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Whether playing live or recording, achieving the best drum sound possible requires a reliable set of overhead mic stands. Unlike snare and tom mics that are often clipped onto drum shells, overheads need to be positioned above the drum set.
Using mic stands that are not suitable for overheads can be disastrous. The stands may fall over midway through a performance or recording take, potentially damaging the microphones.
This article provides a selection of drum overhead mic stands suitable for all budgets and preferences. We’ve tested and rated their key attributes so that you can decide which would suit your needs most appropriately.
Contents
- What are the Best Drum Overhead Mic Stands?
- How I Tested and Selected the Best Overhead Mic Stands
- In-Depth Drum Overhead Mic Stand Reviews
- Drum Overhead Mic Stands Buying Guide
- Things to Consider When Buying Drum Overhead Mic Stands
- What Features to Look for in Drum Overhead Mic Stands
- Drum Overhead Mic Stands FAQs
What are the Best Drum Overhead Mic Stands?
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
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Most Stable Mic Stand
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Easiest Mic Stand to Adjust
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Best Compact Mic Stand
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Most Versatile Budget Stand
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Best Stand for Live Drums
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Best Budget Mic Stand
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Secure Budget Mic Stand
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Overhead Mic Stands
When reviewing different mic stands to find the best options, I mainly looked at stability, adjustability, size, and cost.
For me to recommend a mic stand, it has to be very stable. Whether you’re using small diaphragm mics or some larger and heavier options, the stand should stay in place at all times.
It should also have a good level of adjustability. This means that I should be able to move it easily and place it at various angles to get the best sound out of my drums.
Most mic stands are the same size, but I wanted to find a few compact options that were light and easy to carry around. However, they still needed to be stable and adjustable.
Finally, I looked at the cost of all the options and made sure to pick a few good stands in each price range.
In-Depth Drum Overhead Mic Stand Reviews
On-Stage Stands SB96+ Studio Boom Overhead Mic Stand
On-Stage Stands SB96+ Studio Boom Overhead Mic Stand Review
The On-Stage Stands SB96+ Studio Boom Overhead Mic Stand is one of the best microphone stands for drummers on the market.
It comes in a black powder-coated finish and it feels well-made for the price. The overall construction feels really solid. All of the dials tighten securely, and the boom clutch is ultra sturdy with a 40-tooth mechanism.
The mic stand has an extra-long telescoping boom arm that extends to 76 inches which gives you lots of recording flexibility and can reach over drum shields for live use.
This drum mic stand comes equipped with smooth-rolling caster wheels on the legs, which is a really nice feature that helps for easy positioning when setting up recording sessions.
I loved how stable this mic stand was when I had it set up. I even bumped it a few times to find out that it didn’t move an inch.
This is a great value drum overhead mic stand that makes a perfect addition for any home recording studio or live touring setup. Whilst being robust this stand is also portable, and the legs fold up for easy transportation.
Pros
- Long telescoping boom arm with counterweight
- Rock-solid drum overhead mic stand
- Four legs fold up for easy transport
Cons
- The plastic adjustment knobs feel a little cheap
Ultimate Support MC-125 Professional Studio Overhead Mic Stand
Ultimate Support MC-125 Professional Studio Overhead Mic Stand Review
The Ultimate Support MC-125 Overhead Mic Stand is the premier choice for musicians and producers looking to equip their studio with one of the most reliable and high quality microphone stands on the market.
This truly is a professional studio microphone stand that is constructed with quality parts. It’s dubbed as the most adjustable studio boom on the market and it’s one of the most robust too.
It’s a very heavy-duty stand designed to stand up to the rigors of extensive touring, and it comes with a Lifetime warranty for peace of mind. The Polyurethane wheels roll and turn smoothly, and lock in place securely once you’ve found the ideal position.
Even though this stand is heavy, I found it to be very adjustable. I was easily able to lock in various positions when trying out different miking techniques.
The MC-125 features a superior 35-pound cast base that gives this stand serious strength and stability. It also comes equipped with a 5.75-pound adjustable counterweight for greater flexibility when positioning overhead drum microphones.
Overall this is one of the best drum overhead mic stands available, and it offers good value for money even with the premium price tag. For both studio sessions and touring, this drum mic stand won’t let you down.
Pros
- Perfect placement every time
- Rock solid 35 pound base
- Premium construction with lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive drum overhead mic stand
Gator Frameworks GFW-ID-MIC Tripod Mic Stand with Telescoping Boom
Gator Frameworks GFW-ID-MIC Tripod Mic Stand with Telescoping Boom Review
The Gator GFW-ID-MIC is an excellent microphone stand for musicians and audio engineers. It offers a convenient, secure design with a folding cylinder shape that fits comfortably in the average musician’s bag.
