VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rick Riley · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 1:12 pm Post subject: A Stand Up Workstation?

New year, looking to increase productivity...

Right now I have a nice workstation with a separate recording booth. Maybe because I'm a little taller than average (6'2"+), I find that when I sit down at my desk, it's a long way down and when I get back up to record, it's a long way up.

That may sound bizarre, but my chair is comfortable, rocks back and all that stuff, so when I sit down to edit, it's like I'm getting comfortable, but often it's for short periods. And to even get in it, it's over a two foot drop.

Let's say I'm doing a promo. I get up, go in the booth, short read with a few different inflections, come to sit back down and listen, for a short period, then want to tweak what I've just done so I get back up, go into the booth, short read, come sit back down, listen, maybe stay sat down for a bit or maybe get back up and repeat. I do this almost all day long with commercials, promos, whatever.

It seems to me I'd be a lot more productive if I had a stand up workstation. I was thinking about raising the desk that I have (it contains a mixer, three preamps, ISDN, amp and computer all rack mounted, with side by side 24" monitors on top, so I don't' want to get rid of the desk) and getting a drafting stool that is about standing height, so I could sit on it if it wanted, but stand and work if I don't.

It's going to be a significant amount of work to do it, but if it makes me considerably more productive, it will be worth it. I just don't want to find out that I THOUGHT it was a good idea and down the road say, 'what was I thinking?'.

Anyone have any experience with this kind of setup over long periods of time?

Thanks!
Rick
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Bish · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 1:47 pm Post subject:

I am in the middle of making this decision as well. I don't like the idea of ripping out the old and replacing it with a custom solution because (like you) I've got a nice corner desk with dual screens etc. Also, I don't know if it's going to work in the long run.

So... they may not be pretty, but there's a lot you can do with 2x4 and a saw! (OK, maybe some screws as well) I haven't done it to this desk, but I have successfully raised a smaller (regular shaped) desk by about 6" with this method (basically three 18" strips stacked under each end).

If you want to avoid wood and splinters... I have also very successfully raised workbenches with Dexion ... this was back in the UK, but I'm sure a similar product is available in the US.

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Rick Riley · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 1:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bish. It's not the process of rasing the desk that I'm wondering about, although I do appreciate the advice.

What I'm concerned about, is will I appreciate my efforts down the road or regret them. Working at a 'Standing' work station, each and every day will either greatly increase my productivity or become a burden towards the end of a lot of long days. So I'm looking for experience of anyone who has worked with one for any length of time.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject:

I have an electric desk base that can be raised or lowered that I used for a couple of years. Now I just stand to record and move to my other spot for the editing - much like you do.

The table base is in my garage. I'll sell it to you!
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Bill Roberts · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:18 pm Post subject:

Rick,

George posted this in the GEAR section and it could be what you are looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WQ4GXQ/
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Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Hey Rick
I used to have a separate room I recorded in right next to my office. I put in a screen and keyboard extending from my computer since the room was just on the other side of the door.
I could control everything from there. I just opened the door to listen to my playbacks and edit while standing. You could also put a pair of monitors in there too if you wanted so you don't have to open the door. It worked great.
Hope you are enjoying Portland!
Eddie

jsgilbert · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:58 am Post subject:

Two of the best purchases I've ever made come from "Relax the Back". One is an executive chair which has an infinite number of adjustments; lumbar, chair goes in and out, angles, etc.

The other is my 55" sit stand desk, which I use primarily in two ways.

Here's the link: http://www.relaxtheback.com/stand-up-desk-55-laminate-top.html

I am a little over 6' 2", with a considerable amount of that height in my trunk. and when seated, I am able to position the desk about 4 inches higher than my old desk (standard height for pretty much all desks). I also switch up when doing long editing sessions, by pushing the button and working standing. If you keep the speakers on your desk, this one has plenty of room, so they will travel with you, more or less, at ear level.

