Studio update time
There’s just something about being laid off that inspires me to reorganize my home office / studio. The first day off, my reaction was, “Well, what to do with myself today? Oh right, I’ll start by tidying this room!” Some of my planning and reconstruction was underway, but the additional free time was just what I needed to finish the work that I had already started. Break out the drill and the soldering iron!
In the previous several weeks, I had started building a new rack for my audio equipment. This one was designed to be portable, much like a Gator or Anvil case. Unlike them, it didn’t cost much. I also wouldn’t trust it to be shipped anywhere, but if it ever needs to be transported, it will be local and I’ll be the one lugging it. 19″ rack, 8U rails in the front. 6U rack up top for the mixer. Not a lot of space, but it’s limited for a purpose – to keep myself from filling the rack with unnecessary items.
I also decided to build my own rack-mounting rails for my mixer; typical prices are about $50 for two small metal brackets. I spent less than $20 on a 6U rack filler panel, and an hour or so with a dremel, vise and drill were enough to complete it. It’s much less elegant than the commercial option, but it’s definitely functional and sturdy enough.
The MIDI/power supply box means I don’t need to daisy-chain my MIDI devices, and saves me from using a pile of wall-warts. The schematic for the MIDI Thru portion of the device is a pretty standard affair I found online that uses a 6N138 optoisolator and a 74HC14 as the driver. In retrospect, I should have used a larger box for this module.
My set of musical gear has changed dramatically since I last revised my music page, so I will have to also update that one of these days. There’s still a few DIY projects left to complete, but it’s great having everything hooked up and ready to be switched on. Current equipment:
- Mackie 1202VLZ mixer
- Line6 Verbzilla and Echo Park pedals
- Yamaha RM1x on the side shelf
- Korg 707 keyboard on the wall
- power filter
- Waldorf Microwave II
- Digitech Valve FX
- E-Mu Systems ESI-2000 sampler
- Roland Juno 6
I’m really looking forward to making more music with this setup. The RM1x sequencer is giving me a lot of flexibility and options that the Alesis MMT-8 just couldn’t provide. Don’t get me wrong – the MMT-8 is a classic box that has really stood the test of time – but it just wasn’t fitting into the workflow that I wanted to use. As a result, I have been writing very little music in the past several years. Perhaps this new setup will help me change that.
I love reading stuff like this and seeing all the photos. Thanks for posting it!
Does the MIDI/Power Supply box provide simultaneous power to all the devices, or does it switch between them? If the latter, do you see any possible issues with having to have a piece of equipment go dead just to switch to another bit of gear?
I always forget how much gravitas a couple of keyboards lends to a studio.
I don’t have any keyboards at all now, and my “studio” just looks like a laptop, more or less.
The MIDI/power supply box supplies a regulated 12V DC to all devices that need it, though it has a maximum output of 500 mA. Most devices in my setup are plugged into the 1U power filter with either a standard IEC plug or a “line lump” supply. The power supply box is there for my two effects pedals and the Korg keyboard, which otherwise would have used bulky wallwart plugs.
I think that most of the studio feel is provided by the Juno. It’s a fantastic device, in both its electrical and mechanical design. It may be a bit dated compared with today’s modern iconic creations… but there’s just something about its chunky graphics and buttons. One might consider it sacrilege to drill holes in the back for mounting a MIDI retrofit kit – but guess what I’m doing next?
There’s nothing wrong with a studio that consists mostly of a laptop. The pictures I didn’t show include one desk with an antistatic mat and soldering iron, and my main desk with the MOTU 828 (thanks again!) and MicroLite. Regardless of whether one is using a hardware or software setup, I think having an organized workspace helps to clear up mental space for creativity.