Ultimate Support Apex AX-48 Pro Keyboard Stand Review Tutorial
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 31 янв 2025
- ✅ Main Website for Nord keyboard training/tutorials: www.MyKeysToMu...
✅ Price your Nord Keyboard: bit.ly/Sweetwa...
✅ Patreon site for donations and member content: / mykeystomusic
✅ Inspired to leave a tip?: www.buymeacoff...
In this video, we review the latest Apex AX-48 Keyboards stand from Ultimate Support as well as review the 27-year-old Apex stand that I purchased in 1991. See how the old stand holds up and compare that with the latest engineering of today's modern Apex. In the video, we also provide insight and tips from a veteran musician's perspective.
Music Stands discussed in this video and other alternatives (affiliate links):
Keyboard Stand: Ultimate Support AX48 Pro Electronic Keyboard Stand - Black: amzn.to/2ShT7u3
Keyboard Stand: Ultimate Support AX-48 Pro Plus Two-tier Portable Column Keyboard Stand (Black), Boom Attachment, Ulti-Boom Pro-TB, and Tote: amzn.to/2DwNHYd
Keyboard Stand: Ultimate Support APEX AX-48 Pro Silver Apex Series Two-tier Portable Column Keyboard Stand (Silver): amzn.to/2RJGaID
Keyboards Stand: RockJam Xfinity Heavy-Duty, Double-X, Pre-Assembled, Infinitely Adjustable Piano Keyboard Stand with Locking Strap: amzn.to/2PNiaXO
====
✅ Main Website: www.mykeystomu...
✅ Patreon site for donations and member-only content: / mykeystomusic
Thanks for your continued support, please subscribe if you like this content and THANKS for watching - enjoy!
Marc
👀 Buy your Nord keyboards at Sweetwater and get a 2-year warranty! bit.ly/Sweetwa... (U.S. Customers)
Some links above are affiliate links providing me a small commission to help support the channel. The price is the same to you even if you use the links for your purchase. Thank you! 🙏🏻
Bought my Ultimate stand like this back in 1989 (Original)...35 years later it is STILL USED Every Friday and Saturday Nights on stage...Apart from replacing the rubber pad's on the Arm's...it's STILL 100% working order
@user-fx2sh6pk9u Thanks for your comment - amazing durability!
@MyKeysToMusic They were VERY EXPENSIVE back then too...about $700au from memory....but 30 years later it's definitely PROVEN it's worth
@@Fantomx7g6 Absolutely!
Hi Mark. I forgot to mention that I have solved the problem of the rubber eroding off the top of the support arms. I managed to scrape off the affected areas, removing the rubber and the adhesive, and replaced it with the insulation tape used in insulating windows and doors. The tape, which you can buy in rolls from a hardware store, has a self-adhesive backing and is exactly the same height as the original rubber when it is glued to the arms. It also fits perfectly into the body of the stand when you store the arms. I hope it helps.
@alastairprydderch2819 Awesome, that you solved the rubber situation on the top of the support arms. I'll look into that - that's a great low-cost suggestion.
Hello Mark. Just got the Pro stand and had reservations about the weight. It was just what I wanted but was about to send it back to Sweetwater. Fortunately I saw your review among others and will keep it and try weight lifting for a 70 year old! Have to get the bag. Thanks again for all your help these years and most of all stay well! Happy Holidays!🎹
For those with small light weight keyboards such as the Yamaha MODX6/7, Fantom 06/07, etc I found a similar stand to the Apex that I prefer. The Stay Music "Slim" 2 tier. It's made of light weight aluminum and weighs next to nothing. Ideal to bring to gigs or practice. I can literally pick it up with my pinky. It also breaks down much smaller than the Apex stand, making it take up less room in my car. I compared to the Apex and love this stand I ordered from Brazil sent free to the USA. There is one disadvantage though. If you do a lot of piano hammering technique, it can wobble a bit. I'm more of a lead synth and organ player, so it's not much of a problem for me.
I also like that the Stay Music Slim 2 tier has space for your pedals under the stand unlike the Apex. It has no option for a mic stand, but the sound company always brings that to shows anyway.
@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 Thanks for the great tips here about the Stay Music Slim 2. Seems like a great stand with a lighter weight and room for the pedals - excellent! Also, I grew up near Canobie Lake Park as a kid and have fond memories of that place (in reference to your channel).
@@MyKeysToMusic I love this stand. It does exactly what I wanted it for. Makes gigs, band practice or a jam easier. I can also put my laptop on the top tier if I want and just use my MODX with VSTs for a jam. The stand is so light, I can carry it with my pinky! MODX6 in back pack, laptop & stand in one hand, small bag with power strip, cables, direct box, pedals in the other. And at gigs I also bought a small luggage travel cart that I can fit my 61 key midi controller keyboard, stand for laptop & mic stand PA/stand and it's one trip from the car for a gig.
Canobie Lake is a great park. I wish I had visited it sooner, but until the late 90s I hadn't noticed so many classic parks closing down or being greatly changed by places like Six Flags. Canobie Lake is the last remaining classic park in New England that hadn't been drastically converted to a new and very different park. Of the regular size parks anyway. The great arcades at Canobie are gone though. I was really bummed about that. Destroyed for a tax write off! I practically boycotted going there for years because of that, but finally caved in this past year and visited again. It's still a great park, besides the lack of what the arcades had been. Still offers a lot of classic rides and a beautiful place to walk around with the nostalgic feeling of an old park.