I suffer from chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, and the combination of quality chair and my latest adition of the desk have been lifesavers.
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DougVox · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:45 am Post subject:

I'm also a fan of standing to work. (Always when recording...usually when editing.)

I use a telescoping tray to raise my keyboard and mouse, and put my monitor on a simple wooden box to raise it to the right level. Everything else stays where it is.

If you're looking for a prefab option, here are some that are similar to what J.S. suggested, but with a few size/color options:

http://www.geekdesk.com/
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jsgilbert · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:09 am Post subject:

I should mention that my setup has this desk in my tracking/ studio room. My "booth" is a 6' X 9' room within a room, that is dead quiet and is separate from the rest of the studio. I have a wooden music stand and heavy duty mic stand with boom arm that is setup about 90% of the time for me to work standing up.

So, if you have all your gear in the same physical space you record in, you might just find that a music stand and working standing up when recording may by itself make a big difference.l
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Rick Riley · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the input people. This is the workstation I have.

http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionLarge/StudioRTA/DV016_Jpg_Large_546553.257_maple_R.jpg

I really like it. It contains everything I need, all rack mounted. If I go with a standing work environment, I need to figure out how to raise this. It's heavy. Probably 500 pounds with everything mounted in it and on it. I will also get a bar stool type chair, which is actually a drafting chair.

I also record standing up in my booth, so I would have a total standing work environment. My question here is, 'is anyone else working this way, and do you feel it's a worthwhile investment, since it's a lot of work to change everything, for the outcome?' I don't think THAT has been answered yet.

I'm at this desk, doing this job from 8am to 7pm. Will I be glad I went to a standing environment or will I regret it? That's the big question.
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cyclometh · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:31 pm Post subject:

I always record standing when I do shorter pieces but for long-form I have to sit.
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jsgilbert · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

I don't think you would enjoy a work environment that requires you to stand all the time. There are desks that go up and down with rack mounts, etc., but they're in the $4,000+ range. The main thing I think is that my desk affords me the ability to have it 4 inches or so higher than a standard desk when I'm sitting, which fits my fram better and that several times during the day, I can work standing for 15 - 20 minute periods (occasionally walking in place or stretching) which breaks up the hours of sitting and editing, or other tasks where I'm at the computer.

I would have recommended leg extensions, but looking at the pic of your desk, I'm not sure you can put any on. Another thought might be to replace the locking casters on the bottom of your desk with a much bigger and beefier wheel, which could raise your desk another 2 -3 inches and might make it more comfortable to sit at. Otherwise, you might be able to build some sort of platform that would be a few inches high to place your existing setup on. I can tell you that this aspect of the desk, placing the desk portion 4 inches higher, for me has been the best part of the desk. It alleviates pressure on my back from working at normal heighted desks when sitting. And, when somebody else needs to sit at it, it's a 2 second depression of the button to bring it back to "normal" height.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject:

I think you could make four rectangular auxiliary "legs" using the steel brackets Bish showed in his post, paint them black to match the metal work that already exists on your workstation, and mount them directly beneath the ones that form the four vertical members of your desk. I'm sure they would hold the weight and the material would not be particularly expensive.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:23 pm Post subject:

I'm thinking along your lines Lee, except I would probably do eight and use them to replace the eight casters that are there. It's a nice desk in a nice office and I don't want to screw up the aesthetics in the process.

But again, do I want to make it permanent? I could just get rid of all the furniture and do everything laying down. When you think about it, standing up is just laying down, sideways. Maybe I'm on to something...
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Quicksilver · Been Here Awhile Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 217

Brian Lee talks about having one that goes up and down in this interview...

http://www.ryanontheradio.com/2012/04/episode-43-brian-lee-part-1/

I think it was in part 1 but might be in P2 It might not be exactly what you need but it's a pretty interesting interview as well.

I just bought a big piece of counter top from home depot and bolted it into the wall at standing height, cost about $75 and you can mount it at any height you like. Add an adjustable drafting chair and it's easier to sit between takes and edit or whatever and everything's right there when you're standing or sitting, I'm really happy with it.