Rode PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

It is pretty expensive for a mic arm but it is also significantly more sturdy and well designed than cheaper alternatives.The instructions didn't say to tighten the first screw in order to have it remain in place when using light mics but it was an easy enough fix.I am much more confident with this microphone arm than the ones I have used previously as this one has a much chunkier base and steel construction. The ones I've used previously were aluminium and the part where it attached to the base snapped off after about 6 months.The simple addition of velcro cable holders is very nice and helps keep cables out of the way.By spending more you get a significantly higher quality product and one that should last longer than 6 months. Worth it I would say.

AMAZING A

The PSA 1 just features a slightly nicer drill mount if you're not using the clamp, and some sleeves for cable management. I bought the original and it's the best boom arm I've ever used. Hands down recommend it to anyone. The weight of the arm sits on the desk, not off of it like the Gator Frameworks series. The Rode PSA 1 is wonderful. Not a single negative thing to say.

Base to arm connection is wobbly?

The base of the unit is a cone shape with a cylindrical slot for the arm to slot into. The difference between the diameter of the arm and the slot is unexpectedly large, such that the arm is very wobbly when inserted into the slot. Seems like a bad design. Would have been good to have had a plastic insert or something to prevent this.Other than this it will not stay in the folded position unless a significant weight is attached. (Like a microphone or camera.) Less of an issue than the wobblyness.When in use it does hold equipment well but any slight knock or table wobble causes the attached equipment to wobble. Less of an issue for microphones, a much more significant issue when using cameras.

Close to 5 Stars * Measurements Here*

Application: Doc doing teletmedicine call.Overall the boom is solid. In some ways I really wanted the Blue boom thinking it would be more suited for a Yeti mic, yet reviews were mixed at best, and the boom would take 3+ weeks to get from the manufacturer. So I opted for the PSA1. It's very solid and supports a Yeti mic effortlessly. Anchoring the mic so it doesn't pivot side-to-side seems to be the one week point in the boom. Tightening that is an effort in futility. It's not a huge issue for me, however, since the mic is level.Here is the one thing I had trouble finding online. Useful measurements as I needed to mount it behind my computer monitors and have it reach over the top. I drilled a hole in my credenza to mount the boom as there was no lip for me to ... MoreApplication: Doc doing teletmedicine call.Overall the boom is solid. In some ways I really wanted the Blue boom thinking it would be more suited for a Yeti mic, yet reviews were mixed at best, and the boom would take 3+ weeks to get from the manufacturer. So I opted for the PSA1. It's very solid and supports a Yeti mic effortlessly. Anchoring the mic so it doesn't pivot side-to-side seems to be the one week point in the boom. Tightening that is an effort in futility. It's not a huge issue for me, however, since the mic is level.Here is the one thing I had trouble finding online. Useful measurements as I needed to mount it behind my computer monitors and have it reach over the top. I drilled a hole in my credenza to mount the boom as there was no lip for me to use the clamp. Think of the base as the shoulder joint, the joint between the two pieces at the elbow, and the joint at the mic as the wrist. From the top of the credenza to the bottom of the forearm is just over 17. So if your computer monitor was right up against the boom, any higher than that wouldn't fit. Keep in mind though that the elbow pivots up so if you're in inch or so behind the monitor you could raise it and have a taller monitor. From the front of the upper arm to the wrist joint is about 18. 18.25 for me because I have the forearm tilted up higher to get the microphone shock mount high enough to be out of the camera view. Using a Yeti microphone, and a Blue Radius III shock mount, I have the tip of my microphone about a foot above the credenza just off camera to my left and about 21 toward me from the base.Delivery time once it was shipped is on UPS. The one challenge was the extended amount of time it took for B&H to ship the package once I ordered it. That was disappointing.

