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How the Rode Psa1 Made Our Recording Experience Better

My husband and I are avid music lovers. We love to play and record our songs or do some podcasts as one of our hobbies on the weekend. However, we had a problem with our microphone stand. It was a cheap and flimsy one that we bought online, and it needed to be more stable and flexible for our needs. Our former microphone stand often wobbled and made noises when we moved it, and it did not have enough reach or height to accommodate our different positions. In addition, it took up a lot of space on our desk, which was already cluttered with other equipment.

That’s why we decided to look for a better solution. We searched online for the best boom arm for our microphone and saw the Rode Psa1, a professional studio boom arm from Rode. It claimed to be a sturdy, flexible, and reliable boom arm that could support heavy microphones like the Shure SM7B. Likewise, it said it had a smooth and quiet operation, a long reach and vertical span, and an easy installation process. It sounded like the perfect boom arm for us.

Thus, we immediately ordered the product online and received it in a few days. The package included the boom arm, a desk clamp, a desk insert, an adapter, and a user manual. This boom arm was sleek and stylish, with a matte black finish. Moreover, the desk clamp and insert were solid and durable, with rubber pads to protect the desk surface. The adapter was compatible with most microphone mounts, including the one with our Shure SM7B. Notably, the user manual explained how to install the boom arm on our desk, attach our microphone to it, adjust its position and tension, and what precautions to take.

We decided to test the boom arm in different scenarios by recording several episodes using other formats and styles, such as interviews, debates, monologues, etc. The boom arm performed flawlessly in every situation. It stayed in place throughout our recordings without any wobbling or noises. Similarly, it had enough reach and height to accommodate our different sitting or standing positions.

Features of the Rode Psa1

The Rode Psa1 has several features that make it stand out from other boom arms on the market. Below are some of them:

Innovative parallelogram design. The Rode Psa1 features an innovative parallelogram design that keeps the mic direction constant as the height is adjusted. In short, you don’t have to worry about your mic pointing in the wrong direction or losing its balance when you move the boom arm up or down.
Internal springs for quiet operation. It has internal springs fully damped and covered with neoprene to eliminate mechanical noise. Hence, you can move the boom arm without creating unwanted sounds that might interfere with your recording or broadcasting.
It has integrated cable management. Moreover, the Rode Psa1 has a built-in cable management system that allows you to run both USB and XLR cables along the boom arm. Thus, it keeps your setup tidy and prevents cable noise from affecting your sound quality.
Compatible with any microphone or shock mount. Additionally, it can support any microphone or shock mount using a standard thread, weighing between 700g and 1.1kg. Also, you can mount both end and side-address microphones, either downward or upright.
It can be extended at 360-degree rotation. The Rode Psa1 has a horizontal of 820mm and a vertical of 840mm, allowing you to position your microphone exactly where you need it. Besides, it has a full 360-degree rotation for maximum flexibility. Equally important, you can easily adjust the angle of your mic using the high-quality locking nuts on the mounting system.
Threaded desk insert and desk mount clamp included. It has a threaded desk insert and a desk mount clamp, so you can easily attach it to any desk or table. Similarly, the desk mount clamp has a padded surface to protect your desk from scratches and can fit desks up to 55mm thick.

Advantages of the Rode Psa1

The Rode Psa1 has many advantages that make it a good choice for anyone who needs a professional studio boom arm for their microphone.

Professional sound quality and performance. The Rode Psa1 provides superior isolation from keyboard, mouse, and desk noise and any knocks or bumps that might occur during your recording or broadcasting. In addition, it ensures that your mic stays in place and maintains its direction even when you adjust the height of the boom arm. Similarly, it helps you achieve professional sound quality and performance every time.
Sleek and elegant design. Indeed, it has a sleek and elegant design that complements any studio environment. It has a black finish and a minimalist look that will not distract from your content. Moreover, this arm has a discreet logo on the base of the boom arm that shows off its brand without being too flashy.
Reasonable price tag. The Rode Psa1 has an affordable price tag for its quality and features. However, it is not the cheapest boom arm on the market but not the most expensive. Without a doubt, it offers good value for money and comes with a 10-year warranty from Rode.

Cons of the Rode Psa1

On the other hand, the Rode Psa1 has some drawbacks; below are some of them:

It has limited weight capacity. It can only support microphones or shock mounts weighing between 700g and 1.1kg. The boom arm is made of aluminum, which is strong but less robust than steel. If you have a very heavy microphone or shock mount, it may be too much weight for the arm to support.
It requires some assembly. Also, it requires some assembly before you can use it. First, attach the boom arm to the base using an Allen key (included), and then attach the desk mount clamp or threaded desk insert to your desk using a screwdriver (not included). Next, you can run your cable along the boom arm using the cable clips provided. It might take time and effort, especially if you need to be more handy with tools.
It might only fit some desks. The Rode Psa1 has two options for attaching to your desk: a desk mount clamp and a threaded desk insert. However, these options only fit some desks. The desk mount clamp can fit desks up to 55mm thick, while the threaded desk insert can fit up to 70mm wide. If your desk is more expansive than that, you might not be able to use this boom arm.

Conclusion

We highly recommend the Rode Psa1 to anyone who needs a professional studio boom arm for their microphone. It will make your recordings more smooth and comfortable.

What do you think of the Rode Psa1? Do you have any questions or comments? Let us know in the section below. Thank you for reading, and we’ll see you next time!

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