A Guide to the 7 Types of Microphone Stands

A Microphone stand is an indispensable tool for musicians, podcasters, broadcasters, and performers, enabling them to position microphones optimally for recording or live performances. 

Understanding the various types of microphone stands available can greatly enhance your audio setup and overall performance quality.

If you use the wrong stand or a low-quality one, you can kiss your expensive microphone goodbye because it might tip over.

This article offers a basic guide to microphone stands, revealing the seven different types as well as which setups they’re best suited for.

What is a Microphone Stand?

Microphone stands are supportive structures designed to hold microphones in place during use. They come in different types, each serving specific purposes. 

The best microphone stands are designed robustly, allowing them to stabilize your mic and reduce the risk of damage or poor sound quality.

Depending on how you use your microphone, there are several different stand types and accessories to choose from. Some stands are adjustable, while others are static. Some are heavy-duty, designed for high-impact environments, while others are not quite as sturdy.

A Guide to the 7 Types of Microphone Stand

Let’s take a look at the 7 types of microphone stands

1. Tripod Stand

Image source: Amazon

The tripod mic stand is one of the most common ones, hence it falls under the category of “standard stands”. You’ll often see this mic stand in recording studios, live stages, events, and TV programs.

The design is very straightforward. It has one straight pole with a mount at the top, and you can adjust the height. At the bottom are three feet that easily fold in and out for packing and setting up. They’re also relatively affordable.

The downside to tripod stands; you can trip over the feet if you’re not careful. This can cause it to tip over, and there goes the microphone. Look for rubber feet with grooves, such as the On-Stage MS7700B tripod shown above, because it will reduce movement.

2. Round Base Stand

Image source: Amazon

This is another standard stand that is commonly used and affordable. The pole of a round base stand is identical to that of a tripod stand, and instead of feet, it has a cylindrical or dome-shaped base. The one shown here is the Pyle PMKS5 dome-shaped round base stand.

Artists tend to prefer round base stands over tripod stands, especially during live shows, since you’re not as likely to trip over them. If the base is too wide, however, getting close to the mic can get uncomfortable and you’ll need to assume a hunched-over position.

The steadiness of a round base stand will depend on the material and weight of the base. A metal base is preferable, but it’ll be heavy to carry.

3. Tripod Boom Stand

Image source: Amazon

A tripod boom stand has the same bottom half as a standard tripod stand, but there’s an added pole attached at the top of the vertical pole, known as the boom arm.

The boom arm is what makes a tripod boom stand flexible and often more comfortable to use since you have more freedom to angle the mic. Plus, there’s little risk of tripping over its feet due to the extended reach as shown with the Amazon Basics Adjustable Boom Stand above. Singers also use this stand while sitting down.

4. Overhead Stand

Image source: Amazon

Overhead stands have a sturdier and more complex build than any of the others discussed here. Which makes them the most expensive type of mic stand.

The base either consists of a solid, triangular piece of steel or several steel legs as shown with the On-Stage SB96 Boom Overhead Stand above—and they always have lockable wheels. This allows you to push the stand without having to lift its heavy weight.

Similar to the tripod boom stand, it has a boom arm, but it reaches out much further. This is why you’ll often hear people mention “overheads” when talking about recording drums. This is the stand that’s used to capture the collective sound of a drum kit because it extends far and high.

The mount is more adjustable than any other stand’s mount. Pair this with the reach of the boom arm, and you can achieve some extreme angles with the microphone. An overhead mount is also ideal for heavier microphones, such as condensers.

5. Low-Profile Stand

Image source: Amazon

Low-profile stands, or short mic stands, are like the smaller versions of tripod boom stands. They function the same as tripod boom stands, but everything about the low-profile stand is shorter, as shown with the Stage Rocker SR610121B Low-Profile Stand above.

These stands are typically used to record sound sources that are low on the ground, such as kick drums. Hence the name “low-profile”.

6. Desktop Stand

Image source: Amazon

If you watch podcasts or live streams, you’ve probably seen this type of mic stand. A desktop stand is like a mini standard mic stand.

The Best Mic For Podcasting

The base will either be round like a round base stand like the Bilione 3-in-1 Desktop Stand above or have three legs like a tripod stand. A lot of them can also be fixed onto a surface with screws.

There is usually one, short, adjustable pole in the middle with a mount at the top. But some desktop stands also have a little boom arm.

7. Specialty Stand

Image source: Amazon

Specialty stands are an umbrella term for any type of mic stand that doesn’t fall into one of the abovementioned main categories.

