Best studio desks 2023: budget-spanning options for organising your recording studio space

The word ‘studio’ can mean different things to different people. Whether it’s a sprawling, open-plan space big enough for an orchestra or a small corner of the spare room, any recording space can benefit from one of the best studio desks. So if you’re looking to take control and better organise your gear, you should consider setting up one of these clever studio desks as the centrepiece of your creative space.

This round-up of the best studio desks demonstrates how many options there are – for all budgets – and for every usage type, to help you get your studio organised. Head to the end of the article for more guidance, or keep scrolling for our top picks. We’ve listed our choices in price order to make it easier to find the right one for your budget.

Best studio desks: MusicRadar’s choice

Of all the desks we’ve listed below, the Thomann ComboDesk (opens in new tab) is pretty hard to beat. It’s designed by Zaor, which means there’s some credibility to the design, and we found the combination of decent quality materials and musician-specific detailing made for a great all-round desk, even before the low relative cost is taken into account. 

At the higher end, the Slate Media Raven MTi Core Station is exceptionally well-built, and we could see that happily being at the centre of our studio for years to come. You will, however, need a sizable budget to install that one, although the prospect of your main studio desk looking like the centre console in an actual spaceship is pretty appealing…

We were also impressed with the Studio RTA Producer Station (opens in new tab). As a definite studio desk, it contains a number of features designed to make the life of a producer far easier, and we also couldn’t fault the price for what you get. If your budget doesn’t stretch this far, you can’t go wrong with the Quik-Lok Z-250 – a great budget bedroom studio option.

Best studio desks: Product guide

(Image credit: Quik Lok)

1. Quik-Lok Z-250

A great ‘first’ studio desk for recording in your bedroom

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Slide-out keyboard shelf, raised tier for monitors

Dimensions:

44x36x22”

Reasons to buy

+

Studio-specific features

+

Compact size

Reasons to avoid

–

Easy to outgrow

Many of you may be working away in your bedroom or spare room, and music production gear is squeezed in along with other bedroom furniture, this can make for a pretty cramped studio space. The Quik-Lok Z250 makes an ideal desk for anyone in this situation. Why? Because it’s a superb music-specific desk with features designed for the typical home studio. 

There’s a raised shelf for screens and nearfield monitors, a large main desk for controllers and keyboards, and a pull-out shelf for computer keyboards. Basically, everything you need and nothing you don’t, and all for a very reasonable price.

(Image credit: Studio RTA)

2. StudioRTA Producer Station

The best studio desk for most people

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Slide-out keyboard shelf, dual rack spaces, pull out upper shelf

Dimensions:

72wx41x30”

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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Reasons to buy

+

Versatile design

+

Plenty of space

Reasons to avoid

–

Finish is a bit 90s-tastic

The Studio RTA Producer Station is still one of the best studio desks around for the non-pro market. Packing in a series of useful appointments like rack-spacing, slide out shelving and a raised section for monitors, this generously sized studio desk will fit the bill for a lot of people. 

As one of the bigger names in studio furniture, Studio RTA has naturally thought of the small details here too. We particularly like the sheer amount of space on offer, which is particularly useful if you have a dual screen setup. It’s priced well too, considering what you get.

(Image credit: Thomann)

3. Thomann ComboDesk

Outstanding value beginners’ studio desk

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

2 x 3U 19” racks, Pull-out keyboard shelf, Cable management

Dimensions:

1250mm x 406mm x 773mm

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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Reasons to buy

+

Clever design

+

Cable management

+

Rack space

Reasons to avoid

–

Some may find the worktop edges sharp

If you’ve been using an old desk or table, and are looking to invest in your first studio desk, then the Thomann ComboDesk is a superb option. Designed by the good folk at Zaor, this collaboration features a bunch of musician-specific fixtures, like a pull-out keyboard shelf and space for rack mounted gear, without skimping on the overall look and aesthetic. See, while some options in the list aren’t much to look at, the ComboDesk offers a nice white on black contrast which we’re big fans of. 

The Thomann ComboDesk is an online only offer – unless you live close enough to visit Thomannn – so we’d advise being thorough with your measuring tape before you buy. It’s perhaps more than you’d spend if you went to a certain big-name Swedish furniture retailer, but then sometimes it’s worth spending on something specialist.

