Should you get a podcast mic stand? What types of stands are there? What features should you look for in a mic stand? If you are asking yourself these questions, you have come to the right place! 🥳
In this blog post we are going to cover all things podcast mic stands, including putting together a top 15 list for 2023.
Roadmap
Here is a roadmap for what we will review today 🗺️
First we will look at key features and terms. Half the battle of picking the right podcasting equipment is knowing the lingo and the specialized products associated with the equipment.
Then we will list key questions you want to ask yourself to narrow down what kind of microphone stand you look for.
Finally, we will get to the top 15 list where we will review the best mic stands, their specifications, and price.
Are you ready for the full tour of stand land? Let do it! 🚀
Key Features and Terms
Stand 🔭
There are two general parts of a podcast mic stand. There is the stand and there is the arm. You can think of the stand as the trunk of the tree. 🌳
The stand is the part that holds of the arm. It may have a base on the ground, it might have a base to set on a desktop or tabletop, it might have a base that attaches onto the edge of a desktop or tabletop or even nearby wall. It some professional studios, the stands actually attach to a ceiling grid and reach downward!
Arm 🦾
If you think of the stand as a trunk of a tree, the arm would be a branch. 🌱
The arm is what holds the podcast microphone. 🎙️
The arm is typically much more adjustable than the stand. While a stand usually is just adjustable in terms of height, an arm is usually adjustable in terms of length, but also it can be moved around in 3D space. A great arm can be moved anywhere the podcaster wants and then stay in that securely in that position.
In this context, an arm is sometimes referred to as a “mic arm” or a “boom arm.” Keep in mind that some very simple mic stands do not have arms, they only have a stand. Also, sometimes if the product attaches directly to a tabletop, then it will only be referred to as an arm, no stand.
Boom 🧨
You will hear the term “boom” a lot when you are searching for the best podcast mic stand. You can assume it is interchangeable with microphone in this context.
The term comes from video production where a boom microphone (a one directional microphone with a somewhat large recording range) is put on pole and a worker holds that pole high over the scene so the microphone is not seen in the camera view, but is close to the action.You can see why people often use the term when discussing podcast mic stands. 🏗️
Shock Mount 😱
A shock mount is a small piece of equipment that can go between the mic stand and the microphone. Its job is to reduce the low vibrations and noises that travel through the mic stand into the microphone.
Essentially, the shock mount suspends the microphone with elastic material so the shock mount absorbs the vibrations before they are able to reach the microphone. In this way, shock mounts help keep the recorded audio clean. 🧼
Pop Filter 🍾
A pop filter is a small piece of equipment that can be mounted onto a microphone or microphone stand. It is a shield between the microphone and the speaker. It helps with recording cleaner audio.
The pop filter is usually made out of a nylon mesh or a metal mesh.
Its purpose is to filter out plosives, the popping sounds made when a person uses consonants like “p” or “b.” 🗣️
Condenser ➡️⬅️
A condenser microphone is a sensitive microphone usually used in studios to record things like podcasts. It is also somewhat fragile. 🥀
A condenser microphone needs “phantom power” which is electricity typically provided by the same XLR cable used to connect the microphone to the recording device. 🦸
Because of this microphone’s need for electricity and its fragility, you will see some mic stands labelled as “condenser” mic stands. This just means that the stand can support this kind of sensitive, cabled microphone.
Integrated XLR Cable 🔌
An XLR cable is an audio cable that can transmit some electricity at the same time. Sometimes mic stands will say they have an integrated XLR cable. This just means that there is an XLR cable built into the stand. 👷
This feature can be helpful because that means you do not have worry about managing a loose XLR cable. The downside is that if the built-in cable gets damaged, rather than just replacing an XLR cable, you have to replace the whole stand. 🤷
Top 15 Podcast Mic Stands
Here are 15 podcast stands that we think give you a pretty good picture of what’s out there. 🖼️
Rode PSA1+
Rode (pronounced road-ee) is a long-time, high quality microphone manufacturer. It also manufactures microphone accessories, which is where its mic stands come in.
