Microphone Stands Explained
A stand is the least glamorous item in a microphone order and the one most likely to be wrong on arrival, usually because of a thread.
The Straight Stand
The basic form is a straight stand: a dome-shaped round metal base with a post threaded into it. The post is often two or more telescoping tubes, so height adjusts quickly with one hand. The mechanism that locks that height is called the clutch.
Variants exist at both ends of the scale — a desk stand is a short straight stand, and heavy duty stands use a heavier base and larger tubes to carry heavier microphones. Tubes are usually chrome plated to resist scratching, though matte black is common where the stand must disappear on a dark stage.
Tripod Bases
The folding tripod base replaces the round dome. It packs flat, which matters when stands are moved between locations, and it weighs less.
The trade-off is real: with less mass at the base, the three feet have to extend further out than a round base's radius to keep the stand stable. On a dark stage those feet are a trip hazard. Choose the round base for fixed positions and the tripod for anything that travels.
Booms and Goosenecks
A boom arm attaches to the top of the stand and moves the microphone horizontally, so the upright is not directly in front of the performer. It also gets a microphone into tight positions — around a drum kit, for example, where stands compete for floor space with cymbal stands. Booms come in fixed and telescoping lengths.
A gooseneck is a spiral-wound steel tube that allows small, precise changes in position. Useful on lecterns and conference tables where the microphone needs to be nudged rather than repositioned.
The Threads That Catch People Out
Microphones attach through a detachable holder screwed to the end of the boom, and some microphones screw directly onto the boom. Three thread standards are in common use:
5/8 inch with 27 threads per inch, Unified Straight thread — the United States and much of the rest of the world. 1/4 inch BSW — uncommon in the United States, used elsewhere. 3/8 inch BSW — also uncommon in the United States and used elsewhere.
Thread sizes for our own MS-89 stand and MS103 mounts are not published and are marked TBC. State the thread you need on your enquiry and we will match it before anything ships.
Questions From This Guide
What thread do microphone stands use?
Three standards are common: 5/8 inch 27 tpi Unified Straight, used in the United States and much of the world; 1/4 inch BSW; and 3/8 inch BSW. The last two are uncommon in the United States. Confirm the thread on your enquiry.
Should I choose a round base or a tripod base?
Round bases are more stable and better for fixed positions. Tripod bases fold flat and weigh less, which suits equipment that travels, but their feet extend further out and can be a trip hazard on a dark stage.
What is the clutch on a microphone stand?
The mechanism that locks the telescoping tubes at a chosen height. It is the part that wears first on stands that are adjusted constantly.
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