You’ve just got your Blue Snowball Mic and you now need to set it up for your preferred voice recording and/or vocalizing quality. Though this voice-chatting mic comes with a special mic stand to help you with the setup, you may need separate mic stands for better experience.
In this article, we take you through some of the best Blue Snowball mics stands on the market today.
Table of Contents
- Our Pick: Knox Studio Boom Arm & Pop Filter
- Bang For The Buck: Neewer Arm Stand
- On Stage Stand: On Stage Stands Ms7701b
- Also Great: Rode Psa1 Boom Arm
- Why You Need The Right Mic Stand For Your Blue Snowball Mic
- What Are The Benefits Of Using Condenser (Desktop Dynamic) Mic Stands?
- Choosing A Suitable Blue Snowball Mic Stand For Your Tasks
- Conclusion
Our Pick: Knox Studio Boom Arm & Pop Filter
Many individuals prefer using boom arms today, as opposed to the traditional stands. And since not all mics are made equal, boom arms have taken over the industry thanks to their ability to help you sound excellent without much effort.
The arm allows you maintain the right distance between the microphone and the mouth, as you adopt a natural posture and remain relaxed for the right recording quality.
That said, the Knox Studio Boom Arm is one of my favorite alternatives for recording vocals, creating podcasts and adding narration to home movies. It comes with features, which can be compared to those facilitated by advanced studio arms while being notably affordable.
The Knox Studio Boom Arm is made of metal, making it strong and durable –passes the test of time without a doubt. Concurrently, it is stable and weighs just enough (1.8 lbs.) so that it doesn’t move.
Its in-built spring mechanism makes it flexible and users can easily change the arm’s position as it holds on the Blue Snowball mic firmly. One amazing thing about this stand is that comes with the Snowball ICE Black mic, meaning it’s accompanied by everything needed to record, apart from the microphone mount.
Speaking of mounting screw compatibility, this stand is excellent for all microphones with 5/8″ threading. Moving on, another amazing thing is how it works well with most microphones and microphone holders.
Through my experience using this boom arm, I noticed that moving it is a breeze and delivers good performance.
The only thing I never liked about the Knox Studio Boom Arm is the reduced room for upgrades since it comes with the pop filter only.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Flexible mounting options
- Silent and easy (stress-free) to move around
Cons
- Minimal room for upgrades
- The thumb screw is so weak
- It can only be installed with a specific desk thickness of not more than 55mm
Bang For The Buck: Neewer Arm Stand
If you’re on a tight budget and still want a high performing model, I would recommend the NEEWER boom arm stand. From my records, its actually one of the bestselling models in every right.
This model offers most of the things needed for that high-quality recording whether in your house, radio recording studio, TV stations, stages or voice-over studio. You just can’t miss it.
With a maximum microphone clip diameter of 1.26”, this stand is compatible with most mics including your Blue Snowball mic. The stand features a small black adapter that can be detached and has the right size to screw into the bottom of your mic.
Having been made of high-quality steel frame, this scissor arm stand is durable and very foldable. The adjustable (flexible) arms make it portable and easily adjust to suitable height and angle for the perfect recording.
Another amazing thing about this stand is the table mounting clamp that can be used to mount it on the announcer’s table. Once you mount it and lock down the moving parts, other necessary movements remain solid and smooth.
For the many years have used this boom arm stand, I’ve learned that its ideal for tables with a thickness (width) of up to 1.75 inches and supports mics weighing of up to 2kg.
One thing I don’t like about this stand is the noisy springs, which will require you to always put the setup on a shock mount.
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent build quality
- Works with all types of mics
Cons
- The microphones joint is not the sturdiest option – poorly designed and only works via pressure
- Springs cause a lot of noise that can affect the quality your recordings
- It doesn’t have the longest reach
On Stage Stand: On Stage Stands Ms7701b
Let’s now get fancier things with better looks and more quality. The On-Stage Stands MS7701B is designed for the stage and simply takes you wherever the music needs to take you. It is popularly known as the euro boom mic stand.
My favorite feature of the MS7701B stand is that mid-point locking clutch that is adjustable in height and you’ll never have to worry about the stand collapsing, even under pressure and weight from your Blue Snowball mic.
Being among the most popular on stage mic stands on the planet, you’re bound to come across several reviews about its quality and performance. From my experience using this stand, it has warmed its way through my heart for being solid, portable and reliable.
It is also surprisingly affordable and features a 36” boom that allows you to position your mic easily.
With a merged leg housing and hybrid sheet metal, the MS7701B makes a good on stage stand. The solid cast end has 5/8-27 standard threads, making the stand compatible with most microphones. Not forgetting to also mention the clip-on cable holder for a spectacular stage experience.
Pros
- This stand is all-purpose since it can be used on stage and in studio
- It’s affordable and lightweight for a better on stage experience
- It features a clutch (die-cast zinc) that can lock the vertical shaft at different heights (from 36 to 63 inches)
Cons
- I wouldn’t recommend it for a road trip since its durability is questionable
- Not suitable for rough and tough situations
- No special features for special on-stage experience
Also Great: Rode Psa1 Boom Arm
If you’re looking a boom arm for a professional use with you Blue Snowball mic, then you need to know more about the Rode PSA1. This is actually the most popular boom arm for professional podcasters and successful YouTubers for its high quality and ability to support heavier mics.
So, if you’re a podcaster looking to step up your game, the Rode PSA1 has some of your favorite features that have been widely appreciated by seasoned podcasters, among other interested parties. It is made of metal and feels very solid and durable.
