Reality.

Where the recordings of songs take place is called The Den. ‘Den Space’ is taken up for relaxation purposes. Reading, listening to music on vinyl, writing journals with fountain pens, typing on an old Olivetti Lettera 32, a bit of Mindfulness, phoning family and recording music. And the guitars and ethnic drums are housed in the room too. A sofa bed exists and three sets of shelves for books and vinyl are part of the furniture too. So, with the sofa bed consideration, the ultimate relaxation of sleep is also considered.

With all this…..space is at a premium.

Ergonomics……

Ergonomics are important in the room. Especially when recording the songs in The Den. Long recording sessions of some hours can be experienced. And I’ve experienced an aching back after some longer sessions.

The Tascam Model 12 mixing desk arrived yesterday and it needed space considerations on an already crowded desk of limited allowance. The basic set up had to be moved about, carefully thought out and a slightly larger front shelf was needed to house the AKAI MIDI keyboard. The keyboard usually sits on a sliding out shelf that goes back under the desktop when the AKAI isn’t in use. I modified the ‘under shelf’ by buying some drop brackets, taking the shelf off the sliders and using the drop brackets to house it on. Now the drop shelf is level with the desk top. The old sliding shelf size is okay, but actually needs a slightly larger one really. The keyboard just about fits in front of the mixer, depth wise when it is pulled out onto the desk top to use. It invades the keyboard area. It is all getting a bit too snuggly! And if I get a new shelf wider as well as deeper, the Apple keypad can sit right next to the AKAI keyboard too.

I also now use an ergonomic desk chair. It used to be that I used an uncomfortable stool. The new chair is one where you kneel on a pad at the front. I got it free from the local community Swap Shop. The people wanted to give it away to a good home. They knew Angie as they are shop customers, but said they didn’t want anything from her Wholefood shop as a swap. Lovely generosity. Swap Shop emails to subscribers regularly state ‘Will swap with ‘a named product’ from Dyfi Wholefoods’. Bottle of wine or chocolate are the most popular.

The ergonomic chair? It both helps the posture in front of the screen and I can also put my right foot onto the kneeling pad and hold the guitar really comfortably when playing. I kneel on the pad with my left leg. Very comfortable.

The monitor screen is now raised onto a shelf too. This is also much better for comfort when looking at the screen. The top of the screen is at eye level now. Also, the shelf with space underneath allows the Tascam mixer to go under it to store away when not in use. Simply pulled forwards into the open to help close proximity when in use. And the shelf housing the screen monitor has enough space for the M-Audio interface and the TONOR pre amp booster.

Logical considerations.

Why am I doing this obsessing close proximity consideration? Everything in close reach is vital. Because recording is solo led. Me on my own. No one to do the recording, control the computer system whilst I simply play guitar, keyboards, djembe, percussion or sing. It’s all multitasking. Arrow pushing the record button to start recording with the Mouse control is easier than using the Apple keyboard pad. Whereas stopping the recording is easier hitting the Space Bar on the keyboard. Interaction with the computer whilst I record a song is consistent. Using the mixer in the future will increase interaction profoundly.

Also, setting a four beat or eight beat ‘clicking count in’ before starting to play helps by allowing time in preparation with guitar positioning and preparing to play. I choose the eight beat count in every time. Next up is a Gooseneck microphone holder that clamps to the desk (see above). Positioning for any singing or guitar/djembe/percussion playing situation will be easier. And when that arrives tomorrow, that should be everything needed.

PLEASE TAP ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. THANK YOU.

A bit of a weird blog, but I thought that if anyone does find themselves in front of a computer screen or recording equipment and additionally playing a guitar or other musical instrument, podcasting, YouTube recording with demonstration content and therefore multi-tasking…..then ergonomic set up is really important.

THE EVER EVOLVING ‘DEN’ SCENARIO. IF WE EVER MOVE FROM THIS HOUSE……A DEDICATED MUSIC ROOM WILL BE A NECESSITY .

Sitting and assessing this slightly altered set up now shows me how uncomfortable the previous system chaos was to use. Nothing considered for comfort at all. Guitars were balanced by finding a wooden box to rest my right foot/leg onto to balance when playing. Audio interface and pre amp booster boxes were moved here, there and everywhere so space could be found for other considerations. The desk microphone stand was of limited movement. A sheet with lyrics written down for example would mean finding somewhere close on the desk to read them. The monitor screen was housed on desk height and therefore low and I was bending my neck and head forward when looking at the screen.

So all in all……more music recording comfort now.