Comparison of iPad music stands for musicians
Using an iPad (and, preferably, theNewzik application! ) to manage their score library, musicians can store thousands of pieces in a compact device weighing less than a kilogram. However, while this makes heavy, back-breaking sheet music bags obsolete, a music stand is still needed to keep the device at a comfortable height for practice and gigs.
Of course, for the nostalgic, a classic music stand will do just fine. But why not opt for a lighter, more compact and safer solution? There are a number of iPad stands on the market designed specifically for musical use, capable of holding your device securely and reliably, and taking up little space on stage. To help you make the right choice, we've compiled this article comparing some of the most popular iPad stands.
We know that not everyone uses tablets of the same size, which is why here you'll find stands for all types of iPad, from the iPad mini to the iPad Pro 12.9''. Please note that some of the options shown below are complete stands, while others are only the top part of the stand, requiring the additional purchase of a microphone stand to be fully functional.
Table of Contents
Airturn GoStand and Manos. The right choice for nomads.
K&M 19793. A quality iPad stand... if you don't use an Apple Pencil.
K&M 19776. Another K&M stand, suitable for all screen sizes.
Millenium Universal Tablet Holder. A low-cost option for Apple Pencil use!
Millenium PC & Tablet Holder. For those nostalgic for traditional desks.
Hercules HCDG-305B. A solid but rather expensive option.
Coda Music Magnetic Tablet Holder. An original and interesting solution.
1. Airturn GoStand and Airturn Manos - $98 / 101€ (Complete stand)
The right choice for nomads.
Compatibility: all iPads, from iPad Mini to iPad Pro 12.9''.
Where to buy: On Airturn website or on Thomann (GoStand - Manos) if you live in the European Union.
Good points:
Universal: fits all iPad sizes
Lightweight, foldable and compact: ideal for travelling
Fast, reliable fastening system
Could be improved:
A little expensive
Robustness could be improved
You may already be familiar with Airturn for its best-selling Bluetooth page-turners such as theAirturn Ped Pro or theAirturn Duo. The American brand also offers a very good universal music stand for iPad: the Airturn Manos. This model has been around for some time, and we use it a lot at Newzik. It's compatible with all iPad sizes, and is a very reliable and portable option.
Important point: the Manos is just the stand, and you'll also need to buy the Airturn GoStand (or any standard 5/8 mic stand) to have a complete iPad stand.
Both the GoStand and Manos are quite compact when folded, fit in a backpack and together weigh less than 1.5 kg - ideal for musicians on the move! The mounting system makes it easy to attach and remove the iPad from its holder.
Although the Manos and GoStand are generally of good construction, we did have a few problems with some models (after heavy use...): the threads of some screws were damaged and we had to use adhesive tape to be able to continue using the stand. In addition, you have to be careful not to overextend the telescopic tubes, as they can eventually break apart.
If you're using a 3rd or 4th generation iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil, we have to warn you: unfortunately, the design of the Manos doesn't allow you to attach the Pencil to its magnetic clip on the right-hand side of the iPad Pro. The clamps prevent this. You can still attach the Apple Pencil to the GoStand itself, but this will not allow it to be charged.
As one of the most expensive iPad desks on our list, it would be nice to see these points improved to fully justify its price.
2. K&M 19793 - $52 / €58 (Full stand)
A quality iPad stand... if you don't use an Apple Pencil.
Compatibility: iPad 10.2" to iPad Pro 12.9".
Where to buy: On Thomann.
Good points:
Fine adjustments keep iPad securely in place
Solid, sturdy construction
5-year K&M warranty
Could be improved:
Stand tends to wobble slightly when fully unfolded
Koenig & Meyer (K&M) is a leading German brand of stage and studio equipment for lecterns, stands and other accessories. Their model 19793 is a complete stand compatible with all iPads except the iPad Mini. Like most K&M products, it's sturdily built and comes with a 5-year warranty!
Although it takes a little time to assemble, model 19793 allows very precise adjustment of the iPad holder, so it holds the device securely in place. Both retractable arms are graduated, enabling you to find and note the ideal setting for your device. Very practical if you need to set up several music stands quickly, in an orchestra for example. If you're looking to use this stand with an iPad Pro 12.9", we've found the perfect setting: set both arms to the 5th mark and your iPad will hold perfectly.
The lower part of model 19793 is a classic microphone stand, very quick to assemble and fold away. It's a little heavier and less compact than the Airturn GoStand stand, so it's not as suitable for more nomadic use.
If you're used to setting your music stand quite high, be aware that the K&M 19793 tends to wobble slightly when fully extended.
