- Anthony
It is possible to make a stand mic. All you could need is the right materials and some skills. Hooke Audio will provide some helpful tips on how to make a microphone stand.
A microphone stand is an amount that can be used to support a microphone. The microphone stand allows you to position the microphone in the studio, stage, or location.
It is an indispensable item that plays a major role in creating the highest quality sound. Without a stand, your mic won’t produce the best sound quality.
Contents
Considerations for a Mic Stand
A mic stand is a tool that can be used to enhance your productivity. Here are some things you could keep in mind when making a microphone stand:
Flexibility
Although mics are not mobile, you want them to be able to move around enough and cheap. To move the mic around in comfort, you should have the ability to adjust the poles at any time. Even the simplest DIY mic stands are adjustable to allow the user to adjust the position of the mic.
Stability
The perfect balance of flexibility and stability is what a mic stand should offer. While you may be able to move your mic around as often as you like, it must also be stable enough that it can hold its place. You don’t want your mic stand to be unstable and cause damage.
Durability
Mice are heavy and can even weigh more than the mic stand if you decide to make one. This is something you should consider before making a cheaper DIY mic stand.
A first DIY mic stand is not something you can afford enough. DIY mic serves one purpose: to hold your microphone. It should not be cheap for its durability.
Aesthetics
Although the appearance of your mic stand may not be as important, it would be still an important aspect to consider. Your mic stand should blend in with the decor of your room.
It is best to spend more on aesthetics when designing your mic stand. If the DIY stand is not creative and unique, it shouldn’t look cheap microphone stand.
Before you look at the many options for mic stands, you need to make sure you check each of these. You don’t need to spend a lot on a mic stand. However, these four essential elements should be part of your setup.
Making Microphone Stands
The items needed to make this DIY mic stand can be found cheaper in most hardware stores, such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. Please keep reading to learn how to make a mic stand and the benefits each piece can bring to a professional boom mic stand.
A wooden base. Any flat slab of timber will work.
- (2) 0.5-inch threaded union Tees
- (2) 1.5-inch lengths of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe. One measuring 2′, the other 1′.
- (2) 1.5-inch slip-threaded adapters
- (1) 1.5-inch slip-snap PVC joint threaded
- (1) 1 0.5 inch elbow joint
- (1) Threaded pipe measuring 0.5 inches
- (1) Threaded pipe flange 0.5 inches
Let’s start step by step with the boom microphone stand. A boom microphone is simply a microphone attached to a boom arm. Your microphone can be mounted using the arm, which is an adjustable and extendable piece of equipment.
These microphones are often used for film production, but they can also record audio or singing for personal use. The arm balances audio quality and prevents sources from being in the frame.
Making a cheap boom mic stand is difficult because professional ones come with many pivot joints. A microphone stand allows you to adjust the angle of your mic in millions of different ways.
These joints are not easily found in hardware stores to use union tees for a similar effect.
1. The Boom Arm
You will first need to remove the rubber ring at one end of each union tie. To make any adjustments, tighten or loosen only one of the caps. After removing the ring from one end and loosening the other, slide the PVC pieces into the union tees.
2. Continued by the Boom Arm
That’s great! We now have two adjustable tees. It’s now time to attach the 2′ longer tee to a 1′ shorter tee using one of our threaded adapters measuring 0.5 inches to make a stand.
The threaded end fits seamlessly into the base. The slip end will snugly fit over the shortest PVC pipe. To ensure extra security, you can use heavy-duty glue to hold the adapter and PVC pipe together.
3. The Clip
You could make your microphone clip, but why not create your masterpiece?
This brings us to the slip-snap joints. This joint is very similar to the threaded tee joint but has an open-top.
This is a great way to improve your microphone’s performance. You can also use a simple 0.5-inch tee fitting if you cannot search the slip snap at your local Hardware Store or Home Depot.
Although your microphone won’t snap in, it should slide in smoothly. Make sure your microphone clip assembly is attached to your boom arm via the 0.5-inch elbow joint.
4. The Base
The last and most difficult step is the hardest. Get ready to make this one up to the finish. Your mic will probably be heavier because the PVC boom arm is so light and cheap.
This means that we need a solid, sturdy, and weight-holding base to make. The DIY mic stand must not tip over. It will not flex or quiver due to the threaded tee joints on the boom arm and the threaded pipes. This ensures that it is not tipping over.
Let’s now make it a mic stand! Attach the 0.5-inch threaded adapter plates to your wooden base. The adapter plate will perfectly fit the PVC pipe, and the boom arm assembly will attach to the top wooden base.
This technique is crucial in ensuring a solid base. Although it may seem cheaper to use a PVC pipe as a base, PVC pipe will bend and tip your microphones’ weight.
Ensure to keep the diameter of the fittings in your mind and take your microphone to the store to check that they fit. The cheap PVC pipes and connectors should have a larger size.
Voila! Now you have a cheap functional mic stand. This cheap DIY mic stand design would be functional and can be modified to suit your needs. Mic stands typically cost $30 are cheap to make, so don’t spend more cost than you would on a new item.
Set Up a Microphone Stand
Perhaps you are the other half of this audience and would like to learn how to set up your microphone using an existing microphone stand. Perhaps you just cost a mic stand, or it has been sitting there in a box. Don’t worry. There’s a tutorial.
