How to earthquake-proof keyboards?

jpiscitello · 28th April 2007

I'm building up a project studio in San Francisco, and I've been acquiring a bit of gear. Namely I have 3 keyboards - an 88-key piano / controller on an X-stand, and a Virus Polar & Novation RemoteSL on a Z-stand.

None of this is secured. Everything stands freely. One big shake, and things will get a bit ugly.

Anyone in CA quake zones have strategies for securing keyboards that you like to keep accessible??

jeremy.c. · 21st August 2007

bump.

I have some similar concerns, but I am also worried about my monitors. I have the Event ASP8s and they're pretty huge and I think one good jolt down here in sunny socal will send them to the floor (which is hardwood by the way).
Does anyone have a way to anchor their monitors?

bit mangler · 21st August 2007

You should wait for some Japanese sluts to chime in 'cause I seen specialized retainers in Tokyo made especially for this.I dont have pics.

cornutt · 21st August 2007

There are two things you'd have to do. First, anchor the stands. Piling sandbags around the legs wouldn't be very aesthetic, but it would work. A more elegant solution would probably involve having marine-style tie-downs integrated into the floor, to tie the stands down to.

Second thing would be securing the keyboards to the stands. With some, you may be able to take the feet off, put a longer screw in the foot hole part way, and then use that as a point to tie on some twine or some such so you can tie the keyboard to the stand. Another option might be museum putty, although I'm not sure it's strong enough. Silicone caulk would definitely hold it, and although it would not be the easiest thing to remove, it wouldn't be as permanant as glue or adheisive. Stick-on Velcro works well if you have a flat surface (it doesn't stick well to curved or porous surfaces).

max cooper · 22nd August 2007

If you're really not worried about aesthetics, ratchet straps work.

I've successfully used clear silicone caulk, too.

Depending on speaker stands, you can put lead shot in them.

Here are some counterweights that are good for attaching to legs of things that can fall over.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/1...erweights.html

cornutt · 22nd August 2007

One other thing: You might want to have a tech open up the keyboards and make sure everything is secured internally. A transformer or large cap that gets loose inside can bang around and do internal damage even if the keyboard doesn't fall.

Jim Williams · 22nd August 2007

Bolt the stands to the wall. That way the only way they come down is if the wall seperates from the building. If that happens, you will have more to worry about than your gear.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

bluestarbass · 22nd August 2007

Put everything on this little trampolines. Its like a shockmount for your whole studio.

28th April 2007	#1
jpiscitello Gear interested Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 7 Thread Starter	How to earthquake-proof keyboards? I'm building up a project studio in San Francisco, and I've been acquiring a bit of gear. Namely I have 3 keyboards - an 88-key piano / controller on an X-stand, and a Virus Polar & Novation RemoteSL on a Z-stand. None of this is secured. Everything stands freely. One big shake, and things will get a bit ugly. Anyone in CA quake zones have strategies for securing keyboards that you like to keep accessible??

21st August 2007	#2
jeremy.c. Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Beagle Rock Posts: 4,229 1 Review written	bump. I have some similar concerns, but I am also worried about my monitors. I have the Event ASP8s and they're pretty huge and I think one good jolt down here in sunny socal will send them to the floor (which is hardwood by the way). Does anyone have a way to anchor their monitors? __________________ It's just a flesh wound!

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21st August 2007	#3
bit mangler Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Motor City,USA Posts: 409	You should wait for some Japanese sluts to chime in 'cause I seen specialized retainers in Tokyo made especially for this.I dont have pics.

21st August 2007	#4
cornutt Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 497	There are two things you'd have to do. First, anchor the stands. Piling sandbags around the legs wouldn't be very aesthetic, but it would work. A more elegant solution would probably involve having marine-style tie-downs integrated into the floor, to tie the stands down to. Second thing would be securing the keyboards to the stands. With some, you may be able to take the feet off, put a longer screw in the foot hole part way, and then use that as a point to tie on some twine or some such so you can tie the keyboard to the stand. Another option might be museum putty, although I'm not sure it's strong enough. Silicone caulk would definitely hold it, and although it would not be the easiest thing to remove, it wouldn't be as permanant as glue or adheisive. Stick-on Velcro works well if you have a flat surface (it doesn't stick well to curved or porous surfaces).

22nd August 2007	#5
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	If you're really not worried about aesthetics, ratchet straps work. I've successfully used clear silicone caulk, too. Depending on speaker stands, you can put lead shot in them. Here are some counterweights that are good for attaching to legs of things that can fall over. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/1...erweights.html

22nd August 2007	#7
Jim Williams Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA Posts: 9,364	Bolt the stands to the wall. That way the only way they come down is if the wall seperates from the building. If that happens, you will have more to worry about than your gear. Jim Williams Audio Upgrades

22nd August 2007	#8
bluestarbass Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 344	Put everything on this little trampolines. Its like a shockmount for your whole studio.