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 Thanks for the details about how you use the stand and also your reflections on Canobie Lake. I think I was there about 5 years ago, and I still remember how great it was to have the train run alongside the lake - you can't beat that setting.
@@MyKeysToMusic Anytime.
The lake is beautiful. I keep meaning to take my 14' inflatable boat that comes out of the trunk of my sedan with lithium motor, kayak paddles & sail rig, and then visit the park for evening admission. They do offer a boat ride on the lake at the park sometimes, which we went on this past season.
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 I really like the idea of an electric powered kayak - that would be ideal for that lake. Enjoy the East Coast - I miss it living here in So Cal...
Having just bought the product off of Amazon (delivered sometime this afternoon), after fidgeting with this one for about 1/2 hr I was almost inclined to return it, but wanted to check out any reviews out there just in case. I have to say this is the best practical tutorial out there for this keyboard stand. Your video is practical and information. Thank you!
James! Thanks so much for the feedback and kind words. One of the main reasons for the channel was to give back because I've learned so much via RUclips, over the years, I thought it would be fun to try being a creator. Mission accomplished today with what you wrote and so glad it helped you out. Enjoy the stand!
Still sturdy?
@@TommyVarekai Still sturdy after all these years yes.
@@MyKeysToMusic haha same with mine, i even made a review on it too
@@TommyVarekai Nice review! I like how you included examples of other artists using the stand-nice touch!
Great presentation. Thanks for providing us with a such an awesome Ultimate AX-48 Pro Keyboard review.
Hello @Makingdifference100 thanks for your comment today - it's appreciated!
Hi Mark. Great video as usual. Can I ask where you got the side support for the mic on the old Apex 48 stand from? Ultimate don't provide any support for the original stand, but the side clamp on your stand would be ideal for my needs. Apart from the exclusion of the mic adaptor on the original, my stand continues to work amazingly well after about 12 years of use. It's certainly a case of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. The mic support stand would, however, be a great additional feature. Once again, thank you for your very informative comments.
@alastairprydderch2819 Hello Alistair! Thanks for your comments and the report on the longevity of your stand. So, I'm not sure where you can get this mic part at this point. Maybe used or via eBay or something like that?
perfect; Thank you!
@WMTRIO-xt8ns Welcome!
We use this stand to make presentations to groups kind of as a lecture/podium. It’s cool - then we put a cutting board where the keyboard would go and put the computer on the cutting board. It’s pretty slick!
Not in a million years would I have expected a keyboard stand to be used for this. It makes total sense! Thanks for sharing the information here. Now, put a keyboard on there and have someone entertain the kids 😊
This stand is almost $300. Sell it or give it to someone who can use it for a keyboard 😒
FANTASTIC explanation of this keyboard stand! Thank you!
Thanks! Glad you like it! Good luck with your keyboard stand purchase... 🎹
Thanks for the video, received mine today.
Wonderful! Hope you like your new stand. As you can see, they last a long time. The first thing to wear out is the rubber mats on top of the bars. Be careful to place your keyboards on the bars coming in directly from the top. In other words, don't "slide" them or scrape them onto the stand, but rather, place them on the stand from directly above as to avoid wearing out the rubber protectors. Also, when you need to adjust the keyboards, pick them up, move them and then put them down (versus sliding them on the rubber) if possible. Again, this will keep the rubber material from wearing out as quickly. I believe you can replace the rubber protectors pretty easily over time. My 2 cents. Best of luck! 🎹
@@MyKeysToMusic Thanks for the advice, that makes sense too. I am glad I went with this stand. It's easy to move around and very stable when playing. I wish I would have ordered the mic attachment when I ordered it. Hope you have a great day. Cajun.
@@LiveDeerCamByCajun Thanks for the update - glad you like the stand so far. The mic attachment is convenient and has a small footprint. I have seen it tough to tighten at times during assembly. It will also pick up the sound of you playing (since it's physically attached to the stand). But those sound artifacts may not be detectable during a gig - especially if you are playing along with others.
Nice review , Thank You
Thank you @richardharmon9596
I just got the pro plus version and it's absolutely fantastic! It is very stable than those z and/or criss-cross ones! It was a great buy! Thanks for your tips and tricks!
Thanks for the feedback on this and pleased to hear you are happy with the purchase! Best of luck with your keyboarding 🤙🏼🎹
Just got the new one and thx for the video.😊
Enjoy it!
Can you tell me what are the width on each tier for keyboards?
@francisco-leal Hello Francisco! Sure, the width at the bottom is 28 inches (71.12 cm), and the width at the top is 21 inches (53.34 cm). Let me know if there are more questions. You can also squeeze in a 3rd tier although doing so makes it a bit hard to see the top panel of keyboard 2 and 3 since they are so tight on the stand. However, if you are using the stand to "store your boards in the studio" while you swap them in and out, the stand easily holds 3 boards. You'd have to get the extra arms and brace at the Ultimate website of course.
Thank you for your video. Not a keyboard player. It’s the first time I’ve this kind of stand and I was in need of some guidance. Tnx !!!
Glad this helped!
Excellent review! Now I am completely sure that I will order it. Greetings from Serbia!
Thanks Mickey from Serbia! So glad the review helped.
Still sturdy?
@@TommyVarekai Hey Tommy - long time no response here - sorry about that. Yes, it's still sturdy even today. In fact, I have 3 keyboards on it now and it's rock solid.
Hey it's me again. I love this stand, had it for a year. My question: tonight at a show I noticed that one of the horizontal legs on the floor, the one pointing left, lost it's locking function when extended. I don't think this will affect the balance and it stayed stable throughout our show.
