Ikea Malm vs microphone arm

[Tzztr Rrtr]

Hey everyone,

 

I am finally looking into buying a proper mic so my friends can enjoy my silky smooth voice with proper quality.

 

I have a huge concern though. I have seen some pictures where the arms just dig themselves into Ikea desks and it's game over...

Will my Malm Ikea desk crumble when I attach a microphone arm onto it?

 

From the Ikea webiste:

 

So Malm is also basically hollow inside.

[Poinkachu]

If it's heavy enough, and/or tightened enough. It will in the long run.

Me, I usually grab a wide enough & thin enough (like 1-2cm thickness) board and cover one side with eva foam / silicone.
Then place that board between the arm clamp & table, foam side towards the table. Do this for both side, if for some reason I can only use it on 1 side, focus on the side with smaller pressure point.
So that it acts like a cushion & pressure distributor.

3rd picture is an example, the guy uses cardboard instead of foam.
Also he uses 2 additional clamp to secure the board to the table,
so that he can mount the arm on the "floating" side of the board instead "directly" on table.

Optionally if your room is big enough, you can use tripod based mic arm.
If your table close to wall, you can try using wall mounted mic arm

If you don't mind a bit DIY-ing, especially if you don't mind using epoxy.
You can turn it into almost any kinda of mounting. Even tabletop. (like 3rd pic , pink one)
But yea, Tabletop gonna hog your desk real estate.

 

[Bananasplit_00]

I'd add some sort of plate between the table and the mounting for the arm, above and bellow, to avoid crushing your desk

[Tzztr Rrtr]

41 minutes ago, Bananasplit_00 said:

I'd add some sort of plate between the table and the mounting for the arm, above and bellow, to avoid crushing your desk

49 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

If it's heavy enough, and/or tightened enough. It will in the long run.

Me, I usually grab a wide enough & thin enough (like 1-2cm thickness) board and cover one side with eva foam / silicone.
Then place that board between the arm clamp & table, foam side towards the table. Do this for both side, if for some reason I can only use it on 1 side, focus on the side with smaller pressure point.
So that it acts like a cushion & pressure distributor.

3rd picture is an example, the guy uses cardboard instead of foam.
Also he uses 2 additional clamp to secure the board to the table,
so that he can mount the arm on the "floating" side of the board instead "directly" on table.

Optionally if your room is big enough, you can use tripod based mic arm.
If your table close to wall, you can try using wall mounted mic arm

If you don't mind a bit DIY-ing, especially if you don't mind using epoxy.
You can turn it into almost any kinda of mounting. Even tabletop. (like 3rd pic , pink one)
But yea, Tabletop gonna hog your desk real estate.

 

Thanks for the in depth response!

So I'll basically have to look for something that has a clamp that is big enough to accompany the desk itself and the plates.

Do you have any suggestions?

[Poinkachu]

59 minutes ago, Tzztr Rrtr said:

Thanks for the in depth response!

So I'll basically have to look for something that has a clamp that is big enough to accompany the desk itself and the plates.

Do you have any suggestions?

Buy a cheap cutting board, or ask for throw aways at your nearest woodworker.
Heck, pretty sure hardware store that provides cutting/sawing service will have some too. They'd probably give you for free if you ask nicely
You don't exactly need a very long one afterall. At most 3 times the arm's largest surface that supposedly touch your table.
Example, long enough to be cut into two or four part. :
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-cardinalfish-Canvas-Scroll-Poster/dp/B00VHB15L4/ref=sr_1_26?field-material_browse=720784011&pf_rd_i=289863&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=25b59836-f507-48c7-81ec-ed2559c68edf&pf_rd_r=D4BJ2WFA1BH7DECYH3E6&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_t=101&qid=1640431322&s=kitchen&sr=1-26

Clamp : Nearest hardware store, buy a big enough C clamp or F clamp.

Foam either you buy or grab one of those foam used to pack electronics. Cutting mat. Broken yoga matress.
Silicone : baking mat
Or just use thick enough cardboard. Since the idea is simply to soften the effect of the board/clamp edges.

if you want to install the arm directly "on" your table instead of "floating" beside it, you don't need the additional clamp. The arm's clamp itself becomes the additional clamp.
Which is the cheapest method. (Since most likely you can get all you need for free)

Measure your table thickness, measure your arm clamp maximum range.
Deduct max range with table thickness. Deduct it again around 1-2cm for cardboard/foam.
(You don't need to make the  foam/cardboard 1cm thick each side, even 2-3mm is thick enough if it's only for mic).
Divide the result by 2.
Now you know what's the maximum thickness of add-on board you can get.

Think of it like you are screwing CPU cooler when tightening the clamp, you don't want it loose, but also don't go all ham on it.