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. 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. This in reality is perfect for a podcaster as the likelihood is you aren’t going to be recording on a heavy, vintage tube mic or a lightweight SM58. Something like a Blue Yeti would be a perfect fit for the arm. Recording – 9/10 The 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 I would have liked an extra few clips to keep the cable tight and stop any sag, which would add extra protection from noise, but that is mostly from an aesthetic standpoint.

Not only do they add a level of sleekness to the appearance of Rode PSA1+, the sleeve houses an innovative cable management system, making it much easier to keep your microphone cables looking neat and tidy.The spring-loaded arms are both metals, so there’s no need to worry about them suffering damage over time or through extended use. There isn’t a way of fixing this into the desk clamp, instead it just slots in. This would have been a nice touch however the arm slots in deep enough to not cause any concern. The 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.

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.Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the UK, EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided. 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 Thoughts One item that would have made a nice extra is a storage or carry case. Chances are, if you are fixing the Rode PSA1 to your desk, you won’t be travelling with it. But as the boom arm is spring-loaded it does make it a little awkward to store (unless you want to keep the original box). 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 Cable management can be a hassle, but the Rode PSA1+ simplifies the process. The internal cable management system keeps the microphone cable neatly organized and hidden within the arm itself. This feature not only ensures a clutter-free workspace but also prevents any tangling or interference with the arm's movement. It's a small detail, but it makes a significant difference in maintaining a clean and professional setup.

A concern when mounting this to your desk is that it’s going to fall over or cause damage but the clamp is sturdy and gave no reason to worry that your mic is going to tumble down mid recording session.

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. 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. 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. Innovative Parallelogramm-Federkonstruktion für präzise Mikrofonplatzierung und reibungslose Bewegung

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.

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. 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. As part of a studio rebuild I bought four of these booms to replace some aging and very twangy booms of dubious origin! Our main studio uses the SM7B and the PSA-1 supports these very well, balance is perfect and with a little patience feeding the mic cable through the channel in the upper leg of the arms and down through the centre of the base spigot gives a superbly sleek finish. As our guest positions were a custom made desk it was great to to use the circular flush desk mount drilled into the surface with its neat nylon collar (to avoid metal on metal) and a chrome bezel with the Rode logo on it. Nice touch of quality from end to end. The SM7B is hung from the spigot in it's classic formation and looks the part but he only point to note is the microphone's XLR connector casting restricts the horizontal movement a little at extremes but this isn't detrimental to normal use.