Best chair for music production?

[QuestionAsker]

Is there a specific chair that's most loved by music producers?

Or one you use and would recommend?

My current chair is literally almost a 90 degree "L" shaped hard chair with almost no padding and needless to say, it's very uncomfortable. Looking to up my chair and desk game.

I know Herman Miller chairs are amazing, although way out of my budget. I'd buy one used, but I'm currently living in Mexico, I've seen some of them on Facebook Marketplace, but they're still around $1000 USD.

[muzines]

Is there a specific chair that's most loved by music producers?

The industry standard for studios is Pro Stool.

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Are there any lower budget chairs that give you much of the bang but for much less buck than the typical HM piece? Not sure, but my chair could certainly do with some updating...

[Jorge]

I found the Herman Miller Aeron chair was too low, as was the Girsberger chair I had before that and the ordinary chair I am using now. My drum throne can adjust high enough but doesn't have wheels or a backrest. And I don't like the Pro Stools subscription plan either.

So I have also been searching for audio producer chairs, drafting chairs and high ergonomic chairs, and read the Feb 2022 SOS review of the Ergolab Stealth studio chairs, which include an option for a higher seat.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/er ... dio-chairs

Not sure what stealth has to do with it, maybe it rolls quieter or squeaks less. But it does seem to be pretty adjustable ergonomically and Hugh Robjohns gave it a very positive review. It is a bit pricey, and I am not sure what I would do with the additional wheels and height adjustment cylinder that come with it.

Has anyone tried this chair?

[Drew Stephenson]

At the cheaper end of the scale, I got one of these three years ago: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/jaervfjael ... -00521854/
Originally it was just going to be a studio chair (I have the version without arms so it doesn't interfere with guitar playing or my keyboard shelf) but since the first lockdown in 2020 I've been working from home 99% of the time so I probably spent upwards of 50 hours a week in it and it's been very comfortable.
I have recently bought a standing desk for the day job, but I'm probably still doing 30 hours a week in it.

[Sam Inglis]

I don't know how things are in Mexico, but here in the UK you can often buy secondhand office furniture for pennies in the pound. So if you don't mind the fact that unknown bottoms have been in the seat before you, it's possible to pick up very good quality chairs for very little.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I found the Herman Miller Aeron chair was too low...

The Aeron is available in three different sizes (seat widths and back heights) and three different column heights, allowing seat base heights from about 400 up to almost 600mm.

Obviously, if buying new these options can be specified, but buying used means you get what someone else specified. General office desk chairs tend to be smaller and lower models. Studio/ console chairs usually need to be bigger and higher. Some companies offer recondition HM chairs and are willing to swap parts around to fit the high column, different wheels etc.

There are (slightly) less expensive HM chairs that retain the famous ergonomics and support, such as the Mirra which are worth considering.

The Ergolab chair is well built and has most of the ergomonics of the HM. It is very heavy in comparison, though, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your expectations.

The inclusion of different columns and wheels seems unnecessarily wasteful to me and must add to the cost. I dont understand why these things can't be specified when ordering, along with the back size.

But ultimately, you have to sit in a chair to decide if its right for you — your dimensions and weight, and your desk/console height and other requires.

The one thing I strongly recommend is a seat base that tilts forward to keep your spine aligned when working at a desk, and a back rest that supports the lower back correctly in all seating positions.

[The Elf]

Shortly after lockdown I went to see an office furniture supplier over in Bakewell. They came out to see my environment, helped me choose a suitable chair, and came to help me set it up. It saved me from a lot of guesswork.

So see if there are any local companies who can help.

[Jorge]

Thanks Drew. Looks comfortable and a lot more budget friendly than the Stealth, but it only goes up to 22" seat height. I will check out Ikea and see if they offer higher options. For this application I am using a desk and monitor location that really need a few inches higher, like 25".

Thanks Hugh. The Aeron I have is old and previously from my job, and is the lower height model. It has not held up well enough over time to justify its premium price, so I am looking elsewhere. I agree that adjustable seatpan angle is a big help. I love your neologism ergomonics, does that mean the biomechanics are in harmony with your music? LOL. Seriously, the Ergolab chair looks nice, it would be great to be able to sit in a few to make sure it is right. Elf, I agree with your advice to try before you buy, although that has become more difficult these days. Will try to find a local place I can do that. I can imagine it is no better, and probably more difficult, in Mexico. Also, we have an ergonomist at work and I will see what he recommends. This forum is really helpful to try to address these issues.

