Studio rack plans

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Member Since: Jan 10, 2006

Hi all -- I've been designing and publishing plans for easy-to-build studio racks for some time now, and I'm going to have some time coming up in a few weeks to work on some new sets of studio rack plans and/or tutorials. I thought I'd try to get some input on what people need or want to see. (You can get to my first tutorial, by the way, from the Do-It-Yourself Projects page.)

Right now at the top of the list is a rack unit design for a 12U rackmount mixer that I had done in the past. Others have asked for workstation desktops and bridges (such as for LCD monitors) that can be used with already-made racks.

And recnently I've had a couple of requests for higher desktops or workstations more suited toward video editing.

I've also had a lot of interest in plans for a simple floor-unit/desktop rack design that I did some time ago because it only requires a half sheet of plywood for both pieces.

As far as online tutorials are concerned, I've had interest in people seeing examples and how-to's for finishing techniques, and for some of the tips and tricks that I (or customers) have discovered, including how to raise the current pieces to a more traditional desktop height, as opposed to the comfortable piano-key-height I typically like to use.

Anyway, please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for upcoming designs. Now that my baby is toddling and (finally!) sleeping through the night, I hope to have more time to devote to new plans.

Thanks,
Alex
www.thefrankes.com/alex/rackbuilding/

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Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002

Feb 26, 2006 01:02 pm

i can honestly say from a practical perspective...designing a desk with the following features would be a cure-all:

-at least a 12-space Rack
-a place to put a computer monitor
-also a place to put your tower
-and a place to a put a decent size mixer

haha...if you can do that...then you da' man

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 26, 2006 01:07 pm

I built my own desk and it turned out quite well. A messy collage of it can be seen in my profile. The best way to do this is to have the computer rack mountable as well. I made matching sides of the desk, one side has rack rails (11 or so spaces) and the other has no rails, just a shelf or two for the always annoying non-rackable gear. In the top of my rack mountable side I added, angled for easy use, a space to rack mount my mixer. I find it very easy to use everything. Some companies make mixers up to 24 channel that can fit in a rack...

Member
Since: Jan 10, 2006

Feb 26, 2006 04:58 pm

Your desk looks prtty sharp, dB. I completely agree about the computer. When I started bulding these, I had just gotten a low profile powerhouse (386/20 - Wow, what power ;) that happened to fit perfectly at the bottom of the cabinet. Since then I've looked into actual rackmount PCs and cases (with particular interest in the 1U variety - very cool indeed) but they're always so much more expensive than the typical roll-your-own PC. I've seen a couple 1U cases recently though for near $100.

The other benefit I discovered about the custom racks: I finally returned about a half-dozen milk crates I had "borrowed" a couple years earlier. Some of them fit 19" gear perfectly. =)

wontdieinPA, great input -- thanks. Can you give me an example of a "decent size" mixer? (One of my designs is suitable for a 12U mixer like Mackie Onyx 1640, but I think "decent size" can mean a lot of different things.)

Cheers,
Alex


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 26, 2006 05:04 pm

For home studio use I personally consider a 24 channel desk with 4 subouts pretty decent, and those fit in a rackspace, not sure about the u-height though. The size of the desk, if it's like mine where the rack continues over the desk top, you need to at least be able to fit a standard size MIDI controller in there, that was my one mistake, it only fitas a 49-key keyboard...however, I have the escape route that, if I need to, I can easily unscrew the top and put in a new one...not all desks are designed that way.

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

Feb 26, 2006 05:44 pm

Right now I am in the process of building one of your designs Alex. I think it's studio workstation #2 but I modified the plans so it would accommodate my Berhinger MX 9000 mixer. I'll post pics when done . I just have to stain it and connect the pieces together (which I cut myself with a circular saw :() I also used a table saw but it was too small for some of the larger pieces.

Member
Since: Jan 10, 2006

Feb 27, 2006 05:27 pm

That's great, Gregor. Let me know if you have any questions along the way. Several people have cut the pieces with a circular saw (one even with a jigsaw, though I can't imagine that the lines were very straight!). Just keep in mind that you have to be spot-on with your 19" measurements.

I'm curious: I've always like to have the keyboards (synth and computer) in front and the mixer off to the side. But I've had a number of people put the mixer in front and the keyboard up on a bridge or even off to the side -- if there's even a keyboard at all. I suppose it depends on what you're doing at the time.

It sounds as if this might be a "mixer is more important" forum.


Thanks Gregor -- I'm looking forward to the pics!

-Alex

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

Feb 27, 2006 06:21 pm

When I cut my pieces I used a 60 tooth blade and a jig from shelving I had in the garage. Since it was precut malamine (shelving) it was great to use as a guide to cut straight. I did happen to screw up a few times but nothing drastic. Pretty good considering I never used a cicular saw. I forgot how many times I measured everything just to make sure it was right, but I know it is and I just have to stain and put it together.

