The Best Mic Stands and Mounting Solutions
Table of Contents
Your Ultimate Guide to Mic Stands and Mounts
Whether you’re an artist, podcaster, or gamer, mic stands are one of the most essential items you must have in a studio or on stage. They are the best mounting solutions so you can perfect stereo recording techniques, give a memorable performance, or efficiently record content.
With all that said, we’ve sourced some of the best mic stands for varying applications and preferences so you can choose the right one for you!
Which Are the Top Picks for Mic Stands?
Ultimate Support MC-125The Ultimate Support MC-125 is a no-frills heavy-duty mic stand with a hybrid design for added support and security. | Pyle Desktop Mic StandThe Pyle Desktop Mic Stand is simple and compact yet sturdy enough to keep your microphone stable on your desktop. | OnStage MS7701B Tripod Microphone Boom StandThe OnStage MS7701B is a tripod boom mic stand with heigh-adjustment, foldable legs, and boom clamp making it versatile for various uses. |
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Let’s Go Over Each Mic Stand and Mount
#1: Ultimate Support MC-125
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With numerous mounting solutions on the market, the Ultimate Support MC-125 takes the cake as the best microphone stand. The MC-125 is the definition of a true mic stand workhorse as it is made out of steel, functions as a tripod boom, is hugely extendable, and has an adjustable counterweight.
Taking inspiration from “basic” or traditional mic stands, the MC-125 keeps a sleek and simple style. However, the difference lies with its solid cast-metal hybrid base that boasts a circular and tripod base design. Such a base keeps the stand sturdy and provides maximum stability even when it is carrying heavier mics.
Another important factor when choosing a mic stand is the weight distribution. The MC-125 has an impressive 2.58kg counterweight. This makes the MC-125 not too light that it would tip over when carrying heavier mics but also not too heavy that it would be a burden to carry.
The MC-125 also has height adjustment features for reliable and easy positioning. The mic pole adjustment ranges from 51.5” to 82.75” while the boom arm extends from 35” to 61”. With such height measurements and flexibility, the MC-125 is a good mount to use for drum overheads for example.
Another reason why the MC-125 is heavy-duty is its locking mechanism. The MC-125 has lockable castors at each corner, which keeps the base secure on stage or inside the studio. It also has an air suspension feature so it can prevent sudden drops when being adjusted.
Pros and Cons of the Ultimate Support MC-125
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✔ Good quality ✔ Can carry heavier microphones ✔ Hybrid base design ✔ Lockable castor ✔ Height can be adjusted ✔ Good counterweight ✔ Can be used for drum overheads | ✖️ Pricey |
#2. Pyle Desktop Mic Stand
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Unlike other stands in this list, the Pyle Desktop-Mounted Mic Stand is the only mount for tabletop applications we’ve included. It’s also one of the cheaper stands you can find.
With its compact size and small-scale functionality, the Pyle Desktop can fit in tight spaces and allow for easy storage. However, don’t let the small size fool you as this instrument has an adjustable gooseneck and a 360-bendable shaft, which is essential for positioning mics.
Although this mic stand weighs light, it has a U-shape base stand made out of cast iron to provide stability and balance. To help keep microphones in place and secure, the Pyle Desktop Mic Stand also has a 2.02 lbs counterweight.
Overall, the Pyle is a classic example of how a simple and basic style can do just the trick.
Pros and Cons of Pyle Desktop Mic Stand
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✔ Affordable ✔ Great stand for desktop use ✔ Simple ✔ Small footprint ✔ Adjustable and flexible | ✖️ Limited to desktop applications ✖️ Not for heavier and larger microphones |
#3: OnStage MS7701B Tripod Microphone Boom Stand
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Great quality and versatile microphone stands don’t come cheap but the OnStage MS7701B Tripod Microphone Boom Stand may just prove us wrong. This microphone stand can be used inside the studio or on stage and it can be converted into a traditional straight tripod or be used as a tripod boom stand.
With such functions and features, it’s easy to assume that the OnStage MS7701B would be expensive, but it’s one of the cheaper stands priced mid-range.
The OnStage MS7701B has a minimum height of 32” and a maximum height of 61.5”, which can be adjusted according to your preference and intended use. Although you cannot use this for your kick drums, it is tall enough to be used as an overhead for your drum kit.
