SOME INFORMATIONS ABOUT ME

My name is Frantisek Busek and on several Internet forums I use a user name Fova. Since English is not my native language, please, apologize some my mistakes.

I was born in 1974 in Pilsen, Czech Republic where I still live. Together with my wife Hana we have two boys – Jachym (*2002) and Marek (*2004). Maybe some others will come :-)

I work like a project manager in one company producing steam turbines.

Except for music my hobby is also writing of the books. One sci-fi novel was already printed by a publishig house and is almost sold out and a second sci-fi/fantasy work is just before finishing.

Music started to be my interest in 1991 when a friend of mine showed me his first digital keyboard. I also had to buy one and since I did not have any musical education I had learn to play which took several years.

Then I was invited to a musical band playing in my church where started to play keyboards and sing. After certain time became a leader of this group and we accepted a name Ad Libitum.

Right now the group contains 4 singers, 2 keyboards, violin, acoustic guitar and tambourine. We play a modern praise and worship songs on Sunday services.

As for the music I have also small home recording studio where I record mostly my own records but I am open also for my friends when they need to record some songs.

I have already finished two my own CDs that were spreaded mostly between our friends. Some time ago I started to work on a new project, sonically on a higher level, that I hope will be sold also in a shops :-)

My music is something between folk and pop with some touch of rock and synthesizers. It is built up mostly on vocals, piano, B3 organ, el. piano, acoustic guitar, flute, some keyboard strings and a percussions.

STUDIO EQUIPMENT

Since vocals are my main „instrument“ I have several vocal microphones. The main workhorse is ADK CE, one of the highest models of ADK microphones. This tubed 9 patterned microphone has very nice sound, with thick body and smooth and not harshing heights. It is quite neutral - not coloring too much.

Next I have Oktava MK319Mod that was modified by me according to some articles. By this modification I opened its heights and it is not so dull like before.

During public performances of Ad Libitum I use my next mike Beyerdynamic Opus 89. This is an ideal mike for a leading vocals – I can hear myself clearly above other vocals and instruments.

For recording of instruments I have a stereo pair of cardioid chinese pencils SE3. Little hyped heights but it works well on instruments. Not usuable so much for vocals IMO.

Microphones are wired to SPL Goldmike – german solid state/tube hybrid mic preamplifier and then led to M-Audiophile A192 sound card.

Like a monitors I use german Adam A7 and also :-) german headphones Sennheiser HD595 connected to Audiophile thru Creek OBH21 amp.

My main master keyboard is Oberheim MC2000. It is built like a tank with a steel body, has a lot of features but the main advantage is a very fast and light hammer keyboard that allows you to play both piano and organs. I had an oportunity to play several digital pianos (Casio Privia, Korg SP200, Yamaha P60 and 120) and master keyboards (Fatar TMK88, Doepfer PK88, M-Audio Keystation 88Pro and CME UF8) and IMO Oberheim rulez ;-)

I am so glad I bought it because it looks that production of Oberheim masters has been stopped.

As for the software I use like sequencer Sonar Home Studio, Kjaerhus Classic Series effects plug-ins, Synthogy Ivory for piano sound, Native Instruments B4 for Hammonds organs, Native Instruments FM8 for Yamaha DX7 sounds and Toontrack EZ Drummer for drums and percussions. Everything is bought and legal ;-)

Because right now we are living in a rented flat my recording room is without any bigger acoustic treatment. Within a short time we are moving to our own new house where one room will be separated for studio. I plan to install there bass traps and absorbing panels based on Rockwool sheets.

This is the gear that I will most probably buy very soon:

- new complete set of all cables from Sommer Cables since now I use cheap italian Proels, Bespecos, etc.

- sampler Native Instruments Kontakt 3 where are included some nice Vienna orchestral sounds.

- stereo pair of tube microphones Alctron HAT800 bought directly from China – very similar to CAD Trion 8000.

- mic preamp built by one my friend that is a clone of SSL 9000 console series.

