Z
Almost perfect
After searching online for weeks and comparing many, MANY different offerings, I decided to go for this workstation because it seemed to have everything I needed:
- Wheels, so I can move it around and reach the cables behind it more easily for maintenance etc.
- Solid looking build
- Platform on the bottom that allows me to put my desktop PC, UPS, and subwoofer there
- Sufficient amount of rack space and useful distribution
- Keyboard drawer, so I can have my MIDI keyboard on top and my PC keyboard in the drawer - everything ready when I need it
- The additional top surface consists of a single section - my studio monitors have their own stands, and I prefer having a 'middle section' to put my screens on, as opposed to 'left and right sections' intended for putting studio monitors on
- Affordability
- CD racks for all of the CD's I bought last century! (just kidding, I left those things out to increase my usable surface area, which does not seem to affect structural integrity)
Came very well packed (you can build your own village out of all the cardboard). Build feels solid. I finally have all the space I needed and every centimeter is useful. Due to the added weight of all my gear, it doesn't roll away by itself (I'm not even using the brakes), which is good. But it will still roll if I push it hard enough, which was my original requirement.
As for the downside: The top spaces in all 3 rack areas don't seem to fit any of my 19" hardware, so I have to leave it empty, causing a gap and reducing the amount of usable rack space.
This is not a major problem for me, since I never intended on filling them up completely anyway, and from my seat I can't see the gaps. In fact, the gap in the top rack has a nice side-effect; it allows me to clearly see all buttons and lights on my 1U recording interface, which has been relocated into the second-to-top rack slot due to the top one not fitting.
I did struggle with another 1U item as well. Though I did get it into the rack almost where I wanted it, I had to leave out the top screws because the hole was misaligned. Not 100% sure if that's due to the rack in this desk or the sizing of that 19" unit, but it had been in another rack before without issues. To put this in perspective though, the other 19" equipment I put in the rack (5 items varying from 1U to 3U) fit just fine.
In the end, I'm extremely happy with this workstation. I have a mix of rack gear and other stuff, and I got all of it in there in the way I wanted. However, if you intend to fill up every single rack slot, you'll probably be disappointed (unless you're good at DYI and figure out some alternative solution).
- Wheels, so I can move it around and reach the cables behind it more easily for maintenance etc.
- Solid looking build
- Platform on the bottom that allows me to put my desktop PC, UPS, and subwoofer there
- Sufficient amount of rack space and useful distribution
- Keyboard drawer, so I can have my MIDI keyboard on top and my PC keyboard in the drawer - everything ready when I need it
- The additional top surface consists of a single section - my studio monitors have their own stands, and I prefer having a 'middle section' to put my screens on, as opposed to 'left and right sections' intended for putting studio monitors on
- Affordability
- CD racks for all of the CD's I bought last century! (just kidding, I left those things out to increase my usable surface area, which does not seem to affect structural integrity)
Came very well packed (you can build your own village out of all the cardboard). Build feels solid. I finally have all the space I needed and every centimeter is useful. Due to the added weight of all my gear, it doesn't roll away by itself (I'm not even using the brakes), which is good. But it will still roll if I push it hard enough, which was my original requirement.
As for the downside: The top spaces in all 3 rack areas don't seem to fit any of my 19" hardware, so I have to leave it empty, causing a gap and reducing the amount of usable rack space.
This is not a major problem for me, since I never intended on filling them up completely anyway, and from my seat I can't see the gaps. In fact, the gap in the top rack has a nice side-effect; it allows me to clearly see all buttons and lights on my 1U recording interface, which has been relocated into the second-to-top rack slot due to the top one not fitting.
I did struggle with another 1U item as well. Though I did get it into the rack almost where I wanted it, I had to leave out the top screws because the hole was misaligned. Not 100% sure if that's due to the rack in this desk or the sizing of that 19" unit, but it had been in another rack before without issues. To put this in perspective though, the other 19" equipment I put in the rack (5 items varying from 1U to 3U) fit just fine.
In the end, I'm extremely happy with this workstation. I have a mix of rack gear and other stuff, and I got all of it in there in the way I wanted. However, if you intend to fill up every single rack slot, you'll probably be disappointed (unless you're good at DYI and figure out some alternative solution).
5
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M
Great Value
The RTA Producer workstation is a big heavy and very good value for money studios workstation. It is very heavy and is well packed for delivery. Tons of rack space, great sized work surfaces and practicality for lots of different kit. I added 3 x 4U and 1 x 2U Thon lockable rack drawers to mine, which gives excellent storage for cables, mics etc.
