Shelf Attachment for Nord Music Stand Receptacles?

[elsongs]

For the Stage and Piano users, there are two receptacles on the back of your Nord where the ends of the Nord Music Stand fit into.

I have no use for the Nord Music Stand, and when I do need a music stand, I already have my own. But I was wondering, since I perform with small devices with my Nord Stage, if someone has ever made a shelf attachment that fits into the music stand receptacles that can hold a lightweight device like a tabletop synth, laptop, small 25/37-key USB controller, a drum machine or an effects unit?

It obviously needs to have some sort of weight limit; I seriously doubt you can put a whole synth on such a shelf. But does any such 3rd-party shelf attachment exist?

[elsongs]

I bought parts from the hardware store and cut a 1/4” piece of plywood for this purpose, to hold a Roland Boutique JX-08 above my NS3 using long bolts and some braces to keep it sturdy. I lost interest and never finished the project, more out of laziness for integrating another module that wasn’t critical. I still have all the parts and may revive the project one day when I have the time.

[FZiegler]

It's not only a matter of weight. You are applying forces to the receptacles respectively the chassis of the instrument. Which result from the turning moment: force X arm of a lever. Which makes the same weight potentially applying easily 10x the forces to the drill hole as on the music rest (depending on the depth). And you even don't only want to place something but add your manual forces when operating it. That's why I wouldn't apply an extension deeper than 5~8 cm. Which is a strong limitation.

[gordon]

Hi elsongs,
Yes I have done exactly that. I made a lightweight but sturdy shelf to hold 3 iPad-sized items 4" above my NS3C at a slight angle. My prototype works perfectly and I now use it every gig. Someone might want to put it into production...

PROTOTYPE Nord NS3 accessory shelf (iPads+QuNeo)

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My Specification / Goals:
- lightest possible weight
- but sturdy enough to hold weight of 3 IPads and allow interaction - i.e. prodding and poking quickly - without flexing
- minimize lateral forces on mountings by maintaining center of gravity directly above mountings
- slimmest possible shelf for iPads (I don't want obstructions between audience and me)
- quick setup time, integrated wiring, folds completely flat for quick and easy storage

slimline, no obstruction for audience

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from rear

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Details:
- shelf made from acrylic sheet (3/16" thick), covered with non slip shelf liner (0.1" thick), and stiffened by a length of carbon fiber hollow tube (12mm dia) at the front edge
- mounts made from 2x 6mm dia 304 stainless steel rods, bent to a shape (somewhere between a '7' and a '?' shape) which fit snugly into the receptacles
- hinges for the shelf end of the mounting rod which let the mount lay flat on the shelf for storage, made from 6mm steel/rubber miniature cable clamps bolted to shelf - so simple
- various USB wiring and other components attached
- (I actually use 2x iPads and 1x QuNeo midi pad controller which is the same form factor as an iPad)

mounted in music shelf receptacle, taking care of center of gravity and desired tilt

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mount from 6mm 304 stainless steel, bent to shape

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mount is hingeable with 2 rubber cable 'p' clips

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so folds completely flat and stores in NS3 case

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Note - this is a prototype, hence duct tape. But I am gigging with it. If I do a 'v2' I will machine recesses in the acrylic shelf to better hold wiring and usbc-hub.

wiring and USB-C hub integrated

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Parts list:
- acrylic sheet
- carbon fiber tube
- stainless steel rods
- p-clip hinges
- hinge bolts/nuts
- rod end caps
- red shelf liner
- usb-c hub

[AllanH]

I love the simplicity of the bent 6mm steel rods !! as well as the colour scheme.
can see myself doing something similar to make a lightweight tablet holder. (currently using the huge nord music stand)

cheers, Allan

[FZiegler]

Looks very nice to me from a mechanical point of view: The balance point is more or less above the receptacles, so little turning moment; and the shape of the steel rods allows for some springiness - so softened transfer of operating impulses.

What about wobbling left and right?

[gordon]

It's rock solid both left-to-right and front-to-back (partly because my chosen stainless steel rods are a great friction fit in the receptacles, there is no play) - I'm really happy with the result.

As you say - a little springiness in the supports absorbs any interactions towards the front of the shelf which might dip by 1/4" or less momentarily, but not enough for me to want to try and improve that by stiffening the supports - as you say it's a good thing to have shock absorption.

On general use model: my interactions with the iPads are mostly swipes and light jabs while NOT playing, and a few live slider adjustments or swipes while playing. I use the QuNeo to trigger MIDI actions (samples, sequences, mixer-scenes, DMX-lighting-scenes) and as I add more of that into my show I will probably see a little more movement of the shelf when poking that thing quickly while busy playing - but I'm not planning on using it as a drum kit or anything requiring excessive/repetitive force. Liking the QuNeo very much so far..

On general stability: I play my keyboard pretty hard sometimes, and the shelf does not move. (I'm on a Spider Baby Pro Stand). I conclude that these music stand mounts are a solid solution here. I'll report back after several months on any wear or downside.

[LeftyBass68]

Added a shelf with 1/4" hardwood dowels as pins.Found out vibration transfer on tabletop synth OSC dials was too much for my vigorous playing,too funny!
Drum machine or tablet fine,no analog dials will safely stay tuned up.This Is Spinal Tap if not careful.
Decided these eyes have enough to scan without layering in a bunch more.Add in an out of tune synth just for laughs.....that I can already accomplish no problem
on the Stage 3 synth without even trying.April 1st is still a few days away.