If you’re looking to start a podcast or improve the quality of your recordings, you should start with a top-notch microphone…just know that your setup isn’t complete without a microphone mount. A boom arm, such as the $129 Rode PSA1+, is the best solution, because unlike a mic stand, it eliminates any potential vibration from nearby objects and can be repositioned easily for optimal recordings. The PSA1+ is the successor to one of our favorite models in recent years, the PSA, and boasts some improvements including an improved internal spring design and better cable loops. The price of the mount might seem a bit high, but it’s an indispensable accessory for ensuring the best recordings, earning it our Editors’ Choice award.
A Refined Design
Available in black, the 3.4-pound PSA1+ measures 37.0 by 3.9 by 2.6 inches (HWD). The arm has a horizontal reach of 37.0 inches and a vertical reach of 33.8 inches. Independent hinges at the ends and midpoint enable you to adjust its position. You can also pivot the mount at its hinges and then lock it tightly in place by tightening the knobs.
The easiest way to mount the PSA1+ is to use the included table clamp. It works with most desk surfaces with a ledge, but won’t be able to grip anything with a flush edge. We found the clamp to be a bit sturdier and less likely to budge than the one that came with the previous model—rubber end pieces are a simple, but notable, improvement. The arm plants into the recessed top portion of the clamp and can pivot 360 degrees once you attach it. Alternatively, you can mount the arm to a desk with the threaded desk mount insert, though this method requires you to drill a sizable hold into your desktop. The metallic base for this insert feels exceptionally sturdy in any case. The PSA1+ also comes with a 3/8-to-5/8-inch adapter, so you shouldn’t have any issues attaching whatever mic you use.
One complaint I had with the previous model is that, in certain positions, the internal springs could sometimes rattle from vibrations that my keyboard produced. This was problematic because mic stands and arms need to be silent. Thankfully, the new PSA 1+ features neoprene sleeves and a redesigned internal spring system that Rode claims is now fully damped; both of which should help significantly reduce these noises, and in testing, I heard none of the rattling that I did with the PSA1.
Other improvements, subtle or simple as they may be, include easier-to-turn knobs for adjusting the mount’s tension and upgraded mounting hardware that makes it simpler to reposition your mic. As with the desk clamp, other contact points now feature rubber contacts that help cut down on the vibrations and bumps that your mic could otherwise capture.
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
In testing, the arm moves smoothly, with a little more grace of motion than the previous model. The internal spring damping makes a major difference. As mentioned, the original was prone to making occasional, but annoying, noises as a result of nearby vibrations. The new model produces none of these sounds, even if you tap it directly (though you will still obviously hear a metallic clang). In typical use scenarios (you shouldn’t purposely tap the arm while a mic is mounted and live), the neoprene sleeves prevent accidental contact from being a real issue when you move the arm.
What the arm is missing, however, is a locking mechanism such as a clamp or lever. High-end, heavy-duty mic stands with long booms, like this $500 model from Latch Lake, offer this capability, allowing you to move the arm around freely and then, when you find the optimal position, locking it in place. In any case, the PSA1+ does require you to apply force before it will budge, so you don’t have to worry about constantly readjusting its position.
An Essential Accessory
The Rode PSA1+ is an excellent recording companion. It offers several improvements over its predecessor, including a redesigned and damped internal spring, making it quieter and more graceful to operate. Really, our only complaint is the lack of a locking mechanism for the arms—few podcasters are likely to care about this omission, though musicians and sound engineers that need to mic seated vocalists (or even amps, as I have with the PSA1 in a pinch) might want an easy way to keep the mic stable and locked. But because the PSA1+ isn’t designed for those scenarios, that complaint is more of a nitpick than anything. Ultimately, the mount is a valuable addition to any setup for seated recordings, and a worthy recipient of our Editors’ Choice award.
