From Studio to Stage: KraftGeek Capsule Music Stand Sets a New Standard
Portable music stands have been a sore topic of debate among musicians for ages. Music stands are a must for many musicians, whether they’re reading music on paper charts or iPads on gigs.
The issue is that we were stuck in time with the development of portable music stands. We reached stasis, but with a product that was far from a point of preservation. There were far too many shortcomings for the development to stall.
Many of us are familiar with the portable wire music stands. Arguably, there are affordable options for those starting their music journey. Within the industry lies much frustration for aspiring musicians, though. Firstly, the set angle of many of these stands is undesirable. My music stands are slightly less vertical, as it makes paper less likely to fall off.
Which brings me to the topic of the metal wire “paper holders” that are installed on these music stands. I have always struggled with these. I find the positioning of them to be less than ideal.
These wire stands also tend to get knocked over quite easily, making them a hazard on gigs where people are moving around. Don’t even think of putting an iPad on one of these. You’re setting yourself up for an impending disaster with tears.
These wire stands are okay for someone starting clarinet and practicing with paper charts in their bedroom. However, they are not suitable for professional use. Plus, most musicians I know who have owned these have a graveyard of wire music stand parts. Because you detach the parts to make them portable, pieces often get lost.
They may initially seem cheap, but by the time you finish replacing them, you'll have spent the same amount of money as buying a high-quality stand… if only one existed. More to come on that.
I’ve always been surprised when I arrive at a venue that claims they have music stands, only to find wire music stands. I want to ask them, “Why do you hate me?”
The Jump
For those in need of a high-quality music stand, the obvious choice is often a Manhasset stand, known for its durability and quality. The problem is that Manhasset stands are not very portable. They don’t fold up and are awkward to carry around. I’ve seen many musicians tough it out and travel with one if reading music is crucial during a gig.
But there has to be a better way. Over the years, I have tried to find a portable solution. I have bought several supposedly more “robust” collapsible music stands. I always felt these stands fell short due to design flaws. Most often, the design flaw is with connecting parts that are not durable enough to withstand hardcore use. In particular, the attachment of the “tray” that holds the paper. Obviously, this is a vital connection for a music stand. If the link connecting the tray to the stem is compromised, it will be a significant issue.
I have found myself on a gig, frustrated and short on setup time, wrestling with the connection between the tray and stem.
If only there were a stand that was self-contained, stable, and took up as little space as possible for transport.
New Horizons
There are two things I never thought I would see in my lifetime: Self-driving cars and a functional professional portable music stand. Someone finally cared enough to solve the music stand dilemma. I know, I know, you’re waiting for the punchline. This must be a joke, right? Well, I am known for my dry humor, which is appreciated by only about 3% of the population. But, in this case, I’m being sincere, I swear!
Kraftgeek has designed a portable music stand called the Capsule, featuring elements I haven't seen in other music stands before. Finally, someone understands the issues musicians face regularly and cares enough to improve the stand, enhancing musicians' quality of life and reducing stress.
I mean, seriously, the Kraftgeek Capsule music stand could be marketed as an anti-anxiety gig medication.
Problem Solvers
The Capsule stand is completely self-contained, so you won’t lose any parts. It folds into itself, but unlike many other stands, it doesn’t have protruding parts that can catch or bend. This design helps extend the stand's lifespan by reducing the chance of damage during transport. In fact, it’s built to protect itself during transit. The legs retract to sit flush against the body, for example.
You can also purchase the gig bag for it, and I recommend that. I was very impressed with the gig bag. Every portable music stand I have bought that came with a bag has been a significant disappointment. Either the bags were made with material that would tear or develop holes, or the zippers would break. At times, they would lead me to stumble with my setup or breakdown because I couldn't smoothly get the stand in or out of the bag.
The bag was always an afterthought, budget-motivated, meaning that it could be manufactured as cheaply as possible.
Kraftgeek has navigated this by not making the gig bag an automatic inclusion with every stand. It’s an add-on. This has allowed Kraftgeek to make a great gig bag for those who need one.
The zippers on the Kraftgeek gig bag are durable, and the material and padding are thick, yet the case remains quite compact. There are small compartments in the gig bag for additional accessories, such as a light and an iPhone mount.
The shoulder strap is also nice and wide and made of good material. Am I really nerding out over a shoulder strap? Yes, yes I am! So few companies understand what it’s like to carry gear around. These small touches make a big difference for pro musicians.
The Tower
I was impressed by the adjustable height of the Kraftgeek Capsule music stand. It can be adjusted from 29 to 66 inches (74-168 cm). My eyesight isn’t great because I was born with a vision deficiency. I need to keep sheet music close to me. Sometimes I have to stand during a gig, and it’s helpful to be able to raise the stand to a height where I don’t have to lean over. The Capsule works well for this, and you adjust the height by pulling up or pushing down on the stand. You don’t need to loosen any knobs or release a lever. This allows me to change the stand’s height mid-performance.
I know some players who place their stands really low to the ground so the audience doesn’t see them too much. The Capsule gives us the option for the full gamut of music stand heights for players.
Home Base
The Kraftgeek Capsule is made from aluminum alloy and features non-slip pads in key areas, such as the base of the tray where music paper rests. There is also non-slip material underneath the built-in clips that secure sheet music in place. This is another example of small details that make a big difference. Thoughtful engineering went into the Capsule. These non-slip areas help keep your music in place by providing extra traction.
The clips are designed so they don’t get in your way when you’re not using them. How many of you have been frustrated by those thin metal wires on most collapsible stands when not in use? I find them annoying.
Tray
The tray tilts up to 30 degrees and can hold A4 to A3 sheets. I mentioned earlier the importance of tilting the tray back, but the ability to hold larger paper charts is also an advantage. Because of my eyesight, I sometimes print on larger paper for sessions when the parts are complex and I’m playing drums. Speaking of drums, this stand is a great addition for drummers. Its height capabilities for placement above your hi-hat are excellent, and the one-hand adjustment makes it easier so you don’t have to struggle with knobs behind the hi-hat.
Book Smart
The Kraftgeek Capsule is sturdy enough to hold books, unlike wire music stands. Usually, you need a portable stand with a strong tray to support a book. But the Capsule is a fully collapsible music stand that can also hold books.
Attachments
Earlier, I mentioned that the gig bag was arranged to hold attachments. Kraftgeek offers two optional attachments for the Capsule music stand. The first is a light that attaches to the stand.
Most often, when you need a light for a music stand, you have to buy a clip-on mic. The clip part of the mic is usually large and can create a “bump” behind your sheet music. Plus, they can add weight to the stand.
Kraftgeek has solved this issue by using a light called LumiLight that attaches to the stand in a way that doesn’t touch the sheet music area. The beauty of it is that you can permanently attach the light to the stand using a ¼” screw. It folds right up into the stand! And the light is super lightweight.
The light is powered by two AA batteries or a USB-C connection.
Kraftgeek also provides a FlexyMount option to attach iPhones and iPads to your Capsule stand, enabling a more streamlined setup without taking up valuable tray space. FlexyMount supports phones and tablets, offering 180 degrees of front and back adjustment.
There is even a built-in cold-shoe mount for adding lights, microphones, or a monitor to enhance video quality.
A Music Stand System
The Kraftgeek Capsule portable music stand isn’t just a stand; it’s a complete system. It makes other music stands seem outdated, and honestly, they’ve been that way for a long time. The Capsule is a long-overdue redesign of a tool many musicians need.
