Should I get a boom arm or a standard mic stand for my Blue Yeti?

Question

What's the difference between a boom arm and a standard mic stand? I need something for voice over use only. The particular boom arm I'm looking at is a bit pricey but it has great reviews, it's the RODE PSA1. It's $100, why is it so expensive? Are you paying for the convenience of recording on a desk, or does it handle sound better than a mic stand? I'm looking at these two and I'm torn on which to get.

RODE PSA 1 - http://www.amazon.com/RODE-Swivel-Mount-Studio-Microphone/dp/B001D7UYBO

Standard Mic Stand - http://www.amazon.com/Stage-Stands-MS7701B-Tripod-Microphone/dp/B000978D58/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1441985333&sr=1-5&keywords=MIC+STAND

I honestly don't mind recording while standing up. So of these two, I'll be using them with a Radius 2 Shock Mount, which will give me better sound on a Blue Yeti? The boom arm or Mic stand?

I don't know which to get. Please help.

Answer 1

No. a mic stand is not going to significantly change the way the mic sounds - if at all. Boom stands are primarily for people playing big, (dreadnought style) acoustic guitars. The mic is projected past the base of the stand by the boom simply so the guitar or the player's hands do not hit the vertical column of the stand. They are also used in studio situations to project over the top of a music stand or podium where a script would be.



But I also have to wonder what so many people are buying so many "off brands" of microphone. Is it because they are cheaper than the established brands of Shure, AKG, Electrovoice and AT? They are not THAT much cheaper. Is it because a lot of kids are buying microphones these days because recording software has become cheap? 20 - 30 years ago when I was doing my professional mic work, no one would ever have bought a mic called "Blue Yeti."

Answer 2

Mic boom arms are used to position a mic where a normal stand can't be placed directly beneath it (piano-playing vocalists are common users of mic booms).



It's that simple...

Answer 3

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