1 vs 2 Displays

[drumsound]

With today's Apple announcements I'll be getting a new computer system going soon. I currently have my display to the right of my speakers, but am planning to move it to between the speakers, because I'm having physical issues and I don't want to turn my head and reach for the keyboard and mouse (which have been moved to the console armrest already).

I'm considering dual displays but would want them mounted vertically. Most of the solutions for doing that don't offer a lot of flexibility and generally suggest smaller (24") displays. With a single display, I could get a larger screen, and have articulation to pull it closer to me when editing, and push it back when tracking and most of the mixing process.

I like the idea of the edit window and the mixer window open together most of the time, and being able to have access to the mixer window with plugins open and placed over the edit window when I'm mixing. But I think moving the display around might have more merit.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.

[A.David.MacKinnon]

How much real estate is there between the speakers? I have dual displays horizontally between my speakers. They're not big screens, I have no idea of size actually, but big enough. I've worked places that have dual displays stacked vertically and I always found it a neck strain looking up at the top display, especially if they were stacked on a console meter bridge and so already sitting a little higher than is ergonomically comfortable.

It's hard to go back to a single screen after working with two. Being able to have both windows open at once is pretty great.

[vvv]

In my home-office I have my displays vertically-stacked and yep, can cramp the neck some if I'm too close - top is the 'net and *pdf's mostly, bottom is the word processor, etc.

In my bedio I have 'em side by side but use just one for all the DAW stuff, the other for the 'net, and the one to the left side is place lower and onna shelf under the left monitor's shelf, the other (DAW) display is centered between the monitors. Was I to use two for the DAW I'd prefer 'em directly side by side except, with 21" displays, but that means the near-field monitors are like 41" apart, which on my desk eliminates the monitor toe-in I like. And I have some 23" displays which would increase the monitors' physical separation to like 45" - both kinda wide for my seat position (hence the toe-in) ...

[kslight]

I have done dual displays at work and home, but these days a single large (28+“ 2k+) display is best for me.

[Snarl 12/8]

I have done dual displays at work and home, but these days a single large (28+“ 2k+) display is best for me.

+1

I gotta say, my wife bought me a 43" 4K samsung TV for Xmas last year and I decided to use it as a computer monitor and it is awesome. I used to be a confirmed "2 monitor" guy (sometimes 3), but this is so much better. You don't have to worry about moving windows around and thinking about your layout. Of course, make sure your video card can feed it that many pixels.

[alexdingley]

Since 2014, I’ve been rocking a 34” LG ultra wide. 21:9 ratio. I’ll never go back. Can’t recommend the ultra wide monitors enough

[digitaldrummer]

I have 2 of the 24" curved Samsung displays and they fit between my monitors. I can always see both edit/mix windows for Pro Tools. I thought about one of the 34" widescreen monitors, but as you increase the number of pixels, then the size of everything gets smaller, so I don't really want to go any smaller than 1080P and I don't think I could fit 2 x 27" monitors in the same space side by side... anyway, it works for me, but I also am in-the-box. no console.
(p.s. - old picture - I have since raised the coaxial (Fluid FX80) monitors so the tweeters are centered at ear height also)

mon.jpg (150.57 KiB) Viewed 4460 times

[roscoenyc]

Having 2 screens set up vertically could end up putting strain on your neck. I know it would be hard for me.

[drumsound]

How much real estate is there between the speakers? I have dual displays horizontally between my speakers. They're not big screens, I have no idea of size actually, but big enough. I've worked places that have dual displays stacked vertically and I always found it a neck strain looking up at the top display, especially if they were stacked on a console meter bridge and so already sitting a little higher than is ergonomically comfortable.

It's hard to go back to a single screen after working with two. Being able to have both windows open at once is pretty great.

I've got 30" to work with right now. I might be able to go a little wider, but not a lot.

Since 2014, I’ve been rocking a 34” LG ultra wide. 21:9 ratio. I’ll never go back. Can’t recommend the ultra wide monitors enough

That monitor with their ergo arm is a consideration.

Can you tell me what it is about the ultra wide format that you like?

[alexdingley]

I've got 30" to work with right now. I might be able to go a little wider, but not a lot.
\\\
Can you tell me what it is about the ultra wide format that you like?

The 34" Ultrawide takes up 32.5" horizontal width, so if you're truly constrained to ~30", you might consider a 29" Ultrawide.

For me, it's the pure width for timeline edits... I used to do the whole "timeline L / Mix R" view, but I didn't really find myself actually EVER needing to look at both views simultaneously. My workflow is such that I am either editing in PT or mixing in PT. I certain make level & plug-in tweaks during the editing stage, but I tend to just use Window-Config shortcuts* for the toggling on/off of I/O & Insert & send views. Now, when I decide to toggle to my PT | Mix window, I look at the mixer panel across the whole display — no edit window in sight.

It's just my preferred workflow — I'm not sure whether it's something that would be ideal for others.


*Also, window-configurations were something that I used to love about Logic Pro (where they're called "Screensets"), and I don't recall them being in PT all that many versions ago — But they've been such a huge time-saver for me. One set of views open for "tracking" / another for "Beat mapping" / another for "editing" / "another for Mixing". It really helps me focus on each specific workflow & task.

[drumsound]

I've got 30" to work with right now. I might be able to go a little wider, but not a lot.
\\\
Can you tell me what it is about the ultra wide format that you like?

The 34" Ultrawide takes up 32.5" horizontal width, so if you're truly constrained to ~30", you might consider a 29" Ultrawide.

For me, it's the pure width for timeline edits... I used to do the whole "timeline L / Mix R" view, but I didn't really find myself actually EVER needing to look at both views simultaneously. My workflow is such that I am either editing in PT or mixing in PT. I certain make level & plug-in tweaks during the editing stage, but I tend to just use Window-Config shortcuts* for the toggling on/off of I/O & Insert & send views. Now, when I decide to toggle to my PT | Mix window, I look at the mixer panel across the whole display — no edit window in sight.

It's just my preferred workflow — I'm not sure whether it's something that would be ideal for others.


*Also, window-configurations were something that I used to love about Logic Pro (where they're called "Screensets"), and I don't recall them being in PT all that many versions ago — But they've been such a huge time-saver for me. One set of views open for "tracking" / another for "Beat mapping" / another for "editing" / "another for Mixing". It really helps me focus on each specific workflow & task.

Thanks. I think I might do this, and still have the option to add a second monitor.

[Scodiddly]

Ever since I got progressive lenses in my glasses I find it best to keep things in one spot instead of spread out.

But you can get computer glasses that give a more consistent focus over a short viewing distance.

[roscoenyc]

Ever since I got progressive lenses in my glasses I find it best to keep things in one spot instead of spread out.

But you can get computer glasses that give a more consistent focus over a short viewing distance.

This has been my experience and that's why I commented against the idea of 2 monitors set up vertically as someone with progressive lenses is 'looking' through the focus area closer to the bottom of the glasses when looking at a computer screen. If the screen is high this means tilting your head back to 'get there'.

I did get a pair of Computer glasses made for me with just the 1 'arms length' RX as opposed to my progressives that have all 3 Rxs in them but I don't use them that much because in practice we go 'near to far' much more than we think, even when mainly tasking on the computer in front of us.