Desktop Mic Stands: Elgato vs. Rode

[@JustFlinx]

I love how Elgato is slowly starting to domintate the budget mic arm and stand market, definetly wasn't expecting such a great line up from them. Also another amazing video Tom !!!

[@tombuck]

Right? They’re really kicking things up a notch and it’s been fun to see.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

01:50 - on the Rode you can simply take it apart by unscrewing the knobs and reassemble it with the XLR cable inside those grooves for cable management. Takes all of 2 minutes 👍

[@PawFromTheBroons]

There's no way you'd fit an XLR connection, through the cutouts of the Rode. And if we're talking about soldering it after fitting the cable, that's an all-other tool and skillset.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

​@@PawFromTheBroons That's not what I'm saying... you can disassemble the joints of the mic stand by unscrewing the knobs completely and removing the arms from the base. Then slide your cables in place (without cutting any connectors off) and re-assemble the stand with the cables in the slots. I own Two Rode DS2's and I've done it to both. The slots are plenty big enough for the cables. With the cables inside the stand the wire management looks great and it also helps balance the stand with heavier mics better.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

@@ChaseTheSummit We might not be talking about the same things, I'm referring to the fact that we can pass a USB cable through the slits of the arms and have it cable-managed. Which you can't do for XLR. I'm guessing you're talking about doing something to the cable, beyond twisting it 2 or 3 times around the arms? I can't seem to visualize it.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

@@PawFromTheBroons You're still not understanding me. The cutouts in the Rode stand are U-Shaped so when you take the stand apart (remove thumb screws and literally take the joint apart) the U-Shaped canal is accessible to slide a cable into. So you simply slide the cable in without needing to "pass through" anything. This requires the stand being completely taken apart but it's very simple and is only made up of a few components the thumb knobs, and two bushings. Once you slide the XLR cable through the U-Shaped slots just re-assemble the stand with the cables in place and viola... cable management with no cutting of the cable and no need to pass connectors through the holes. The only downside is you cannot easily remove the cables you'll need to reverse the process to get the cable out. Not a big deal though.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

@ Thank you. Never knew they were U-shaped, which is why I thought the only was was to thread in a naked XLR cable and solder it to the female connector afterward. That's great news, really! Thank you for clarifying this.

[@UtahPodcastStudio]

Thanks Tom! I was about to buy 4 Rode stands for our podcast studio in Utah. I'm thinking I'll go with the Elgato ones after watching this. You're the GOAT!

[@tombuck]

Glad it helped! Love your branding too!

[@hackinghifi4247]

Thanks Tom! For those struggling with the positioning issues you mentioned is a quick fix is the camvate mini ballhead mic clamp, $13 on Amazon and works great for positioning the mic however you want.

[@paulg3388]

I debated which one of these and ended up getting the Rode and I couldn’t be happier. Feels very solid for my SM7B. Perhaps if you have released this video before I purchased I would have gone for the Elgato but I wouldn’t swap it now :) thanks Tom as always

[@tombuck]

So glad it's working out for you! The Rodes will last forever, so definitely a good choice.

[@Cross-YouTube]

If I’m gonna be honest, I think the Elgato desk top stand is better. I don’t hate the Rode stand, it’s just that the Elgato looks like it has more flexibility, length, movement, and grip. As a person who owned a Blue Yeti, and used the the stand that it came with, I would’ve been so happy with the Elgato. But, I got my Blue Yeti almost a year ago. So, I would’ve have to go down the road to Rode… I’m sorry. All and all, amazing review Tom. I love how you did the thumbnail too! It’s like the thumbnails in 2016. But a remastered version. Really well done. I also wanted to update you on my experience with the Shure SM7B with the GoXLR. It’s going amazingly. I’ve had a lot of fun equalizing, compressing, and noise gating it! But, I think I’m gonna return the SM7B and get the Shure SM7dB. Mainly for its built-in Cloudlifter. I know, the GoXLR has 72 DB of gain, but the preamps are REALLY loud on the GoXLR. Especially when it’s at the 55 - 60 DB zone. And by the way, I saw your review on the SM7dB, and it was great! I am kind of sad that you returned it, but I understand completely. You already own an SM7B, you already sunk down $400 for it, and your audio interfaces preamps are awesome. Anyways, to wrap this up I’m summary: The Elgato arm is better for a lot of reasons. (Reasons that I already explained). Your thumbnails are amazing, including this one! And lastly, I am returning my Shure SM7B for the Shure SM7dB because my GoXLR’s preamps are terrible when they are at the 55 - 60 DB. God bless you Tom, and have an awesome day! 😊✝️❤️

[@mrbaglog]

The review I didn’t know I needed!

[@AudioHotline]

OutSTANDing video!!! 😏

[@tombuck]

I underSTAND what you did there!

[@tomsoccociojr.5776]

Something you didn't address is vibration. How is the vibration Factor if someone is tapping on the table while talking or using their hands as they talk? I sometimes get guests who like to talk with their hands and drop their fingers onto the table as they speak... my current mic stands seem to transfer the vibration. Your thoughts on these stands relative to vibration?

[@KonnorGann]

@@tomsoccociojr.5776 both of these are directly on the table, and don’t isolate vibration. You’ll need to separate the mic from the table with an arm on a stand, or get a shock mount. But any mic stand directly placed on the table will transfer vibration.

[@tombuck]

Neither stand has anything extra really to dampen vibrations, but it’s also not a major issue in most cases as you can see/hear throughout the video.

[@schultzeworks]

I found that the microphone ALSO plays a big part in the handling noise issue. I had to stop using one mike even after a floor stand and sand bags didn’t help. I then got a Shure SM7B, connected it to the desk, and the problem was gone.

[@patriciaort9172]

Great comparison. Thank you.

[@JoshRazauskas]

I’m so glad you did this video Tom. I’ve been thinking about getting a desktop stand for a while because I have a rollaway table that I use for bed and I really much prefer the way my voice sounds on a proper mic versus my phone just because of the inherent weaknesses of cerebral palsy But having an actual my arm attached to a rollaway table isn’t really realistic, so I think a table top stand with a USB mic that I can plug into my phone when I’m on FaceTime or if something really important breaks that I wanna make a video on from my bed would be pretty cool, but I wasn’t sure the right kind to get that would be easily accessible.

[@theworkingmanpodcast]

Whoa! Elgato made one too!? Just put it in my Amazon shopping cart😂!

[@TimeSignatures]

Hey, Tom....as always, THANK YOU for providing solid information! Keep up the good work.

[@TC_Conner]

I’ll go with Elgato. Another great product review Tom!

[@carlosqdeguzman]

Wow! Always wanted one (don't like those boom arms!). Great and timely vid! Just for the mic positioning alone, I'd go for the ElGato

[@tombuck]

The versatility is quite nice!

[@memy5514]

I got the elgato one. One observation I have: if I install a heavy mic with a similarly have shock mount like the Røde XDM100 - the plastic part of the mount started to “shave off” on the inside some of it’s plastic, when I screwed it as tight as needed to have a stable position for the mic. If it would be a one time install and you do not have to shift the position, I guess that would not be a problem, but I want to use it to change between multiple mics as needed. Hence I decided for myself that I will rather use it only with not soo heavy mics.

[@memy5514]

okay, after having watched a video till the end :) I checked and actually there is no plastic shaving off. It is the same experience that Tom had. it is actually just the colour coating of the stand shaving off. itself. no cracks or shavings or anything on the inside of the clamp itself.

[@crumpetsbuttered]

I do like the elgato even with the issues, thank you for Arming Me!!!!

[@An0n_Ym0us_79]

Here for the dad jokes, staying for the reviews. 😂

[@PreshitDeorukhkar]

How do they compare rejecting (to an extent) table top contact noise? I have a cheap Maono metal stand and it picks up every noise from a hand just resting on the table. My guests are usually physical with hand movements on the desk and I had to buy floor stands separate from the desk so the mics don’t pick up any noise.

[@elrichuack]

hi Tom, ever since I came across your channel I've made my life easier trying to choose my studio gear, particularly someone who it settting up his 1st ever studio at home to get started creating content. Would you consider to make a video where you compare mics on frame with a stand, or those out of frame (at the top) and wheter shotgun mic are good for this. And your preferred choices choices for this. Tks !!!

[@timcharles6837]

Hi Tom, I just got the Elgato stand & was going to ask if you found the plastic coating coming off on the mount as well, I go 4 mins in and got my answer that it isn't just mine then, I agree that you do get little bits of the plastic dropping onto you desk (I've only had mine for 2 days) & it gets a bit annoying! I would add (and you touched on it) the ability to flex the mic with the Elgato means you can angle it towards you & have space for a keyboard (i.e. the stand is off to the side and the mic is angled towards you) - this is important if like me you use it for work calls and want to type etc whilst still having a mic in a good position near your mouth. Thanks & nice video!

