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

Product Information

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. 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. 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! It also has the option to run a small cable INSIDE the arm for a USB microphone, which has been added via a secondary inner cable clip specially designed for USB microphones such as Rode NT-USB-Mini.

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. 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. 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 ThoughtsAs I’ve mentioned, setting up the Rode PSA1 was very simple and probably took a maximum of 10 minutes. Boom arms can be a little fiddly to get in place and this was something that I did feel was a bit of an issue with this product at first. But this is the point of the PSA1 – a live-streamer isn’t going to sit completely still, they will be animated and moving around, and Rode clearly realized this when designing this stand. 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. However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers. 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.

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. Collection and delivery costs are included for the first 2 years in the event of an item becoming faulty 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. 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. Although I only tested it with two small form condenser mics, it is stated as being able to support up to 1.2kgs steadilyIt glides really smoothly but stops dead in position, which makes it feel abundant with quality every time you use it. 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. Of course, some live-streamers will prefer to stand rather than sit, and this is something Rode has accommodated as well with the PSA1. The vertical reach of the boom arm is approximately 840mm (or 33 inches) meaning if you are more animated and want the flexibility to stand up you can do so without any awkward adjustments. 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. 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.

Overall I was very impressed with the PSA1 studio boom arm. It was an addition to my setup that I never thought of as essential, but now, having used it, I couldn’t see myself without one. 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). Extended reach and 360-degree rotation, offering maximum flexibility in any home or studio application 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.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.

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. 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 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 OperatorThe 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.