Rode touts the PSA1+ as the “ultimate studio boom arm for podcasters.” ✨
It is a desk clamp model, keeping your desktop area nice a clean. The model also has clips to neatly attach an XLR or USB cable to the microphone, also keeping your recording space tidy.
Rode says that because of its damped springs and neoprene material, the stand does not produce any mechanical sounds that could hurt recording quality. 🤩
- Weight: 3.4 lbs
- Min Weight Supported: 0.2 lbs
- Max Weight Supported: 2.6 lbs
- Price: $129.00
Rode DS1
This Rode model is a table stand one, rather than a clamp arm. It is made of all metal and has a heavy base, giving it durability and sturdiness. 🏋
Its height is adjustable: 10 inches to 16 inches.
There are two downsides to this model: It takes up space on your desktop or tabletop, and it will conduct vibrations from the desktop or tabletop since it sits directly on them (so just be sure to get a their PSM1 shock mount).
However, the upside is that it is easy to take with you, which is critical if you do not have a permanent studio space or you do a lot of podcasting in various locations. Plus, it is $100 cheaper than the PSA1+. 🤑
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Price: $29.99
Shure S41E
Shure is an American audio equipment company that has been around for almost 100 years. It only makes one podcast mic stand, and it is so small and cute we had to include it on our list. 👼
The S41E Microphone Desk/Table Stand model is a tiny tripod that can be folded up and stuck in your pocket. If you are doing a lot of “run and gun” recording for your podcast, this little guy can come in really handy. 🏃
- Price: $10.00
Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desktop Mic Boom Stand
Gator Frameworks (GFW) is one of the best places to look for high quality podcast gear. It is an American company started almost twenty-five years ago by a father-daughter team. All Gator Frameworks products come with a three year warranty. 🐊
The Deluxe Desktop Mic Boom Stand is… well, its most deluxe podcast mic stand.
It can be clamped or mounted (screwed onto) to a desktop or tabletop. It has a fixed, internally guided XLR cable, it keeps your workspace very clean and open. Both of features make for a very clean, spacious workspace. ↔️
The Deluxe product can rotate a full 360 degrees and is made of steel. The company says it only produces minimal noise when adjusting its placement and tension knobs.
- Weight: 3.4 lbs
- Max Weight Supported: 4.4 lbs
- Price: $129.00
Gator Frameworks Slim Profile Desktop Mic Stand Boom Arm
Gator Frameworks offers a few different desktop clamp/mount podcast mic stand products. This one is on the other end of the spectrum from the Deluxe model. But do not underestimate it! 😲
This model provides cable management clips, rather than an internally guided XLR cable. This can be a perk if you use a USB cable for your recording rather than an XLR.
The Slim Profile model does not offer the option to mount (screw in) the stand, only clamp. 🗜️
It is called the Slim Profile because it is skinnier than the other similar models, leaving it with slightly less weight support capacity for microphones.
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Max Weight Supported: 2 lbs
- Price: $69.99
Gator Frameworks Telescoping Boom Mic Stand
Moving on from the clamp/mount models, we will now take a look at Gator’s mic stands that sit on desktops and tabletops. 👈
Although the Telescoping model is technically a desktop stand, it is still a big piece of equipment. The boom at can extend to 27 inches in length. The base weights 10 lbs and it has a 2.5 pound counter weight on the boom arm.
The Telescoping model’s length and angle are independently adjustable, meaning that you can really utilize its size. 📏
This model is made of steel. It comes with cable clips for cable management.
- Weight: 14.5 lbs
- Max Weight Supported: 1.5 lbs.
- Price: $69.99
Gator Frameworks Desktop Mic Stand with Round Base
This model is a little more typical of your average desktop podcast mic stand. 🎤
It has a six inch, weighted round base. You cannot adjust the height, it is fixed at nine inches. It has one cable clip which is all it needs since it is so short.
This model is a solid choice if you just need something simple and straightforward. 🤠
- Weight: 2 lbs.
