(Part 3) Top products from r/MusicBattlestations

Here's a few pics.

shot 1

shot 2

shot 3

shot 4

So basically it's a cheap way to cram everything into a small space and still have it usable.

The JDXI is sitting on 2 IKEA Laptop stands which get it up enough to put either the beatstep in front or my launchkey49 if I need that. Only downside is it puts it at a little too steep on an angle for my liking and with the mixer that's there it's too close to the headphone jack so some knobs are not optimally placed. (currently using my old belkin iPod recording dock as a mixer since I packed my actual mixer away during the last move and can't find it for the life of me.)

I made the Volca stand from some scrap wood I had after making my drum kit riser. It's not expert carpentry by any means but it works.

The keystep is tucked away on a pullout computer keyboard tray I got off Amazon.

The mixer and mininova are on a clamp on multi-tier laptop stand I also got off Amazon.

I can also thank Amazon for the cheapo "monitors" and headphones which actually have great sound quality for being under $200 altogether. For what I need in this temporary apartment, they get the job done.

Also notice most of it isn't plugged in, as the baby finds cluttered cables irresistible and rips everything off the desk. (Hence the now permanent "baby jail" surrounding my entire setup.) More for her safety than anything since she likes to use the drums as a jungle gym and has whacked her head on it without learning it is solid and unforgiving.


Hope this is what you were looking for!

So full disclosure I did the whole sketch from memory and didn't actually look up an amp stand, drew what I thought they looked like but apparently they don't make them with the legs facing forward like that. I was hoping to have space to easily tuck away my pedals under the amp when I'm not using them.

That being said I found this on amazon that gives me something close to it and it has the bonus of having an optional mic arm attachment for recording. I wish it elevated the amp a bit higher off the ground though.

I had one of these previously and it got the job done.

Both stands should definitely hold your 2x12, I used a Fender Twin from the 70's (those were heavy as hell) on it the one I had before and the there are pics of the first one with a Twin on it.

I splurged on this stand but I love how easy it is to adjust in a pinch (no more tightening as tight as you can).

For vocals I prefer the round weighted base cuz it’s easier to avoid tripping on. But I got a boom attachment for reach (can’t find the link sorry!)

I haven’t taken the plunge to actually bring a full keyboard onstage, but I have two of these - great for my Bass Station and Octatrack, and unobtrusive on a stage.

I put other gear on this keyboard stand, which is nice because the height and length are both adjustable, and it collapses quite easily.

At home I have a Pyle Z-stand, but I haven’t even thought about putting it in my car since I got it - kinda intimidated by the packing implications tbh :)

I would recommend [Auralex] (http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-Studiofoam-Inches-Wedgies-Charcoal/dp/B0002D05KA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396896193&sr=8-1&keywords=acoustic+foam) if you don't have a tight budget.... but if you do, I'd go with [this kind] (http://www.amazon.com/2x12x12-BURGUNDY-CHARCOAL-Acoustic-Soundproofing/dp/B00ATP5KF6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396896193&sr=8-2&keywords=acoustic+foam). I have both types in my set up and they work quite wonderfully together. The colors are nice accents as well!

Also, you will want to pull your table out from the wall a bit... and make sure you have the monitor tweeters at an equilateral triangle with your ears!

Somewhere down the line you can invest in bass traps as well. [Here are some yoga blocks as well] (http://www.amazon.com/YogaAccessories-TM-Foam-Yoga-Brick/dp/B000OFBC12/ref=sr_1_7?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1396896353&sr=1-7&keywords=yoga+block). Just make sure they will adequately support your monitors (aka being large enough).

If you have any questions, pm me whenever.

I've been using this for almost 3 years:

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B0002GL7ZO

You may want to add protective sleeves to your gear because the padding is a little lackluster (if not absent in certain spots), but the size is just a perfect compromise and the front pocket is quite useful for cables and such.

Also, I covered it with pins. Everyone loves pins, you should too.

I had some serious trouble finding a back-facing shot, and the specifications on tascam's website arent very specific, but according to this image: http://forum.ixbt.com/post.cgi?id=attach:90:1520:0:1 it looks like a RCA output (I have one on my behringer) and if so, the cheapest would be something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18 I got a similar product at guitar center and it works fine. There are also boxes you can get to balance the signal from the unbalanced RCA, but if you're on a budget, it should be fine.

Edit: also. This http://estaticos2.milanuncios.com/fg/1975/16/otros-instrumentos-musicales/Tarjeta-sonido-TASCAM-US-144-197516878_4.jpg definitely looks like an RCA

The other commenter is right on - this is the Jon Sine Desk.

A few things I’d note:

• Finish work is a bitch. If you’re going to stain and do a polyurethane topcoat / finish, leave yourself a week to get that done.
  