The stand is made from durable steel and features a 26″ telescoping boom that adjusts with easy-close cams for simple operation. It also features cable management for the tidy placement of cables, a secure tripod base design, and an innovative design that provides additional security.
A particularly useful aspect of the Gator Frameworks GFW-ID-MIC is its height. At 62.5″ without the boom, it is tall enough for most applications and can be shortened enough to fit under the average desk.
The versatile height and foldable design made me love this as a traveling stand option. It’s so convenient in so many professional musician applications.
It is also lightweight at 8 lbs, making it easy to transport and set up. The tripod base is also very stable, making it a great choice for live performances.
Overall, the Gator Frameworks GFW-ID-MIC is an excellent choice for overhead drums, whether for live shows or in the recording studio. Its sturdy design and reliability are typical of Gator’s products.
Pros
- Easy to store and transport
- Can hold the weight of heavy microphones
- Strong clamps hold the stand perfectly in place
Cons
- Tripod legs are slightly bulky
Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-2020 Tripod Mic Stand with Telescoping Boom
Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-2020 Tripod Mic Stand with Telescoping Boom Review
This Gator mic stand is great for studio and onstage use. Setting up the stand is straightforward thanks to its telescoping boom arm, making it much easier to achieve the exact mic placement you need.
The rugged steel construction enhances stability and ensures the stand’s longevity, while the standard twist clutch firmly locks its height in place. Even if you’re using heavy microphones, such as large diaphragm condensers, the stand can easily support them.
The GFW-MIC-2020 stand’s height ranges from 54″-73″ with a telescoping 19″-35″ boom expanding its capabilities. Furthermore, it boasts an extension range of 1.7″-17.5″, providing plenty of flexibility.
When recording drum overheads, you often need to stretch a mic stand across the drum set to achieve the optimal recording position. Thanks to the strength of this stand, it will have no issues bearing the weight of the overhead mic even when fully extended.
This has always been one of my favorite budget stands. While it doesn’t cost much, I’ve owned a few of these that have lasted decades.
It’s also worth noting that this stand doubles up as a great option for other onstage and studio applications. It’s suitable for vocalists, guitarists, and anyone in need of a reliable mic stand.
Pros
- Ideal for live performances and studio use
- Lightweight and portable design
- Rubber feet prevent slipping
Cons
- May be slightly unstable if extended fully with a heavy mic attached
On-Stage Stands SMS7650 Hex Base Studio Boom Mic Stand
On-Stage Stands SMS7650 Hex Base Studio Boom Mic Stand Review
The On-Stage Stands SMS7650 is another professional quality studio microphone stand that is perfect for a huge range of musical applications both live and in the studio. It is the bigger brother of the SB96+ and has the same sturdiness and dependability but with some additional improved features.
The SMS7650 comes equipped with a 17-pound rolling base for maximum stability, and it also includes two boom shafts with different lengths. This gives you several length options of up to a huge 82 inches for greater positioning flexibility.
I’ve played a few gigs with this stand on stage, and I was mightily impressed by how solidly it remained in place while everything else was bouncing.
The best feature of this drum mic stand is the hefty 17-pound base. This is a seriously pro-level feature that will allow you to mount heavy condenser microphones. This mic stand also includes a steel counterweight for added stability.
If you’re looking for a high-end drum microphone stand then this is one of the best options out there for the money.
Pros
- Professional quality throughout
- Hefty 17 pound base
- Perfect for heavy condenser microphones
Cons
- More expensive than the SB96+ mic stand
- Some of the threads are not perfectly cut out - disappointing at this price
K&M 210/9 Telescoping Boom Microphone Stand
K&M 210/9 Telescoping Boom Microphone Stand Review
Next on our list of the best drum overhead mic stands we have the K&M 210/9 Microphone Stand and this is a solid option for the price. It has a good balance of pro-level features and usability, and it will stay securely in place whilst recording.
Similarly to the Tama mic stand, this K&M drum mic stand does not feature wheels nor a counterweight. But it can reach high enough for most recording and live scenarios with a maximum height of 93 inches.
This was the most affordable stand that I tried and I loved the performance of. It felt very reliable, and it was easy to set up and get in position with a microphone.
Weighing in at 6.85 pounds, this is a sturdy boom mic stand that has a rock-solid t-bar locking screw that won’t move at all once it’s set. The dials tighten securely and they won’t drift at all.
This K&M mic stand is easy to adjust, and it’s a great drum microphone stand that will help you to achieve quality drum recordings at home. It doesn’t wobble at all and the construction is solid, with tight locking sleeves and bolts throughout.