I can't imagine that I'd want to pay for a shipping repair. Maybe I was too rough popping the feet into place! Thanks 🙏🏼
Hello @MindFree, nice to hear from you! Did you try folding it in again and potentially see if you can somehow get it to start working again? The operation and stability should be the same either way, but it now means your stand will be slightly harder to set up. 😢 You may want to reach out to the retailer or manufacturer to see if they know about it. Maybe there is a DIY fix that doesn't require you to ship it back?
@@MyKeysToMusic Thanks for the reply.I'll reach out to Ultimate. I did try to toggle it a few times, no luck. If it happens to another leg I'll need help setting it up each time. But I guess there's no impact on actual use. --Keith
@@mindfree146 Thanks for the update, pls report back if you have luck with a solution from Ultimate. 👍🏻
I have the old apex, i was wondering what do you call that clamp accessories for mic and is that still available in some music store?
Hello @Shongi Boy Not sure these are available anywhere as a new part. You might find something like this on Reverb.com or Ebay. You could also check with the manufacturer directly and get their advice: www.ultimatesupport.com/products/keyboard-stands/apex-series.html
Great video, I still have the old classic one, only bit I don’t like on the new one is the mic boom arm, much prefer the old style, anyway could you tell me how the new one compares weight wise to the old one ? Thanks, andy.
Hello @Andy A Here are the weights between the two:
The new version is 22.5 lbs or 10.2 kg
The old version is 18 lbs. or 8.16 kg
I weighed both personally using a large shipping scale and I weighed both WITHOUT their mic attachments/booms. I was surprised to find out that the newer stand weighed approx 2.5 lbs more!
@@MyKeysToMusic thank you for that, appreciated, I’m surprised the newer one is heaven tbh, you would think these days they would have gone for a lighter alternative, unless it’s a stability thing 🤷🏻
@@andydonnaeli5c not sure why the new one is heavier actually. I know the base is more rounded in the front so perhaps that adds just a touch more metal to the entire stand?
Only fight i have is the arms fall out the top at any time it’s aggravating
@str8upme2 I wonder if the plastic is wearing out a bit where the arms connect? Obviously, they do fall out easily if the stand is moved/tilted - I get that and yes, that can be a bit aggravating!
@@MyKeysToMusicit’s fairly new so no wear and tear it’s when you setting the stand up or carrying it away and the lid no matter how you secure it just pops open and there your arms are falling to the floor sigh
@@str8upme2 Oh I see. The lid pops open? That's strange - usually, the lids are secure enough to hold the arms in without popping open. See if this is an option: Move the handle up on the stand itself if you can. This will change the center of gravity so that when you hold the stand by the handle, the stand is tilting upwards slightly (instead of tilting downwards). This will prevent the arms from pushing on the top and popping it open. It also makes it easier to carry. If you have enough play between your brackets to move the handle up, it will make a world of difference for you I think.
I just put this together after buying a couple months ago. The adjustable fourth little leg doesn't touch the ground though. I'll mess around with it at practice today I guess. Nice video!
I'm at practice, I just needed to snap the legs down harder. It's so awesome!
So glad to hear you got this working. This stand really lets people experience the keyboards without a lot of visual blockages which I think can enhance the overall performance. Do you sing as well? Did you get the mic attachment?
@@mindfree146 Ya, the legs snap down. You'll know because they make a loud metal "clink" sound.
@@MyKeysToMusic I did get the mic attachment but haven't used it yet. In MindFree we're planning to add background vocals. I also have a recording project called Brick Bosso that I'd like to bring live with my lead vocals.
@@MyKeysToMusic I found out just how cool the stand is at practice yesterday. Great visual appeal, sturdy and takes up less space in the car. Also easier to set up. I've used x stands and desk style. The Apex is my favorite by far.
I've had issues with the boom mic stand swinging around. I've fiddled with the screw at the bottom of the arm, as well as the stablizing washer, but it still doesn't stay put. And, I'm finding the screws that hold the keyboard platforms in place don't hold nearly as well as the old version. So, I end up using the newer version for home rehearsals and the old version I still use for gigs.
Good idea! I have also had issues with the boom mic swinging around and haven't quite figured out how to solve that one yet. I still use it and I have to be careful to hand-tighten it as much as possible. You may also have a good point about the keyboard platforms being a little more susceptible to movement. Thanks for the comment!
using the angle adapter? you did not cover this???
Hello @Steven and thanks for your question. This is the first time I have heard of this accessory as it's not prominent anywhere that I can find. It's not even available in their catalog. It's only available in their parts list, so to be honest, I didn't even know about it until today with your question. (You learn something new every day). Do you know if there is a picture anywhere of this in use? Would love to see what it does. How did you hear about it exactly?
Hi Marc, just bough this keyboard, opened up all the legs, the back leg will not folder back in, any suggestions? the other 2 work fine
Hello @airandspace Hmm -this is strange. As soon as I get back in front of my keyboards and stand again (in a few days), I'll double-check to see if there is a trick to this. If you figure it out in the meantime, drop a comment here.
@@MyKeysToMusic thanks Marc, if I figure it out sooner I’ll post it here
@@zealforhumnity I just removed the link to the video I made for this but I'll leave the original link for the video up for a bit.
Wow, thank you Marc! I just watched it, I’ll give that a try perhaps I’m just babying it too much
@@zealforhumnity Any luck with the last leg of the stand?
