The right studio furniture can transform your workflow. We round up some of the best current options.
When you’re looking at a new purchase for the studio, it’s easy to be tempted by things that are fun rather than practical — a new mic, synth or outboard processor has a more immediate appeal than the piece of kit that holds or houses it! There’s a lot to be said for having a well‑organised, practical workspace, though, and getting all of your gear set up using ‘normal’ furniture usually involves some significant compromises: making sure your monitors are in the best place can be a pain, controller keyboards can end up occupying too much desk space, and rack gear seems to have a habit of ending up just out of arm’s reach. So, this month, we’re focusing the SOS Spotlight on a range of dedicated studio workstation desks designed to neatly accommodate all of your most‑used kit.
AKA Design
AKA Design ProEdit
As well as offering a bespoke design and build service, AKA Design manufacture a comprehensive range of off‑the‑shelf workstation desks aimed at music and post‑production studios. There’s the ProMedia, a compact desk that can be specified with a pair of top‑mounted 3U racks that double up as a monitor/display shelf, while the ProEdit is a slightly larger offering that can be fitted with three 4U or 6U top racks. Both can be expanded with AKA’s 12U rack, which boasts a modular design that allows it to be mounted underneath the desk or fitted as a worktop extension.
The ProLite, meanwhile, offers a similar design to the ProEdit but at a lower cost, and although it’s not compatible with the modular racks and worktops, it can be expanded with its own dedicated 12U floor rack. If you’re after a sit‑stand desk then it’s worth taking a look at the ProView and ProCreate ranges, and if they don’t quite tick the boxes, then both the ProEdit and ProMedia can be customised with electronic rise‑and‑fall frames. Finally, the ProWave makes it possible to combine the company’s racks and worktops with a range of centre sections designed to accommodate popular consoles and control surfaces from the likes of Avid, SSL and more. If you’re still stuck for ideas then the company offer a free design service, and will happily create a bespoke setup based on your studio’s floor plan.
From $2431.
From £2010 including VAT.
Argosy
Argosy Dual 15
Argosy’s extensive product catalogue includes eight distinct model ranges, each of which are available in an array of different sizes and include options for integrating outboard gear, consoles, control surfaces and controller keyboards. First up is the Halo series, which boasts a simple, stripped‑back design and can be specified with angled top racks and a lowered desktop section designed to accommodate a controller keyboard. The Eclipse range then provides a modular solution that can house a console or control surface — specific models are available for Avid’s S1, S4 and S6, SSL’s Origin and AWS Delta, and Audient’s ASP4816, and there’s a universal version, too. There’s also the Eclipse Edit Desk, a smaller workspace that can be specified with or without a lower rack attached.
For those who like to keep all their favourite gear close to hand, the AURA and AIRE ranges offer a wraparound design with rack spaces both above and below the worktop; the former sports Argosy’s signature chunky design, while the latter takes a more stripped‑back, minimalist approach. Next up is the modular V Series, which comes in three frame sizes and allows you to ‘mix and match’ its angled rack and worktop components to create everything from a compact, mastering‑style console loaded with rack space to a large workstation with plenty of space for keyboards, mixers, desktop processors and more. The Dual 15 then places a pair of angled racks either size of a large desktop surface that can be ordered with or without a large controller keyboard cutout. Finally, the G Series and 50, 60 and 70 Series make it possible to integrate a range of popular control surfaces with rack and desktop gear. The former is available as a universal design, or a purpose‑built variant designed to accommodate an Avid S4 or a PreSonus StudioLive II; the latter offers three frame sizes designed to fit around Avid’s C24.
From $799.99.
From £2645 including VAT.
Buso Audio
Buso Audio Master 3
Buso Audio’s simplest offering comes in the form of the Solo series, a collection of four desks fitted with a sliding tray that will hold either a 61‑ or 88‑note controller keyboard. The Composer series then expands on the design of the Solo with a rear raised shelf, while the Producer series takes things a step further, comprising nine models that incorporate angled racks into the desktop — there are models with racks spanning the entire width, as well as versions with a central desktop. The Artist series, meanwhile, includes two compact models that can house either a 61‑ or 88‑key controller keyboard, and feature a rear shelf that sits above either two or three 3U racks. A selection of both the Producer and Artist models are also available fitted with a sit‑stand frame.
