Music Gear
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The 15 Best Mic Stands for Home Studios
Mic stands play an essential role in any producer’s workflow.
They may not be the most glamorous piece of music gear, but let’s face it—you can’t record without one!
Unfortunately, not all microphone stands are dependable for long term use in the studio.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by a flimsy stand that can’t hold its position for a critical task, you’ll know what I mean.
Luckily, there are better options out there. In this article I’m breaking down the best studio mic stands for every budget and application.
Whether you need to record a full drum kit, or just sing into a mic in your bedroom studio, there’s something on this list that will work for you.
What makes a good mic stand?
A mic stand is any device that supports your microphones so that they can be placed in the ideal locations for recording sound.
To work well, a mic stand must be adjustable enough to be convenient yet sturdy enough to maintain position.
On top of that, mic stands come in a number of shapes and sizes depending on the application.
Here’s are the top picks in the most common mic stand formats.
Best boom mic stands
Boom stands are the most popular type of mic mounting hardware found in recording studios.
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They’re made up of a tripod base supporting a vertical pole with an adjustable boom arm.
The design makes them flexible enough to work for a wide variety of microphone placement techniques.
In many cases, the adjustable boom joint takes most of the stress from daily use, so good build quality is highly recommended.
Here are three recommendations for quality boom mic stands
- K&M 210/2 Tripod Microphone Stand with Boom Arm:
Known for its durability and adjustability, with a t-bar locking screw to make sure the microphone stays in place. - Hercules Stands MS533B Hideaway Boom Stand
Made for tight spaces, the MS533B can be converted into a straight stand if needed - On-Stage MS7701B Tripod Microphone Boom Stand:
A budget-friendly option with solid construction. Suitable for both studio and live sound applications.
Best low profile mic stands
If you regularly mic kick drums or instrument amplifiers, you know you need a small format stand.
These smaller tripod-style stands are essential for positioning mics anywhere close to the floor. Make sure you have a few in your collections if you record drums or amps!
- On-Stage MS9411TB+ Pro Kick Drum Mic Stand:
Designed specifically for kick drums with a telescoping boom arm, allowing precise positioning. - K&M 25900 Low Profile Mic Stand:
With its sturdy build and adjustable height, it’s perfect for miking amps or other instruments near the floor. - Atlas Sound Low Profile Mic Stand:
A professional-grade low profile stand with a wide base to ensure stability, even with heavier mics.
Best heavy duty mic stands
Some classic studio microphone types can be difficult to mount due their weight.
I’m talking about vintage favorites like ribbon microphones and tube-powered condensers.
Not only are these mics heavy—they can be fragile. That means a fall can be catastrophic.
If you have mics like this in your collection, you’ll need to get a heavy duty mic stand to properly support them.
This type of mic stand is often attached to a heavy platform plate at the base and includes a counterweight to offset the mic’s weight over the length of the arm.
Additionally, heavy duty mic stands have a longer reach than boom stands, making them a favorite for tasks like drum overheads.
- LATCH LAKE MicKing 2200:
Engineered for strength, flexibility, and reach, ideal for weighty microphones. - K&M 21430 Heavy Duty Overhead Mic Stand:
A robust design with a long reach, suitable for drum overheads and other demanding tasks. - Ultimate Support MC-125
Known for its robust construction, featuring air suspension to prevent sudden drops when adjusting.
More on mics
Dive deep on microphones with this series of guides.
Best clip-on mic stands
Clip-on mic attachments are clips or stands designed to affix directly to the instrument they’re intended to capture.
While these are more frequently seen in live sound setups, they’re sometimes used in studios for certain tasks.
It’s especially common to see clip-on mic mounts used to attach drum microphones to the snare and toms.
However there are also some other styles of clip stands like the popular CabGrabber unit for guitar cabinets.
- Shure A56D Drum Microphone Mount:
Universal clip-on mount suitable for snares and toms, offering a secure fit without impeding play. - Audix CabGrabber:
Specifically designed for guitar cabinets, it’s easy to use in place of a traditional stand - K&M 24030 Drum Microphone Holder
Designed for drums, providing a secure and adjustable fit for precise mic placement.
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Other stand types
The three mic stand types I covered above should work situations you encounter in the studio.
But there are other stand types that might be useful depending on your needs. Here are a few options that address specific placement issues you may encounter in your studio..
- K&M 232 Table Microphone Stand
A short stand with a compact circular base small enough to sit on a tabletop. - Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm:
A desktop solution for podcasting or broadcasting, offering flexibility in a smaller studio setup.
Mic stand hardware
The stand itself is only one part of a complete microphone mounting system.
You’ll need a clip or shock mount to properly attach a microphone to the mount for recording.
Usually, clips will come included when you purchase a new microphone.
This is especially important for large diaphragm condensers, as their bodies may have a specific shape that requires a unique clip.
Called shock mounts, these specialized clips suspend the microphone with elastic bands to reduce the vibration transmitted from the stand.
In addition to clips and shock mounts, you may need special attachments for certain mic techniques or configurations.
For example, most stereo microphone setups require precise placement to yield an accurate stereo image.
A stereo bar that allows two microphones to be mounted to the same stand will help if you intend to try these techniques.
That said, there’s more than one way to get a stereo sound, so make sure you buy the correct bar for your method!
Additional stand accessories for include pop filters, headphone rests, iPad attachments, and even cup holders!
Shock mounts
These are crucial for reducing vibration and handling noise, especially with sensitive large diaphragm condensers. Most mics will come with their own specific shock mount system if they require one.
If for some reason you need an extra, or if a replacement is not available, you might consider a third-party universal shock mount instead.
Stereo bars
For precise stereo mic setups, a stereo bar allows two microphones to be mounted together.
- K&M 23550 Microphone Stereo Bar:
Provides adjustable spacing for various stereo techniques like XY or ORTF. - On-Stage MY500 Stereo Microphone Attachment Bar:
A versatile and budget-friendly option for mounting two microphones in a stereo array.
Pop filters
Essential for recording vocals, pop filters minimize plosive sounds. Check out our in-depth guide to pop filters to learn more:
Other attachments
It turns out there’s a lot you can attach to a mic stand! Here are a few less common mic stand accessories:
- Hercules DG300B Tablet Holder:
Clamps onto a mic stand, accommodating various tablet sizes for easy reference or control during recording. - K&M 16022 Drink Holder:
Attaches to the mic stand and keeps your beverage within reach without risking spillage on your equipment.
Support and position your microphones
Mic stands may seem like an afterthought, but using the right one can make a big improvement to your workflow.
After all, the positioning of your mics goes a long way to define the sound you capture.
If you haven’t taken the time to shop for the right mic stand, this guide will help you get started.
Michael Hahn is an engineer and producer at Autoland and member of the swirling indie rock trio Slight.
@Michael HahnGear guides, tips, tutorials, inspiration and more—delivered weekly.
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