Thank you for doing this. I just can't figure out the mic stand thing. There's an arrow there, not sure if I'm supposed to open that or what
Hello Donna. So, that arrow is just their logo. I assume at this point you have the mic stand and the threaded adapter (the piece that sits on top of the stand)? It looks like this: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AX48TA--ultimate-support-ax-48ta?mrkgadid=3281233240&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=0&mrkgcat=keyboards&synthesizers=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700046937741301&lid=92700046937741301&ds_s_kwgid=58700005287622121&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=491432491837&product_id=AX48TA&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&locationid=9031303&creative=217452498629&targetid=pla-491432491837&campaignid=916403487&gclid=CjwKCAiAmrOBBhA0EiwArn3mfA6pu3aF6DXHJdAI22y3sZLuzQVLp-oKl-PsIlcOPlDUUEX3ZzblexoC9GUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Great review, Mike. Thank you!
Thank you Jape Music. Nice to hear from you and always appreciate your early support on my video releases!
Hi. Very informative video. A big help as i just got myself a AX-48. I know its an old video but would you know if its possible to take off the cable clips and re position them? I need to get one the other side of the handle.
Hello Dave. Glad the video helped. So, the way it appears that in order to get the cable clips out of the stand, you'll need to remove the parts above it all the way up to the top piece which may also have to come off. Once you do that you should be able to shuffle things around. So, it appears that only way the clips come off is to slide them up to the top which means everything else has to slide up too. You may also have to remove the top piece to do this. The manufacture may be able to answer this one too. Good luck!
@@MyKeysToMusic Thanks for the fast reply. I felt i knew the stand before i got it because of your very extensive video. Very helpful. Yes, your method seems to be a logical one, only I’m not sure the top comes off. I have emailed Ultimate so will wait for them to get back. They sell replacement ones so it might me a case of putting a screwdriver behind it and prising it off.
@@davebassP5 You might be exactly correct (about the screwdriver). Also, it's good to know that the video helped you even before you got the stand.
As I reflect on our dialog here, I'm reminded that the world we live in today has people shopping by way of all these review/explainer videos versus the old days where you would drive to the music store and spend hours there looking at this and that. I kind of miss the old days to be honest, but at the same time you can get a much more in-depth review now via video versus what a salesperson may typically know about a given product from a music retailer. There is just so much product out there to learn that it takes an army of people to review/demo/explain everything that is being offered by today's music manufacturers. Our interaction today is a perfect example of what I'm talking about and it is personally rewarding for me to know that people are helped by these videos/comments. Thank you. Do report back if you can once you hear from the Apex people pls. 👍🏼
@@MyKeysToMusic Yes, i totally agree. If nothing else a buyer can be a lot more informed when/if they do go to a store. Ive been in plenty of shops where ive heard salesmen give the wrong info to potential customers. With video’s like yours and a lto of others we can at least see the items being used, and while there are a lot of biased YT channels, its the smaller things that get mentioned, sometimes just in passing, that are the most useful. We can all read reviews, but hearing from long term owners etc, can be way more useful. Ill report back if/when i hear about the clips.
@@davebassP5 I agree - and I've seen the same (salespeople sometimes give the wrong info to potential customers) Awesome thanks!
Thank you for helping me!
Glad it helped Russell!
Hi Marc - thanks for your video - it really helped me figuring out how to set up my stand when it first came. I haven't used it on a gig yet, but can you tell me how you deal with pedals? The feet seem to be in the way. I use a sustain pedal and volume pedal. Thanks.
Hi Marta! Thanks for your question. Well, to be honest, there are times I find that the stand does get in the way of my pedals. I tend to put them in front of the legs and everything else (power strip, adapters, all cables) behind the legs. Not sure of a feasible work-around for this and I've been living with it like this for years. But it's one of those things you get used to but now that you mention it, it would be nice to find a workaround somehow. I've has some luck with a shorter sustain pedal (square type) but you have to get one with some weight to it. Control/volume pedals tend to be quite large and I find this the pedal the harder of the two to get "comfortable" with in general.
Thanks for your response, Marc. Yes, I thought about using a square sustain pedal, but I don't really like them. And I need to use a volume pedal too. So I'm thinking of somehow working out something where I would have them angled over the right leg. I'm going to work on it, and if I come up with a solution, I'll post it here.
@@martawatermanfitnesscoach Great! Thanks for the update on this and let us know...
Great review.
Thank you Goran!
The only thing I dont like about the new version is the shape of the collumn. I much prefer the triangular shape of the old one it just looks cooler and more stealthy to me.
@joshcronshaw5290 I kind of feel the same way. The rounded shape is still sharp looking, but there is something unique about the previous triangle shape that was way ahead of its time. The build quality hasn't changed which is a good thing!
I still have the classic one👍🏽
Awesome Victor! A true testament to their longevity! In fact, I never parted with my old one either and I use it as a spare or when I need to setup 3 keyboards.
Great review!!
Thank you FBI-Agent villagas and thanks for watching!
Wow...im in the exact same situation...bought my original in the early 90s and am thinking of getting a new one. I will say though mine is in better condition than yours lol I bagged it all its life though. I replaced the rubbers on my arms ages ago though
Hi Peter. So, I like the new stand except I'm not 100% sold on the mic setup. Seems like it doesn't allow me to tighten it enough (by hand) and it ends up swinging out during some performances. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I think I still prefer a traditional boom mic if you're going to do any kind of singing. I noticed that because the mic is mounted to the stand, that some keyboard noise can transfer through to the mic while playing. That's my two cents. Overall, I still like the stand a lot. If you end up purcahsing it and you are a fan of Amazon, feel free to use the link in the description. I can also highly recommend Sweetwater as well for this purchase. Good luck!
