Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

[hayskeys]

Hey all,

Just wanted to post the success I had with mounting a second, small keyboard (Novation MiniNova) above my NS2 by utilizing the music stand holes to create a 2nd layer stand that attaches directly to my NS2. For my rock gigs with Chicago band Blood Red Boots (fb.com/bloodredboots), I needed to have the NS2 on bottom, and my MiniNova right above it. However, I didn't want to carry two stands, and a typical dual layer stand didn't work for me as the MiniNova was too small to fit nicely on it and the heights weren't very good for my uses. So I got to work designing and building my own. You'll see in the pictures that there are strange points sticking up from the stand - I've designed those to fit inside the screw indents in the MiniNova, but those could just as easily be replaced with another top design that caters to your keyboard, or even just a rubber surface for gripping.

DIY_NS2_2layerstand_05

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DIY_NS2_2layerstand_06

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In terms of weight distribution, there are the two holes from the music stand, but also two support legs stick out from the stand to rest against the back of the NS2, turning the downwards force into a horizontal force that is cancelled out within the stand itself. Therefore, the main strain on the NS2 is directly down in the music stand holes (and those are more than capable of supporting this downwards force) and inwards against the back of the NS2. The stand is really solid and super convenient. When broken down, the whole thing fits inside of my usual gig bag (a hardshell gator case - I just stick it in the foam above the keyboard and put another layer between the stand parts and the keyboard to prevent scratching). While it is a bit time consuming to setup, the stability, low profile look, and compact size make this a perfect solution for my dual layer setup.


Hope this helps anyone with designing their own custom second layer stands for any application (keyboard, laptop, ipad, midi controller, mixer, pedals, etc.) Below are detailed pictures showing each part of the stand and its assembly. These are not meant as a how-to, but more as a starting place to help design your own stands.

01_KeyboardStandOverview

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02_KeyboardStandOverviewSide

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03_StandFrameAlignment

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04_StandFrameAttached

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05_StandFrameAttachedSide

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06_MountingLegs

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07_MountingLegsAttached

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08_MountingLegsAttachedBottom

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09_MountingHolesAndRestingPads

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10_MountingRodsInMusicStandHolds

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11_PartialAssembly

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12_Assembled

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13_AssembledAbove

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14_SupportLegsAndPadsCloseUp

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15_FinalAbove

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16_FinalBehind

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Enjoy!

[hayskeys]

Very nice!

[hayskeys]

Very nice indeed! I also had a similar idea for the Korg Volcas (Which I love), but never had the time to go through with it. When I do, I'll get some inspiration from you

[pablomastodon]

very nice indeed! I surely would be interested in seeing a more closeup photo of the rear of the instrument, perhaps even one of te stand when it is not installed into the Nord, to see your horizontal arm arrangement for load transfer, but that looks really great!

Bless,

Pablo

[Quai34]

exact same request for me....

[davieh]

A very tidy job. Looks great

[ericL]

This is a cool thread and awesome idea for a mini keyboard pillar.

I would love to see some closer pics of how the platform attaches to the NS2 and learn more detail about that.

[hayskeys]

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the positive feedback. After seeing all your messages and receiving a few private messages asking for photos, I finally got around to taking some decent photos of the stand. After tons more gigs with this stand since I originally built it, it's still holding up extremely well (only a bit of the black spray paint rubbing off the stand) and there is no sign of wear on either keyboard. Would love to hear your thoughts!
-Eric

[pablomastodon]

you am inginear!

[ericL]

Very impressive. Thanks for sharing the details of your very innovative solution.