RØDE DS2 Desktop Stand | One of the Best Mic Stand Options Available

The Røde DS2 is a Desktop arm that can not only hold mics, but also can hold cameras, webcams, phones, and basically anything with a 3/8in or 1/4-20 mount. According to Rode, the DS2 has a capacity of 900 grams... HOWEVER, I found that this stand was not limited to the 900-gram capacity. I show several different setups, many of which I left on the DS2 for many days in a row and never had an issue. Some of these items were well over 3 lbs (1361 grams). I am not making any guarantees here, but in my tests, the DS2 was incredible in the amount of weight it could handle and how versatile it is.
I hope you find this review helpful, thanks for watching the Audio Hotline! I'll see you Audio Nerds next time!
|=======TIMESTAMPS=======|
Rode DS2 Intro: 0:00 - 1:30
What comes with the DS2 (setting up the DS2): 1:30 - 2:14
A missing product: 2:14 - 2:47
Build Quality, Capacity, and Look: 2:47 - 4:11
Different Setups I tried with DS2: 4:11 - 7:21
Some Cat fun to replace KPT lol: 7:21 - 8:02
Demonstration with Heavy Mic and Camera: 8:02 - 11:32
My Review Section (weight, cable management, and more): 11:32 - 15:15
|=========================|
|======PRODUCTS IN REVIEW======|
*Affiliate Links Below*
Rode DS2 Links:
(B&H or Amazon): geni.us/rode_ds2_ah
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/EKdWB4
Accessories Mentioned:
Tube Extender: geni.us/mic_extender_ah
Triad Orbit M2-R: geni.us/triadorbit_m2r_ah
Gator Quick Release: geni.us/gatorfw_qr_ah
If there is something else that you want to buy, but would like to help me out by clicking an affiliate link... Here are some storewide affiliate links!
Amazon: amzn.to/3pD2BlK
B&H: bhpho.to/386jhd5
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/kjqd6v
| ======Audio Hotline Info====== |
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MERCH: teespring.com/stores/audiohotline
|===GEAR I USE TO MAKE MY VIDEOS (w/ affiliate links)===|
|== VIDEO GEAR ==|
Cameras:
Sony A7IV: geni.us/sony_a7iv_ah
Sony A7SIII: geni.us/sony_a7siii_ah
Lenses:
24mm f1.4 GM: geni.us/sony_24mm_ah
Sony 90mm G Macro: geni.us/sony_90mm_ah
Sigma 50mm f1.4: geni.us/sigma_50mm_ah
|== AUDIO ==|
Hercules Mic Stand:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/QOdG1Y
Amazon: amzn.to/2XaHnzK
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rz4SwS
Motu M2:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/e4ZQ7g
B&H: bhpho.to/3p160ty
Zoom F6:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/7m0DN3
Amazon: amzn.to/3oc6FqO
B&H: bhpho.to/3kTOUu1
Mogami XLR:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/oe6G9g
Amazon: amzn.to/2NiXNSp
B&H: bhpho.to/2NJ5tLi

[@davevisscher2441]

I bought this because I needed a solid, smallish mic stand for my voice-over travel, carry-on kit. Very satisfied! Takes up minimal space and is beyond durable. Well worth $90 to me.

[@labandlegacy]

Great review, and awesome visuals 🔥🔥🔥 I didn’t know about this one, definitely gotta check it out

[@enriquekahn9405]

It really is hard to find anything to comment about this item (except maybe for the price point) but here's the obligatory like and comment to help with the engagement

[@AudioHotline]

Haha thanks dude! I appreciate ya!

[@theclayalanreview4243]

So far I’m liking it. I kinda want one. But I just CAINT do that price point!

[@ObscureMics]

Awesome ... I had been wondering why in the hell this thing is $90...and no matter what, I think that price is RIDICULOUS, but at least it is a really good stand

[@AudioHotline]

I feel like $75, WITH the Rode carabiner stand adapter thing lol, would be awesome. It's definitely way better than I anticipated. For real for real... like real real realist talk LOL 🤣...I am about to buy a second one 😬

[@visionandvoice]

Kitten test: check. And thanks for including the NT1 + SM6.

[@markwiemels]

I can’t wait to see Penny at NAB. You should bring the cat turntable too. Side note, I bought one of these and freakin love it.

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

i have never liked desk stand that dont clamp on but this seems pretty nice

[@ObscureMics]

Woooooooooooooo!

[@ArtemioSilva]

It would be nice to see Gator Frameworks with boom arm compares to the DS2

[@EnricoColacillo]

Great video, thank you. Just a quick feedback for you: your voiceover mic for this video is horrible to listen to, to me 🙃 thank you again for your great job!

[@A7mad.]

Thanks bro, I brought it and I have shure sm7b and shure extender, but i cant fix it all together

[@AudioHotline]

I found that very annoying that they didn’t include at least one adapter. I talk about it a couple times. I think Røde should have included their little adapter carabiner with this. Based on what you described, you probably need a 3/8in to 5/8in adapter. Like this: amzn.to/3Jxvl9D

[@A7mad.]

​@@AudioHotline thanks a lot bro

[@jiming888]

Can the DS2 hold a heavy Rode Procaster with shock mount?

[@Purr811]

What travel case would you use for the DS2 Stand and PodMic?