@@MyKeysToMusic Thx for the reply...Sweetwater is a lil bit to far from Australia lol...The problem i have is im Tall 6'3...so my top keyboard actually gets pushed over the top where the boom arm mount is if you know what i mean...i added a rubber pad to my 25yo + Ultimate so it doesnt slip...so i would still probably use a seperate boom stand anyway...DAM i wish they had a Taller model....the bottom keyboard is still just a bit to low. PS: My serial number is something like 000713
@@justaname1862 Wow - 6'3. I never considered this situation before where you would tower over the lower keyboard like that and have a hard time reaching it. Makes sense now that you say it though. And yes, I know what you mean about the top keyboard being pushed over the top of the boom like that. Hey, I love the serial number! I still have my original stand as well although I did sell the original attached mic arm to a subscriber because you can't find them anywhere.
So, I did some research for you. Have you considered this stand from Standtastic 102KSS Two Tier? They make a short and a *tall* version! www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/102KS--standtastic-102ks-two-tier-tall-keyboard-stand (And Sweetwater ships all over the world on a regular basis). If you'd like, I'd be happy to connect you to "my guy" here in the US who can coordinate this and make it happen for you. If interested, send me an email at marc@mykeystomusic.com. It may be worth a price quote. Either way, good luck with your pursuits and thanks for the comments!
@@MyKeysToMusic Thx again...i actually had a riser made just for the stand but its an extra thing i have to take...ive seen the Standtastic stands before but still like the seconds of setup time the Ultimate takes...i had an A-frame back in the day before i purchased my Ultimate as the A-Frame just took to long and they dont like being pulled down constantly etc. The biggest factor with purchasing from the US is even at Sweetwaters best price...by the time you add freight and the dollar exchange it ends up being Hundreds more over something i can source locally here in Australia...ive looked at it previously...apart from when our dollar was over parity...ours was something like $1.17 US ....i purchased quite a bit of gear then...but now? Its not even really an option with our dollar being in the 0.70's...Sweetwater to even just price match would have to take 30% off to match retail...and then about $200 in freight...but thx for the info.
Kevin Moore of Dream Theater used this two-tier stand to house his Roland JD-800 and Korg DW-8000
I didn't know that - interesting! On a side note, today Jordan Rudess has a setup that "off the chart" - ruclips.net/video/Cp9Ie9IvPTU/видео.html
@@MyKeysToMusic Well that is Jordan Rudess, the current Keyboardist for DT. Moore was there first back in the 80's and 90's. Not to sound like an ass haha
@@Lithuania8634 Thanks! I updated my original reply so that it makes a lot more sense now. (I read your first comment too quickly completely ignoring the name of the keyboard player altogether). 😜 👍🏼
@@MyKeysToMusic No worries man! It's all good.
A couple of questions: Can it be adjusted so that you can sit and play if necessary? Any problem with pedal placement? Are the smaller top arms able to support a single manual Hammond XK5? Can you access jacks in the back of the instrument if they are centered where the stand support is?
Hi David. Sorry for the long delay on this response here.
1) I think the stand was original designed for those standing. However, the arms can be adjusted up and down quite a bit. I think you could easily have the lower keyboard positioned in such a way that you could sit and play. However, the upper keyboard may end up being a bit high. I believe you could unscrew the handle allowing you to move both arms quite a bit lower which may do the trick. But I can see that being a pain if you're interested in actually using the handle and you find yourself using it for gigs. If you are not moving around much and it's just a stand for the home studio, removing the handle may not be a big deal.
2) The pedal placement has been a complaint for some. You have to choose to have your pedals either in front of the support bar or in back when what you really want sometimes is to have the pedals right where the support bar is! So I fight a little bit with this. Then again, I find that the support bars actually help keep the pedals in place as I put my pedals in front of the support bar and play standing. I can push against the sustain pedal and it does't go anywhere because the support legs hold it back. I play standing so there is less forward force on the pedals than if I were to sit.
3) I believe the top bar could easily support a Hammond XK5 single manual no problem. These arms are surprisingly sturdy. I have played with the Stage 3 HP on top and I don't worry about it. You just have to make sure you tighten them down reasonably.
4) There have been a few times where I need a jack that is dead center of the keyboard which interferes with the stand column. And when that happens, I move the keyboard forward a bit to allow a given cable to be connected. I believe most keyboards have the critical plugs either left and right so for the most part, this is a non issue.
Great questions here - you really do your homework! Hope that helps answer them.
Great information
Thanku so much
Price ?
Hey Marc, great video. I don have one question though and I've noticed as far as I can tell, no one has asked this question: Is it possible to purchase two of the shorter support arms to replace the two "longer" lower arms? My two keyboards are both narrow. My new RD-88 has too much arm sticking out under it. That would make it more compact and stable I think and not have to worry about running into the arms when I play. Plus, honestly, It would look better too. Any thoughts? Thanks Mark
Hello @Mark Stephen Weitz. Great question. Yes, the arms are interchangeable. In fact, the original version of the Apex had all 4 arms that were of equal same length and it does present a different look - as you noticed. The big arms can get in the way more at times but then again, I do like have more options for bigger keyboards on the bottom tier so for me, I welcome the improvement. Two other tips here about this. First, even if you had 4 smaller arms, they fit inside the stand the same way (in other words, just because the arms are small doesn't mean they'll somehow slip down inside the chamber that holds them while traveling). And secondly, along the same lines, you could purchase version one arms and they will work with version 2 of the Apex. So if you decide to go the used route, that's an option. However, keep in mind that it doesn't take long for the rubber on these arms to start to wear out and if you go the used route, you'll like want to replace the rubber which I believe is an option for you from the manufacturer.
