into the screen. That way whenever I switch from laptop (work) to Mac mini (play) all peripherals are instantly available. The Big Knob monitor controller allows me to switch from focusrite to my record player, which is on the other side of the room.
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic