In the full review below, I’m going to look at why the Rode PSA1 is a game-changer for podcasting and streaming, and what you should know before buying one. Overall I was surprised by how much easier the PSA1 made recording. Even if I was a vocalist recording at home I could definitely see the Rode being beneficial. Long after this review is published, the boom arm will remain fixed to my desk and that pesky floor stand will be forever banished to the cupboard!

I would have liked an extra few clips to keep the cable tight and stop any sag, which would add extra protection from noise, but that is mostly from an aesthetic standpoint. Alternatively, there is the option of a desk clamp mount if you do not have a cable hole in your desk or want to be able to take your microphone away from your desk. One item that would have made a nice extra is a storage or carry case. Chances are, if you are fixing the Rode PSA1 to your desk, you won’t be travelling with it. But as the boom arm is spring-loaded it does make it a little awkward to store (unless you want to keep the original box).Although I didn’t get to test this, it comes across as a useful feature for any USB microphone user. The arm also includes a thread adapter for 3/8 or 5/8 which means you can attach any style of microphone. Podcasting has finally overtaken radio, becoming the “new norm” with more and more people investing in equipment to record and broadcast from home. So of course audio equipment manufacturers are now expanding their product ranges to include items specifically for home recording, which has never been more popular. When it comes to microphone arms, stability is crucial. The Rode PSA1+ excels in this aspect, providing outstanding stability even when extended to its maximum length. The strong desk clamp securely holds the arm in place, preventing any unwanted movement or vibrations that could affect the sound quality. I appreciate the peace of mind knowing that my microphone is securely mounted and won't disrupt my recordings or live broadcasts.

As I’ve mentioned, setting up the Rode PSA1 was very simple and probably took a maximum of 10 minutes. Boom arms can be a little fiddly to get in place and this was something that I did feel was a bit of an issue with this product at first. All in all, the Rode PSA1 proved to be a great product for recording and I found I wasn’t worried about how I was sitting and had no concerns about moving around during recording. Compared to my previous setup, this is definitely a must-buy product! A Minor Complaint Podcasters working from home know that space is an issue, and traditional floor mic stands tend to be rather cumbersome, being designed for stages and studios rather than home use. If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offeredThe Rode PSA1 Plus Professional Studio Boom Arm builds on the success of the original PSA1, adding a ton of new features to optimise the design and flexibility of the boom arm. The new and improved design features an innovative parallelogram spring design, providing smooth and precise placement, whilst remaining stable once in place. This in reality is perfect for a podcaster as the likelihood is you aren’t going to be recording on a heavy, vintage tube mic or a lightweight SM58. Something like a Blue Yeti would be a perfect fit for the arm. Recording – 9/10 Straight out of the box you can tell that the Rode PSA1 is built to a high standard of quality. This should be of little surprise to existing RØDE customers, who appreciate the strong build quality of their products. A concern when mounting this to your desk is that it’s going to fall over or cause damage but the clamp is sturdy and gave no reason to worry that your mic is going to tumble down mid recording session. Unboxing will present you with 4 separate parts, which works well for someone like me who hates having to spread moving parts over the floor like a jigsaw!