- Price: $24.99
Gator Frameworks Wired Mic Mini Tripod Desktop Stand
The last Gator product we will mention is their mini tripod (a reminder that all GFW products come with a warranty). Like the Shure S41E, it is tiny. This model could fit in your pocket if needed, it only is five inches tall. That makes it great for podcasting on the go! 🚴
- Weight: 1 lb.
On-Stage DS7200B
On-Stage is another audio equipment manufacturer that has been around for decades. 🧑🦳
This model is a desktop mic stand, meaning it sits on a desktop or tabletop. Its weighted base (3 lbs) is six inches across. It has rubber feet to help reduce unwanted movement and noise.
The DS7200B is super helpful because there are no adjustment knobs involved. There is a Rucker Lug that attaches the stand to the upper shaft where the microphone connects. This Rucker Lug makes it so that you can adjust the position of the microphone and it will stay in that spot. 🪨
Of course this does not have the 360 degrees adjustment ability that more expensive, clamp arm models would, but it is really good for a desktop model. The upper shaft can be adjusted forty degrees.
The height can be adjusted between nine inches and fourteen inches.
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Price: $47.99
On-Stage ASB700
This On-Stage mic stand comes as part of a podcast package, including a condenser mic and metal, goose-neck pop filter. 🦢
The stand comes with a C-clamp and a falange mount so you can either attach it to you workspace or screw it directly on to it.
The package comes with a USB cable for the mic that delivers phantom power. There does not seem to be any cable management provide by the stand. 🙃
- Max Weight Supported: 3.5 lb
- Price (whole package): $204.99
Heil Sound SB-2
Heil Sound is another company you should always check out for your audio equipment needs. It is a respected, high quality manufacture that has been around for over fifty years. It even has its own brand podcast, telling stories from the history of the company and all the artists it has worked with. 🎧
All Heil stands come with a one year warranty.
The SB-2 makes our list because it is a clamp boom arm, but is also easily to move to new locations. 🛻
It does not have much of a stand, the arm just connects right into the C-clamp. The idea is that if you want a stand, you can easily unscrew the arm and attached it to a separate stand or mount.
The arm extends to 17 inches in length, but can also fit in very tiny spaces. 🚪
It has cable clips molded on to its exterior.
- Price: $69.00
Heil Sound PL 2T
This is Heil’s top level podcast mic stand. They describe it as a “fully articulating, professional-quality microphone boom arm that is perfect for home or studio use.” 🤟
It has pre-set internal spring tension to so you can move it during recording and not worry that it will make a sound.
The PL 2T also has internal cable channels to keep your cables organized and secure. 🔒
It attaches to your work space with a c-clamp. Fully extended it reaches a whopping 40 inches. 👀
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Max Weight Support: 2.5 lbs.
- Price: $115.00
Proline DBA301
Proline is a trusted audio equipment company, founded in 1984. It has a 1 year limited warranty on all its products. ☝️
The DBA301 model is its top-of-the-line desk mount product. The company says it is “specifically designed for Podcasters, YouTubers… who want to capture audio while taking up as little desk space as possible.“
It comes with a c-clamp as well as a falage mount in case you want to screw it on to your podcast desk setup. 🪛
The product has external springs for tension along with adjustment knobs. In terms of cable management, it has plastic coils to help your cables stay in place.
- Max Weight Supported: 4 lbs
- Price: $59.99
Proline PLDMS1
This is the company’s model that rests on desktops and tabletops.
The base is a tripod and has concentric folding legs. That, and the fact that it is made out of cast aluminum, makes it very light and easy to transport. 🪶
The PLDMS1’s height is adjustable.
Basically this model is a mix between the tiny little tripods you can fit in your pocket and the more substantial desktop types. 🔀
- Price: $29.99
Elgato Wave Mic Arm
We will finish our list with Elgato. Elgato has tended to be more of a video streaming company, and that actually comes in handy. As pundits predict that more podcasts will go the video route, it is helpful to have products that are made to look good on screen… or not appear on the screen at all! 🎥
Its counterweight design means the arm and the microphone are going to stay where you want them, anywhere in the 360 degrees that you can move them. The mic connection is a ball head, which is super nice when trying to get the placement exactly right. 🙏
It has pop off cable coverings, to help you organize and hide your cables, but also be able to access them in case you need to swap them out.
