RØDE PSA1+ Professional Studio Arm with Spring Damping and Cable Management,Black

Product Information

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. As an aspiring podcaster and content creator, I understand the importance of having a reliable and versatile microphone arm. After extensive research, I decided to invest in the Rode PSA1+ microphone arm, known for its exceptional build quality and flexibility. In this user's review, I will share my experience with the Rode PSA1+, highlighting its key features, performance, and overall value. You can now install the PSA1 Plus directly into your desk using the newly introduced thru-desk mount system with a dedicated cable run for keeping things tidy. Whether you're podcasting, gaming or recording vocals, the PSA1 Plus will ensure you get the best take, every single time. 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

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! For me, the most impressive feature is the unit is almost silent when being moved in any direction – up, down, or side to side. This alone makes it a very useful piece of gear for interviews and recording. 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. 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. 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.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. 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.

Straight out of the box you can tell that the Rode PSA1 is built to a high standard of quality. This should be of little surprise to existing RØDE customers, who appreciate the strong build quality of their products. 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. I’m sure this is something Rode considered but with the arm being designed to swivel, adding a way of fixing it could ultimately inhibit the functionality of the stand so it isn’t really a big point to complain about! Functionality – 8/10 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.Innovative parallelogram spring design for precise placement, peerless stability and ultra-smooth movement with almost any microphone Unboxing will present you with 4 separate parts, which works well for someone like me who hates having to spread moving parts over the floor like a jigsaw! Although I didn’t get to test this, it comes across as a useful feature for any USB microphone user. The arm also includes a thread adapter for 3/8 or 5/8 which means you can attach any style of microphone. The Rode PSA1 Plus Professional Studio Boom Arm builds on the success of the original PSA1, adding a ton of new features to optimise the design and flexibility of the boom arm. The new and improved design features an innovative parallelogram spring design, providing smooth and precise placement, whilst remaining stable once in place. 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.