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Voice Over Equipment and Resource Guide.
Having the right voiceover recording equipment is important for obvious reasons. I've researched and listed the best microphones for voice over (and a bunch of other equipment too) here on this page.
(Scroll down for the list.)
A couple pieces of advice to help you make your decision.
You don't have to break the bank! I recorded national radio spots from my closet with a $100 mic that I already owned. Don't feel the need to get only top of the line gear (especially when you are just starting out). Get good gear that will get the job done and upgrade later.
Focus on comfort: If your mic stand makes you bend over backwards to get close to the mic, you aren't going to be able to focus on your performance. If your audio cables are so short that you have to move your computer in and out of your booth/closet in-between each take, that will just cause frustration. If your booth is hot and dark, you'll find yourself getting flustered. If you have to wait for the neighbor ten houses down to stop mowing his yard... If your audio editing software crashes every other take... The list goes on and on. Focus on each aspect of your recording space for optimal comfort so you can focus on your work.
Don't over analyze: Equipment is important. But please don't spend six months choosing a mic. Grab the one you think will be the best fit and work with it. Learn how each piece of equipment fits you and your voice by using it not just by reading reviews. Keep all the packaging and paperwork forever. If you need to return something it will be a lot easier. (And selling used gear when you upgrade later will be easier too if you've got all the packaging and paperwork.)
When to upgrade: Do you really need a better microphone?
You need better equipment when your sound isn’t on the same level (or better) as the spots you are trying to land. I recommend your voice over equipment always be one step above what you are aiming for. Don't let your equipment be the weak link holding you back. It's way to easy to get good equipment at a reasonable price for that to be the case.
I didn’t upgrade from my AKG Perception 120 until I started getting directed sessions and my agents and the recording engineers started asking me very specific questions about my equipment. Rather than getting nervous and wondering what mic I should buy I just asked a few engineers for suggestions. They should know, right!? I narrowed it down and upgraded.
Learn and upgrade as you go
I bought what I thought was going to be my forever mic and ended up upgrading just a couple months later because I wasn’t happy with it. It had great reviews and I really thought it was "the one". But you'll never know until you plug it in at home and try it out. If you buy a mic and it's not working for you, don't get frustrated, return it and get another one.
Don't rely on your equipment to book voice over work
Anyone can buy a mic, plug it in and hit record. A good mic does not make you a good actor. You'll need to spend most of your time developing your acting skills to become a successful voice actor.
(Most links are affiliate and prices might change.)
Voiceover Equipment grouped into categories...
EQUIPMENT GUIDE
MICROPHONES - BEGINNER
AKG P220 Condenser Microphone with Knox Gear Studio Stand, Pop Filter and XLR Cable
** TOP CHOICE: MICROPHONES - BEGINNER **
A fantastic beginner mic that has the ability to deliver high quality audio.
I used the older version of this mic to record national radio campaigns, so I know it can get the job done!
MICROPHONES - INTERMEDIATE
MICROPHONES - ADVANCED
AKG C414 XLS Large-Diaphragm Instrument Condenser Microphone with Nine Switchable Polar Patterns with Shockmount, Popfilter, Carrying Case, Windscreen, Cable Ties, XLR Cable and 6Ave Cleaning Kit
This microphone has been engineered for detailed recording of vocals and acoustic instruments. Not gonna go wrong with this one!
MICROPHONES - USB
Blue Spark Digital studio condenser mic with usb for iOS, MAC and PC
The award-winning Spark Digital is the first studio microphone for your iPad, iPhone and laptop. Featuring the same hand-tuned cardioid condenser capsule found on our heralded Spark studio mic, Spark Digital is perfect for vocals and voiceover.
Shure MV51 Digital Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone + USB & Lightning Cable
Specifically engineered for high-quality digital audio capture, the all-digital MOTIV MV51 large-diaphragm condenser microphone seamlessly connects to any Mac, PC, iPhone, iPod, iPad and Android devices for the ultimate in convenience of digital recording.
HEADPHONES
AKG K 240 MK II Professional Semi-Open Stereo Headphones with Headphone Holder & Male to Stereo Female Extension Cable Bundle
These professional hi-fi studio headphones feature a semi-open circumaural design, and use patented Varimotion technology and extra-large transducers to deliver extremely precise, detailed sound.
Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone (new model)
The HD 280 PRO is a pair of closed, dynamic stereo headphones that deliver accurate, linear sound reproduction with ambient noise attenuation for critical monitoring applications. Optimum impedance ensures universal compatibility, from home listening to studio monitoring. The space-saving design features collapsible, rotating ear cups that are very comfortable to wear, even if used for long periods of time. The ear pads of the HD 280 PRO are made of a synthetic leatherette.
Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphone
In the HD 650, audiophiles will experience truly unique natural sound. With sound this good, long concerts in the comfort of your home are a certainty, so the HD 650 also sets standards in comfort and convenience. The HD 650 is a genuine masterpiece, which will satisfy even the most demanding listener.
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones in black. Enclosed design, wired for professional recording and monitoring
** HIGHLY RATED: HEADPHONES **
The DT 770 PRO (80 ohms) is a closed dynamic headphone that is ideal for professional use as a monitoring headphone in studios or on the move.
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Professional Open-Back Reference Headphones
Robust yet lightweight, and equipped with a unique, dual-sided detachable cable that automatically maintains proper stereo orientation (no matter how it’s attached), the R70x headphones are built for lasting comfort, convenience and audio purity.