(Image credit: BK Media)

4. BK Media Height Adjustable Work Station

The best studio desk for sit-standing sessions

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Adjustable height

Dimensions:

31.5×4-19×24.2”

Reasons to buy

+

Gives your back a break

+

Boosts your overall health

+

Custom height fit

Reasons to avoid

–

Height adjustment potential catastrophic if you have a lot of gear plugged in

Height adjustable desks (aka standing desks) are growing in popularity as they give users a chance to find a height that suits them. In a studio environment, where lots of work is done sat down, the chance to stretch your back and work standing up is beneficial to your overall health. 

The BK Media height adjustable desk is a superb option for anyone with an existing studio desk they’re happy with, but who wouldn’t mind the opportunity to get out of their chair from time to time. It raises up from a 4-inch to 19inch high, and there’s two tiers so you can have your monitor and keyboard separated.

(Image credit: Zaor)

5. Zaor Onda Angle

Plenty of space for the pro to stretch out

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

2 x 6U 19” racks, Pull-out keyboard shelf, Cable management

Dimensions:

1250mm x 406mm x 773mm

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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Reasons to buy

+

Modern design

+

Cable storage

+

Oak construction

Reasons to avoid

–

You won’t want to move this once it’s set

If you’ve reached the stage in life where your studio needs, nay deserves, something large to house all your gear, then the Zaor Onda Angle is a worthy option to consider. At its peak, the Onda is over 2.3 metres wide and weighs a whopping 66kg, so you’ll need to be fairly certain where you plan on situating it once it’s built. 

We particularly liked the amount of built-in 19” rack space available – enough for 12 ‘regular’ modules – so you can go crazy with your vintage reverbs and compressors. But the thing that sealed the deal for us, and made the Onda a studio desk we’re happy to recommend, is the solid oak. Where others on the list – understandably, for cost control reasons – favour chipboard for everything, the Onda is mostly rock-solid oak, meaning this is a desk that will likely outlast most other things in your studio. Quality stuff. 

(Image credit: UltimateSupport)

6. Ultimate Support Nucleus 2

The best studio desk if you need acres of space

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Extended work surface, two tier design, retractable keyboard shelf

Dimensions:

84x39x44”

Reasons to buy

+

So much space

+

U-shape improves workflow

Reasons to avoid

–

U-shape may not work for all rooms 

There’s a practice in the field of manufacturing called ‘lean’, which essentially involves cutting out all unnecessary effort that impacts you carrying out your role. Efficiency is the name of the game. 

The Ultimate Support Nucleus 2 fits in with this ethos, by providing a huge work space to operate from, but with two extension units that bring the sides of this studio desk around you. This should cut out plenty of chair-spinning and leaning, thus making for an improved workflow. 

The number of man-hours this will save you over the course of your production career is debatable, but it sure is nice having a huge space but with everything you need within easy reach. 

(Image credit: Studio RTA)

7. StudioRTA Creation Station

Great for mid-sized studios or practice rooms

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Raised tier for monitors, dual 19” rack bays

Dimensions:

59x30x37”

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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Reasons to buy

+

Versatile

+

Good amount of space

Reasons to avoid

–

Needs a computer keyboard shelf 

Lots of producers will have a studio setup within a band’s rehearsal space for capturing demos on the fly. The Studio RTA Creation Station is an ideal desk for this as it packs in space for rack-mounted gear, along with a raised tier for monitors and speakers. It’s not enormous, so won’t dominate a smaller space, but it does contain enough space for controller keyboards and studio mixers.

We also found the Creation Station ideal for anyone for whom recording isn’t the sole use of the desk. With room underneath for printers and computer towers, it’s a great all-round desk for anyone looking to step up from a more basic ‘flat surface’ type arrangement.

(Image credit: Zaor Studio Furniture)

8. Zaor Miza M

An ideal choice for keyboard composers

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Large slide-out keyboard shelf

Dimensions:

61x32x30”

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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Reasons to buy

+

Ace for keys-based studios

+

Acres of desk space

Reasons to avoid

–

Elevated monitor space would be nice

If your studio revolves around a single keyboard, synth or arranger workstation then you probably don’t need masses of space for rack gear or computer towers. You’re still going to want something well-built and long-lasting though, and we’re happy to recommend the Zaor Miza M for that. 

