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Workflow. Ergonomics. Creative Environment.
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Jun 4, 2009 22:46:22
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i want to get a discussion going on how people set up their play environments (don't want to call it "work environment"  ). i'm especially curious to hear from people who use a bunch of midi controllers, synths, or outboard gear.
what were some of the challenges of setting up everything in a way that suited the way you work (both connecting stuff together and simply finding good physical space for it)? do you keep both of your computer keyboard and a synth/midi controller on the desk in front of you? which one do you prefer to keep closer to you? do you find yourself switching their position around often?
what are some of the things you prefer controlling via a synth/controller (as far as mixing or tweaking some soft vsti)? conversely, what things you still prefer to do via mouse/keyboard despite having the option of mapping functions to a controller?
if you have some stuff to the side of you, does it bother you that you can't see the computer screen (or have to turn your head all the time) or that your head is turned sideways in relation to your studio monitors?
do you feel that putting little things around your space, such as paintings, statues, toys, whatever silly things helps with creativity? or you don't feel the need for such stuff, since once you are in the zone, you don't notice it anyway?
i think you get the point. there's not a whole lot of discussion on this, but i feel it's very important to have a space that inspires you and where things are set up so nothing really gets in the way of your creativity.
and pictures are worth a thousand words, so post them up.
  https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Jun 5, 2009 15:49
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Nice topic, septa, and I'm eager to see peoples replies!
The biggest challenge for me was finding a place in the flat where it would sound good. I rent an apartment, so I can't do much acoustic treatment in the room. However this time I'm lucky (this isn't the first apartment I rent): 'studio' placement is in front of the big window ( http://i.piccy.info/i3/61/e7/24e99daae2de3fad290fbdaf5f1f.jpeg ), with OK view ( http://i.piccy.info/i3/1e/71/46144ef99a2e1486d19baaa1b078.jpeg ), and the room is quite big and oblong. In this case it doesn't create too much unwanted reflections. Sure, recording vocals or accordion is no good there, but it's quite enough for my production. More over recently I found a way how to treat the room better with rock-wool without damaging the walls. Well, maybe damaging but not much 
After finding the place for the studio, I've bought monitor stands and a stand for my X-Station, unloading my small desk ( http://i.piccy.info/i3/4c/d3/bcdc33d839c2fe4cae8773d7c83f.jpeg ). The desk is temporary, I'm waiting for the new one, which is a bit bigger. Bigger desk is cool. I think someday I will sell X-Station, buy a big midi keyboard, which i place on the desk, and a rack/desktop synth, which i place on the stand. Or something like that.
What I really like to be in the studio is an extra illumination ( http://i.piccy.info/i3/a6/08/64f6f1e017773cb9e83275eb7d80.jpeg ). I feel that inspires me. I have some lamps (not fluro) which make my life in the studio a bit more colorful
What I don't like is garbage and too many stuff laying around. I try to get rid of it as fast as possible.
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Jun 5, 2009 16:45
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damn it, the pix are being blocked at work, so i'll have to wait until evening to check them out. but that's what i'm talking about. light and ambiance have a pretty big impact on your feelings and inspiration. i also agree about the mess. it makes me a bit scatterbrained and not so focused, so i tend to keep my stuff pretty neat and organized.
i wonder if people bother with trying to rearrange stuff from time to time, either to try to get better acoustics or simply to change the environment? do you think you'd arrange things in acoustically inferior way if that means having a more physically enjoyable or inspiring set up?
https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Jun 5, 2009 17:10
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Quote:
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On 2009-06-05 16:45, septa wrote:
i wonder if people bother with trying to rearrange stuff from time to time, either to try to get better acoustics or simply to change the environment? do you think you'd arrange things in acoustically inferior way if that means having a more physically enjoyable or inspiring set up? |
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As for the living areas yes, I like rearrenging the furniture and stuff around. My wife, Dana, like that even more. As for the studio place, I don't think I will rearrange it, until I will be forced to, simply because I'm used to acoustics. I know the problems of the room and can try to avoid them while mixing.
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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Djones
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
267
Posts :
1766
Posted : Jun 5, 2009 22:00
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Good topic!
For years, I mean for years I didn't have the right desk to both my 88-keys midi controller as well as my display on there.
Just recently I picked up a desk which does allow me to put my keyboard right in front of my nose.
And is has worked wonders so far!
I feel so much more relaxed and free, as I don't have to choose to look at my display or to be able to work with my keyboard.
What works for inspiration is to really clean my room, get all junk out of sight and to throw away what I don't need.
If I then walk into my room, I feel so good and ready to make music.
It's like a cleaned environment creates really room to breath or something. |
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Fragletrollet
Fragletrollet
Started Topics :
111
Posts :
1748
Posted : Jun 6, 2009 14:06
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psychowave
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
52
Posts :
217
Posted : Jun 7, 2009 16:56
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Jun 8, 2009 22:16
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agreed on dual-monitor set up. i also have 2 22-inches and can't imagine working any other way.
i just moved to a new place recently and i got some new gear, so i'm still moving stuff around and experimenting with different placements. but i can tell that getting a wireless keyboard and mouse was definitely a good idea. it's so much easier now to simply move the keyboard to whatever side i need and move a midi controller closer without getting tangled in wires. same with the mouse, using it on my legs or wherever is the most convenient.
https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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