How to choose a studio desk for your keyboard instrument
In this section we will explore how how to choose a studio desk for your keyboard instrument. We will cover the following items:
1. Ergonomic factors to consider when choosing a studio desk for a keyboard.
2. The two primary studio desk design options based on the size of you keyboard instrument.
THE GOAL IS TO
STRIKE A BALANCE
Between the following factors:
1. Overall Desktop Height
2. Keyboard Clearance
3. Knee Clearance
Factor #1. Overall height of the desktop
Aim for a maximum of ~790mm
Regular office desks can be as low as 720mm and as high as 760mm. Add a
slide-out tray for a musical instrument and the desktop must be higher still in order to accommodate the height of the tray and instrument. In making vertical space for the tray, the desktop can be positioned too high whereby using a computer mouse and keyboard becomes fatiguing for your arms as the hours wear on.
Factor #2. keyboard clearance to the underside of the desktop
Aim for a maximum of ~130mm
The aim is to minimize the gap between your keyboard and the underside of the studio desk. This will allow the maximum possible knee clearance under the keyboard tray.
Factor #3. knee clearance
Aim for a minimum of ~600mm
The figure of 600mm clearance between the floor and the under side of the keyboard tray is, of course, down to personal preference. However, in our experience building studio desks for more than a decade, 600mm seems to crop up over and over again as the magic number.
A chair of adjustable height can help you achieve this.
CHOOSE A STUDIO DESK WITH A SLIDE-OUT KEYBOARD TRAY
for a keyboard instrument whose overall height is less than 130mm
This is the maximum height of a keyboard in which the factors discussed above are still reasonable for your ergonomic comfort in long periods sitting at your desk
It's critical to select a studio desk whose slide-out tray is height adjustable
CHOOSE A STUDIO DESK WITH A RECESSED SHELF
for a keyboard whose overall height is greater than 130mm
Larger keyboards whose height off the desktop is greater than 130mm are not suited to a desk with pull-out keyboard tray because you wind up with a desk which is way to high with not enough room for your knees.