The podcast mic stand’s vertical reach is 29.5 inches, and it comes with a detachable riser that can add another 5.9 inches in additional height. It has a horizontal reach of 30.7 inches. 📐
It attaches to your work surface with a padded clamp.
- Weight: 3.7 lbs.
- Min Weight Supported: 0.55 lbs.
- Max Weight Supported: 2.2 lbs.
- Price: $99.99
Key Questions to Narrow Down Your Podcast Mic Stand Search
Like everything in podcasting world, the right answer to “what is the best mic stand” is “it depends.” But that brief and accurate answer is not necessarily helpful. What do we mean when we say “it depends”? What does it depend on?
To better answer the question, we are going to give you more questions. Eye roll, we know.
But these questions will help you identify exactly what you need, trust us.
What kind of podcast table or desk are you using, or are you using one at all?
If you are using a super light desk, or a desk or table without a side overhang, you do not want to get a desk clamp model. A desk clamp model will tip over a light desk. It will have trouble attaching to a desk or table that does not have a good side overhang to clamp onto. In these cases, you probably want to look at a desktop model that just sits on top of your recording desk or table.
If you have a more relaxed setup, where you and your guests are sitting back in comfy chairs, not at a table, then a desk clamp model is also not going to work for you. Because there is nothing to clamp the mic stand to! In these situations, you are going to want to look at a telescoping model or a stage model. That way these independent standing microphone stands can stand next to the comfy chairs and you can adjust their arms or boom poles to be placed near the speakers’ mouths.
Will your audience see your recording setup?
The nice thing about traditional podcasting is that listeners cannot see where the podcast sausage is made. If you are using a second-hand podcast mic stand that needs some duct tape and a new paint job, your audience will not ever know.
However, if you are doing video podcast episodes or live streaming a podcast production, this changes. Suddenly the listeners become viewers, and they can see your recording setup. You do not want to ruin your brand or have your audience distracted by junky looking mic stands.
If your audience is going to visually see your setup, then you need to invest in podcast mic stands that are conducive to this. They need to not block speakers’ faces too much. They need to be able to be moved based on where the camera is shooting from or from where the live audience is seated. They need to have nice cord management options to keep the set looking clean and professional. No buying scuffed up, second hand mic stands even if they might be much cheaper.
What is your budget? And how many guests will you have at a time?
This is a two part question because whatever overall podcast mic stand budget you have, it will need to be divided by the number of in-person guests you plan to have on your show.
Let’s say you have a budget of $150. If your podcast is just a host monologue, you spend that $150 on one really nice, desk-clamp mic stand. But if you plan on having an in-person guest on almost every show, then that $150 might need to stretch to cover a very light-weight desk-clamp model for you and a simple desktop model for your guest.
However, if you think that you will be recording your guests remotely, then you do not necessarily need a microphone stand for them. But you will probably need to set aside some of your money to pay for a remote recording platform.
Do your microphones already come with a stand?
You might be surprised how many people buy microphones that come with their own stands, but also buy a separate mic stand. Of course if you want different stands than the ones that come with the microphones, that is one thing. But it is a different thing if you just ordered a stand you do not actually need. Then you have to go through all the hassle of returning it and all that.
Double check to see if the microphones you have ordered for your podcast already come with their own stands. A good example of this is the Blue Yeti microphone. It almost always comes with its own stand.
What stands are your microphones compatible with?
If you already have your microphone or microphones for your podcast, check to see how they connect with stands. You may also need to measure their width, length, and weight. You only want to search for mic stands that will hold your mic properly.
Reminder:
Like we say in all cases, be sure do your research before you make your purchase! Checking out customer reviews and asking fellow podcasters, etc. are great ways to make sure you have the latest information! 💜
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