The company’s flagship Studio series is designed for users who require more rack space, and includes three models that pair two angled racks with a central worktop, as well as the Studio Classic, which features a trio of 13U rack bays. The Master series includes models equipped with one, two or three 10U racks, each with a full‑width sliding shelf below the desk, along with an XL variant that pairs two 10U racks with a large central worktop. Next up is the Control series, which includes two models designed to house control surfaces such as Avid’s Artist Series and SSL’s UF‑8 and UC‑1, and one that houses Slate’s Raven MTi MAX. The company also offer a comprehensive range of workstations designed to fit around popular mid‑size to large‑format consoles and control surfaces. Finally, there’s the Modular range, which includes two sizes of desk that can be fitted with standard rack strips, or configured to house a Eurorack modular synth system.
From $1506.
From £1353.60 including VAT.
De‑Fi
De‑Fi Platform
De‑Fi’s line‑up is simpler than most, with just a single model on offer! Their Platform Studio Desk includes a pair of 3U racks that double up as raised rear shelves, and with the latest iteration of the design, the company have redesigned the centre section and added an adjustable central shelf that can either sit flush with the top of the outer racks or be secured at a lower position. The desk comes supplied with three pairs of rack ears, allowing the centre section to be used as a rack and increasing the desk’s total space to 9U. De‑Fi have also made some changes to the design of the Platform Studio Desk’s sliding keyboard tray, which is now large enough to accommodate just about any large controller keyboard.
From $999.
From £855 including VAT.
Glorious
Glorious Sound Desk Pro
Along with their collection of hi‑fi and DJ‑focused furniture, Glorious manufacture three different workstation desks for music studios. The most affordable model in the range is the Workbench, which features a pair of vertical 4U racks below a full‑length shelf that can be used to mount monitors and displays, while a pull‑out drawer provides a home for a controller keyboard. For those who are tight on space there’s the Sound Desk Compact, a narrow desk equipped with two vertical 3U racks, a rear shelf and a sliding keyboard tray that’ll accommodate a 61‑key controller. The Sound Desk Pro then expands the design, adding some additional storage space between the two racks and extending the keyboard tray to leave room for an 88‑key controller.
From $449.99
From €349.99 including VAT.
Sessiondesk
SessionDesk Gustav 2.0
Sessiondesk’s entry‑level Home Series desk can be ordered in two sizes, both of which can be fitted with an optional pair of top‑mounted 3U racks and a sliding keyboard drawer. The Tav Series then includes three models, each equipped with two 9U angled racks and a rear shelf: the Gustav, Oktav and Quintav. All three are height‑adjustable, and both the Gustav and Oktav feature an independent centre section that can be set at three different heights; the Quintav is a narrower design that places both racks together with no central workspace. The Modular System, as its name suggests, makes it possible to create an array of different configurations using four key components: the Solo, Duo, Trio and Trapez.
The Solo and Duo offer single and dual angled racks — both are available in 8U and 12U variants — while the Trio combines two angled 8U top racks with a lower 12U rack and a central work surface. The Trapez 60, 80 and 100 then offer three sizes of workstation that feature two 12U angled top racks and a pair of 12U lower racks. The Modular System offerings all boast slotted rear panels that have been designed to help with ventilation and minimise reflections. Finally, there’s the Air Desk, an innovative design that has been created with composers in mind. Available in two sizes, the model features a fixed keyboard shelf placed below a sliding desktop section, offering greater stability than many rival designs while still saving on space and placing computer peripherals in the optimal location.
From $999.
From £699 including VAT.
StudioDesk
StudioDesk Dominator
Another company that have just about every base covered are StudioDesk, whose product range includes no fewer than 12 core models! The entry‑level Harmony features 8U of rack space underneath a monitor/display shelf and an adjustable keyboard tray large enough for most 88‑key controllers. The Spirit and Fantom then offer a pair of compact workstations fitted with keyboard trays; the former is equipped with built‑in swivel speaker stands and a central 3U rack, and the latter places 6U of rack space underneath a full‑length shelf. The company’s most popular offering is the Beat series, a versatile workstation with a rear shelf above either 6U or 9U of rack space and a sliding keyboard tray. Opting for the Dominator gets you a similar design but with the vertical racks supplemented by a central, angled 8U section, and the option of adding a large pull‑out keyboard stand capable of supporting heavy controllers.