It weighs enough to give the feeling of stability when moving the arm around, and enough strength to hold your mic securely.
Like most studio and house booms arms, the Rode PSA1 features a built-in spring mechanism making it very flexible and you can easily change the arm’s position. The internal spring mechanism is designed in such a manner to allow the arm stay still in whatever position (point) you leave it.
It can rotate for a whole 360 degrees with a maximum vertical and horizontal of 33 and 32.5 inches respectively.
It includes a thread adapter that is able to covert the mic mount from the normal 3/8” to the useful 5/8” size, making it compatible with most microphones.
Then there’s the two-desk mounting option, thanks to the 2-axis swivel mount for perfect positioning.
Pros
- 2 desk mounting option makes it a convenient option for podcasters out there
- You can use the Velcro ties to secure the mic cable
- Quick and easy to set up
Cons
- The clamp is compatible with a desk thickness of up to 55mm only
- Slightly overpriced
- Not a great option for beginners
Why You Need The Right Mic Stand For Your Blue Snowball Mic
When I acquired the Blue Snowball Mic for my voice-chatting needs, I was left wondering about the mic stand as it was pretty bulky for my desk. I just wanted it suspended (hanged) next to me so I could move it back and forth if need be, and still make more space on my desk for other accessories.
Though the original Blue Snowball mic desktop tripod stand can serve most users, I found it inconvenient for my tasks and may be unfitting for someone looking for the right recording quality.
Some of its drawbacks include:
High sensitivity to desktop vibrations. Short mic stand that would require you to always move closer to the mic.
It picks up noise from keyboard typing, which affects the mic’s recording quality. The stand occupies most space, making it space inefficient especially if you’re to work from a small desk.
I went out looking for the right stand that would satisfy my recording needs and came across several stands, which I would recommend.
First things first.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Condenser (Desktop Dynamic) Mic Stands?
More Stable Mic Setup
We all have different uses for our mics and our set-up requirements may differ from person to person. For instance, I always want to add some useful accessories such as windshield, pop-filter, and shock-mount on my mic.
Since the original stands that come in the package may lack useful features for upgrading my set up, I’ll always find a compatible stand that would accommodate my upgrades and still support the added up weight comfortably.
Space Efficiency
It’s important to make good use of every little available space on your desk for convenience. It’s recommended you use a mic stand that will occupy the least space on your desktop for a better experience.
Desktop Noise Resistance
Most users have complained about their mic’s picking up keyboard typing sounds, vibration from the PC, and other desktop noise that may arise from your space. Thanks to the latest technology, we have several stands able to avoid picking up various desktop noise for better recording.
With these benefits of using condenser mic stands, here are the primary things to take into consideration when shopping for your Blue Snowball mic stands.
Choosing A Suitable Blue Snowball Mic Stand For Your Tasks
I’ve learned that the single most important thing you must consider when deciding on the proper mic stand for your Blue Snowball is the compatibility of screw-head itself. Though you’ll have to take other things to do with application and height seriously too, mounting screw compatibility must come first.
Mounting Screw Compatibility
Every mic stand uses a specific size of mounting screw, which varies depending on size. The most common sizes include the 3/8″ and 5/8″, hence you needed to know the size of your mounting screw before you go looking for a mic stand.
Snowball mostly uses the standard 5/8 inch thread head, meaning the right side of the mounting screw must be in 5/8″.
In situations where the mounting thread sizes are different (for example a mic on 3/8″ and a mic stand using the 5/8″), you can remove the screw-bracket attached to the lower end of the mic to make it compatible with the 5/8″ mounting size.
Intended Use (Application)
I know some individuals may take this as the first factor because it influences the type of microphone needed. In most cases it either the mic stand will be used in a recording studio or on stage for live performance. The activities during the performance and recording sessions largely affect other factors that you need to take into consideration.
For podcasters who are always on the keyboard typing, writing or clinking the mouse as they record, you may consider the boom arm mic stands.
If you’re a singer the most recommend types include round base, boom arm, and tripod mic stands, which are suitable for most desktop and stage activities.
Height Range
The stand’s height should be adjustable to make it convenient for different tasks, depending on the user’s specific needs.
Desktop Space
This is another factor that largely affects the type of stand you may choose. If your desk has enough space you can use the round or tripod base. In case you have limited space with no room for additional setups, then I would recommend the scissor boom arm stand that is adjustable and extendable.
Mic Setups
Depending on your intended use and other requirements, you may choose to upgrade your mic setup with useful accessories such as shock-mount, pop-filter, windshield, etc. Thus you need special mic stand that will accommodate the additional accessories and still support the additional weight comfortably.
If your mic setups are heavy, it’s better to find a mic stand with a stronger base and frame.
Portability
This was one of my primary factors, and I guess it should be yours too. If you need to have a recommendable experience with your lovely snowball mic, you’ll need a flexible and portable mic stand for whatever thing you’re doing, wither recordings or performances.
Budget
Lastly, Money. Although the price may not be a primary concern for most individuals, it feels good to get a quality stand at an affordable price. Make sure you get a more advanced and solid-built mic stand, from the best deal
So, if you want to enjoy your Blue Snowball mic experience, you need to get the right mic stand.
Conclusion
From the above-mentioned mic stands you’ll be able to easily settle on your favorite tool depending on your interests. Simply have your priorities in line when you go out shopping.
For this piece, the Knox Studio Boom Arm stands out for me because I love working with boom arm stands. It’s also unique with some special features making a better option for my job.
Photo by Blue Designs, Modified by Author.