The sliding keyboard and laptop shelves are sturdy and smooth. Cable management is made easy with various rubber grommets, cutouts and a rear tray. Heavy duty wheels with the two front wheels able to be locked to prevent it moving around when you don't want it to. It has 16 spaces for CD storage but personally I won't use these.
The only disappointing thing I have found is that the rackmount screw holes didn't perfectly line up with the mounting holes on the drawers and rack gear I have when trying to install them without gaps between. They had to be fitted with gaps between each piece of gear and I found the gaps are not evenly spaced, some gaps are bigger than others. This problem has been mentioned in several reviews and I think the manufacturer needs to consider altering the design to correct this. It would perfect a great bit of kit if they fix this issue, though it's not so bad that I am unhappy overall.
For the cost of this you will struggle, as I did, to find anything else that even comes close to the design, quality and features it offers. It is robust, functional and looks great in my home studio. I'm very happy with the product and would highly recommend this over a cheap and flimsy, or really overpriced and expensive workstation. I knocked one star off because of the problem with the rack mounts not lining up without gaps but I would still highly recommend the product. I'm sure it will give me years of service!
The sliding keyboard and laptop shelves are sturdy and smooth. Cable management is made easy with various rubber grommets, cutouts and a rear tray. Heavy duty wheels with the two front wheels able to be locked to prevent it moving around when you don't want it to. It has 16 spaces for CD storage but personally I won't use these.
The only disappointing thing I have found is that the rackmount screw holes didn't perfectly line up with the mounting holes on the drawers and rack gear I have when trying to install them without gaps between. They had to be fitted with gaps between each piece of gear and I found the gaps are not evenly spaced, some gaps are bigger than others. This problem has been mentioned in several reviews and I think the manufacturer needs to consider altering the design to correct this. It would perfect a great bit of kit if they fix this issue, though it's not so bad that I am unhappy overall.
For the cost of this you will struggle, as I did, to find anything else that even comes close to the design, quality and features it offers. It is robust, functional and looks great in my home studio. I'm very happy with the product and would highly recommend this over a cheap and flimsy, or really overpriced and expensive workstation. I knocked one star off because of the problem with the rack mounts not lining up without gaps but I would still highly recommend the product. I'm sure it will give me years of service!
8
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A
Amazing but beware of what you're buying.
For me this desk was great especially for the price. Now I own a few racks mostly my audio interface (2U) and a rack mount tape recorder (3U).
So I built up my desk and when it came to fitting my rack equipment it wasn't the easiest or the best solution. My audio interface is only held in by 3 out of 4 screws as one of the holes in the rack mounting shelf is off which seems to be common on all of the rack railing on this desk. The same with my tape rack but only 2 out of 4 screws will fit.
So my advice would be if you are looking for a big desk to hold all your keyboards, drum machines, basically anything thats not rack mounted buy this desk. However if you own a lot of rack equipment this desk might be a big disappointment and good luck sending it back as you have to tear the box open, plus it weighs a ton and is delivered on a pallet in two separate boxes on a wagon. So think first.
Now I love this desk it fits everything i own on it including my macbook pro, my MPC, my keyboards and synths, my 2 two racks, my turntable, my Markbass amp head and 2x10 cab, my Fender Blues Jnr, my drums, studio monitors and whatever else with room to spare.
The upper shelf also places the studio monitors at a great height for recording and mixing.
So if you are a digital musician with just a few racks but mostly hardware for table tops, get this desk. But if you want this desk for studio racks look for something else as from most reviews this is a common problem.
So I built up my desk and when it came to fitting my rack equipment it wasn't the easiest or the best solution. My audio interface is only held in by 3 out of 4 screws as one of the holes in the rack mounting shelf is off which seems to be common on all of the rack railing on this desk. The same with my tape rack but only 2 out of 4 screws will fit.
So my advice would be if you are looking for a big desk to hold all your keyboards, drum machines, basically anything thats not rack mounted buy this desk. However if you own a lot of rack equipment this desk might be a big disappointment and good luck sending it back as you have to tear the box open, plus it weighs a ton and is delivered on a pallet in two separate boxes on a wagon. So think first.
Now I love this desk it fits everything i own on it including my macbook pro, my MPC, my keyboards and synths, my 2 two racks, my turntable, my Markbass amp head and 2x10 cab, my Fender Blues Jnr, my drums, studio monitors and whatever else with room to spare.
The upper shelf also places the studio monitors at a great height for recording and mixing.
So if you are a digital musician with just a few racks but mostly hardware for table tops, get this desk. But if you want this desk for studio racks look for something else as from most reviews this is a common problem.
2
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AJ
Superb home studio desk
I researched extremely thoroughly before spending what I consider to be a lot of money and I opted for this product from a list of many. However other products on the list were all more expensive and often not as suitable.
