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"Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 11:00 am
by ghmerrill
Okay ... I mean "best tablet stand FOR ME" ...

I think I'm going in this direction for the big band I'm playing in as the best approach to getting my bell clear of the stand while not whacking the stand or the big band placard hanging on the front of it with my slide. Struggling with the regular stand/placard setup, adding and fiddling with extenders, trying to adjust height and angle of the table, angle of the horn, etc., etc., etc. has gotten to the intolerable point with no real improvement. So ...

I'm mostly interested in a combination of stability and portability with a fairly small footprint. Excessive stability isn't really required in this case, but it just shouldn't fall over too easily. For portability, I want it to go into my big gear bag with my mutes, tablet, trombone stand, etc. So something collapsible (well, to 24" at most) and reasonably light, while being "sturdy", would be ideal.

What I'm initially looking at are things like the AirTurn "goSTAND" with their MANOS tablet holder, maybe their AirTurn TechAssist (though I'm a bit intimidated by the number of adjustment knobs on that thing). The K&M?

I'm leaning in the direction of AirTurn stuff or some other mic stand and tablet holder combo. Any thoughts or relevant experience? Just FYI, the tablet will probably be an iPad Air 13", but I don't want to restrict the stand to any particular model. At the moment I'm using my old Gen 1 Lenovo X1 tablet that's about a 12".

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 1:23 pm
by sacfxdx
I use this for a holder (https://caddiebuddy.com/ipad-holder-for-mic-stand/) for an iPad Pro 13 inch. I use an AirTurn stand (https://www.airturn.com/collections/tab ... blet-stand) with it. Both are very light weight. I like the way the iPad holder holds each corner.

AirTurn stuff is first rate. I use their 2 button pedal for page changes.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 2:23 pm
by ghmerrill
sacfxdx wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 1:23 pm AirTurn stuff is first rate. I use their 2 button pedal for page changes.
Yes, and their support is great. I use a DUO 500 at home for practicing and a BT500S-2 for rehearsals and performances. When I had a problem (apparently overcharging the DUO 500) they just sent me another battery.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 3:19 pm
by Geordie
I use this for my iPad Pro, 12.5”,on a collapsable mic stand. Carry them both in my Gard trolley bag. Pleased with the set up.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 3:24 pm
by bitbckt
I received the Airturn set as a gift, and am glad I didn’t pay for it. The K&M 19766 I use is dramatically more secure than the MANOS. A 13” iPad slips out of the grip of the MANOS easily,

The goStand is a cheap lighting stand with the Airturn logo on it. Any given mic stand of your choosing would be a better choice.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 9:34 am
by ghmerrill
Just a follow-up on this.

After some more time spent comparing alternatives and wringing my hands, I went for (both from Sweetwater)

1. The K&M 19766 tablet holder -- an "open box" and price-reduced (but as new) "Demo" model
2. An On-Stage MS500 Travel Mic Stand

Why the K&M? I like the physical design of it -- particularly that it has the two bottom support points that cradle the bottom of the tablet, but otherwise leave it open so I can plug into the USB port there. Solid and easily adjustable.

Why the On-Stage? Basically, it looked sturdy, inexpensive, and compact.

I'm real happy with the result.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 9:42 am
by NathanSobieralski
I know this thread is specifically about tablet stands, but this is a solution I came up with to enlarge music on a phone or tablet. I use it in my studio.

Image

Image

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:32 am
by Doug Elliott
I don't quite understand... what is it? Manhasset base with what on top?

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:35 am
by Burgerbob
Looks like a vesa mount with a monitor attached.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 4:16 pm
by NathanSobieralski
Is a vesa adapter I designed that attaches to a Manhasset base. IIRC the TV is 24 inches. I can mirror a phone or tablet onto the TV through the HDMI port.

Image

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 1:15 pm
by Doug Elliott
Is that something that's available, or did you modify or 3-D print it with the flanges compatible with the Manhasset swivel?

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 2:22 pm
by NathanSobieralski
Doug Elliott wrote: Thu Nov 27, 2025 1:15 pm Is that something that's available, or did you modify or 3-D print it with the flanges compatible with the Manhasset swivel?
Hi Doug,

I designed these in house and 3d print them in nylon. I have a couple prototypes left if you are interested in one send me a PM. Yes, the mount attaches to the swivel, you just remove the "music holder" and install this in its place.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 2:33 pm
by AtomicClock
Probably easier to just buy a TV tripod.

Re: "Best" tablet stand?

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 2:35 pm
by NathanSobieralski
AtomicClock wrote: Thu Nov 27, 2025 2:33 pm Probably easier to just buy a TV tripod.
Or one of the tablet holders if you can tolerate a smaller screen size. I like the familiar footprint of the Manhasset so this works well for me.