You buy a good microphone. You connect it to your computer or audio interface. You put on your headphones and start recording. Everything sounds great. Then you accidentally touch your desk.
THUMP.
That low rumble goes straight into the recording. This is exactly the kind of problem a microphone shock mount is designed to reduce.
A shock mount suspends your microphone and helps isolate it from vibrations traveling through your desk, microphone stand, or boom arm.
For podcasting, streaming, voiceovers, and studio recording, it can be one of those small accessories that makes a bigger difference than you’d expect.
The problem is that you can’t simply buy any shock mount and assume your microphone will fit.
What is the Best Mic Shock Mounts?
So which one should you buy? Here are some of the best microphone shock mounts worth considering.
1. Rycote InVision USM – Best Overall Shock Mount
If you want one shock mount that can work with a wide range of microphones, the Rycote InVision USM is one of the first options I’d consider. Its biggest advantage is flexibility.
Instead of being designed for one specific microphone, the InVision USM uses an adjustable mounting system.
Rycote says the standard USM can accommodate microphones between 18 mm and 55 mm in diameter.
That makes it much more useful if you regularly change microphones. But the really interesting part is the suspension system. Traditional shock mounts often use elastic bands.
Those bands suspend the microphone inside a frame and absorb vibrations before they reach the mic. They work. But elastic eventually stretches. Rycote takes a different approach.
The InVision series uses its Lyre suspension system instead of traditional elastic suspension. There are no elastic bands to constantly adjust or replace.
Rycote says its testing showed the USM could provide up to twice the isolation of traditional microphone suspension systems.
That combination of compatibility and vibration isolation makes the InVision USM my favorite all-around choice.
Best for: Podcasters, home studios, voiceover artists, and anyone using several microphones.
2. Rycote InVision USM-L – Best for Large-Diaphragm Microphones
The USM-L is another version of Rycote’s universal studio mount. It’s designed specifically around large-diaphragm recording microphones.
Like the standard USM, it accommodates microphones between approximately 18 mm and 55 mm in diameter.
Rycote lists the USM-L for microphones weighing up to around 400 grams in its current specifications.
The mount uses the same Lyre-style suspension system rather than traditional elastic cords. That’s one of the reasons I’d consider it for a permanent home studio.
You don’t have to worry as much about elastic becoming loose over time. There’s also a Studio Kit version that combines the suspension system with a pop filter.
That’s particularly interesting for vocal recording. You get vibration isolation and protection against plosives in one setup. For a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, the USM-L is one of the strongest choices.
Best for: Large-diaphragm condenser microphones and vocal recording.
3. RØDE PSM1 – Best for RØDE Broadcast Microphones
Sometimes buying a universal shock mount isn’t the best approach. If the manufacturer makes a shock mount specifically for your microphone, that’s often the safer choice.
The RØDE PSM1 is a good example. It’s a studio-grade suspension mount designed for RØDE’s end-address broadcast microphones, including the Podcaster and Procaster.
The purpose is simple. It isolates the microphone from vibrations that could otherwise create unwanted rumble in your recording. It can also reduce noise caused when you reposition the microphone while you’re using it.
This is particularly useful in a podcast studio. You might have your microphone attached to a boom arm. Halfway through the conversation, you decide to move it slightly closer.
Without good isolation, some of that movement can travel directly into the microphone. A shock mount helps reduce it.
The PSM1 weighs approximately 390 grams and can attach to compatible microphone stands and boom arms.
If you already own a RØDE Procaster or Podcaster, I’d choose the PSM1 over trying to make a random universal mount fit.
Best for: RØDE Procaster and Podcaster users.
4. Elgato Wave Shock Mount – Best for Streaming Setups
If you’re building a streaming desk, there’s a good chance you’ve already come across Elgato equipment.
The company makes microphones, boom arms, Stream Deck controllers, capture devices, lighting, and other creator equipment.
Its Wave Shock Mount is designed to provide suspension for compatible microphones while keeping the overall setup clean. That’s particularly important for streamers.
Your microphone isn’t hidden inside a recording booth. It’s often right there on camera. A huge industrial-looking shock mount can take up a surprising amount of the frame.
The Elgato design works particularly well as part of a Wave microphone and boom-arm setup. However, this is another situation where you need to check compatibility carefully.
Don’t buy a shock mount simply because you like the way it looks. Make sure your microphone will actually fit.
Best for: Streamers and creators already using compatible Elgato equipment.
5. Audio-Technica AT8458a – Best for Compatible Audio-Technica Mics
Audio-Technica makes some extremely popular podcast and recording microphones.
The AT8458a is a shock mount designed for compatible Audio-Technica models, including the AT2040 and AT2040USB.
Audio-Technica specifically recommends adding the AT8458a when you want to reduce noise caused by vibrations from the floor or desk.
That’s exactly the problem a podcaster may encounter. Imagine your microphone is attached to a boom arm that’s clamped to your desk. You type something while recording. Your hand bumps the desk. You move your chair. Some of those mechanical vibrations can travel through the furniture and mounting hardware.
