Studio Hardware Overview

With everything you need to see when working (sequence, mixer, VSTplugins, score, videos, etc.), one monitor is rarely enough space.And even though adding an additional monitor to your set up is prettyself-explanatory, there are a few things you might want to be aware of.

With Laptops

There is a physical limit to the amount of additional monitors you can run off your computer. A laptop will likely run less than a graphics card equipped desktop. But just because your laptop only has a set amount of HDMI ports (usually one or none), doesn’t mean you can only have one additional monitor. Video data cannot just be transferred over mini-display port and display port, but also thunderbolt and USB-C as well. Familiarize yourself with the ports and your laptop’s tech. Some common ones are below:

Another limitation you may run into with your laptop is the amount of screens it can extend to vs. the amount it can duplicate or mirror. Some laptops can run a certain amounts extended screen monitors and then after that any additional monitors added are only mirrored. This can be due to power draw, the graphics card in your laptop, or other reasons. Sometimes this can be solved with an active powered cable, but other times it cannot be. It depends on your laptop.

One last limitation I’ve run into with laptops and extra monitors is whether or not the laptop is “open” and plugged-in. My 2016 MacBook for example will not run an extra monitor if the laptop is closed not plugged in. However, if it is closed and connected to power, the additional monitor works fine as your main display.

With Desktops

With desktops, you have a lot more flexibility in the amount of monitors you can power thanks to your graphics card and expansion slots. You can add additional graphics cards to get additional outputs and they don’t need to be “top of the line and expensive” cards to do so. You can get cards that output in a variety of ports as well as support for

Basic Monitor

Terminology:

Before continuing, it may be good to cover a brief overview of monitor terminology so we can discuss more efficiently below.

Screen Size – the screen’s size is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Resolution – Resolution is the screen measured in pixels: width x height

Aspect Ratio – Aspect ratio is the “shape” of your screen in terms of its width vs. its height. Most monitors today are 16:9. The older “square” monitors of the late 90’s/early 2000’s is 4:3. Other monitor aspect ratios such as 21:9 exist and are usually referred to with terms like “ultra wide”.

Refresh Rate – Refresh rate is how fast (or responsive) your screen is. Think of it like a “frames per second” equivalent measurement for what your screen is outputting. Refresh rate is typical measured in measured in Hz. 60 Hz = 60 the screen updates 60 times per second.

There are other specs that you will come across such as color depth, luminance, pixel pitch, panel type, etc. But for our purposes they are not as important as the above.

Monitor Choice

There are a wide variety of monitors to choose from. Besides the size, look at the resolution. A 4k 28” monitor can fit 4x as much on the screen as a 1080p 28” inch monitor. It will be at a smaller scale, but you can adjust it to what you are comfortable working on and then reap the rewards of all the extra space. “Extra” options that exist and you might want to consider are ultra-wide (monitors that are extra long), curved (monitors that are concave as opposed to flat), touch screen, as well as mounting options.

You can mount a monitor via its included stand or a separate mounting mechanism that you attach to your desk or wall. The latter allows for extra mobility and “tweakage” to get it to sit just right at your desk (monitor ergonomics discussed later on page XXXX). One less thought of thing to consider when looking at mounting options is the need to rotate your monitor. If you work in a music notation program such as Finale or Sibelius often, or use a vertically large synth like the Arturia Modular V, working on a vertically mounted monitor (as opposed to the standard horizontally mounted) can be so much more comfortable.

A film composer won’t typically need a high refresh rate monitor, but a game composer (or someone who works in media besides film composing) may find it beneficial to have around – if for nothing other than optimizing the gaming experience.

Using a TV as a

monitor

Using a television as a monitor may seem like a good idea due to its lower cost and greater working space, but with the screen being so large having a lower resolution, it would not be as efficient as getting a smaller size screen at a higher resolution. Monitors (as opposed to televisions) are designed to be used close up. They have a higher pixel density, which produces a sharper image. By using a television, you will likely find your eyes get tired quicker, as well as possible headaches from eyestrain. Not to mention you are not maximizing the potential of the physical space they take up. Televisions also have a less accurate color, input lag, and slower response time. When possible, it is almost always best to use an actual monitor over a television for your display.

Additional Monitor

Tips

Mac

The best resource for learning about multiple monitors on apple computers is their website. Here you will find how to extend or mirror your display, as well as how to set up a combination of extended and mirrored displays. This site also lists the limitations of how many monitors you can connect to your computer based on its specs, and how to arrange your devices to get maximum potential from each port.

Windows

For window’s computers, this is slightly more complex as you need to know what parts you are working with for the hardware side of the things, though also simpler since you just need to know what graphics card you have. Read the manual or look it up online and you should know what the maximum amount of outputs you can support is.

For the software side of things, the Microsoft website covers the operating system’s multiple monitor menu pretty in depth – here.

A command listed on that page that you may want to familiarize yourself with is the windows + P command that allows you to change how your monitors are set, as well as activating or deactivating one of the monitors. I use this often as I share my 4k monitor across my PC and my mac. When I am producing music, I will use the 4k monitor for extra screen space and use my HD monitor on my windows. Without having to disconnect any wires, I can switch over to the 4k ultra HD monitor (and change the input source on it) to use for gaming.

One thing not covered on the window’s site that is on apple is setting up a hybrid of mirrored and extended displays. To mirror monitor #2 on monitor #3 while monitor #2 is an extension of monitor #1, This is a good option if you are in a set up with a TV attached for other people in the room (such as a director), or share one of the screens with someone in another room (such as a conductor or player) so they can see the video or score.

Accesories to Split Video

duplicates, HDMI matrices, etc

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