Good arm documentation not so great

Good arm, documentation not so great, took me a while to work out that the upper arm will not adjust and stay without the weight of the microphone attached to it.Also the lower arm is not adjustable until it is sat in the clamp, the clamp must at this point be secured to the desk..Just a couple of lines in the rode booklet could have saved me 2 hours of messing about watching not so great videos on this arm. Why don't rode do their own videos? maybe they do i couldn't find them.Moaning aside it does what it's supposed to once you're over that, it looks good and it is well built.I would buy another one. Decent delivery time from Scan. Many thanks.

Its GREAT, but its time for a refresh

I just bought this boom arm because I wanted something that was a little bit more capable than the $15 arms I had purchased before. I didnt do a lot of research, but the bit I did suggest that this is the one that Everybody is using! Ive seen it all over YouTube, watched the myriad of reviews and testimonials... When I was shopping, I also noticed that the price was down from the usual $99.95 here on B&H, so I pulled the trigger.While I havent had an opportunity to use it Under Load yet, Ive tried setting it up and connecting my three grown-up mics; Road Procaster, EV RE320, and Sure SM7B and all are nicely supported and each had sufficient weight to keep the stand where I want it. (My ATR-2100 doesnt.)Im not exactly sure when this product came on the market, but ... MoreI just bought this boom arm because I wanted something that was a little bit more capable than the $15 arms I had purchased before. I didnt do a lot of research, but the bit I did suggest that this is the one that Everybody is using! Ive seen it all over YouTube, watched the myriad of reviews and testimonials... When I was shopping, I also noticed that the price was down from the usual $99.95 here on B&H, so I pulled the trigger.While I havent had an opportunity to use it Under Load yet, Ive tried setting it up and connecting my three grown-up mics; Road Procaster, EV RE320, and Sure SM7B and all are nicely supported and each had sufficient weight to keep the stand where I want it. (My ATR-2100 doesnt.)Im not exactly sure when this product came on the market, but to my understanding, it has been a major player in the ProSumer market for at least a few years. While it is very good at what its main purpose; keeping a microphone in place, there are a few opportunities where the product could be updated and improved to become a more viable option and stay fresh for the future.One thing that would improve the appeal of this arm would be a better cable management system. Currently, there are three branded velcro strips to secure the cable to the arm. This works sufficiently and does allow for the ability to change out cables as needed, but there are better options out there. Im looking at the Blue Compass.Another helpful improvement would be if one could tighten tach joint independently. I mentioned above that my three main microphones work with this arm, but I have one that doesnt. Well, the three that do work are all quite heavy and the other is quite light. Many microphones in the space are also quite light.so being able to lock the arm down would improve the functionality.My last real area of improvement is the desk clamp. Im 95% happy with the desk clamp that comes with this stand! It is so much better than the desk clamps that came with the inexpensive stands I had! Most notably, this clamp will clear the trim that is on the desks and tables I need to connect to! It also mounts flush, so if I need to be tight against a wall, thats not a problem. My issue is that the arm feels kinda loose and sloppy when placed in the clamp. Yes, I know it needs to be somewhat free to rotate, but it feels rather amateur. I may need to put a layer of tape around the shaft to see if that helps. Little things...Nice function and looks good, but still has areas for improvement. It does appear that Rode is paying some extra attention to the podcast community these days, with the release of the RodeCaster and PodMic, so knowing how much screen time you currently get, think of how many new units youll move if you improve a few things and get a flashy new arm on a few key YouTube channels!I will likely need another arm soon, so hopefully Rode will have something new available at this price point...