A compatible shock mount creates another layer of isolation before that energy reaches the microphone.
If you use a compatible Audio-Technica microphone, this is one of those accessories worth considering before buying a generic alternative.
Best for: Compatible Audio-Technica broadcast and podcast microphones.
6. Rycote InVision USM-L Studio Kit – Best Shock Mount and Pop Filter Combo
If you’re recording vocals, you’re usually dealing with two different problems. Vibration. And plosives. The Rycote InVision USM-L Studio Kit tackles both. It combines the company’s universal suspension system with a pop filter.
Rycote says the suspension can provide up to 12 dB better isolation against unwanted vibrations, while the included pop filter can provide up to 20 dB attenuation of pops and thumps. That makes it particularly interesting for voiceover work and studio vocals.
Instead of attaching a separate pop filter with a long flexible arm, you get a more integrated recording setup. That can also make your microphone stand look cleaner.
The downside is that you need to make sure your microphone falls within the supported dimensions. But if it does, this is a very complete solution.
Best for: Voiceover artists, vocal recording, and studio podcasting.
What Does a Microphone Shock Mount Actually Do?
A shock mount doesn’t improve the microphone itself. It isolates it. Think about what happens when your microphone is screwed directly onto a stand.
The microphone and stand become mechanically connected. Now tap the stand. The vibration travels through the stand and into the microphone.
Your microphone may capture that vibration as a low-frequency thump or rumble. A shock mount puts a suspension system between them.
The microphone sits inside the mount rather than being rigidly attached directly to the stand.
When vibration travels through the stand, the suspension helps absorb and isolate it. That’s why shock mounts often look like the microphone is floating inside a spider web.
Do You Really Need a Shock Mount?
Not always. If your microphone already has good internal shock isolation, adding another mount may provide limited improvement.
You may also be perfectly fine without one if your microphone stand sits on the floor and nobody touches it while recording.
But consider a shock mount if your microphone is attached to your desk. That’s where problems become more common. Every little movement creates vibration.
If the boom arm is clamped to the same desk, some of that vibration can travel toward the microphone. A shock mount gives you another layer of protection.
Shock Mount vs Pop Filter
These accessories solve completely different problems. A shock mount deals with mechanical vibration. A pop filter deals with moving air.
When you pronounce sounds such as P and B, you push a burst of air toward the microphone. That burst can hit the microphone capsule and create an unpleasant low-frequency pop.
A pop filter sits between your mouth and microphone and reduces that burst of air. A shock mount won’t fix plosives. A pop filter won’t fix desk vibrations. For a serious spoken-word setup, you may want both.
Universal vs Microphone-Specific Shock Mounts
This is one of the most important decisions. A universal shock mount sounds better because you can use it with multiple microphones.
And sometimes it is. The Rycote InVision USM is a great example. Its adjustable system makes it compatible with many microphone sizes.
But there’s also something nice about a shock mount made specifically for your microphone. You already know it fits.
The weight has been considered. The attachment mechanism is correct. And you don’t have to squeeze the microphone into a generic clamp.
If your microphone manufacturer offers a well-designed dedicated shock mount, I’d usually consider that first.
If you’re constantly changing microphones, a quality universal model becomes more attractive.
Do You Need a Shock Mount for a Blue Yeti?
It can help. The Blue Yeti is commonly placed directly on its included desktop stand. That means desk vibrations can potentially reach the microphone.
Moving it onto a compatible boom arm and shock mount can create a more comfortable recording setup and improve isolation. Just be careful about compatibility. The Yeti is large and heavy compared with many microphones.
Buy a shock mount specifically listed as compatible with your particular Yeti model rather than assuming a generic mount will work.
Do You Need a Shock Mount for the Shure SM7B?
The SM7B already includes internal air suspension shock isolation. That’s one reason you don’t usually see it sitting inside a giant external spider-style shock mount.
For many users, the microphone’s internal isolation is enough. This is an important lesson.
Don’t buy equipment simply because someone tells you every podcast microphone needs it. Look at the microphone you actually own. You may already have some form of isolation built into it.
Do You Need a Shock Mount for the Heil PR 40?
A shock mount can make sense for a Heil PR 40, particularly if it’s attached to a desk-mounted boom arm.
The PR 40 is commonly used in broadcast and podcast studios where people frequently adjust microphone positions.
Heil offers mounting accessories designed around its microphones, and there are compatible third-party solutions too. Again, check fit before buying. The best shock mount isn’t necessarily the one with the best reviews. It’s the one that properly fits your microphone.
Final Thoughts
For maximum versatility, I’d start with the Rycote InVision USM. Its adjustable design and Lyre suspension make it useful with a wide range of studio microphones.
For large-diaphragm microphones, look at the Rycote InVision USM-L.
If you use a RØDE Procaster or Podcaster, choose the RØDE PSM1. For compatible Audio-Technica microphones, the AT8458a is an easy choice.
And if you want both vibration isolation and a pop filter, the Rycote InVision USM-L Studio Kit is particularly interesting.