It would be best if you always had your kit/package ready for you. Make sure to read the instructions before you start. This will help ensure that you don’t miss any pieces.
The standard DIY microphone stand packages can include, but are not limited to:
- A shock mount holder
- The suspension boom
- Table clamp
These kits are not suitable for professionals or those who podcast full time. This is your basic, standard solution to hold your microphone in one place.
Desk Clamp
First, grab your table clamp and attach it to your desk. Pick the location you want your boom arm. You may need to tighten or screw some clamps.
Suspension Arm
Once the clamp has been secured and tightened, you can insert your suspension arm. You will make approximately three to four feet of horizontal play and travel.
Also read:
Mic Holder
The shock mount holder will be last. Make it on top of the stand and screw it in place by hand. The holder included with a shotgun microphone may be useful. The shock mount is compatible with condenser microphones as long as they are used.
Pro Tips
Let’s discuss shotgun microphones. RODE is a leading manufacturer of this type of microphone. The shotgun microphone can be moved in any direction but must always be pointed at the sound source.
These DIY microphones can pick up sound very well when they are directly in front of it. However, sound can be affected if the head is moved around.
The unique shape of a shotgun’s barrel and body gives it its name. These can be fixed by ensuring your table clamps are secured, and everything is appropriate.
If you have a chair that you can use for recording or singing, I highly recommend making sure you use your lifts or levers to get in front of the microphone. This will allow you to have the best sound experience.
Some kits don’t include add-ons that can improve microphone quality, such as pop filters. Pop filters are small to medium-sized accessories that can be slipped over the suspension arm.
They enhance your audio quality by eliminating popping sounds from mechanical, fast-moving air. This accessory is the best for improving the audio standards and reducing background noise.
A windscreen is similar to a pop filter, but it’s designed to keep dirt and moisture from your microphone. It would also help to eliminate unwanted sounds such as breathing or air moving.
An XLR (External line Return) mixer is another useful item. It’s as simple as plugging your microphone into the XLR inputs of your mixer. You don’t need your cable because suspension arms often have an XLR cable built into them. This is so cool!
Soundproofing tiles are a great way to reduce noise. They’re very affordable and can be tacked on easily to the walls of your recording area. You won’t hear rainstorms or cars passing by in your audio background again unless that is something you enjoy.
High-quality sound will provide you with more entertainment options for your viewers or audience members, as well as a comfortable environment for you to work in.
You must always put your audio first, whether recording music, voiceovers, videos for insomnia, tutorials, or podcasts. Do not panic if you are starting and don’t have the funds to invest in a microphone stand.
If you are an established creator and cannot find the boost you need to make your content stand out, you might consider upgrading your equipment.
Microphones are more popular than ever in this new era of content creation and podcasting. Creative success is possible by setting up live streams and creating audio in your own home.
My DIY microphone stand setup and audio standard are crucial to my success as a live streamer. Although I had very little equipment when I started to make a stand, tutorials like these helped me improve my sound quality and get the best from my recordings.
The ability to use a microphone stand and add-on accessories and find the best microphone for making streaming easier. My viewers also returned and enjoyed my content because it was a better sound standard.
How Tall Should A Mic Stand Be?
The height of a mic stand depends on various factors, including the intended purpose, the user’s height, and the type of microphone being used.
Generally, mic stands are adjustable for various applications, such as recording vocals, instruments, or podcasts. To determine the ideal height for a mic stand, consider the following guidelines:
Vocal Recording
When using a mic stand for vocal recording, it is essential to ensure that the microphone is at the level of the singer’s mouth. This will help capture the most accurate and clear sound.
In this scenario, the average height for a mic stand would be around 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters), depending on the singer’s height.
However, some vocalists may prefer to hold the microphone in their hands, requiring a shorter mic stand or none at all.
Instrument Recording
The height of a mic stand for instrument recording varies based on the instrument being recorded. For instance, when recording an acoustic guitar, the mic stand should be positioned so the microphone can accurately capture the sound from the soundhole, usually around 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters).
Similarly, for drum recordings, the mic stand height will depend on the placement of each drum component.
Podcasts and Broadcasts
In podcasting and broadcasting scenarios, the height of the mic stand should allow the speaker to maintain a comfortable posture while speaking into the microphone.
Typically, this means positioning the microphone at a height between 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) for a standing setup or 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) for a seated setup.
Customization
Since people have different heights and preferences, it is crucial to invest in an adjustable mic stand that can cater to individual needs. Most mic stands available in the market offer height adjustments, making it easy to find the perfect height for any application.
FAQs
What are the differences between stand microphones?
How can you make a microphone stand from paper?
What is the weight of a microphone stand?
What does a microphone stand to look like?
Conclusion
The mic stand is an often overlooked but vital part of your audio setup. It’s the surface you place your microphone on to elevate it and get it in a comfortable position for recording or sound capturing purposes.
But not all mics need stands, so there are some other options if you don’t use a microphone stand too much, like using booms that can be attached directly onto the base of the mic itself.
Regardless, make sure you have one handy because they come in handy when working with instruments as well! If building one from scratch isn’t something that interests you right now, then check out our guide about how to make your own microphone stand an excellent quality affordable, and cheap mic stand. Have fun!
