Studio RTA Producer Station anyone?

[rodhmos]

I am interested in the Studio RTA Producer Station.

Does anyone use it or has anyone used it in the past?

Thank you!

[allbaldo]

I sell them at work. They're pretty sweet. I think it has 27 rack spaces altogether. It took a while to build, but it's a great size.

[rodhmos]

allbaldo,
thank you for replying.

Is it possible for you to post a picture of one in use? Like, with some gear on/in it?

Please! Thanks!

[Nestor Z.]

I love this desk...

For the price there is nothing that could touch it...

Very versitile...Room to grow and the desk moves around on coasters for easy back panel access...

It took me about 2 1/2 hours to build it with my 2 yr old in the room jumping all over the place...Not too bad...

This is the picture that helped me make up my mind when I was shopping for a new desk...

My camera is out of commision if not I would post pics of my desk...

Take care,

Nestor Z.

[mds]

We're using this desk in small project studio I built for a school in town. It is pretty awesome and was really cheap.

Mike

[rodhmos]

See, this is why I like this forum so much:Eveyone is so helpful!
Nestor Z, thank you for the picture!

[sleep over jack]

i've got the creation station and the quality seems real decent. a way better desk for the money than i could have gotten from some general-consumer-oriented furniture retailer. this desk is HEAVY.

[David Lee]

Originally Posted by sleep over jack

i've got the creation station and the quality seems real decent. a way better desk for the money than i could have gotten from some general-consumer-oriented furniture retailer. this desk is HEAVY.

Ditto

Great for the money...

[rodhmos]

Nestor Z, I would like to ask you something if I may:

As I can see in this picture you posted, you have two racks on the desk, one on the left and one on the right side. Did you make them yourself or did you buy them from somewhere? They look like a perfect fit to the Studio RTA Producer Station!

Thank you.

[largeunit]

Yup, I've got it - it's great. Way more efficient use of space than I ever had before.

[Nestor Z.]

Originally Posted by rodhmos

Nestor Z, I would like to ask you something if I may:

As I can see in this picture you posted, you have two racks on the desk, one on the left and one on the right side. Did you make them yourself or did you buy them from somewhere? They look like a perfect fit to the Studio RTA Producer Station!

Thank you.

Rodmos,

First off let me make it clear that this is not my desk...This guy has more gear than I do...

I found this picture browsing thru websites before I purchased the actual desk...I was in somewhat of the same shoes that you are in...Shopping around...

I remember reading that the owner built those outer rack extensions himself...They don't look to hard to build either if you need them...

Yes, it is a neat idea although there are plenty of rack spaces in this desk...I don't need any extras right now...

If you have a GC in your area check them out...They should have one of these desks out on display so that you could see for yourself...

Happy shopping!!!

Take care,

Nestor Z.

[rodhmos]

Dumb question:does it come with its own rack screws?

[Nestor Z.]

Originally Posted by rodhmos

Dumb question:does it come with its own rack screws?

Yeah, like 2 MILLION...

NZ

[David Lee]

Originally Posted by Nestor Z.

Yeah, like 2 MILLION...

NZ

i counted 3.2 million

[rodhmos]

Sorry for that question, guys...

But seriously, I am a bit conserned about the screws I use to put stuff into racks (see my thread about screws).

[Dopamine]

Any workarounds or something similar that would accommodate the C24?

[rodhmos]

I visited a store and took a look at the desk. Looks nice, I will probably buy one.

But here is the short conversation I had with the store manager:

manager: "hello, are you interested in it?"
me: "yes, I think it is just what I need..."
manager:"yeah, a lot of people buy it...we have to re-stock it all the time!"
me:"hmm...that sounds great...if lots of people buy it, then it is probably a good product..."
manager:"well, yeah, I guess it is...but let me tell you, I don't really understand WHY people buy it..."
me:"??!?!?what do you mean??!?!"
manager:"who needs a desk with racks when everyone works with plugins?"

I thanked him for his time and walked away. I will come back to buy it because the price is ok - but this conversation got me thinking, this place sells mostly hardware gear...and the store manager thinks everyone works with plugins!

[robinettl]

Originally Posted by rodhmos

manager:"who needs a desk with racks when everyone works with plugins?"

I've had my eye on this desk now too since I'm outgrowing my current desk (the cheapest thing I could get at Target a few years ago before I decided to build a small home studio). I'm reading (and seeing) only positives about this desk. It is kind of funny the number of rack spaces it has, and I agree - who needs that?? But, the fact that it has rack spaces built in, and in very convenient locations, is a plus. Even those of us who do DAW-based recording need some space for our FireWire interfaces, outboard compressors and other toys, so I still see these spaces as a bonus, even if the amount of space is ludicrously generous.

Actually, this thread may be what pushes me over the top. I can't see how I'd go wrong!

[MWP]

Yes, I have one and it serves my purpose. The only problem is with some of the rack mount hole spacing. They are not consistent and sometimes you are not able to mount your equipment in certain rack screw spaces because of this problem.

MWP

[Backhousepro]

Probably the most bang for the buck on studio furniture. When you assemble it, there are two things you may have problems with, but if you do the following, you should be fine:

1. Alignment issues with the rack rails:

Before you completely tighten the four rack frames (labeled Frame A & B in the instructions), which act as supports for the main work surface, screw in some rack units first—then tighten the frames.