[@johnheiser2604]

I have the Rode and am happy with it.

[@CharlotteDrew]

The first one who launches a white one wins for me. 😎 I do have the Rode version in black and it's a nice stand, plenty capable of supporting the SM7B. I would still love a stand of this quality in white though.

[@WH0StheSHRUB]

How tall is the elgato at it's 1st pivot point?

[@ItsRyukin]

I think I might have excited too much last week. 😅 So I can wait for that, No need to rush. Haha.

[@ege-tech]

Hi Tom. Do you think any of it is good for holding a RØDECaster Duo unit?

[@SHATMAN69]

Hi do you need an adapting screw for the sm7b to be on the Elgato mic stand?

[@scooba789]

The better mic positioning makes the Elgato the winner for me

[@DeeB-n5w]

Hey Tom! I was just wondering if you’d ever be able to make a video on the Sensic SA-30 Boom Arm. The company who made it isn’t too popular, so there aren’t many reviews on it. I just purchased one myself and it works great, but I’d like to see what you would have to say about it. Thank you!

[@Kal8719]

The colors...just makes the video look too great.

[@tombuck]

Glad I'm not the only one who likes a bunch of bright colors 😁

[@MovingtoOhio]

Hello Tom I am creating a KZbin Studio now and am looking to get the best audio I can. I am still learning on how to use certain microphones. For beginners looking to film talking head videos would you recommend the Sennheiser MKH 50 or the Shure SM7B or is there a microphone you would recommend. I am not an expert and will be sending my footage to an editor and would also like an option where it has a somewhat easy learning curve to get audio to an editor. Thank you for making this video.

[@StarWarsJay]

I have an Elgato boom arm. It’s great. It stays where you want it to go and all that and it looks nice. I have no experience with Rode mounts although they look nice. From what you’ve shown, I think the Elgato table top stand is the winner here plus it’s cheaper. How many beers can you get with the 30 dollars you’d save?

[@DjFranz876]

On camera I'd want the mic stand to look as small as possible [ Unintrusive ] on my desk set up. So the mic should be parallel to the camera not perpendicular.

[@Yusaku_VCP]

i thought the wires can put inside of that small stand just like your big clamp mic stand.

[@janusdk]

Did you test the Røde Procaster? The weight is roughly the same as the SM7b, but maybe the weight distribution is different? And what about when mounted with the shock mount? Thank you for another excellent review!

[@tombuck]

It's very similar to the NT1 with shock mount, but slightly heavier, so that should be a good reference point.

[@MeccanSamarraie]

the base of the elgato is made to **perfectly** fit the wave XLR interface

[@tombuck]

Oh really? That's satisfying!

[@danielschaller-digitalcrealab]

In strange Switzerland both are ish the same price... but the versatility of the elgato... by the way, thought about you over the weekend, I was just kind of close, in LA for a couple of days

[@tombuck]

Oh wow that’s very close!

[@totemadept]

Would love if these could fold flat then they would be great for traveling or for my mobile dj setup

[@ROBOTRIX_eu]

[@explorersandpioneers3500]

Thanks for the comparison, awesome video, just was hoping to see how stable nt-usb+ can be on each of them to make the best decision about purchasing one of them.

[@tombuck]

It's pretty similar in size/weight to the NT1 so hopefully that gives a general idea of what it'd be like 👍

[@explorersandpioneers3500]

Thanks a lot ​@@tombuckthat really helps 😊

[@JorgeLG]

Is where the frustration of this stand stands

[@tombuck]

Outstanding.

[@uguronlineShorts]

merhaba tom Rode procaster mikrofonu sorunsuz çalıştırması için bir ses kartı önerebilirmisiniz ? fethad yada cloudilifter almama gerek varmı illaki ?

[@MarineX]

A rare time where El Gato is eating Rode's lunch. Also I love your content but for the b-cam maybe go f4 or f5.6 for the products. The bokeh and focus was a little distracting

[@TJssWay]

You have a favorite mic boom arm?

[@tombuck]

For tall arms I really like the Elgato Wave and Rode PSA1 and for low profile arms I like the Elgato Pro. None of them are perfect, but they get close!

[@PawFromTheBroons]

The Rode looks somewhat less obnoxious on screen.

[@gryzman]

both dont' come flat for packing , unless you have tools. That's not good.

[@NinoAmerica]

Nice. But I made it a point to not buy any gear anymore. Atleast until this economy is fixed.