Following a number of user requests, StudioDesk developed their first sit‑stand desk in the form of the Xtreme, a simple design that pairs a large worktop with a rear shelf and boasts an electric lift mechanism. The Orbit series then makes it possible to configure your own workspace by combining an electric sit‑stand platform with 2U rack, keyboard tray and speaker shelf add‑ons. One of the company’s popular early designs lives on thanks to the Commander V2, a sleek workstation fitted with 8U of angled rack space and enough room underneath for a pull‑out keyboard stand or extra rack cabinet.
The Enterprise has been designed as the perfect centrepiece for a modern DAW setup, with a lowered display shelf and central angled rack joined by swivel speaker stands and support for either a sliding keyboard tray or pull‑out shelf — the Enterprise is available in Classic or Electric variants, the latter of which offers height adjustment. Lastly, the Pro Line series comprises three core models aimed at large studios that require plenty of rack and shelf space. The largest version, the Pro Line XXL, is nearly two metres wide and has 20U of rack space as standard, with the option of adding an extra 32U underneath. All of StudioDesk’s offerings come fitted with built‑in cable management, and many are also kitted out with ambient RGB lighting! Helpfully, the company’s website features a Quick Comparison sheet that places all of the key information about each of their designs into a table so you can find out which best suits your needs.
From $1090.
From £848 including VAT.
Wavebone
Wavebone Space Station
There are four models to choose from in the Wavebone range. The first is the Star Rover, a compact desk designed for studios where space is at a premium. Its two‑tier design places a pair of angled 3U racks below a rear display/monitor shelf, while a sliding height‑adjustable keyboard tray leaves room underneath for a 61‑key controller. The Star Ship then offers the company’s take on a sit‑stand design, with a single‑tier surface and sliding keyboard tray mounted on a dual‑motor electric lift platform — helpfully, it’s possible to store and recall up to four preset heights. The Headquarter then offers a larger workstation equipped with 9U of angled rack space, and comes with a separate rolling keyboard stand that allows an 88‑note controller to be housed neatly underneath the desk. For those in need of more desktop real estate, there’s the Space Station, a modular workstation that comprises four components: the Side Desk, a short desk and frame section designed to form either end of the Space Station; the Rack Desk, a desktop section fitted with an angled 6U rack; and a pair of Main Desks that offer 600mm and 800mm‑wide desktop sections. Its modular design makes possible a range of different configurations, and there’s a perforated back panel designed to help keep cabling neat and tidy.
From $559.
From £349.99 including VAT.
Zaor
Zaor Miza X2
Zaor’s range of studio desks is divided into four families. The Vision Series includes desktop‑only (Vision O and OS) and rack‑equipped (Vision W and WS) models, both of which are available in two different lengths — the W and WS variants feature angled top racks with 6U and 9U of space respectively. The Vision K and KS then offer standalone keyboard stands that are designed to tuck neatly under the Vision‑series desks. The Miza Line then includes a selection of models that vary in size from compact units designed to fit a 49‑key controller, to large workstations that will accommodate 88‑note piano keyboards. All feature pull‑out keyboard shelves, and the flagship Miza X2 Flex includes 12U of angled rack space below a large shelf equipped with IsoAcoustics speaker isolators.
Next up is the Classic Series, which includes the Maestro 12+6, 24 and 36, a trio of mastering‑style desks that put an abundance of rack space within easy reach, along with the Onda Angled and Onda Angled MkII, which both combine a pair of ‘sidecar’ racks with a central worktop. The Classic Line also includes a selection of models designed to accommodate consoles such as the SSL Matrix and Behringer X32, as well as the Marea O, a universal workstation that houses a mid‑sized console beneath 6U of rack space. Finally, the iDesign Series takes a minimalist approach, and includes models with or without built‑in rack space, as well as the Vela Klavi, a built‑to‑order model that features a built‑in 88‑note controller.
From $433.
From €395 including VAT.