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It seems that just about every video you see on Youtube these days, whether it be of a studio tour or a how-to video by {insert well known mix engineer / mastering engineer / recording guru here} there almost always is a Herman Miller Aeron chair conveniently being sat on, in the background or somewhere in shot.

Look, I know they are good chairs, but seriously ?...has anyone else noticed this apparent phenomenon ?

Is this just a crafty act of product placement by stealth or is it just the fact that these are the go-to chair, just as an LA-2A or 1176 are the go-to compressors in most studios today ?

I dunno, have I missed something here ?, but most importantly, do I get a discount if I want to buy one being part of the recording community ?;)

Come on Herman Miller, help a poor, struggling muso / engineer out. :(;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeron_chair

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DonnyThompson Thu, 03/31/2016 - 06:35

From Wiki:

"The Aeron chair is made out of recycled materials, and 94 percent of the chair itself is recyclable."

As is the person sitting in it. LOL

I'm all for being comfortable when mixing, but when it comes to my own hierarchy of studio needs; my priorities run more towards things that have circuits, wires, trannies, tubes and plugs. ;)

audiokid Thu, 03/31/2016 - 17:10

I have one and its in a spare room for doing books and taxes. I choose a chair that is completely quiet, least reflective, has no arms and a low back. This could be because I also play guitar and don't have back problems.
I'm actually thinking about going back to standing more. I seem to be more creative when I am standing and bouncing around the studio..

audiokid Thu, 03/31/2016 - 17:17

I received this about a month ago, I was going to start a thread on it but since we are talking chairs, why not add it here. I have no idea about this but I'd like to try it.

[MEDIA=vimeo]134508604

The PhantomFocus eChair™
Revolutionary new recording engineers chair now available in three color combinations at shop.carltatzdesign

The PhantomFocus™ eChair™ is the perfect companion for, and now an integral part, of the revolutionary PhantomFocus™ System (PFS™) for professional audio monitoring from Carl Tatz Design (CTD). The PhantomFocus eChair is the world's first chair specifically designed and built for the recording engineer and is now available to all serious recording professionals at shop.carltatzdesign.com. Once properly adjusted to each unique physique, the engineer can be “locked in” to the PFS listening sweet spot, heretofore unattainable with any other chair, rendering a consistent listening posture while making slumping virtually impossible.

The PhantomFocus eChair is the pro audio application of the obsessive research and developement done by Steve Knight, a former Grand Prix and Endurance champion Le Mans and Grand Am series racecar driver, to design the ultimate chair for back support and posture. It features advanced mechanics and materials to perform in a manner that actually improves the health of an engineer's back. The patented ZenWave™ motion provides unbinding, stress-free support as the engineer leans forward in a natural position, and protects the lower back from injury. Additionally, Knight indicates that the scientifically designed backrest moves with the engineer to massage the lumbar area of the spine, which increases blood flow and nutrients to the lower back muscles and intervertebral discs.

Features:
PhantomFocus™ System sweet spot lock-in

Patented ZenWave™ motion technology allows you to float forward and backward without harmful pressure

Active Tilt™ seat plate pivots smoothly forward and backward to promote proper spine alignment

Free-Float™ backrest stays with you as you lean forward, giving you continuous support

Customize your seat and backrest position for your body simply using the three lever adjustments

Cool breathable mesh prevents perspiration buildup and keeps your clothes looking fresh and clean.

Sore back? The convex shape of the Free-Float backrest massages and improves blood flow to your lower back

Offered in three striking color combinations:

Silver Mesh Porcelain
Silver Mesh Chrome
Raven Chrome

"In 25 years of composing and programming at a keyboard and DAW, nothing has kept my back as healthy or, through the ergonomics of its design, kept me as physically and mentally poised for the task at hand as the PF eChair - I know, because I’ve tried most of them, including chairs nearly ten times the price.” - Tom Snider, composer/engineer/owner, The News Room, Nashville, TN

"With Tatz's long time association with world-class studio design and drop-dead monitoring in mind, he has upped the bar with his new PhantomFocus eChair. We purchased one, and our staff immediately demanded another. This is the mixing chair that I (and my lower back) have long sought." - Mike Kolar, engineer/producer/founder, Soundscape Studios - Chicago, IL

"Our Aeron chairs provide comfortable seating for clients however, working at the console I can mix on the PhantomFocus eChair for a full day, and when I stand up, I feel like I haven't been sitting at all. It has by far the best support for my back of any chair I have tried." - Sean Spence, engineer/producer/owner, The Blue Grotto - Nashville, TN

Sean G Thu, 03/31/2016 - 17:40

audiokid, post: 437535, member: 1 wrote: I'm actually thinking about going back to standing more. I seem to be more creative when I am standing and bouncing around the studio..

You know Chris, I was actually going to include " I actually stand when doing all my mixing.." as a poll option...

- my last employer in an office environment decided it would do away with sitting at desks and meetings, with the view it makes people more productive and is better for their staffs' health...nothing like coming to work to stand all day on your feet...not discounting the fact that most employees use computers and phones at work, which meant that they had to raise all the furniture to accomodate this to prevent people bending down over a laptop and ending up with crook backs.

We have a few commercial radio stations here in Sydney that have done the same thing...their DJ's, shows hosts and announcers all stand behind the consoles for sometimes up to 3 hours for their radio shows...with desks and consoles that can be raised and lowered to suit the height required.

Give me a good chair any day over standing for prolonged periods...thats what my ass is for...to sit on.

DonnyThompson Fri, 04/01/2016 - 00:16

audiokid, post: 437536, member: 1 wrote: Features:
PhantomFocus™ System sweet spot lock-in

Patented ZenWave™ motion technology allows you to float forward and backward without harmful pressure

Active Tilt™ seat plate pivots smoothly forward and backward to promote proper spine alignment

Free-Float™ backrest stays with you as you lean forward, giving you continuous support

Customize your seat and backrest position for your body simply using the three lever adjustments

Cool breathable mesh prevents perspiration buildup and keeps your clothes looking fresh and clean.

Sore back? The convex shape of the Free-Float backrest massages and improves blood flow to your lower back

Offered in three striking color combinations:

Silver Mesh Porcelain
Silver Mesh Chrome
Raven Chrome

Does it have an ejection button for pain in the arse clients who decide that it's a good idea to sit in your chair?
I know of one producer in particular that I'd like to send into the stratosphere. ;)

toyomark Mon, 12/12/2022 - 07:51

It’s funny to see people noticing this so many years ago. I’ve also been wondering why these chairs are that popular with recording studios and not only. I personally don’t find them that comfortable, but people seem to still love them.
Such chairs are not for me because they are too short for my tall back. I need a larger chair to support my spine and help it keep a correct posture. That’s why my main chair I a gaming chair from eurekaergonomic.com with extensive lumbar support for my back. I’ve been having way fewer back pain issues since I got this chair, so it works.

audiokid Mon, 12/12/2022 - 08:08

In reply to by toyomark

toyomark wrote:

It’s funny to see people noticing this so many years ago. I’ve also been wondering why these chairs are that popular with recording studios and not only. I personally don’t find them that comfortable, but people seem to still love them.
Such chairs are not for me because they are too short for my tall back. I need a larger chair to support my spine and help it keep a correct posture. That’s why my main chair I a gaming chair from eurekaergonomic.com with extensive lumbar support for my back. I’ve been having way fewer back pain issues since I got this chair, so it works.

Beautiful looking chairs. Are they quiet? Meaning, do they creak or squeak when being moved or when pressure or weight is applied? Silent chairs are just as important to me because I record in the control room as well.