What Is a Microphone Boom?
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A microphone boom is an arm that holds a microphone over a desk, so the mic sits near the mouth without a stand. The arm clamps to the desk edge and swings on joints, so the mic pulls close for recording and pushes aside. It is a mount, not a microphone: the mic screws onto the end of the arm.
What the arm is made of
A boom arm has a desk clamp, arm segments joined by hinges, and a thread at the end for the microphone. The SUNMON arm uses dual suspension springs and steel construction, the IVVIC uses an integrated metal body with reinforced screws, and the yayaboqu uses solid iron with reinforced springs and strengthened screws. The thread is 3/8 inch or 5/8 inch: all three arms here include a 3/8 to 5/8 inch adapter.
How the arm moves
The base rotates, the joints tilt, and the arm extends. The SUNMON base rotates 360 degrees, extends back and forth 135 degrees, and the arm axis moves up and down 180 degrees, with an extension up to 26.8 inches. The IVVIC hinge rotates 360 degrees and reaches up to 30 inches, folding flat behind a monitor. The yayaboqu base rotates 360 degrees, tilts 135 degrees forward and back, turns 180 degrees at the arm joint and 250 degrees at the mic clip, with a total length of about 29.9 inches when extended.
What weight the arm holds
Match the arm to the microphone weight. The SUNMON supports microphones up to 3.08 lb, the IVVIC supports microphones up to 3 lb, and the yayaboqu supports up to 4.4 lb. A mic heavier than the rating makes the arm sink, so check the microphone weight against the arm rating before buying.
Clamp, cables and compatibility
The arm clamps to the desk edge, so check the edge thickness first: the yayaboqu clamp fits table edges up to 1.97 inches thick, with non-slip rubber pads and a locking knob. The IVVIC has a cable channel that organizes microphone wires, and the SUNMON includes a 3/8 to 5/8 inch screw adapter for most microphones and shock mounts. Check the thread before buying: the IVVIC does not fit Blue Yeti ORB, Yeti X, Shure MV7i or Beta58A models.
What you need
SUNMON QuadCast 2 Boom Arm
A boom arm for the HyperX QuadCast 2 with dual suspension springs, steel construction, a 26.8-inch reach and a 3/8 to 5/8 inch adapter.
- Desk clamp
IVVIC Adjustable Microphone Boom Arm for Lightweight
A 30-inch boom arm with a low-profile design, cable management and a 2 year warranty, for lightweight microphones up to 3 lb.
- Cable management
- Low profile
- 2-year warranty stated
yayaboqu Microphone Boom Arm Stand
A scissor boom arm with a desk clamp, solid iron construction, a 29.9-inch reach and support for microphones up to 4.4 lb.
- Desk clamp
- 1-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Microphone and Boom Arm, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Does a boom arm come with a microphone?
No. All three arms here are sold without a microphone: the SUNMON notes the microphone is not included, the IVVIC supports microphones up to 3 lb with the microphone not included, and the yayaboqu notes the microphone is not included.
Will a boom arm fit my microphone?
Check the thread and the weight. All three arms here include a 3/8 to 5/8 inch adapter for most microphones, and they support microphones up to 3.08 lb, 3 lb and 4.4 lb. The IVVIC lists models it does not fit, so check that list too.
Can I fold the arm away when not recording?
Yes. The IVVIC folds flat to tuck behind a monitor, and the yayaboqu folds to 15.75 inches so it can be pushed aside. The SUNMON extends and rotates to move the mic out of the way.
Ranked mic boom arms lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.