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Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 06 Nov 2015, 17:44
by 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
DIY_NS2_2layerstand_05
Summerfest 2014.Still005.jpg (292.72 KiB) Viewed 4209 times
DIY_NS2_2layerstand_06
DIY_NS2_2layerstand_06
fb_img_14033211875405534.jpg (490.49 KiB) Viewed 4209 times
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
01_KeyboardStandOverview
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02_KeyboardStandOverviewSide
02_KeyboardStandOverviewSide
02_KeyboardStandOverviewSide.png (908.21 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
03_StandFrameAlignment
03_StandFrameAlignment
03_StandFrameAlignment.png (609.38 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
04_StandFrameAttached
04_StandFrameAttached
04_StandFrameAttached.png (690.34 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
05_StandFrameAttachedSide
05_StandFrameAttachedSide
05_StandFrameAttachedSide.png (748.85 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
06_MountingLegs
06_MountingLegs
06_MountingLegs.png (997.97 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
07_MountingLegsAttached
07_MountingLegsAttached
07_MountingLegsAttached.png (739.03 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
08_MountingLegsAttachedBottom
08_MountingLegsAttachedBottom
08_MountingLegsAttachedBottom.png (1.04 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
09_MountingHolesAndRestingPads
09_MountingHolesAndRestingPads
09_MountingHolesAndRestingPads.png (352.71 KiB) Viewed 3237 times
10_MountingRodsInMusicStandHolds
10_MountingRodsInMusicStandHolds
10_MountingRodsInMusicStandHolds.png (2.91 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
11_PartialAssembly
11_PartialAssembly
11_PartialAssembly.png (5.36 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
12_Assembled
12_Assembled
12_Assembled.png (3.44 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
13_AssembledAbove
13_AssembledAbove
13_AssembledAbove.png (5.41 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
14_SupportLegsAndPadsCloseUp
14_SupportLegsAndPadsCloseUp
14_SupportLegsAndPadsCloseUp.png (3.3 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
15_FinalAbove
15_FinalAbove
15_FinalAbove.png (5.47 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
16_FinalBehind
16_FinalBehind
16_FinalBehind.png (4.04 MiB) Viewed 3237 times
Enjoy!

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 06 Nov 2015, 22:05
by Mr_-G-
Very nice!

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 07 Nov 2015, 00:07
by Gustavo
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 ;)

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 07 Nov 2015, 17:51
by 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

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 08 Nov 2015, 08:24
by Quai34
exact same request for me....

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 08 Nov 2015, 12:48
by davieh
A very tidy job. Looks great

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 28 Dec 2015, 22:32
by 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.

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 26 May 2016, 01:26
by 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

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 26 May 2016, 07:52
by pablomastodon
you am inginear!

Re: Nord Stage 2 DIY 2nd layer keyboard stand

Posted: 26 May 2016, 12:31
by ericL
Very impressive. Thanks for sharing the details of your very innovative solution.