Oh, and while we are on the topic of arms, one really import thing to know is that the new arms Do NOT fit in an older Apex. Yet the old arms fit inside the new Apex. Strange but true.
Have fun playing!
Wow! wasn’t expecting such a explanation! that’s so awesome that you’re into the finer details in life LOL. I thought I was the only one that did that ha ha. And thanks for explaining the arms on the old and new versions, that’s really some obscure information! So, it turns out I reversed the arms and put the shorter ones on the bottom and the longer ones on top. I think this will work out fine with my two keyboards ( Roland RD88 & Korg M-3) and for now, probably won’t need to change anything after all! Of course in a perfect world, I would like to be able to stack one more heavy keyboard on it!!! I “must” use three keyboards ( Farfisa Deluxe combo compact) on stage and it would be pretty spectacular space saver to able to fit all three on one stand -But I digress! Like the old A-frame Ultimate Support that I still have from way back when!
Thanks again!
Mark
@@markstephenweitz2738 Glad to know you're into the details too! Also, your solution sounds good thus far. If you want to see what a 3-stack looks like, check out my Chariots of Fire video where I use 4 Nord keyboards - 3 in a stack: ruclips.net/video/-_bJlgLlutU/видео.html. By the way, you have some nice boards there - good variety!
Is there anyway of applying tilt to the upper tier, or does the keyboard have to lay dead flat?
@martinrowberry2639 Hey Martin, as far as I know, all the Apex stands feature dead flat as the only option and it's been like this since day one. 😢
@MyKeysToMusic thanks for the reply. Generally I'm happy with the stand and can live without the tilt. One other issue I totally overlooked is the column could block access to sockets such as MIDI in/outs. Fortunately my top keyboard MIDI in just about fits with 1mm to space before column but the midi out is blocked.
@@martinrowberry2639 Yes, I failed to mention this in the review, but the column does tend to block important ports depending on the keyboard.
I've had the new one for a while now and have noticed the angle adapter and the sticker saying to remove it for heavier keyboards. When it's removed the column seems angled too much and the arms being connected to the column slope back. I don't know whether I should just keep the angle adapter on like normal even with heavy keyboards or not, the instructions don't really elaborate on why it's necessary to remove it.
@joshcronshaw5290 I don't know the answer to this question. It would be a good one for the manufacturer. Perhaps it would be helpful to know what they mean by "heavier" exactly.
It would have been nice to see the actual keyboard on the stand. I’m curious if it has any bounce to it, etc. Otherwise, it was a good review.
Thanks for your comment and question. There is a little bit of a bounce but not overly so. The bottom stablelzier helps keep it from shaking much.
I wish the top tier would angle down and it was an easy way to put the pedals on the floor the legs get in the way
Hi Bassmack! Well, I completely agree. On a somewhat related note, I think this stand does better for those who plan to stand and play versus sit and play. Thanks for your comment today.
I just want to say thanks for recomending the stand for me just receive it good one thanks from belize
Hey Salvador! Thanks for sharing this info and for stopping by. Good luck with your music and hope you enjoy it.
Hi Marc. I just purchased a new Ultimate Support Apex Pro stand. Everything is great about it. But when I use the mic boom attachment I always have trouble with the mic picking up noise from my playing.
I have the same issue and haven't found an easy way around this at all. What I have found that even though it picks up noise from playing, it's not noticeable when playing with the full band. That's not necessarily the proper answer people would want to hear, but it's what happens as the end result. Now, here's another possible solution - although I haven't actually tried it, it looks promising. Assuming you are using a Sure SM58 for example, you could get a shock mount for it. amzn.to/3n3hYk8 (Affiliate link). Seems like they make a shock mount for just about any mic these days. Might be interesting to try out... Pls report back if this solution works or you have another idea. Thanks!
@@MyKeysToMusic thanks I will try that. And I will definitely get back to you on that. It’s for a live situation.
@@RussTobin Sounds good Russ - Thanks!
Great review, but wish the arms were foldable not detachable, just something else to loose on a hectic, dark stage. Some of the other manufacturers have solved this problem in 2015 🤦🏻♂️shame as I really wanted to like this product-thanks for the detailed overview 👍🏻
Thanks for your comment Kaine. It was surprising to me too just how little changed in this stand over the years overall. So far it's getting the job done for me but I totally agree with the "lost items on a dark stage" bit. Why don't they create stands with lights to illiminiate under the keyboards and around the pedals so we can see during setup and tear down? This would be brilliant. I guess we could probably come up with something homemade pretty easily with a little Jimmy-rigging.
Hi I just bought an older style one like you had before. Seems pretty solid. Do you think that I can still get parts if I need them? I’m missing the little stabilizer on the bottom. I don’t know if it makes a huge difference.
Hi Russ! Congrats on your purchase and for stopping by. So I have some potentially good news here for you. I just tested this by taking my old stabilizer off the old stand and put it on the new stand. It's the same!! I think you can probably pick up a new one directly from the mother ship at Apex here: www.ultimatesupport.com/4th-foot-stabilizer.html.
I highly recommend it too as it does make a difference. Many a time I've had an "uncomfortable leaning" because I forgot to put the stabilizer in place. I never dumped the rig thank goodness but it's there for a reason I can attest to that. 🤙🏼🎹
does it wobble while playing?
