The simple answer is yes. Podcasters who like to sit at a desk will appreciate the design of the PSA1. But it also has enough reach to accommodate those who want to stand as well. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission & see how we test. It also seamlessly moves 360 degrees without any friction or sound. Never once have I heard the standard ‘squeak’ you often hear boom arms make when rotated.

In the full review below, I’m going to look at why the Rode PSA1 is a game-changer for podcasting and streaming, and what you should know before buying one. When it comes to mounting the PSA1+, there are two options. The first is a threaded desk mount for a more permanent solution. So once I got used to the flexibility of the PSA1 I started to realize that this would be a really useful bit of kit to have. Maybe not one that I’d deemed necessary in the past, considering I could just tolerate the annoyance of a floor stand, but definitely one that I was starting to wish I’d invested in earlier. The PSA1+ seamlessly pairs functionality with style, combining sleeks looks with completely silent operation and peerless stability. It features an innovative parallelogram spring design that has been precision-engineered to ensure movement is smooth and steady, even with very light or heavy microphones. This mechanism keeps the microphone placement constant when moved so it can be positioned perfectly with ease. The internal springs are fully damped and the arm features a high-quality neoprene cover for further reduction of noise generated by movement. Not a huge issue overall, and certainly not a deal-breaker, but this could put certain users off. For example, journalists and podcasters who travel for interviews may find transport awkward, but not impossible. Final ThoughtsThe PSA1 Studio Arm boasts a 360-degree design, allowing you to find the perfect position for your microphone. This can be useful in podcast and broadcast situations when positioning your microphone on the fly is desirable. It provides a horizontal reach of 820mm and a vertical reach of 840mm. It also comes supplied with Velcro cable wraps, a desk clamp and desk insert for flexible mounting options. The PSA1 Studio Arm is designed for use with the Rode Procaster and the Podcaster microphones but can also support various other microphones between 700g and 1.1kg in weight Features

One of the standout features of the Rode PSA1+ is its remarkable versatility and adjustability. The dual-axis swivel mount enables me to effortlessly adjust the arm's height, angle, and reach to suit my specific needs. Whether I'm sitting or standing, the microphone arm can be positioned at the perfect distance and angle, ensuring optimal audio capture. This flexibility is especially beneficial for long recording sessions, as it allows me to find the most comfortable position for extended use. Extended reach and 360-degree rotation, offering maximum flexibility in any home or studio application But this actually turned out to be a good thing which added to the flexibility of the PSA1. Having been used to positioning microphones on a drum kit or amp meticulously in the studio it seemed a little odd to have an arm that could move so easily.Overall I was surprised by how much easier the PSA1 made recording. Even if I was a vocalist recording at home I could definitely see the Rode being beneficial. Long after this review is published, the boom arm will remain fixed to my desk and that pesky floor stand will be forever banished to the cupboard! The stand also supports a wider range of microphone weights now—especially on the lower end of the scale. The previous minimum was about 1.5 pounds, but now the arm supports mics that weigh as little as 0.2-pound. On the top end, the arm can handle mics that weigh up to 2.6 pounds. Finally, the tops of the neoprene panels now have built-in cable management loops. Those cable loops allow you to snake an XLR or USB cable along the contour of the arm and save you from having to dangle or loop your wires from it. The previous version of the arm used Velcro ties, so this change is another simple, but valuable, improvement. Smooth Operator It glides really smoothly but stops dead in position, which makes it feel abundant with quality every time you use it.

You should get an instant answer on whether your application has been successful, though in some rare cases Klarna or V12 may need to look at the application in more detail. Once attached, the boom arm is slotted in and sits in the hole tightly. The great news for you podcasters and streamers is that there is zero rattling or sound made from moving the boom arm around.

Specifications

Innovative parallelogram spring design for precise placement, peerless stability and ultra-smooth movement with almost any microphone

The setup itself was incredibly easy, taking me all of three minutes to mount it, attach it, and connect it to my microphone. I was good to go within minutes. Innovative Parallelogramm-Federkonstruktion für präzise Mikrofonplatzierung und reibungslose BewegungThe studio boom arm itself is spring-loaded and so without a microphone in place, it will jerk up and leave you wondering how on earth this is going to work whilst recording. Podcasting has finally overtaken radio, becoming the “new norm” with more and more people investing in equipment to record and broadcast from home. So of course audio equipment manufacturers are now expanding their product ranges to include items specifically for home recording, which has never been more popular. One particular issue with the boom arm was the fact that it was spring-loaded and wouldn’t initially hold in place. Podcasters working from home know that space is an issue, and traditional floor mic stands tend to be rather cumbersome, being designed for stages and studios rather than home use. Impressively, there is also an inclusion of a rubber attachment on the mount, which ensures that you are dampening any sound from the desk that may come up through the arm. It’s these little add-ons that help the PSA1+ stand out from the crowd.