In our opinion, this iPad stand from K&M is a very good product, and could easily have been voted best iPad stand... but unfortunately, a disappointing detail prevents us from crowning it as such: one of the stand's holding arms is positioned right on the magnetic attachment for the Apple Pencil (for 3rd and 4th generation iPad Pros). As a result, it's impossible to place the Apple Pencil on the side of the iPad to pair and charge it when the device is on its stand. This is a real shame, because if the arms of the stand were only reversed horizontally, this stand would be almost perfect.
Of course, you can rotate the iPad 180 degrees so that the Pencil attachment is on the left. Although this pretty much works, the volume buttons are then covered by one of the handles, and are even pressed down unintentionally... Let's hope K&M can, quite literally, turn this around!
3. K&M 19776 - $80 / 66€ (Full stand)
Another stand from K&M, suitable for all screen sizes.
Compatibility: all iPads, from iPad Mini to iPad Pro 12.9".
Where to buy it : On Thomann.
Good points:
Compatible with all iPad sizes
Good iPad support
Compact size when folded
5-year K&M warranty
Could be improved:
Gripper robustness could be improved
Clamp locking system not very easy to use
Stand tends to wobble slightly when fully unfolded
Another iPad stand from the German brand K&Mthis time suitable for all iPad sizes, including iPad Mini. We've used this model a lot at Newzik, and while we like its compact size and reliable hold, we find it a little lacking.
First of all, you'll need to stretch the stand's clamp as far as it will go to hold an iPad Pro 12.9" with its protective shell. We found that this put the mechanism to the test, and we had some problems with certain parts after intensive use. What's more, the latch used to lock the clamp in position is not very easy to grip.
Unfortunately, like most other iPad holders available, the K&M 19776 does not allow the Apple Pencil to rest on the side of the iPad Pro. You can still attach the Pencil magnetically to the bottom of the holder, but this won't allow it to be charged or paired.
The lower part of the stand is the same as that of the other K&M model featured in this article, so it shares both its strengths and weaknesses: it's sturdy and quick to unfold, but tends to wobble at a certain height.
4. Millenium Universal Tablet Holder $18 / 19€ (Stand only)
A low-cost option for Apple Pencil use!
Compatibility: from iPad 10.2" to iPad Pro 12.9
Where to buy it : On Thomann.
Good points:
Attaches the Apple Pencil to its magnetic connector on the side of the iPad Pro
Inexpensive, but requires additional stand (standard 5/8 mic stand).
Could be improved:
Not very quick to set up
Until now, none of the options we've presented in this list have allowed the 2nd generation Apple Pencil to rest on its magnetic attachment on the side of the iPad Pro. Such models are a rarity! Fortunately, this tablet stand from Millenium uses a special diagonal attachment system that leaves the sides of the iPad free and doesn't interfere with the attachment of the Apple Pencil. This is a great advantage, even if the system isn't as discreet as with other stands.
This model doesn't come with a stand, so you'll need to buy one separately. It is compatible with most microphone stands (standard 5/8" thread) and can also be mounted on a tube thanks to the included clamp. The advantage of this iPad music stand is that it's rather inexpensive, leaving you with a bit of budget to buy a quality stand.
Two additional corner handles are supplied with the stand. They are a little smaller and a little more discreet, and we recommend that you use them.
This stand isn't the quickest to set up, especially if you use the clamp. So keep this in mind if you're often called upon to set up/dismantle quickly at gigs.
5. Millenium PC & Tablet Holder - $21 / €22
For those nostalgic for traditional music stands.
Compatibility: all iPads, from iPad Mini to iPad Pro 12.9" (without protective shell)
Where to buy it : On Thomann.
Good points:
Not much... unless you want to hide from your audience that you use an iPad for your sheet music!
Could be improved:
Poor product quality
The iPad's charging socket and the Apple Pencil's magnetic connector are covered by the hooks.
The ball-and-socket joint tends to loosen and not maintain the correct angle.
This is the odd one out on this list: it's the only stand that imitates a traditional desk. It consists of a plastic board and small hooks for attaching the iPad. Unfortunately, this doesn't offer many advantages. Quite the opposite, in fact, and unless you want to hide from your audience the fact that you're using an iPad to play your music, it's hard to imagine why you'd want to use such a system. It might have been a good option if only there was a lip to place your reeds and other accessories on, but unfortunately that's not the case.
This tablet holder is advertised as compatible with iPads up to 11" screen size, but you can actually stretch it to the maximum to fit an iPad Pro 12.9", provided it doesn't have a protective shell.
A big problem when mounting an iPad on this stand is that the USB-C charging port is covered by one of the mounting hooks. This makes it impossible to charge the iPad while it's in the holder. There is, however, a solution to this problem: you can easily unscrew one of the side hooks and place it on the top rail. Unfortunately, the Apple Pencil's magnetic connector is also covered, making it impossible to remedy this problem.
