Microphone stand

A microphone stand

A microphone stand or mic stand is a free-standing mount for a microphone. It allows the microphone to be positioned in the studio, on stage or on location without requiring a person to hold it.

The most basic mic stand is called a "straight stand". It uses a dome-shaped round metal base into which is threaded a post for mounting the microphone on. This post may well be made up of two or more telescoping tubes which fit inside each other, allowing for quick (usually one handed) height adjustment of the stand. The mechanism for adjusting the height is called the clutch.

There are various versions of the straight stand known as the "desk stand" (short version of straight stand) and heavy duty mic stand (heavier base and larger tubes) to handle heavy microphones. The tubes used on the straight stand are usually a shiny chrome plating (resists scratching) but may also be finished in a matte black which does not reflect light.

A very popular updated version of the straight stand uses the "folding tripod base stand" instead of the round, domed metal base. This folding base allows for easier packing of the stand when moving from location to location and reduces the weight of the stand. However, to compensate for the lack of weight at the base while still maintaining stability, the three "feet" of the tripod must extend out beyond the radius of a round base. The trade-off is that these "feet" may become a trip-hazard on a dark stage.

There are a number of accessories that make microphone stands more useful. Most of these are designed for getting the microphone closer to the user without placing the upright portion of the stand directly in front of the performer.

A "boom arm" can be attached to the top of the stand in order to allow the placement of the microphone to be moved in the horizontal plane. This might, for example, allow a guitar player to place the microphone directly in front of his mouth without having the upright portion of the stand in the way of the guitar. It also allows the mic to be placed closer to the sound source when floor space is at a premium. This can be particularly useful when placing microphones on a drum stand when the mic stands must compete for space with things like cymbal stands.

Boom arms are offered both in fixed length and adjustable (telescoping) lengths.

Another handy device for adjusting microphone placement is the "goose neck". A goose neck, made of a twisted core of spring steel, allows for infinite adjustability in microphone placement. They are made in a number of lengths and finishes and provide the ability to make minute changes in mic position.

Mics are attached using a detachable mic holder screwed to the end of the boom. (Some mics screw directly onto the boom.) The screw threads are:

• ⅝″ 27 threads per inch (tpi) Unified Special thread (UNS, US and the rest of the world)
• ¼″ BSW (not common in the US, used in the rest of the world)
• ⅜″ BSW (not common in the US, used in the rest of the world)

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  Desktop microphone stand

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  Shure model S36 desktop mike stand

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  Mike stand with folding tripod base, boom arm, and shock mount