Construction took only a couple of hours in a cramped space that is my home studio. Assembly was easy if you're familiar with flat packed goods or basic home DIY. Once assembled a little tweeking had it tight and solid (before it wobbled a bit but just tighten the main bolts from the legs up into the underside of the main work surface and you're grand).
I have room on the top shelf for a 32" monitor, 2X Adam A5Xs and my Macbook Pro 15" open to work as a 2nd monitor. The main surface area is plenty big enough for my 61 key Novation SL mkii, lacie hard drive and turntable with my computer keyboard and mouse on the pull-out drawer under. My soundcard sits on the upper pull-out drawer. I purchased 5 Thon Rack Adapter 1U 25 shelves which are useful for various books, CDs, Microphones and bits and bobs (i don't have any hardware unfortunately) and my vinyl sits under these shelves.
To summarize, it is a compact serious desk that, at this price, is unrivaled. I had no issues with assembly and probably would have paid more, now that I have first hand experience of the quality.
Construction took only a couple of hours in a cramped space that is my home studio. Assembly was easy if you're familiar with flat packed goods or basic home DIY. Once assembled a little tweeking had it tight and solid (before it wobbled a bit but just tighten the main bolts from the legs up into the underside of the main work surface and you're grand).
I have room on the top shelf for a 32" monitor, 2X Adam A5Xs and my Macbook Pro 15" open to work as a 2nd monitor. The main surface area is plenty big enough for my 61 key Novation SL mkii, lacie hard drive and turntable with my computer keyboard and mouse on the pull-out drawer under. My soundcard sits on the upper pull-out drawer. I purchased 5 Thon Rack Adapter 1U 25 shelves which are useful for various books, CDs, Microphones and bits and bobs (i don't have any hardware unfortunately) and my vinyl sits under these shelves.
To summarize, it is a compact serious desk that, at this price, is unrivaled. I had no issues with assembly and probably would have paid more, now that I have first hand experience of the quality.
2
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s
The desk of my dreams!
Honestly, I have been wanting this desk for 5 or 6 years, since I first saw it on Thomann's website! And last year (2020), I finally decided to order one - the best decision I ever made (for buying furniture, haha)!
Build quality - absolutely ideal. From the powder-coated steel frames, to the integrated mounting points inside the woodgrain surfaces - it holds a tremendous amount of weight. I have so much equipment sitting on top of it, it's ridiculous:
- 2x Behringer B2030P passive 6.5" monitors;
- 2x Alpine SBE-1044BR passive 10" subwoofers (one on each side of the bottom surface);
- Dual Monitor Stand (mounted on the very top shelf's backside, sitting rock-solid);
- 3x Behringer A800 studio amplifiers;
- 2x 1U rack units of studio electronic equipment (DBX PA2 + Samson PowerBrite Pro10);
- External 4-slot HardDrive enclosure;
- Laptop stand + laptop on top of it + a ton of various cables, studio lights and more...
The rolling castors are absolutely solid and even under that weight, the desk can roll freely (although I do have to push hard, due to my floor having an office carpet, haha).
No cracks, no creaks - this thing moves under its own weight and has the capacity to hold ALL my necessary equipment, thus saving a ton of space in my studio room for other things! And for this price - you CANNOT find anything even remotely comparable to this desk! Absolutely no contest, I recommend this desk!
Build quality - absolutely ideal. From the powder-coated steel frames, to the integrated mounting points inside the woodgrain surfaces - it holds a tremendous amount of weight. I have so much equipment sitting on top of it, it's ridiculous:
- 2x Behringer B2030P passive 6.5" monitors;
- 2x Alpine SBE-1044BR passive 10" subwoofers (one on each side of the bottom surface);
- Dual Monitor Stand (mounted on the very top shelf's backside, sitting rock-solid);
- 3x Behringer A800 studio amplifiers;
- 2x 1U rack units of studio electronic equipment (DBX PA2 + Samson PowerBrite Pro10);
- External 4-slot HardDrive enclosure;
- Laptop stand + laptop on top of it + a ton of various cables, studio lights and more...
The rolling castors are absolutely solid and even under that weight, the desk can roll freely (although I do have to push hard, due to my floor having an office carpet, haha).
No cracks, no creaks - this thing moves under its own weight and has the capacity to hold ALL my necessary equipment, thus saving a ton of space in my studio room for other things! And for this price - you CANNOT find anything even remotely comparable to this desk! Absolutely no contest, I recommend this desk!
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H
Solid and spacious
First off, my rack wholes lined up! The comments had made me nervous but all is well. Maybe they fixed the issues in production?
The CD rack is a silly thing, but it's no issue to leave them off. The back of the main platform has a small plastic disc for slipping cables through, but the whole is too small to fit a plug through. No problem though, as you can remove the plastic disc and just use the whole drilled in the desk.