Overall, this product is unconvincing. Although the stand holds the iPad pretty well in place, its ball-and-socket joint attachment tends to loosen easily, so the music stand often doesn't maintain its angle. This is particularly problematic when you need to rest your hand on the screen to annotate sheet music with a stylus.
The stand comes with a clamp for mounting on a tube (no stand supplied with this product).
We therefore advise you to move on, as there are much better options at the same scale price.
6. Hercules HCDG-305B $45 / €49
A solid but rather expensive option.
Compatibility: all iPads, from iPad Mini to iPad Pro 12.9" (without protective shell)
Where to buy it : On Thomann.
Good points:
A feeling of solidity
Good iPad support
Attaches the Apple Pencil to its magnetic connector on the side of the iPad Pro
Supplied with three types of fastener
Could be improved:
Top handle covers part of the front camera
A bit pricey, especially when you consider that you'll need to buy a microphone stand to use it
This iPad stand from Hercules is advertised as compatible with tablets up to 12.1" screen size, but it's actually suitable for the 12.9" iPad Pro as long as you don't use a case for it. This is great news for users of Apple's largest tablet, as the HCDG-305B attachment system secures the Apple Pencil to its magnetic connector on the side of the iPad Pro! It's one of the few stands compatible with 12.9" iPad Pros to offer this.
The product seems sturdy enough, holding the device securely in place, and clipping the iPad in is a fairly quick operation once you've found the right setting. The gripping system does have one problem, however: the top handle covers part of the iPad's front camera (FaceTime). If you want to film yourself while playing, or if you use Face ID to unlock your device, this will pose a problem.
Unfortunately, the HCDG-305B does not come with a stand. It is supplied with three types of attachment: a suction cup for fixing to a desk, a clamp for mounting on a tube, and a microphone stand adapter. We recommend that you use this product on a microphone stand, as the clamp is not very practical for mounting on a tube.
The bracket is mounted on a ball-and-socket joint, allowing you to find the perfect angle for your application.
7. Coda Music Magnetic Tablet Holder $49 / €45
An original and interesting solution.
Compatible with all iPads, from iPad Mini to iPad Pro 12.9".
Where to buy: On Coda website.
Good points:
Magnetic fastening for rapid installation
Attaches the Apple Pencil to its magnetic connector on the side of the iPad Pro
Could be improved:
Screws need to be tightened very well to prevent them from moving with the heaviest devices (iPad Pro 12.9'', for example).
A bit pricey, especially when you consider that you'll need to buy a microphone stand to use it
Difficult to obtain outside the United States
Finally, let's look at a rather different - and interesting - option: the magnetic tablet holder from Coda Music Technologies. You may be familiar with the Coda Stomptheir flagship product, a Bluetooth page-turner that we featured in our our article on the best page-turning pedals..
In addition to this page turner, Coda Music has designed an iPad music stand that comes in two parts: an arm that can be mounted on a tube or microphone stand, and a slim magnet that attaches to the back of your iPad with an adhesive pad. We advise you to stick the adhesive pad on a protective shell rather than directly on your iPad, because once it's stuck there, you'll have a hard time removing it! Indeed, the adhesive pad is very strong and you can trust it blindly to hold your precious device. Likewise, the magnet that secures the iPad to the arm is surprisingly strong and offers the advantage of very quick installation. The only problem with this iPad holder is that the fixing screws, however tight, tend to move a little with heavier devices such as 1st and 2nd generation iPad Pros.
Of course, as the only attachment point is on the back of the iPad, you can freely attach your Apple Pencil 2nd generation to the side of your iPad Pro if you have one.
Conclusion
As is often the case with musical equipment, the choice of the right iPad music stand for reading digital scores depends on personal preferences and needs. The context in which you plan to use these stands will, of course, greatly influence your choice: factors such as set-up time, ease of storage and weight, for example, will matter more to you if you're looking to equip an entire symphony orchestra than if you want to buy an iPad stand for personal use. Similarly, some stands will be more suitable than others if you're using an Apple Pencil 2nd generation to annotate your scores on an iPad Pro. By the way, if you're using a first-generation Apple Pencil, you can use a magnetic ring like this one this one to attach it to your iPad music stand. It's an economical and effective solution!
Of course, you can always use a traditional music stand to rest your iPad - as long as you're careful not to tip it over. Some musicians will even prefer this option if they use a mix of paper and digital scores, or if they need the edge to rest their reeds, bow, etc., on. In the latter case, K&M also sells a music stand shelf which can be mounted on the iPad stand. We wish there were a solution for quickly and easily converting a traditional music stand into a tablet stand, but unfortunately we haven't yet found a satisfactory option.
Many musicians have told us that they find an iPad on a stand much more aesthetically pleasing than a traditional music stand. Judging by the photos below, we couldn't agree morechord ! More compact, they take up less space on stage, and seem to break down a barrier between performers and audience, allowing greater proximity.