Hello Barry. Yes and No. It wobbles "a little" but not to the point where you feel it's unstable (if that makes sense). Here is a video of me "pounding" at times using this stand: ruclips.net/video/bu2S8PyIrPQ/видео.html
Which of the parts (arms, clamps, feet, etc.), if any, are interchangeable between the old and new versions?
Thanks for posting!
Hello @Craig List I made you a custom video to answer your question: vimeo.com/531084117/6d16733f3b
Just bought this stand. Unfortunately, there's no option for placing my music stand other than left or right of the keyboard. Wish they had an accessory for a sheet music holder.
Hi ppsayl123 Sorry for the delay on this response. I looked and looked but found nothing myself compatible with this. Let us know if anything turns up in this regard and I'll make a video for it! Thanks for the question.
The black flip-switch that locks the boom in place broke off, and I got a replacement (part# USS-18204) in the mail today. I cannot figure out how to get the old one off. The only fastener on it appears to be a small rivet; not an Allen socket, not Philips or flat-head screw. Anyone ever replace this part?? Thanks in advance.
By the way, I also had the original from either late 80s or early 90s. I used it forever until it just wouldn't stay together anymore.
Scott @scottgoldstein6074 Did you ever figure this one out?
Yes - you need to drill through the rivet to remove it and then refasten with another rivet once put back together. They send me a PowerPoint of how to do it. Thanks for asking.
@@MyKeysToMusic
@@scottgoldstein6074 WOW!! I didn't think you had to become a "shipbuilder" in order to replace this - but I guess they figured rivets was the way to go. 😜Thanks for the update and I'm happy to know you got this squared away! Happy keyboarding! 🎹
He'll I'm Salvador tzib planning to buy the apex,48 pro keyboard stand but just want to know if it comes with the tote bag the boom mic and the boom atach ment thanks
HI Salvador! Thanks for your question!
So, you want to be very careful when you purchase this. You can purchase the stand with or without the tote bag and boom mic. I've included two links below to make this easier for you (Affiliate links):
*Stand with Tote Bag and Boom*
- Keyboard Stand: Ultimate Support AX-48 Pro Plus Two-tier Portable Column Keyboard Stand (Black), Boom Attachment, Ulti-Boom Pro-TB, and Tote: amzn.to/2DwNHYd
*Stand ONLY*
- Keyboard Stand: Ultimate Support AX48 Pro Electronic Keyboard Stand - Black: amzn.to/2ShT7u3
You can see the video description for these links and more. Good luck! - Marc
@@MyKeysToMusic Ok thanks I would go for the one with the tote bag and boom mic but it's recomendable
Sorry a next question if I purchase the silver color I need to buy the tote bag and boom mic seperate or that one does not comes with that
@@salvadortzib5775 The silver one is not offered as a bundle as far as I can tell. You would have to purchase the tote and boom mic separate. And, in doing so, it will cost more than the black stand as a complete kit. You MAY be able to find this kit at another website but I'm not sure - I haven't personally looked for that myself.
@@salvadortzib5775 I highly recommend the stand and the tote bag. I'm not entirely crazy about the boom mic. I use it on about half the gigs but it has come "loose" and swivels away from you. For whatever reason, it can be difficult to hand tighten to the point where it won't swivel away from you in the heat of a performance when you're banging away on the boards. It could be just the way I play, however :) If you are playing in a quiet setting and you want a pure output from the mic, consider a separate stand. The attached boom can sometimes pick up the mechanical sounds of you striking the keys since it's all connected to the same stand. These could be dealbreakers or not for you. I still like having the mic option because it's clean, looks great, easy to pack up with the tote bag, and works well if you can tighten it enough ahead of time. So, there are pros and cons to consider with the boom mic. The case is a no brainer - I would get that in a heartbeat. These stands scratch fairly easily.
And also, if i buy the pro plus version, do i get the normal clean plastic cap (without the adapter part) alongside the mic mount cap, or it is just the one with the adapter?
Alex, The plus version (at least in my delivery) only came with the mic adapter cap. There was no "clean cap" in the delivery. Thanks again for your questions! - Marc
Nice review! I also am considering the new apex for my two keyboards. However, i'm a bit concerned about stability. Did it ever happened that your stand fell off the stage using either one of the APEXes? Does the floor type matter and do different floor types make stability any different? Thanks! :-)
Hi Alex. Thanks for your question! Never had the stand fall off the stage with either of the stands. But I also had a rule that said I would never let a leg hang over either. I find that uneven floors can be a problem and that's where the little front stabilizer knob can help. But as a rule, it works great on carpet, hard flooring, pavement, cement and even grass. Wobbly stages can be a problem too (you know those temporary stages they sometimes set up). However, do a jump test next to the stand to be sure it's not so bouncy to risk a fall. It takes a lot for these stands to fall - they are quite stable and fairly heavy as well.
Thanks a lot! Your video and the comment helped. It will be a buy!
It is a sturdy stand, but mine broke after 3 months. One leg does not click in and dangles upon setup. It is fine once I put in down, but the heavy weight and weird configuration is disappointing.
@Jim Hermann wow, this is not a good experience here. I didn't have those issues with the original stand and I have yet to have them on the new one. That is disappointing to hear this. Perhaps they can make good on it as it has been less than a year? Consider contacting your retailer if you haven't already done so to see what can be done?
Hi Mark, is the KS7350 Z stand any good? Also, can you recommend someone at Sweetwater that I could buy a Nord from? Thanks!
Hi Mike, I don't know much about that stand - sorry. Here is my contact at Sweetwater: Jonathan
800 222 4700 x1759 . Good luck on your purchase(s) and report back...
