Keyboard Stands

So you finally have the keyboard rig of your dreams, the band is sounding great, and now it’s time to "play out," as they say. So what should you place your keyboard(s) on? Does it really matter? Often an afterthought, a keyboard stand can have an effect on your stage presence, your technique, your hands and wrists, your back, and your vehicle.

Selecting A Stand

To pick what stand best fits your needs, start by looking at your keyboard. Is it a gig-friendly lean machine, such as a Clavia Nord, or a more studio-centric workstation? Do you use multiple keyboards? Do you play while seated, or standing? What kind of vehicle do you use to get to gigs? The answers to these questions will have an impact on what you can look for in a stand. There are many styles to choose from, and I’ve picked a few that you’re most likely to see in a live situation.

X-style Stands

For most synths up to 61 keys, a single "X" Stand will do the trick. Quik-Lok pioneered this style, and I’ve been using them for years — specifically, their T-8 stand, which lets me tilt my keyboard to a wrist-friendly angle that also happens to put my playing in view of the audience (more on that below). There are also two- and three-tier "X" style stands, for larger rigs. Just about every "X" stand is height-adjustable, which

is nice. (Just don’t attempt to change the height of the stand while your keyboard is sitting on it!) Setup and teardown are straightforward and simple, and the stands are lightweight. The four rubber endcaps on every X stand are easy to lose; a little black gaffer’s tape is a pro way to make sure they don’t fall off and

let the stand scratch up the inside of your vehicle. If you’re using an 88-key controller or workstation, make sure to use a double-braced stand; most single-braced models will flex under the extra weight.

Ultimate Support Apex

Another widely used stand is the Apex by Ultimate Support. They’re practically the standard, especially for groups with several keyboard players. Perhaps this is because they break down to a single slim piece that’s easy to transport and doesn’t take up much room. The legs are connected and slide into and out of the base of the column, and the arms that support your keyboards are stored in compartments at the top of the stand. You can add more brackets to hold more keyboards or a microphone stand attachment. A heavy-duty bracket for heavier instruments is also available. With the Apex, you are limited to a flat angle for all keyboards, and the design makes it difficult to position foot pedals in their ideal position. Also, moving the stand while it’s loaded is difficult, and, like an X-stand, you shouldn’t try adjusting a tier’s height while a keyboard is on it.

K&M Spider Stand

The K&M Spider series stands are intriguing. At first glance, they look similar to the Apex, but lo and behold, the column stands on four feet. This allows room for foot pedals and is a very nice touch. The Pro series lays back at a more extreme angle than the base model for better access to the keyboard on the bottom tier, has tiltable, extendable support arms, and a place to attach a mic stand. The Spider is very stylish looking, too, and appears to fold up easily into a compact package for transport. A short version for single keyboards, called the Baby Spider, rounds out the line.

Solid Stand Freedom

One drawback to all other stands listed above is that it’s risky to adjust for height while your keyboard is on it. Solid Stand addresses this with the Freedom stand. A footpedal controls the motorized adjustment of your keyboard’s height. Now with the ability to attach a mic stand and second keyboard tier, the Freedom is definitely the most luxurious keyboard stand. However, at a street price around $899 (lower now than when we reviewed it in Oct. ’04) you will definitely pay for the luxury.

Playing height

Now that you’ve picked a stand, it’s a good idea to pick the most comfortable position, so that your keyboard is the same height from the floor on every gig. Whether you sit or stand while playing, the way to find the ideal height is the same: it’s all in your wrists. You want the keyboard at a height where you don’t have to bend at the wrists to play. In other words, in a relaxed position, there should be a straight line from your forearm all the way to the knuckles where your fingers begin. This is no problem if you play while seated. But when standing, it requires that the keyboard sit rather high.

I address this issue by positioning my keyboards at an angle, where the close edge of the keyboard actually tilts up towards me, and the far edge tilts away. This allows me to keep that wrist posture while I stand without bringing up the keyboard height too much. You can see photos of this at my band’s website (www.spiraling.net). It’s not easy to find stands that will allow you to do this, and it also eliminates the ability to stack items directly on top of your keyboard (which is a pro or con, depending on how you look at it. At least they can’t put drinks on my Electro!). That said, there is nothing wrong with setting your keyboard up higher. High positions are easy to set on the Apex, Spider, and Solid Stand. But with an “X” stand, the highest positions narrow the stand and can make the keyboard unstable.

Finally, though it sounds silly, remember to take your keyboard stand home after the gig. It’s almost like a rite of passage: Every keyboard player I know (including myself) has left a stand at a gig once. A simple “idiot check” on your way out can save you lots of cash in the long run!