Perfect for Podcasting

I am sure I am one of many people that did this during the pandemic but me and some friend's started a podcast summer last year. While trying to stay safe we invested into some USB Rode NT-USB Mics but felt it was necessary to make I had the best sound with an arm. Definitely loved the investment of getting this.Really it breaks down into two things, better sound and convenience. Since getting it I've been able to attach it to my desk and hide it behind my computer and just swing it out when using it. Since getting it the sound has been great, no weird like vibrations from it sitting on its stand. I've even used it for some Twitch streaming and having this arm has made getting the mic to a really good spot so clutch in that quality of that too.I believe it works ... MoreI am sure I am one of many people that did this during the pandemic but me and some friend's started a podcast summer last year. While trying to stay safe we invested into some USB Rode NT-USB Mics but felt it was necessary to make I had the best sound with an arm. Definitely loved the investment of getting this.Really it breaks down into two things, better sound and convenience. Since getting it I've been able to attach it to my desk and hide it behind my computer and just swing it out when using it. Since getting it the sound has been great, no weird like vibrations from it sitting on its stand. I've even used it for some Twitch streaming and having this arm has made getting the mic to a really good spot so clutch in that quality of that too.I believe it works with most Rode Mics, but can't speak for other brands. I know it worked for my Rode NT-USB if you are looking to find that out, as I know I was at first. Also it attaches via either a desk mount that tightens down or by drilling a hole through your desk, but believe that desk mount opens up to about an inch to 2 inches. Be careful tightening on your desk though, as if you over crank it, it could damage your desk.So if you've made the leap into podcasting or streaming this really is a great investment for your new fancy mic.

Quiet, Great Quality

I like that is quiet and it adjusts to the weight of my microphones. I like the quality compared to the looks (yet, hard to adjust to the weight of microphones) of comparable arms.CONS: Very dangerous, seriously. I put away my arm every so often; every time I untighten the arm, this just jumps abruptly and it may hit you or break something nearby. Also, be careful with your fingers when you are adjusting that arm; that-scissor arm can really hurt if you are not mindful upon moving the arm. I may be asking too much, but I wonder if Rode can make it so the arm opens up slowly in order to protect the buyer and their property.

Review PSA1 Studio Boom Arm - It's longer but...

I purchased this to replace my Aokeo budget boom arm which costs about $15. My budget boom, while a great value, lacked the up-and-over reach needed for my desk. The Rode PSA1 has the length I needed. It also includes a Desk Insert that I can use later after trying different positions with the base clamp to find the best permanent mounting location. Just keep in mind you lose about 3 inches of height when using the Desk Insert. I also like the XLR cable gutter on the center swivel. I did take off two stars because the center swivel will not stay put when adjusted. If I adjust my mic down a bit, it pops back up. Even if I lower the mic down to the tabletop level, it still pops back up to its default position. I checked the slotted screw on the center axis/swivel ... MoreI purchased this to replace my Aokeo budget boom arm which costs about $15. My budget boom, while a great value, lacked the up-and-over reach needed for my desk. The Rode PSA1 has the length I needed. It also includes a Desk Insert that I can use later after trying different positions with the base clamp to find the best permanent mounting location. Just keep in mind you lose about 3 inches of height when using the Desk Insert. I also like the XLR cable gutter on the center swivel. I did take off two stars because the center swivel will not stay put when adjusted. If I adjust my mic down a bit, it pops back up. Even if I lower the mic down to the tabletop level, it still pops back up to its default position. I checked the slotted screw on the center axis/swivel thinking it was loose but it seems tight so I left it alone. I have a Rode NTG-2 mic mounted and perhaps that mic is too light to counterbalance the springs. My only other nit was the center axis movement is not smooth but has a bit of a grinding feeling and slight noise when adjusting. The other swivels are fine with smooth operation and no noise. While the Rode PSA1 is definitely longer than my Aokeo budget boom arm, I was a bit disappointed for the price.

This thing rocks!

This mic arm rocks. It supports the Shure SM7b well and stays exactly where you position it with no creeping down or anything! And if I move it while recording or streaming, it makes zero noise, and will stay there too.This is high quality for the price for sure. I didn't buy the + model due to the big white RODE branding on it, it doesn't look as good on camera as this one.Prior to this, I had the Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP, and that eventually started creeping when the mic was on it. This Rode one is a definite improvement in every way.