[Drew Stephenson]

Thanks Drew. Looks comfortable and a lot more budget friendly than the Stealth, but it only goes up to 22" seat height. I will check out Ikea and see if they offer higher options. For this application I am using a desk and monitor location that really need a few inches higher, like 25".

Ah, yeah 25" definitely puts you into the 'specialist' category. The Ikea one was the tallest 'regular' one I could find at the time.

[resistorman]

At the cheaper end of the scale, I got one of these three years ago: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/jaervfjael ... -00521854/
Originally it was just going to be a studio chair (I have the version without arms so it doesn't interfere with guitar playing or my keyboard shelf) but since the first lockdown in 2020 I've been working from home 99% of the time so I probably spent upwards of 50 hours a week in it and it's been very comfortable.
I have recently bought a standing desk for the day job, but I'm probably still doing 30 hours a week in it.

Ikea has a great assortment of office chairs! Mine is still good, but nice to know.

[tea for two]

I wear a Bad back lumbar shoulder support brace for prolonged sitting whether chair, train, bus.
It's had a beneficial difference for me.
Approx £10-£20 on well known auction site.

[Zukan]

I think we've all been down this route...I know I certainly have. I spent ages looking at all manner of chairs and eventually opted for a £200 affair in a furniture store that seemed to be made specifically for my ethnic ass. I have been using it now for 9 years.

[Arpangel]

Waste money on a chair? I use anything to hand, a cheap Argos office chair, a Victorian wooden child’s chair, or a plastic fold-up IKE job.

[RichardT]

The best chair is one you can forget about - I'm another IKEA fan, I got a rotating adjustable office chair almost 20 years ago and it's going strong.

[IAA]

I’ve tried office chairs but always go back to my revolving stool (just re-read that and it sounds a bit odd!) easier when playing and no arm rests easier with guitars.

Glen Gould was quite particular though…..l

[Tomás Mulcahy]

I don't know how things are in Mexico, but here in the UK you can often buy secondhand office furniture for pennies in the pound. So if you don't mind the fact that unknown bottoms have been in the seat before you, it's possible to pick up very good quality chairs for very little.

Seconded. This is what I did. 14 years ago. A Humanscale Task chair. Still working perfectly*, still comfortable.

I chose it because I had tried one at another studio. They paid €1500. I paid €350 including shipping from Scotland to Ireland. They are made in Ireland!

When it arrived it still had the tags and wrapping on it, so I don't think there were any bums on it before mine

*Last year the handle you push it around with broke, I fixed it with superglue.

Just to add- the majority of back trouble is not cause by chairs, it's due to weak core muscles (because most of us are sedentary) so you end up use the wrong muscles to hold yourself up. See a (recently qualifed= up to date) physiotherapist (not a physical therapist*) and they'll probably give you a bunch of unpleasant weight bearing exercises to do. They definitely work though, if you do your homework as prescribed

*or not a chiropracter, or an Alexander tehcnique teacher, or a spinologist, or a bone setter, or an acupuncturist. I've wasted money on all of those!

[ManFromGlass]

Excellent point about how the right chair won’t prevent back issues.
I’ve seen all of those body manipulators except bone setter ( !) over the years.
For me for core strength nothing has beaten a yoga regime put together by an experienced yoga teacher familiar with back issues. It’s a 15-20 minute routine of strength, stretch and relaxing poses. Simple enough that I can do them. The word yoga used to throw me off but they are simple moves.

As for best chair - I chose the Miller chair many years ago mostly based on the fact that they were great for farting through and I have a silly sense of humour.

[Arpangel]

Glen Gould was quite particular though…..l

His dressing rooms were littered with sawn-off piano stools.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

As for best chair - I chose the Miller chair many years ago mostly based on the fact that they were great for farting through and I have a silly sense of humour.

You have a point there.

[MarkOne]

I think this one might be the best:



And a snip at £45,000

[QuestionAsker]

Thanks guys for your tips! I dream of a Herman Miller chair, I only found 1 used one so far in Mexico, but I'll keep looking. There's a local chair manufacturer that makes office chairs for about $200 / chair, but I'm not sure if it's the best of quality. At the end of the day, probably anything will be better than my current chair!