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# Midi Tray Slides Your MIDI Keyboard Under the Desk and Gives the Desktop Back
- URL: https://www.unknowndivide.com/midi-tray-under-desk-midi-keyboard-tray/
- Published: 2026-10-13T14:10:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T14:09:59.000Z
- Description: Midi Tray's sliding under-desk trays keep a MIDI controller within reach while the computer keyboard and mouse stay on top. Here are the two versions, the sizes, where to buy and the gear that rounds out a small studio desk.
- Author: unknowndivide staff
- Tags: Gear

Most small studios share a problem. The desk holds a computer keyboard, a mouse, a laptop or two screens, an audio interface and a pair of speakers, and then a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) controller has to fit somewhere too. Put it on top and you lose the room you type and edit in. Put it on a stand to the side and you have to turn away from the screen every time you want to play a part. [Midi Tray](https://miditray.com/?ref=unknowndivide.com), a small US maker, builds one thing to fix that: a sliding tray that mounts under the desk and holds your keyboard just below the work surface.

## What Midi Tray makes

There are two versions, and both do the same job. The [Clamp-On Under-Desk MIDI Keyboard Tray](https://miditray.com/products/clamp-on-midi-keyboard-tray?ref=unknowndivide.com) grabs the edge of the desk with clamps, so there is no drilling. The [Screw-Mounted Under-Desk MIDI Keyboard Tray](https://miditray.com/products/screw-mounted-under-desk-midi-keyboard-tray?ref=unknowndivide.com) screws into the underside of the desk for a lower, more built-in look. Either way, the keyboard sits on a board that rides on heavy-duty ball-bearing slide rails, so it pulls out when you want to play and pushes back under the desk when you need the space.

- **Sizes:** 24, 36 or 48 inches long, all 12 inches deep. The brand says the board reaches 16 inches deep with the slide, and that the clamps add about 2 inches to the length on each side.
- **Fit:** Midi Tray says its trays work with most 25, 37, 49 and 61-key keyboards. The 24-inch tray is aimed at small controllers, and the 48-inch tray fits most 49-key keyboards.
- **Height clearance:** adjustable from 4 to 5.75 inches on the clamp-on version, and up to 4.5 inches on the screw-mounted version.
- **Load:** both versions are rated for 50 pounds.
- **Finishes:** Black, White, Chestnut, Ash, Driftwood and Grey.
- **Made to order:** each tray is built to order in the USA.

## Where to buy and shipping

Midi Tray's own store sells both the clamp-on and the screw-mounted tray in 24, 36 and 48 inch sizes, and the screw-mounted version comes in a little cheaper at every size. Check current pricing there before you order. According to its [shipping policy](https://miditray.com/policies/shipping-policy?ref=unknowndivide.com), orders usually take about 7 business days to build, up to 10 at busy times, and then 2 to 5 business days to arrive in the US. The store also ships internationally, quoted at 7 to 21 business days, with customs duties and import taxes paid by the buyer.

## Why a sliding tray changes the workflow

With the controller under the desk, the computer keyboard and mouse stay right where your hands expect them, in front of the screen. That matters in a DAW (digital audio workstation), where you spend as much time editing, naming tracks and running shortcuts as you do playing. When an idea shows up, you slide the keys out, play the part into the session, and slide them back.

You also stay at the same distance from your monitors whether you are mixing or playing. Check the clearance numbers before you order, because a tall controller with big knobs or a pitch wheel needs room under the desktop. The clamp-on version gives the most headroom, and the screw-mounted version sits closer to the desk.

## What else makes this setup work

A tray is the frame. These are the pieces that usually sit around it in a compact home studio.

- **An audio interface.** The [Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen](https://focusrite.com/products/scarlett-2i2?ref=unknowndivide.com) is the two-input box you see on a lot of desks like this one, small enough to sit beside a laptop. [See the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5JRTS3Y?tag=unknowndivi02-20&ref=unknowndivide.com). Our [best audio interfaces for home recording](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-audio-interfaces-for-home-recording/) covers more options.
- **A controller that fits the tray.** For the 24-inch tray, a 25-key unit like the [Akai Professional MPK Mini IV](https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-4/?ref=unknowndivide.com) keeps everything tight. [See the Akai MPK Mini IV](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT3N7TK1?tag=unknowndivi02-20&ref=unknowndivide.com). If you want more keys on the 48-inch tray, the [Novation Launchkey 49 MK4](https://novationmusic.com/launchkey?ref=unknowndivide.com) is the kind of 49-key board that tray is sized for. [See the Novation Launchkey 49 MK4](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6YXHYCX?tag=unknowndivi02-20&ref=unknowndivide.com).
- **Studio headphones.** Late-night sessions need closed-back headphones, and the [Audio-Technica ATH-M50x](https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m50x?ref=unknowndivide.com) is a long-running studio standard. [See the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVLUR86?tag=unknowndivi02-20&ref=unknowndivide.com). Our [best studio headphones](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-studio-headphones/) guide compares it with others.

Once the desk is clear, there is room for proper speakers. Start with our [best studio monitors for beginners](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-studio-monitors-for-beginners/), and if you are building from scratch, our [home studio starter gear](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-home-studio-starter-gear/) guide lays out the rest.

[Midi Tray official site](https://miditray.com/?ref=unknowndivide.com) · [Clamp-On tray](https://miditray.com/products/clamp-on-midi-keyboard-tray?ref=unknowndivide.com) · [Screw-Mounted tray](https://miditray.com/products/screw-mounted-under-desk-midi-keyboard-tray?ref=unknowndivide.com) · [Midi Tray on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/midi.tray/?ref=unknowndivide.com)

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