2. Not enough room for screwing in the CD holder:

Screw the CD holder into the top shelf before you install it on the desktop surface.


-B-

[mark.james]

I had this desk... after two studio moves it was completely useless... it was OK quality, but I was never really 100% happy with it.

Mark

[Slikjmuzik]

I feel it's fine. Yeah, the rack screws can be a little off, but I've never not been able to get everything in. Both my racks on left and right are full and the rack on top of the desk simply has my Aurora, my dangerous 2bus and a power conditioner. My A7's are obviously on top and the computer is in the middle near my feet right near the sub as well. If you want to see pictures, just let me know and I'll post 'em.

[Kanuck]

Hey,

I'm actually about to buy this desk, despite the mixed reviews and slight problems I feel that if I learn from how everyone else built it and I avoid the issues that others encountered it should be really good bang for my buck. I was just wondering if anyone else had pictures of their full setup including this desk to give me some different arrangement ideas.

Thanks!

[sheepforwheat]

I own the desk. It's lovely.

My novation xio synth fits right on the upper "keyboard" sliding shelf. The ns-10s fit right under the upper shelf with room for some mopads. Two monitors along with 2 speakers fit on the top shelf.

My only complaint is that it's quite a pain to access the back of the rack gear because there is a unremovable metal sheet on the back. Make sure you are up on your yoga. I don't have to go back there too often so make sure most of your time is spent messing with the front of the rack unit.

[Kanuck]

Thanks for the quick response.. lovely setup! It's also nice to see that a sub woofer can sit comfortably on the bottom part, something I was thinking about. I plan to have my more permanent outboard gear in those rack places that your describing as hard to access and have my audio interfaces up on the top racks of the desk for quick access.

Anyone else got any setups with this desk?

[8inf]

Hi guys

Some good information here about this desk. I'm seriously considering buying this so if I could get some more feedback it would help.

1. Are the CD holders needed as part of the structure to hold up the shelf or can they be left out?
2. Is the shelf at a comfortable height for monitors? It looks a bit high in the photos and I don't want to end up with neck strain.
3. Is there room on the keyboard shelf for a computer keyboard and a mouse? Is it flimsy and obtrusive? (in my experience they usually are )
4. Is the metal back panel a decorative nice to have and can be removed or is it required to give rigidity to the desk?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[BLUElightCory]

Originally Posted by sheepforwheat

My only complaint is that it's quite a pain to access the back of the rack gear because there is a unremovable metal sheet on the back. Make sure you are up on your yoga. I don't have to go back there too often so make sure most of your time is spent messing with the front of the rack unit.

Thank you!

I was waiting for someone to say this. I bought my Producer Station used a couple of months ago and I love it EXCEPT when I have to get back behind the racks. I understand that they might have needed the metal piece across the back for structural purposes but it's TERRIBLE design for racks.

[Squawk]

Originally Posted by 8inf

Hi guys

Some good information here about this desk. I'm seriously considering buying this so if I could get some more feedback it would help.

1. Are the CD holders needed as part of the structure to hold up the shelf or can they be left out?
2. Is the shelf at a comfortable height for monitors? It looks a bit high in the photos and I don't want to end up with neck strain.
3. Is there room on the keyboard shelf for a computer keyboard and a mouse? Is it flimsy and obtrusive? (in my experience they usually are )
4. Is the metal back panel a decorative nice to have and can be removed or is it required to give rigidity to the desk?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

1 - they can be left out
2 - computer monitor or speakers? I recently got one of these desks. It's a good height for audio monitors, but I took the base off an Apple Cinema display to lower it. Now it's perfect. You can also use monitor arms as an alternative to setting your display on the shelf (I've also got a couple of those for additional LCD displays)
3 - The keyboard shelf is actually very solid. I use one of the apple keyboards, which are very compact. There's plenty of room. I thought this would be flimsy also when I bought it, but it's not.
4 - It is required. The grill metal on the sides is also kind of flimsy and the welds are crap. I had one of the welds break when I was setting it up. Move it from the wood base, and you should be ok. If you have lots of gear, add some additional casters to the bottom of the desk.

[8inf]

Originally Posted by Squawk

1 - they can be left out
2 - computer monitor or speakers? I recently got one of these desks. It's a good height for audio monitors, but I took the base off an Apple Cinema display to lower it. Now it's perfect. You can also use monitor arms as an alternative to setting your display on the shelf (I've also got a couple of those for additional LCD displays)
3 - The keyboard shelf is actually very solid. I use one of the apple keyboards, which are very compact. There's plenty of room. I thought this would be flimsy also when I bought it, but it's not.
4 - It is required. The grill metal on the sides is also kind of flimsy and the welds are crap. I had one of the welds break when I was setting it up. Move it from the wood base, and you should be ok. If you have lots of gear, add some additional casters to the bottom of the desk.

Thanks for your really helpful replies.

2. Computer monitors. I'll have to check the height of the stands.
4. Could it be replaced by some steel rods or tubing that could keep the strength but give better access?

[rockstar_josh]

I have this desk also - I wound up taking the top of it off. I wanted a little more space between and my speakers, and i wasn't using the shelf for anything but storage, so I removed the whole top section. The desk really has a large surface area without it. I also didn't really like how high up my computer monitor was, but I have a flatscreen so once the top section was removed I mounted the TV to the back wall and everything's good.