Nord User Forum

Being squarely in Apple’s ecosystem, when they released AirTags earlier this year, I started thinking… what if I were to place one within my keyboard? (A looong time ago, I lost my very first gigging board due to being misplaced in a public area.)

Dropping one into the case is way too obvious. But I suspect that the metal case could affect its signal strength.

Having never cracked open any of my Nords, I wonder if the wooden cheeks are sufficient for its signal to escape. Surely there’s not room directly under the (mostly plastic) keybed, is there?

For the record. The dimensions are:
Diameter: 1.26 inches (31.9 mm)
Height: 0.31 inch (8.0 mm)

I’m skeptical given the metal chassis, and you don’t want something rolling around so you would have to find some way to fix it to the side of the keybed.

Or if you’re handy and creative, remove one of the cheeks and bore a hole in it to hold the airtag and some sort of way to hold it in place.

PScooter63 wrote:Being squarely in Apple’s ecosystem, when they released AirTags earlier this year, I started thinking… what if I were to place one within my keyboard? (A looong time ago, I lost my very first gigging board due to being misplaced in a public area.)

Dropping one into the case is way too obvious. But I suspect that the metal case could affect its signal strength.

Having never cracked open any of my Nords, I wonder if the wooden cheeks are sufficient for its signal to escape. Surely there’s not room directly under the (mostly plastic) keybed, is there?

For the record. The dimensions are:
Diameter: 1.26 inches (31.9 mm)
Height: 0.31 inch (8.0 mm)

I think it would work, people have tested AirTags inside refrigerators and the signal passes through. They have some issues when under water, but I would think inside your keyboard it would be fine. Only one way to find out for sure! Just have the metal side of the tag facing outwards.

sentionaut wrote:

PScooter63 wrote:Being squarely in Apple’s ecosystem, when they released AirTags earlier this year, I started thinking… what if I were to place one within my keyboard? (A looong time ago, I lost my very first gigging board due to being misplaced in a public area.)

Dropping one into the case is way too obvious. But I suspect that the metal case could affect its signal strength.

Having never cracked open any of my Nords, I wonder if the wooden cheeks are sufficient for its signal to escape. Surely there’s not room directly under the (mostly plastic) keybed, is there?

For the record. The dimensions are:
Diameter: 1.26 inches (31.9 mm)
Height: 0.31 inch (8.0 mm)

I think it would work, people have tested AirTags inside refrigerators and the signal passes through. They have some issues when under water, but I would think inside your keyboard it would be fine. Only one way to find out for sure! Just have the metal side of the tag facing outwards.

Maybe you can use a 3D printer to print a holder for it. On thingiverse there are plenty of projects for it!
Then you can properly attach it inside the keyboard.

I wonder if an AirTag could be fit underneath the attachment plates for the Nord EX Stand, as they don't sit completely flush to the bottom of the piano.

I swear, I love this forum… great ideas, all of them!
I have a table router, so embedding one inside one of the cheeks is an option.
Then again, I also have the leg set, that sounds really simple.
Once I get around to actually doing one or the other, I’ll circle back with results.

PScooter63 wrote:I swear, I love this forum… great ideas, all of them!
I have a table router, so embedding one inside one of the cheeks is an option.
Then again, I also have the leg set, that sounds really simple.
Once I get around to actually doing one or the other, I’ll circle back with results.

The Side cheek will likely work better than the Leg Set. The leg set would essentially encapsulate the airtag in an enclosed metal case. Although it would be easy enough to test to see if the tag works in that location.

Please post a reply if you have tried this and it works!

Just an example of how this could work, there are multiple locations where this could work: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1803632172 ... ag-support

Keep in mind that you'll have to crack into the machine once a year to replace the AirTag's battery...