All in all, it's a solid piece that really helped me organise my studio. I figure it's a good investment. Simple to build too.
The CD rack is a silly thing, but it's no issue to leave them off. The back of the main platform has a small plastic disc for slipping cables through, but the whole is too small to fit a plug through. No problem though, as you can remove the plastic disc and just use the whole drilled in the desk.
All in all, it's a solid piece that really helped me organise my studio. I figure it's a good investment. Simple to build too.
1
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t
A great budget studio desk
I needed a new studio desk because we extended the main studio by about 50% and saw this one among the many others on offer.
The fact is, that the cost related to this desk and considering other products (some in the thousands) the StudioRTA Producer was really heads and shoulders above others. While we did NOT use the top speaker shelf (that was a bit 'flimsy' with real speakers on there) the main unit is very useful.
One more issue easily fixed is the fitting of the casters... USE BOLTS and fit them through the base plate/wood. Otherwise they are not quite up to handling the weights that can be imposed through outboard gear and heavy mixing desks.
Overall I don't regret this for one moment and there is no doubt that this desk for its limited cost is one of the ones to beat - but my guess is that you would pay substantially more for something better.
If you're on a budget - then look really close at this unit. It comes flat packed and delivery is included in the price (which is a feat in itself).
Recommended.
The fact is, that the cost related to this desk and considering other products (some in the thousands) the StudioRTA Producer was really heads and shoulders above others. While we did NOT use the top speaker shelf (that was a bit 'flimsy' with real speakers on there) the main unit is very useful.
One more issue easily fixed is the fitting of the casters... USE BOLTS and fit them through the base plate/wood. Otherwise they are not quite up to handling the weights that can be imposed through outboard gear and heavy mixing desks.
Overall I don't regret this for one moment and there is no doubt that this desk for its limited cost is one of the ones to beat - but my guess is that you would pay substantially more for something better.
If you're on a budget - then look really close at this unit. It comes flat packed and delivery is included in the price (which is a feat in itself).
Recommended.
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S
Very useful - Plenty of space
Overall a good table and sturdy too - I'm not sure what load limits it has but it can hold record players, rack units, monitors, a Moog and more without even feeling under strain. Very simple to put together too (can be done alone if no one is able to help you), however a second person will be needed to transport the box to the room you wish to assemble it in.
My only issues with the table are as follows:
1. With a 27" iMac sitting on the top section, the screen sits a little too high for my personal preference, and the height of the office chair is limited by the clearance underneath the keyboard shelf below.
2. The rack mounting points are all tucked away under the edges of the table surface, so when sitting down or even standing, the top 2 or 3U of rack space isn't visible - I would have preferred the rack mounts to be flush with the edges of the table.
3. The CD holders seem outdated to me - I feel there could be something more interesting put here such as small drawers for keeping loose patch cables or something.
My only issues with the table are as follows:
1. With a 27" iMac sitting on the top section, the screen sits a little too high for my personal preference, and the height of the office chair is limited by the clearance underneath the keyboard shelf below.
2. The rack mounting points are all tucked away under the edges of the table surface, so when sitting down or even standing, the top 2 or 3U of rack space isn't visible - I would have preferred the rack mounts to be flush with the edges of the table.
3. The CD holders seem outdated to me - I feel there could be something more interesting put here such as small drawers for keeping loose patch cables or something.
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D
Exactly what I ordered
Came last week all packaged nice and neatly, got help from the delivery driver to get in property. Did not get the advanced call though!
Easy to set up with two people and looks really good all put together. Maybe could have been a bit cheaper but I was happy with it.
Easy to set up with two people and looks really good all put together. Maybe could have been a bit cheaper but I was happy with it.
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A
19? Rack mount is too tight.
This desk is of very good build and quality, the workspace is large and setup is excellent. There is just one problem:
The 19? rack mount is spaced to tight.
After mounting 3 1U components the holes for the next component, on top or below, do not align.
There is always a little wiggle room on the components, but if the top one is adjusted to the top, the middle centered, and the bottom to the bottom, the next set of components will not fit. Same problem if you mount a 2U or 3U component.
My desk might be a one of a kind, but I doubt that. It seems as they have allowed for too little space in-between units.
The 19? rack mount is spaced to tight.
After mounting 3 1U components the holes for the next component, on top or below, do not align.
There is always a little wiggle room on the components, but if the top one is adjusted to the top, the middle centered, and the bottom to the bottom, the next set of components will not fit. Same problem if you mount a 2U or 3U component.
My desk might be a one of a kind, but I doubt that. It seems as they have allowed for too little space in-between units.
5
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