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002

Feb 28, 2006 10:18 am

anywhere from 9U to 12U is "decent" i have a 9U mixer, but 12U would just give me more options...ya know?

Member
Since: Jan 10, 2006

Mar 01, 2006 07:27 pm

Yes, those high tooth-count blades are great for getting clean cuts in plywood. Lowes recently had a deal on a set of 80T/40T Irwin blades for about 40 bucks. Once you've tried 80 teeth on plywood you'll never go back! =)

Thanks for the input, wontdieinPA. I suppose at the very least you could mount some rack unit task lighting above the mixer if there's extra space -- of course that might get in the way of cables if they plugged into the back.

Thanks,
Alex

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

Mar 09, 2006 10:32 pm

Here are some pics of my desk I'm building. It's not all done yet but it's coming along nicely!


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/front-of-desk.jpg



http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/straight-on-front-shot.jpg



http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/freshly-cut-pieces-2.jpg



http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/greg-with-desk-1.jpg



http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/behind-desk.jpg



http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/edge-banding.jpg



I'll post more when it's completed (hopefully this weekend)

Member
Since: Jan 10, 2006

Mar 12, 2006 02:09 pm

Hey, it looks *great* so far, Gregor! You picked a really nice color for the finish. I'm looking forward to seeing the final result! Great job!

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

Mar 12, 2006 03:17 pm

Here are a few more. Completely put together. I just have to do a few touch ups and it'll be ready to use.


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/desk-from-front.jpg



http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/Greg-with-full-desk-front.jpg


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Mar 12, 2006 05:04 pm

Wow, very nice looking desk gregor. Very nice indeed. Looks like it should do the job nicely.

Member
Since: Jan 10, 2006

Mar 18, 2006 10:48 am

Excellent work, Gregor -- it looks really sharp! I'd love to see a couple more pics when you get it loaded up.

Might want to add an extra support at the back of the bridge to help control bowing -- depends of course on what kind of weight you're putting on the shelf.

The finish looks *great*! What kind of finish did you use?

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

Mar 18, 2006 12:59 pm

Yeah I used Minwax® PolyShades®
A one-step stain and finish that provides rich wood color and durable polyurethane protection.

Just to give you a heads up. When I put this thing together one of my rack spaces (on the left side)is perfectly 19" and I had trouble getting gear into the rack rails I installed. The other rack side I purposely made it 19-1/4" and the rack gear fit perfectly with the rails I installed.

I'll probably build another one that I will modify so I can have all of my stuff in one place. The biggest trouble I'm running into is my AArdvark Q10's cord is rather short and I want to put my noisy computers in the closet where I cannot hear them.:)I think I've come up with a way around it.

Even though I like this desk, (I like it but don't "love" it) there are things I would have done differently so I'll probably be building another one.

The desk I'll be building will be wider as to fit my Behringer MX9000 mixer and gear on either side of it. 37" for the mixer and 19-1/4" on either side =75.5" + 2" on either side to put the hutch thingy onto = approx 80" (just a little over 6-1/2 feet in width. :) Where the desk I just built is only 71" (one of the things I wanted too change as soon as I put it together.

I'll post more pics as soon as I get the stuff (rack rails) I ordered from ebay. Thanks

P.S. I do like the height but maybe I'll make the next one a little taller as to accomodate a pull out keyboard tray. Who knows. It's all good!

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

Mar 26, 2006 10:20 pm

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/greg-with-desk-finished1.jpg



Here's another pic with gear in it. Almost complete. Just have to wire a few more things and everything will be raring to go.

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

May 21, 2006 11:32 pm

Here is the latest pic of my desk I built with everything set up.


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/437629/studio-desk-for-web.jpg


Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002

May 22, 2006 02:33 am

Wow awesome desk and set up... a bit proud are ya? (the picture of you and the desk on the comp screen)

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

May 22, 2006 08:05 am

Yeah, man, nice work. I built my own desk, feels good don't it?

Nice job, kudos!

Hmmm, the studio web sites thanks prorec and other sites...no mention of HRC...hmmmm

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2004

May 22, 2006 11:15 am

I never even thought of that DB thanks for reminding me. I'll put a link up ASAP.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

May 22, 2006 11:31 am

Nice desk Gregor !

dB : reguarding the links... is there a bit of code you could leave lying around here for us to copy/paste for MySpaces, and the like ?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

May 22, 2006 01:10 pm

www.homerecordingconnection.com/supporting.php

There's a section down in there about using links / graphics / etc.

As far as the code, it would depend on the host, i'd think,

* edited * link didn't work right *


Hey dB, you may want to update the 'vendors' list. You're still showing MF instead of ZZ.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004

May 22, 2006 04:05 pm

Milk crates rule.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

May 22, 2006 04:34 pm

bah! thanks PJK, fixed...

code shouldn't depend on host, the HTML href code is pretty host-independent.

thanks for the link, Gregor :-)

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