[@DavidWaldrip]

This may be a dumb question but could someone please tell me how you record on the Rode PodMic connected via XLR when also filming yourself? The audio isn't going directly into the camera or is it? So do you have to "sync" in post? I guess that's the nice thing about using the Wireless Go. No syncing but the sound probably isn't as good.

[@AudioHotline]

A couple follow up questions: how are you recording? Like what camera do you use? Are you capturing the video onto an SD card in the camera or are you using a webcam or computer compatible camera and both devices are being recorded into the computer?

[@DavidWaldrip]

I shoot with a canon 90D. Normally I have a Rode Videomic NTG on top or I use Rode Wireless Pro setup. I record to the camera on an SD card. I do have a Mac 💻 but I don’t use it to record sound or video. Just for editing I see you talking into a dynamic mic in this video so I’m wondering if I should change my setup. Seems like going to Rode PodMic + Elgato Wave XLR might improve my sound BUT would require extra work. I don’t really want to add more steps to the editing process…

[@techbyfinne]

At 00:25 are you showing Røde Procaster on a lp mic arm. What do you have between mic arm and procaster? :)

[@AudioHotline]

It is the gator frameworks quick release! I talk about it briefly around 7:09

[@techbyfinne]

@@AudioHotline Sorry, I overlooked that. Thanks :) I have Røde Procaster and Streamer X, trying to get optimal sound out of it all. It's hard though :)

[@honeywine3330]

I neeed adapters ;-(

[@IMDABROWN]

You mentioned desk noise but I didn't see you test desk noise. Is that a concern or not?

[@AudioHotline]

That is a tough one. It is kind of a combo between the desk stand and the mic you are using. It does absolutely perform better than most desktop stands though. If you have a shock mount, like I did with the xdm100, it is going to perform very well at rejecting desk noise. If you aren’t using a mic with a shock mount or a mic that has an internal shock mount (sm7b) then you will get some desk noise. I was using this stand with the SE Dynacaster for a recent podcast I did and there was a small amount of desk noise that made it into the recording, but nothing too crazy. I have considered doing a short where I put a bunch of mics on this stand and test the desk noise. That’s the hard part though, a lot of people are using different mics so a lot of the tests only apply to a small amount of people… I probably should have at least done a test with the podmic and sm7b though! If I make the short (pretty sure I will) I’ll link it here for you!

[@IMDABROWN]

Thank you for the info. I look forward to the short@@AudioHotline

[@benhnamte]

This one vs The Elgato low profile mic arm?

[@AudioHotline]

For me, I love the fact that this isn’t clamped and I can move it to different areas with ease. If you are a person that wants it locked into one position the elgato would work. I personally REALLY like the FiFine low profile arm. I’d say it’s on par with the elgato and quite a bit cheaper! That is my next stand review. amzn.to/42Je45O

[@benhnamte]

@@AudioHotline yes the versatility that we can move it to other scenes if used in podcasts is quite useful… thanks

[@sjoerd4084]

Does this work with NT-USB mic?

[@AudioHotline]

Yes, it does!

[@milesian1]

My kitty would crush this. He weighs 22 pounds.

[@AudioHotline]

DANG! That’s a big kitty! I was thinking our Bengal/Tabby mix at 19 pounds was big…. 22 pounds is like male Maine Coon size, maybe that’s what it is! I need to know the breed! 🤣🤣

[@milesian1]

@@AudioHotline He is actually exactly that, Bengal/Tabby mix. He’s over eight years old now and has always been chunky.

[@shiranmallikarachchi7820]

What is the mic that you are using

[@AudioHotline]

Rode XDM-100. I use a couple others throughout the video but usually state what they are or it will say in the lower 3rd of the video.

[@meistudiony]

In response to the end of your video... it couldn't be said any better... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6i8oIqapdeZepI Stand looks great. Wish it was a little bigger though. Just a touch with an increased capacity (even though this can carry quite a bit). Trying to boom something over the edge of the base plate would still worry me with an armature that is not counter weighted. This might be useful for mounting a small fill light (elgato or something) for video. Thanks the quick look into it!

[@AudioHotline]

hahahaha that's hilarious you mentioned that because it totally went through my mind!!!! My big brother had me really into wrestling (WCW, WWF) when I was growing up. A mic sitting so far over the base did freak me out quite a bit. I ended up letting that XDM-100 with the shock mount sit way over the base for over the last week and it never loosened... I was shocked, BUT still nervous lol. It is a heavy base, I should have mentioned the base weight by itself... oh well lol. I mentioned this being the cream of the crop, but If Røde came out with a bigger version with a higher capacity, like you mentioned... there would be a different kind of cream happening 😜🤣 Thanks for the support my friend! I hope you had a good holiday season.

[@knowyourjoe8826]

I don't need this... At least I think I don't need this.... but now I think I want one! Don't know exactly what I would do with it..... but...... dang...... LOL ......

[@AudioHotline]

🤣 this is me with pretty much every piece of gear

[@NinoAmerica]

Too expensive

[@AudioHotline]

That was my initial thought too… but then I came around to it. I came to the conclusion that if people love their desk boom arms like the PSA1+, then they probably won’t like this. However, the people that don’t really like those (I am not the biggest fan) will probably like this and gladly pay $40 less than the PSA1+.