Pros
- Solid construction and great tension
- Affordable price tag
- Collapses small for easy transport
Cons
- No wheels or counterweight
- Much lighter than premium stands
- Limited placement and positioning
Tama Standard Overhead Microphone Stand With Fixed Boom
Tama Standard Overhead Microphone Stand With Fixed Boom Review
The affordable Tama Overhead Mic Stand is a great choice for anyone looking to begin recording drums at home. It has an adjustable height of up to 63 inches plus a 32.5 inch boom arm that makes it suitable for drum overheads.
The Tama mic stand is cheaper than most of the previous drum overhead mic stands, and it does compromise somewhat on features.
It does not feature rolling wheels, nor does it have a counterweight. It weighs in at 7 pounds, which is significantly lighter. It also doesn’t extend and reach as far, which means this Tama stand needs to be placed closer to the source.
Now onto the good bits.
I found it to be surprisingly sturdy for the price. I expected it to wobble a bit, but it didn’t move when I placed a small-diaphragm mic on it.
Tama is a brand that is well-known for producing rock-solid drums and hardware. This microphone boom stand is no exception. It’s easy to adjust and it’s suitable for virtually any studio or stage application. It does stay firmly in place.
If you are looking to dive into the world of drum recording then these Tama drum microphone stands are the best drum overhead mic stands for you. They are affordable, sturdy, adjustable, and lightweight for easy setup and transportation.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Quality materials and solid build
- Stays firmly in place with smaller drum overhead mics
Cons
- No wheels or counterweight
- Much lighter than premium stands
- Limited placement and positioning
Drum Overhead Mic Stands Buying Guide
When recording a drum kit, overhead microphones are highly recommended. The mics are placed above the drums, with the capsule commonly facing downwards, so they pick up a section of the drum set.
Using only a one or two-mic configuration for drum recordings, depending on the sound you’re aiming for.
The main thing to ensure is that the stand you use can handle the position of the mic without being at risk of falling down.
You can get away with using many types of mic stands for the snare, kick, and room mic, but overheads require maximum stability and solid build quality to be effective.
Our buyer’s guide will explain the key factors you need to consider when choosing an overhead mic stand.
Things to Consider When Buying Drum Overhead Mic Stands
Consider weight
Overhead mic stands often need to be extended in length so they can be angled directly over a particular part of the drum set. If the base of the stand isn’t heavy enough, it could topple over. Weighted bases are the sturdiest and are ideal for heavy overhead mics.
Think about mobility
It can be difficult to get overhead mic stands into the right position, as the drums and cymbal stands often restrict the legs. If you have limited space, using a stand with onboard wheels may make it easier to find the ideal placement.
Locking mechanisms
To prevent the arm of the stand from moving down due to the weight of the mic, a high-quality, heavy-duty locking mechanism is required. Check that the clutch lock is strong enough for your overhead microphone.
What Features to Look for in Drum Overhead Mic Stands
Weighted Base
A variety of microphones can be used for drum overheads. You may prefer to use shotgun condenser mics or larger ribbon microphones.
It’s essential to make sure that the stand you choose is heavy enough to remain stable when bearing the full weight of the microphone.
A stand with a weighted base may be necessary for heavier overhead mics. You can find stands with bases that weigh up to 30 lbs, which is enough to stop the stand from toppling over even when it is fully extended over a drum set.
Weighted stands tend to be more expensive than standard mic stands, and they are optional if you are using lightweight mics.
If you’d prefer to use a non-weighted stand for your overhead mic, placing objects on the legs, such as small sandbags, will help to keep it secure.
Maximum Length
Before deciding which overhead mic stands you should buy, taking measurements of your drum set is advisable. The stand must extend to an adequate length to reach from the base position to the ideal overhead mic placement.
There are several possible methods and positions for overhead mics. The popular XY technique involves symmetrically placing a stereo pair of mics on either side of the drum set.
The length of the stand that you need will depend on the mic placement you choose, along with the overall size of your drum set.
Drum Overhead Mic Stands FAQs
How High Should Overhead Mics Be?
Ideally, drum overhead microphones should be positioned at least 1ft above the cymbals. This will ensure that the capsule picks up a balance of drums and that the microphones won’t be overwhelmed by the sounds of the cymbals.
Should Drum Overhead Mics be Panned?
If you’re using two microphones for capturing drum overheads, you’ll need to pan them within the stereo field. A good way to do this is by imagining the positions of the microphones over the drum set and panning them accordingly.
Some mixing engineers prefer to pan two overhead mics hard left and right, to create a wide stereo field. Experimenting with different panning settings is the best way to determine your preferences.