My Keys To Music Hi Mark, I spoke to Jonathan. He recommended the HP 76 key since I’m more of a piano player. Is that keyboard heavy and hard to get back and forth to gigs?
Hi Mike, The 76 key keyboard is a bit heavier, a bit "taller", and a touch longer than the Stage 3 compact. Although the 76 key is only 5.5 pounds heavier than the Stage 3 Compact, the size and weight differences taken together are definitely noticeable. I know this because I take both my Stage 3 76 along with my Nord Electro 5 73 key and the portability is almost night and day between the two. If you watch the Nord Case video I created, you'll get an idea of the portability a bit. If you want to get an idea of the difference between waterfall and hammer action, you can watch this video if you haven't already. ruclips.net/video/qHyrFF_0xb4/видео.html&vl=en
My Keys To Music thanks for your input . Can you still play piano solos on the semi-weighted Keys, or do you feel that the semi-weighted keys are detrimental to a piano player?
Hi Mike. This is one of the toughest questions to answer because I think it varies based on each individual player. There is a nice discussion about all this here on the Nord Forums: www.norduserforum.com/post106703.html?hilit=weighted%20keys#p106703. And, if you do additional searches on this subject there, (you may have to be logged in to search the forums), you'll find pleanty of comments/opinions on this very question. Good luck with this! There is no doubt that choosing the "keybed" is not an easy decision especially if you are a traditional piano player. Personally, I find that I can play well on either style of keybeds and I manage to adapt my playing to the keyboard I'm presented with. To me, a keyboard's feature set, weight, size, and overall package are all influencers on the decision. The keybed has never been a deal-breaker for me one way or the other, however as a decision point, it's one of the more importat ones for sure.
One of the stand arms of my stand are stuck inside what do I do?
Hi Regan. Is this the older style or the newer style stand?
My Keys To Music the older style sir!!! I’ve managed to get it out without disassembling it. But is there any way from preventing it from happening in the future?
@@ashleyphillips4684 Fantastic that you fixed this. Ya, about half the time I was able to remove the arms without taking everything apart. But there were a couple of times where I actually had to disassemble it. So, my solution was good old fashioned scotch tape. Check this out in the video above at the 2-minute mark. ruclips.net/video/O8VDIVf7q_Y/видео.html Believe it or not, this simple solution prevented the arms from going too deep inside the chamber. It made things "thick" enough so that they wouldn't slip down nearly as easily. Good luck and report back if you can.
I bought my first Ultimate Apex stand on ebay over 20 years ago (it once belonged to George Clinton) and I will not buy any other. I own four now, and I have added a third tier to all of them, and in each case the weight of the keys are well below the 250 lb. capacity of these stands. They are brilliantly designed and solid as a rock.
@chuckpadgettmusic Hey Chuck! Thanks for sharing this story/experience. It sounds like we're all in good company with George Clinton! Like you, I've added a third tier for my home setup. Sometimes, it's a little tricky to read the displays of the lower boards, but if you're already set up ahead of time, it's easy to play the boards.
Thanks for your video ! (Like / subscribe). Can you tell me if this type of stands would be suitable for a couple of 25/37 key keyboards such as the moog sub 25 and the Jupiter xm ? Both are about 50cm wide. Would they be stable on this ? Thanks.
Hello Alexandros Roussos - sorry for the delay on this response. But I made a short video for you to see first-hand what this is like: www.patreon.com/posts/can-keyboard-45194421?
Bag is very cheaply made. Thin material and doesn’t last long. The end tore out of mine and once the plastic lining had worn away you could see daylight through the thin material.
Yikes! I haven't used my new bag enough to confirm that but it makes sense. In fact, not all "bags" these days are made equal. I have been seeing more and more manufacturers use a material that "wears out" quickly for some reason. Thanks for the comment on that David.
Thanks for the excellent tutorial. The instructions weren't intuitive. Dave
Glad to know this video helped Dave!
Do you know where I can purchase a replacement boom mic stand for this model?
The original model....
Hi Brenden. Thanks for your question. Sure, you can order the boom with the adapter (they come as a pair) here on Amazon: If you have prime, you can find it here: amzn.to/2MVz9TJ if you're not a prime member: amzn.to/2Gx2va1 . You can also order it directly from Ultimate but not sure if that comes with free shipping or not: www.ultimatesupport.com/products/keyboard-stands/keyboard-stand-accessories/ax-48-pro-mic-boom-with-adapter.html
Good luck!
Oh, you said the original model. Sorry, my last comment was referring to the latest model. I've had no luck finding parts for the old style stand at all. Send me a direct email at marc@mykeystomusic.com and I'll make you a deal on the one I have here if interested.
Hi Marc ! Do you still have the replacement boom mic?@@MyKeysToMusic
Nega Jennie Hi! Sorry, I don’t have it any longer. Actually sold it to Brenden (see comments above). Did you happen to check Ebay or reverb.com yet?
it can support three keyboards 😩
Yes, I've got my supporting 3 keyboards at the moment (requires additional arms of course). Not sure I would recommend it, but it's physically possible.
LOOKING FOR A STAND NOT NORD KEYBOARDS I PROFESSIONALLY PLAY KEYBOARDS, I DO NOT CARE FOR NORD
Hey Andrew. I don't think I mentioned the word "Nord" anywhere in this video (well, once at the end I did mention Nord). Most of my gigs over the years where mostly with Roland and Korg equipment up until the recent years. But yes, if you watch any other video on the channel, you are going to be bombarded by Nord related topics and my propaganda. 😆