Setting Up my DREAM HOME STUDIO

Introduction

Hey everyone, I'm Coar and thank you for stopping by for another video! If you haven't seen the last video where I completely rebuilt this studio, make sure to check it out. In that video, we installed new soffit lights, clouds, base traps, giant base traps, and diffusers. This room now looks and sounds totally different.

The previous video was so long that we couldn't fit the reassembly of the studio, so today we will pick up where we left off. Our mission is to set up the studio into a functional workspace again, starting with the rack gear.

Before diving in, I must mention that there are links down below for every piece of gear you'll see in this video. Thanks to Sweetwater for sponsoring this video. Whenever you need musical gear, use the links provided. It doesn't cost you extra but helps support this channel and its content. Now, let's get into reassembling the studio.

Setting Up the Producer's Desk

Our first task is to set up the producer's desk with a bar top for bar stools. We plan to use a few racks and a Live Edge hardwood countertop for this. Here's a quick breakdown:

1. Gator Frameworks Precision Elite Racks: Solid plywood, not MDF, and highly recommended.
2. Live Edge Hardwood Countertop: Overhangs on both sides for cables, headphones, and bar stools.

The Gator racks went together smoothly, and we added the door later. With the hardwood countertop cut for the perfect fit, the producer's desk turned out great.

Connecting the Gear

Next, we needed custom snakes for connecting the racks. I reached out to my friends at Jumpers and received custom length db25 to XLR male and female snakes very quickly. I'll be using label makers to organize the snake connections and create a document listing each piece of gear and its respective snake.

Before getting into all the connections, a few essential preliminary steps such as setting up the computer, hard drives, and power conditioners for the racks were necessary.

Configuring the Patches and Interfaces

The main challenge was to configure the patches and interfaces efficiently. Here’s what we did:

1. Computer Setup: The Mac Studio with glyph hard drives, Switchcraft TT patch bays, Flock patch, Avid HD I/O, and Matrix Studio were all housed in the main rack.
2. Labeling and Documentation: We labeled each snake and documented which channels they connected to.
3. Power Conditioners: Using radial power conditioners with LED panels for each rack, we managed power efficiently.

While setting up, it was cool to see how the rack gear and cables were coming together neatly.

Final Touches

Once all racks were loaded and cables connected, we ensured everything was precisely tracked and labeled. A few additional touches included setting up a UAD2 Octo satellite for Universal Audio plugins and organizing all cables neatly. Some specific details that might change include the guitar wall placement and potentially adding a monitor controller for better volume control.

Vibes and Functionality

One of the coolest aspects was the ambient lighting setup, controlled via Phillips Hue systems for different moods: maintenance lights, work profiles, nighttime vibes, and more. Having the computer and interfaces in a separate rack improved functionality tremendously.

Conclusion

Setting up this dream home studio was a labor-intensive but gratifying process, transforming the space into a multifunctional and aesthetic sanctuary. Stay tuned for future videos where I will dive deeper into the gadgets and gear used here and share insights on my first mix produced in this revamped studio.

Keywords

• Gator Frameworks Precision Elite Racks
• Live Edge Hardwood Countertop
• Custom Snakes
• Jumpers
• Mac Studio
• Glyph Hard Drives
• Switchcraft TT Patch Bays
• Flock Patch
• Avid HD I/O
• Matrix Studio
• Radial Power Conditioners
• UAD2 Octo Satellite
• Phillips Hue Lights

FAQ

1. Why did you choose Gator Frameworks Precision Elite Racks?

• The Gator racks are solid plywood, extremely sturdy, and built to last, making them a perfect addition to my studio.

2. What are custom snakes, and why are they important?

• Custom snakes are tailor-made audio cables of specific lengths, essential for efficient and neat cable management, especially for intricate studio setups.

3. How did you organize all the gear and connections?

• I used label makers to label each snake connection and created a documented list pinpointing each gear channel and snake, ensuring easy troubleshooting and organization.

4. How do the ambient lights enhance the studio atmosphere?

• The Phillips Hue system is set up to provide various lighting moods: daytime work, nighttime vibes, and filming, adding both functionality and aesthetics.

5. Are there any upcoming changes or additions to the studio setup?

• Yes. I’m considering new monitor controllers and some additional tweaking, especially around the guitar wall placement.