  
• The way my monitors are mounted through the desk is causing some sag in the plywood. If possible get a solid board and maybe go 1” thick - I used 3/4” birch ply and wish I had a more solid mounting platform for my displays and stuff.
  
  
• The finished desk is very deep (32 1/2” from back to front. Make sure that will work in your space.
  
  
• I ended up using wood screws through the top board into the sides. If I had planned better I would have routed the side boards for some [locking furniture connectors](5 Sets Furniture Connector 0.55" Dia Cam Fittings Pre-inserted Nuts Dowels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDKI92Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5ZMLBbASKFZM8) like the do with IKEA furniture. Unfortunately I glued the bases together before thinking of this.
  
  
• Lastly, I used a [pocket screw jig](Kreg R3 Jr. Pocket Hole Jig System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J43A7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_N2MLBbEHR7YM4) with wood screws and glue to connect the verticals to the base pieces. It’s very strong - would recommend this.
  
  
  Hope this helps. Happy to help with any additional questions you might have as you get into it. The project was a lot of work but has a very rewarding end result :-)

Yes, go back to IKEA! Somewhere near the end, around the lamps and ceiling lights, I found these cheap cable snake sleeves:
https://m2.ikea.com/us/en/p/rabalder-cable-organizer-white-20281419/

I also use these for cables under the desk after separating out of the snake and organizing under the desk:
https://www.amazon.com/Command-Clear-Clips-Strips-CL017-13NA/dp/B076ZT3FVN/
These too:
https://www.amazon.com/Command-Damage-Free-Small-without-Packaging/dp/B0751TRS6Y/

And these are great for individual cable control:
https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Elastic-Cable-10-pack/dp/B001PGXKCS/

I've added to and removed from my setup half a dozen times since I last organized my wires so they're a mess again, so be aware that it's a constant battle.

Edit: these look pretty good too, am going to get some myself if I don't make it to IKEA soon:
https://www.amazon.com/Alex-Tech-25ft-Protector-Sleeving/dp/B07FW3MKGH/

Agreed. I run a Push with a Livid DS1 in an 8 channel configuration, and the 8 channels also gives you the benefit of limitations to be creative in finding ways around, while keeping the setup relatively tidy and manageable.

There may well be a way of doing all that with just your interface and a mixer. However, I'm not familiar enough with the Babyface to say definitively; I'd say snag the breakout cable if you haven't already and a small format mixer when you can. The mixer is also just a handy piece of hardware to have in general, and you'll find uses for it in a variety of situations. Something like a Behringer 502 will do you just fine while still fitting in a backback; I've actually had one for about 6 years now and haven't had a problem with it.

Great question!! I actually just posted instructions on how to make the stands over in a comment on /r/synthesizers ... here is the link.


As for the Cable management, I am using a Pomona Test Lead Holder found on Amazon here.

It doesn’t have to be a pain. Get some of this and a strong pair of scissors.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC2L

Cut the lengths you need and you can easily bundle wires together, but more importantly bundle them to those speaker stands, table legs, etc. That velcro roll might even be cheaper somewhere like monoprice, but it’s handy to have around.

Try mixing on these, like I had to. :)

Dell A215 Black Multimedia 2 Channel Computer Speakers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NREXBC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ur7JDbSW88MGD

They're by On Stage. Very sturdy and easy to set up. You can do some cool things with them by adding wood to make shelves for smaller pieces of gear, or other custom tube mounting boards. Here's the link where I picked mine up:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G3KNT4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had the same issue for YEARS. Finally solved it with grounding adapters for my monitors and sub. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H5WGJ6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found them on amazon, the brand is Rockville. Here’s the link: 2 Rockville RHT8C Computer/Bookshelf Desktop Speaker/Studio Monitor Stands-Wood https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PV9WXSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kh3LDb49WMZTF

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-OXYGEN-25-Key-Controller-9900-41392-00/dp/B000ED4CUW

In the middle it's just one of these with a Novo 24 mounted to it, the Volcas are on this, and on each end the Maschines and monitors are on these.

EDIT: On a table. On a floor. In a house. On Earth. In orbit.

Desk:
Sauder Square1 Writing Desk in Maple https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V6YBW5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_Z7DcHgbklFc2L
Big synth:
Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08 PE 61-key 8-voice Analog Synthesizer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002D1AT0U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ddFPzbW0D3664

Can't believe you got more arms for that. Everytime I look online they're out of stock. I think I'll just resort to putting one of these types of shelves on each tier.

Your monitors are on these stands, right? I have those, too. They were okay for smaller monitors, but recently put a pair of Presonus E5s on them, and they are a bit wobbly. I'll do what you did and add a couple cheap dumbbell weights to the base, for more stability.