While it does not have a telescopic boom arm, the OnStage MS7701B can make for one of the best boom mic stands. It provides a reach of 35.8”, has an attached boom and main shaft that’s industry standard and is specifically designed to be compatible with standard mic clips and accessories.
Although the OnStage MS7701B is lightweight, it is durable enough to hold up heavy or large microphones. It has tripod stands with nonslip rubber feet so it can stay in position may it be on stage or varying floor types in the studio. The tripod stands also help with distributing the weight evenly to keep the microphone stand balanced.
Pros and Cons of the OnStage MS7701B Tripod Microphone Boom Stand
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✔ Versatile ✔ Can function as a straight microphone stand and tripod boom stand ✔ Great value for money ✔ Adjustable height ✔ Removable boom arm ✔ Can be used inside the studio or on stage | ✖️ Non-telescoping boom arm |
#4: Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0821 Short-Weighted Base Microphone Stand
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The Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0821 is one of the best mic stands you can use for low-profile miking. It’s not the most common type of design you would see for a microphone stand but that’s exactly why it’s one of the best.
The GFW-MIC-0821 has a specialized design specific to miking kick drums, guitar amps, guitar cabinets, and sound sources positioned at lower heights. The short height of the Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0821 also makes it one of the best studio mics stands or stage microphone stands to use to close-mic deep, bass-heavy sounds.
The small size of the GFW-MIC-0821 won’t take up much floor space but it also won’t be easily knocked over. Although it only weighs 7 pounds, the GFW-MIC-0821 is base-weighted for balance and stability. The U-shape base design also helps with keeping this microphone stand in place even if the floor is already shaking.
Aside from having a microphone holder, the GFW-MIC-0821 also has a microphone clip for added security in keeping mics in position. Overall, this makes the Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0821 one of the best-specialized microphone stands in the market.
Pros and Cons of the Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0821
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✔ Specialized to close-mik bass-heavy sounds, kick drums, guitar cabs, and low-height sources ✔ Sturdy and durable ✔ Compact ✔ Mic clips included | ✖️ No multiple microphone holders |
#5: K&M – König & Meyer 260/1
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If you’re looking for cheap boom stands that are still quality, then the Samson MK10 should be on the top of your list. It’s not often you come across microphone stands that are durable, affordable, and somewhat versatile but the Samson MK10 is an outlier.
It is a simple and budget-friendly microphone stand that is ideal for live stage and studio settings. This boom mic stands at 26” to 71” making it perfect for miking low to mid-positioned sound sources. Although it’s included in the lightweight microphone stands category, the MK10 makes up for it by having a tripod base with rubber feet for stability and grip.
For added security, the Samson MK10 adjustable microphone stand has included microphone clips. This helps keep microphones in place. However, due to how light the MK10 stand is, we recommend that you refrain from placing heavy and large microphones on its holder.
At the end of the day, the Samson MK10 is one of the microphones stands that will make you say, “What you see is what you get”, and you will not regret purchasing it considering the price.
Pros and Cons of the K&M – König & Meyer 260/1
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✔️ Sturdy flat round heavy-duty cast-iron base ✔️ Simple clutch mechanism ✔️ Equipped with anti-vibration design ✔️ High-quality steel and a black soft-touch powder-coated finish | ✖️ Weight may be cumbersome for some users ✖️ No included accessories |
What Are the Best Mic Stands for Professionals?
There are plenty of professional-standard microphone stands and some of them are already included in this list. However, for heavy-duty use, plenty of professionals would opt for the Tama Iron Works Telescoping Boom Stand MS756BK. With a telescoping boom arm, tripod legs design, and durable build, this desk gear is a favorite for studio and stage applications.
For round base stands, the Atlas Sound MS20E is also preferred by many professionals. Its simple and sleek design does not serve as a distraction but the durable build and evenly-balanced weight make it an all-around great microphone stand.
Final Note
Microphone stands are essential accessories for recording or performing. These mounting solutions can help give you a stable recording and make sure that each sound source is captured, which is why you need to research and know the best mic stands out there!
Editor’s Choice
Ultimate Support MC-125
The Ultimate Support MC-125 is a solid workhorse that can be used in the studio or on stage. It’s a tripod boom that boasts a hybrid base design and is made out of quality steel.
Its height can be easily adjusted, its counterweight is extended and has a locking screw that overall help keep the stand and mic secure.