This is the gear I wish to buy but do not know if it will happen:

- ribbon microphone AEA R84 – thick lows, dark and rich sound

- microphone Neumann U87 – universal workhorse

- microphone MXL V6 Silicon Valve – coloring vintage sound

- microphone Neumann U47 – „holy grail“ for vocals

- Adam S3 monitors

- DAV BG1 mic preamplifier of the high level with a very clean sound

- Any RME or Lynx sound card

DIY $160 STUDIO DESK

INTRODUCTION

The table that I used in my home studio was very small so I could not place there a masterkeyboard and monitors also were in unacceptable height. I decided to buy something bigger but could not find anything in a common shops.

The main reason that I could not find anything was maybe that I wanted the table with desk 55“x 33,5“. In Europe this is a typical size of kitchen table but not a table to work on.

Also because of economical reasons I decided to make it myself.

SKETCH WITH DIMENSIONS

First I measured myself sitting on the chair and all my equipment. What was for me the most critical was to assure that tweeters of my monitors will be in the same height like my ears and also that my hands will be in the right position for playing the piano.

Original sketch is here. It is in metric system with some czech notes but it can give you a good idea about it:

IN THE SHOP

Next I went to a local OBI which is an supermarket for hobbists.

There I bought a main desk made from combination of larch and spruce wood with sizes 55x31,5x 1“ for $56. The disadvantage of this material is that it is quite soft so if you have more money available you can buy harder beech or oak. I will not eat or write by pen on my desk so its softness was so not so critical for me.

Next a bought from the same material an upper desk for LCD and monitors. The desk I bought had size 47,3x12x0,7“ because they did not have longer one. Later when I finished the whole work I found that monitors are positioned quite close each other which is not suitable for a critical listening. So I recommend you to buy this desk in the same lenght like a main desk.

Last wooden desk I bought was for PC keyboard and mouse. There was a one with size 31,5x11,8x0,7“ for $3 only.

I also had to buy any legs.

In OBI you have two options – either to take a cheaper legs for $5/pc with dia. 1,2“ or more expensive ones for $36/pc with dia. 3“. I took a cheaper ones but later I found that a table with those legs is little moving to sides when you crash into it. Therefore I had to fix it later by some aluminum stripes (we will come to that later). Buying of the big legs will increase a total price a lot, but you have it solved once for ever. Smaller legs and adding of stripes is not so costy but it requires from you some extra work.

Next problem with the legs was that they did not have the legs with a lenght 75mm (29,5“) that were required by my sketch.

I took the closest bigger ones – with lenght 31,5“. Later I found that this also was not so good idea. When I sat in front of the the table for first time I found that my legs are not on the floor but in the air so now I have to use small stool. It is possible to cut the lenght of legs but assure to install some plastic cap on the end not to damage the floor.

I also bought four small legs 4“ long for the upper desk for $1,5/pc

Here is a photo of bought items:

Next I bought parts for a desk, where PC keyboard and mouse will sit on. It was steel moving system (see white part on photo below) for $8, 4 small brown brackets and a one 4“ wide wooden board that was used for creating of side supports – see following photo, where everything is already assembled:

And of course I bought some screws to wood.

PAINTING

Because all wooden parts did not have any surface treatment I had to apply 3 layers of varnish. I used a one that is ecological, thinned by water and not toxical. This one can be applied to tableware of children  1 kilogram can was for about $6.

After first layer it was necessary to grind whole surface by an emery cloth because fibres of the wood stood up a little. Whole painting took several days.

ASSEMBLING

I started with assembling of desk for PC keyboard and mouse. One photo of this assembly is above, here is one more detail:

Then this subassembly was laid on the main desk and screwed to the main desk. Also the long lengs were screwed to the main desk:

The upper desk was connected with small 4“ long legs and positioned on the table. Here is everything mounted together:

Then I thought it is finished so placed table to the right place behind the wall and installed all home studio equipment:

BUT although heavy master keyboard was placed on the desk the table was still moving sideways a little when I touched it accidentaly. I definitely wanted to make it solid without any movements so I visited OBI again :-)

NEXT SHOPPING

I bought there several aluminium stripes with brown paint probably designed to be used during carpet or floor instalations. They were quite expensive ($38 total) but still cheapier than a big legs that I mentioned in the beginning.

FINAL WOKS

I had to drill holes thru on several places of legs. Then I placed there the stripes cutted to the appropriate lenghts and secured it by a screw and nut.

This is how it looked like after it was finished

Now the the whole table is not moving at all. :-)