In the business of producing music, podcasts, or live performances, one of the most overlooked tools is the humble mic stand. The stand may not steal the show, but it does have the important role of acting as a conduit between the performer and the audience. So, whether you're a hobbyist or a professional, a well-built and versatile mic stand is a key accoutrement to any audio/visual setup. In this guide, we'll cover some great options we have from Auray* as well as other manufacturers so you can walk away knowing exactly what you need to look and sound your best!
Stands for Podcasting, Desktop, and Gaming
When choosing stands for content creation, work-from-home stations, or gaming, consider whether you want a simple weighted tabletop base stand or an adjustable desk-clamped boom arm. The tabletop stand is less expensive and easier to set up and use, while a boom arm clears space for your desk and offers superior positioning and flexibility.
For desk-mounted boom arm stands, a great choice is the Auray BAE-2X, a two-section broadcast style boom stand that comes with an integrated XLR or USB cable. It comes in external and internal spring mechanism variants and features a C-clamp and desk insert for your convenience.
Other popular broadcast style desk-mounted boom stands include the RODE PSA1+ and Elgato Wave Mic Arm MK.2, both great options that you'll see top podcasters and creators use. These stands can also be mounted to any solid object, so they're perfect for use in a relaxed podcast setting without desks as well.
Desktop stands are significantly more inexpensive and simpler to use but will take up space on your desktop and can be quite heavy. Simple variants like the Auray TT-6110 and TT-6220 are great picks, with the latter having a telescoping shaft for variable height adjustment. You can opt for greater flexibility with a gooseneck mic stand like the Auray MSGN-12 and MSGN-17 so you can position the mic as you please.
Stands for Studios and Live Performances
There are a few things to consider when choosing mic stands for studio and live performance—particularly whether the stand is tripod or round-base, if it's straight stand or has a boom arm, and how much height the telescopic shaft will offer.
Whether in the studio or on the stage, singers will often prefer a round-based straight stand like the Auray MS-5130 for its aesthetic and minimal footprint, superior stability, and ease of use. For example, crooners like to rotate and swing the stand from its base like a prop—it's about the look!
The cast-iron base provides a low center of gravity that prevents falls and accidental bumps and will always be more solid and stable than a tripod base. The lack of a boom allows for better visibility, posture, and center of gravity for the singer. Booms are better suited for studio or instrument micing purposes. A more fancy option is the K&M 26085 stand with its one-hand adjustable grip clutch for easy height adjustments.
In the studio or when micing instruments, a stand with a boom arm and a tripod base is typically preferred. Tripod based mic stands have significantly less weight and superior portability, are able to be adjusted for stability (especially on uneven surfaces), and are better able to support boom arms with their wider base spread.
A boom arm allows the stand to be extended so that you can position the microphone away from the stand itself, making it perfect for precise angling and overhead reach. Boom arms are preferred when micing singing guitarists, pianos, drum overheads, or in a situation where the mic positioning needs to be changed on the fly. The Auray MS-5230F tripod stand is one of our best-sellers at B&H, the K&M 210/9 is a great premium option, the Ultimate Support MC-125 is an industry standard heavy-duty stand, and for amp cab and kick drum micing, short-scale models like the tripod-based Auray MS-5220T and weighted-based Auray MS-5340 are perfect for the job.
For specific jobs like micing choirs, orchestras, or other large-scale performances, a super tall mic stand might be required. The Auray MS-SB2T is a great option, and the extra tall K&M 20150 is able to reach more than ten feet.
For recording in large venues and churches, something like the Manfrotto 269HDBU can reach up to 24 feet with its 5 telescoping shafts. Some of these heavy duty stands have a caster base with lockable wheels—if you've got the need and have the scratch, check out the Triad-Orbit Starbird SB-1. It's insanely expensive for a mic stand, but you'll never have to be worried about your even-more-expensive mic when it's attached to the thing!
One last thing: when shopping for a mic stand, make sure that the threaded mount is compatible with your microphones. Most mic clips use either a 5/8" or ¼" male thread, and there are size and gender adapters to make swapping easy. Just make sure you get exactly what you need!
We hope this short guide has been informative and helpful in your search for the perfect mic stand. Don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts or visit the midtown superstore to try out stands for yourself—we're here to help you make the most informed purchase possible!
