Studio furniture is the not the most exciting of equipment purchases, but essential nevertheless. Chris Kempster gets his gear organised with the Stand Easy range of racks...

Okay , so you've got the mixing desk, the monitors, the multitrack, and a million and one black boxes, but instead of having a fully-functioning studio, it feels like you're in an equipment wholesaler's warehouse.

What you need is some order to your madness, and that comes in the shape of purpose-designed studio furniture. Racks, in particular, are an essential purchase once you start amassing any amount of gear. So we've chosen several models from the Stand Easy range to peruse.

Racks 'n' facts

Constructed out of strong steel tubing, and finished in satin black textured paint, these racks are nothing if not durable. Sidepanels have a black ash veneer, which is much preferable to having open sides with leads and side-panels on display. Most of the racks come fitted with adjustable feet, although castors are an option. The pod (above, left) is an exception, coming with castors as standard. We see the standard studio rack at many of the studios we visit, and this is ideal if you have an excessive amount of racking gear.

The largest standard size is 32u high, which is tall enough for most people, but if you're still not satisfied, then larger ones can be made to order. The model pictured (above, middle) is 24u high, to give you some idea of scale.

"Racks are an essential purchase once you start amassing any amount of gear"

If you prefer your rack gear at an angle, to facilitate easy front-panel access, then the angled studio rack might be more to your taste. Coming in single (over leaf) or double racks, these come in standard sizes up to 24u high. Again, castors are an option. Also angled is the studio pod, which is particularly suitable for use with reel-to-reel machines. Its closed design is quite attractive, making it an ideal candidate for oft-used gear that you need close to your console.

Verdict

For aesthetic appeal, practicality and cost-effectiveness, these are some of the best racks around. Since most of us spend such a lot of time in our studios, it's worth making the effort to make it a little more comfortable and functional. The side-panelled designs, for example, are a lot more palatable than cheaper racks consisting merely of a couple of vertical posts. Ultimately, anything that improves your productivity is money well spent.