Wall and ceiling mic stands are good examples. The base gets mounted onto a wall or ceiling with screws, and there are usually two connected poles, namely the vertical and horizontal arms, which makes it very flexible. These are often used for broadcasts or voice-overs.

Other specialty stands include those with clip-on bases. Instead of placing it on the ground or mounting it to a surface, you can clip it onto something such as the edge of a desk. These are great for traveling since they’re lightweight and quick to set up.

Mic stands that are designed for particular sound sources also fall into this category. For example, dual-mic stand holders for recording two sound sources at once, and neck brace mic holders that fit around your neck.

How Much Should You Spend on a Microphone Stand?

With an extremely wide price range among models, microphone stands typically vary between $10 to $500+.  

Which is an insanely wide range, considering that they all look the same in product product pictures, and rarely have any unique features worth mentioning.

So the only decent way to distinguish between the good and the bad is to try them. The problem is…you can’t just go to your local music store and try a stand to see how good it is.

Because you need to use it for several weeks or months before really knowing if it’s your best friend or worst nightmare.

Since you obviously can’t do that with every stand, a much faster alternative is to simply trust the recommendations of other musicians like yourself…who have already tried them out.

Different Types Of Microphone Stand Setups/Accessories

Microphone stands can be set up in several ways, using different pieces of equipment and optional accessories. Let’s see some of the most popular mic stand setups and accessories we can use.

Pop Filter

Pop filters are placed between the mics and the vocalist. When in position, a pop filter will prevent any excessive plosive or popping sounds from the speech or singing microphone. This accessory is vital if you want to produce clear and crisp audio.

Also referred to as a pop shield, a pop filter can be attached to a boom arm stand.

Mic Boom Arm

Not all stands come with a mic boom arm. Therefore, booms can be a good piece of equipment to add to your stock mic stand setup.

Like with the tripod boom stand, we can use boom stands to give ourselves a greater range of movement. Boom arms are attached to the straight stand, and the microphone is then attached to the boom arm via a mic clip.

The size and shape of boom stands can vary widely. There are sellers for all sorts of booms, telescoping boom arms, desk boom arms, podcast boom arms, and so on.

Shock Mount

A shock mount is used to hold condenser microphones in place. They are specifically designed to reduce low-frequency vibrations and thumps. These shock absorbers take any little movement from the condenser, giving you a clear audio free from bumping or shaking sound.

Smartphone or Tablet Mount

Using a tablet mount stand, you can position your devices in a way that makes it easier for you to perform and record. This is much easier than trying to read your device from a desk or with your hand.

This is especially useful in VO or live band situations where the talent or the singer doesn’t have to hold a smartphone or a tablet. 

Headphone Rack

When recording in a music studio, a headphone rack can come in handy for those times you need a break. Instead of putting your headphones away, you can simply place them on a convenient headphone rack on your stand.

Most musicians use a headphone rack in the studio to keep everything organized.

Things to Look Out For in a Microphone Stand

While everyone’s needs and requirements vary, most people will look for the same things when trying to find the best mic stand.

Mic stands might look identical from brand to brand, but there are some things you have to take into consideration when purchasing one.

1. Durability

In church or gig setups, microphone stands you need something that “stands” the test of time. Commonly, cheaper ones will work excellent initially then wear out over time.

Screws going loose, boom arms gradually sagging out of nowhere, or worse, the pole slipping down in the middle of a good recording session.

A good mic stand should be able to carry a decent amount of weight. Choose a microphone stand with great value, durable steel, and robust moving parts.


2. Versatility

Is the mic stand adjustable? Does it have telescoping parts where you can extend or shorten the boom for certain applications? Is it foldable enough that you can store it in a small space? Before purchasing, test out if the moving parts are working as intended.


3. Stability

A good mic stand should be able to handle enough weight. A solid stand should have a center of gravity that doesn’t topple over at the slightest movement. Moreover, the mic stand that you choose should also fit your current situation.

For instance, using a round base stand is preferable over tripod stands when using the best live vocals mic on stage to avoid tripping hazards. On the other hand, tripod stands are better when recording vocals to create distance from the base of the stand to the vocals.

Tips for Proper Microphone Stand Usage

• Always secure the microphone firmly on the stand to prevent accidental falls.
• Adjust the stand height and angle according to the performer’s needs for comfortable use.
• Use cable management solutions to keep microphone cables tidy and prevent tripping hazards.
• Regularly check and maintain the stand’s components for optimal performance and longevity.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of microphone stands and their respective benefits is essential for achieving optimal audio performance in various settings. Whether you need flexibility, stability, or mobility, there’s a mic stand designed to meet your specific requirements.

FAQs on Microphone Stands