This well-proportioned workspace features a space-saving drawer that can house a 55-inch-wide keyboard and keep it tucked away when not in use.

(Image credit: Slate Media)

9. Slate Media Technology Raven MTi Core Station

High-end digital tools with the wow factor

Our expert review:

Specifications

Features:

Optional Dual DAW and software controllers

Dimensions:

56wx42x32”

Reasons to buy

+

Very futuristic looking

+

Touch workflow is a dream

Reasons to avoid

–

No space for controllers/monitors

Less a studio desk and more the control panel of a spaceship, the Slate Media Raven MTi Core Station is a glorious sight to behold. The main attraction here is the two optional embedded 27-inch touchscreens, which house your favourite DAW and make everything controllable using multi-touch gestures.

Clearly, this studio desk won’t be suitable for everyone, but the Raven MTi Core Station provides a tantalising glimpse at what high-end desks feel like. Give it time and we can reasonably expect units like this to be more common (and hopefully cheaper) in the not too distant future.

Best studio desks: Buying advice

(Image credit: Getty/Drablenkov)

Do I need a studio desk?

Right now, you may have a battered old computer workstation overflowing with gear, or you may be rocking something far more palatial. Either way, a studio desk is a crucial part of almost any recording equation, and somewhere you can neatly lay out all your equipment. 

We often underestimate how much impact the right studio desk can have: not only do they add valuable extra real estate for your stuff, they can also reignite your creative fire by putting all of your kit within arms reach and inspiring you to work in new ways – if your gear is always set up and ready to go, then you can create the moment an idea hits you.

How do I choose the best studio desk for me?

As a music producer, having a dedicated studio desk can make all the difference in your workflow and creativity. With a desk designed specifically for music production, you can streamline your setup, enhance your comfort and improve your overall productivity.

If space is an issue, studio desks are designed to be compact and efficient, allowing you to fit more gear into a smaller footprint. This means you can have all your gear, from keyboards to rackmounts, within arms’ reach without having to waste valuable studio space on a sprawling setup. This reduction in space doesn’t come at the expense of organisation either. If anything, with a dedicated studio desk you can neatly organise all your equipment, reducing clutter and ensuring that everything is easily accessible. This could even improve your workflow, by allowing you to focus on your creative process rather than wasting time searching for – or setting up – the right gear.

We also the like the customisation options you unlock by opting for a proper studio desk. Many come with space, fixtures and fittings for installing 19” rackmounted gear directly into the desk, so that fancy 24-input audio interface you’ve had your eye on will be easily accessible, along with your other effects gear.

Don’t underestimate the importance of comfort either. Many studio desks are designed with ergonomics in mind, so you can work comfortably for extended periods of time. Features such as adjustable height, wrist supports and cable management can both help alleviate fatigue and add to the ‘tidy desk/tidy mind’ philosophy you get from having a dedicated, tidy space.

How to get the best value from your studio desk

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Price-wise, at the entry-level end of the best studio desks market you’ll find compact models with minimal extra functionality. It’s not unreasonable to expect certain space-saving features here either. For example, a sliding drawer to keep synthesizers tucked away, or a dual layer design to keep your monitor screen elevated and free up space for MIDI pad controllers or the like. These desks won’t be made from the best materials or represent the most stylish options, but they’ll do the job as intended.

Higher up the price ladder, you’ll discover studio desks with superior construction quality, ergonomic design and space for bespoke equipment that can be installed directly into the unit.

Room to grow

When a desk is in its ‘right’ place, it won’t usually be moved, so it’s important to make sure your chosen studio desk is the right size for the space you’re going to be working in and contains everything you need. Keep in mind future expansion too – your playing may require new equipment down the line, which may, in turn, require more space. Therefore it’s advisable to buy the biggest studio desk you can afford or find space for – it’s not something you want to be replacing when you buy that new synth or upgrade to a double-screen setup, for example.

Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.

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