SOUND PROOFING
Audimute Sound Absorption Sheet Sound - Dampening Blanket - Soundproofing Sheet (Bone)
I used these for years before I got my vocal booth and they worked great. I still use these blankets when traveling or when I'm not in my home studio.
You can expect a noticeable improvement in the sound quality of your room due to reduced sound echoes and reverberation.
Popular uses for this product include vocal booth construction, band practice spaces, home studios, and many other areas where sound absorbing materials are essential to controlling noise. (Sound Absorption Sheets are not a sound blocking product, but a sound absorption product.)
VOCAL BOOTH
Whisper Room
WhisperRoom, Inc.™ offers 26 sizes of iso booth models and two levels of sound isolation with basic and optional features, each affordably priced: a Standard (single-wall) and an Enhanced (double-wall). Our sound isolation booths significantly reduce ambient and acoustic noise and can be used as vocal booths for recording music, voice over or translations, as a broadcast booth, and more.
Vocal Booth
Since 1997 we have been selling internationally to an array of satisfied customers including chart topping Grammy winning recording artists and producers to the up-and-coming garage band musicians and amateur voice over artists. We offer three levels of sound isolation in four different series to meet most any sound isolation need.
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Buy used and save some cash!
I bought my vocal booth used on Craigslist and saved hundreds of dollars! Try E-Bay and other voiceover new and used gear sites too.
CABLES | MIC STAND | SHOCK MOUNT
XLR mic cables
Mogami GOLD STAGE-20 XLR Microphone Cable, XLR-Female to XLR-Male, 3-Pin, Gold Contacts, Straight Connectors, 20ft
Mogami GOLD STAGE XLR Microphone Cables are highly flexible, ultra-rugged, and “roadie proof”. Nearly indestructible, Mogami GOLD STAGE XLR Mic Cables are the premier choice for active stage performers, continuous handling applications, and anywhere a robust XLR cable is needed.
1/4 inch cable
Planet Waves Custom Series Instrument Cable, Right Angle, 20feet
Planet Waves Custom Series cables utilize ultra-pure, oxygen-free copper conductors for low capacitance and pure tone. Encapsulated and impenetrable soldering points with double-molded strain relief provide maximum durability and worry-free reliability. Two layers of shielding provide 100% coverage for superior insulation and noise rejection, making this the ultimate, high-performance cable.
3.5 mm cable
KabelDirekt Pro Series 6 feet 3.5mm Audio Aux Cord, 24k Gold-Plated, Male to Male Auxiliary Cable for Car, Home Stereo, iPhone, Smartphone, iPod, iPad or any Audio Device with 3.5mm Aux Port
24k Gold-Plated Corrosion-Resistant Connectors: Keeps the connection clean and provides the best possible contact to all kinds of recording equipment, enabling the delivery of high-quality sound.
Desk mount
InnoGear Microphone Arm Stand, Heavy Duty Mic Arm Microphone Stand Suspension Scissor Boom Stands with Mic Clip
This microphone stand is made of premium cast metal which is pretty sturdy than other inferior stands on the market. What is the biggest difference between our mic stand and others is that our springs are all internal and the max bearing capacity is 4.4 lbs. You can easily hold as much as FOUR Blue Yeti with it.
RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm
The PSA1 is a studio boom arm for radio, broadcast, studio and home use. The PSA1 offers a horizontal reach of 820mm, a vertical reach of 840mm and full 360 degree rotation. It is supplied with velcro cable wraps and both desk-clamp and desk-insert style attachments for versatile mounting in desks up to 55mm thick (clamp) or 70mm (insert).
floor mount
LyxPro Microphone Stand Boom Arm Tilting Rotating Floor Podium Stage or Studio Strong Durable And Foldable Height 38.5"- 66" Extends Arm to 29 3/8” Comes With 3/8” and 5/8” mount Adapters TMS-1
LyxPro tripod microphone stand provides flexible mic positioning for optimal pickup and sound isolation for the stage, or studio.
Ultimate Support ULTIMATE Studio Series Microphone Boom Stand w/Adjustable Counter Weight (MC125)
The MC-125 professional studio boom stand's larger-diameter base and locking, rollerblade-style wheels provide a low center of gravity and extra stability. Smoothly raise or lower height from 52" to 83" with a reliable clutch. The long boom telescopes from 35" to 61" and features a friction-free clutch arm extension. Also includes a unique, easy-adjust 5.75-lb. counterweight for a stable microphone placement. And the threaded shaft and boom sections provide quick set up and tear down for easy transport and storage.
shock mount
SOFTWARE
Twisted Wave (Mac only)
TwistedWave for Mac a very powerful and yet very easy to use audio editor. With TwistedWave on your iPad or iPhone, you can record and edit anything, anywhere. This is just like a portable home studio. Run TwistedWave without having to download or install anything. Launch it directly from your web browser, and continue editing your files where you left them.
Recorditor
Recorditor allows you to mark good and bad takes during a recording in sync with your timeline, and then it performs your edit decisions automatically.
No more scribbling notes on scripts and then going through tedious edit sessions sifting through takes.
Recorditor is designed to assist in scripted wild narration and dialog recording sessions such as animation dialog, audio books, IVR prompts, text to speech applications, or any other recording session that needs tidying up.
INTERFACE
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
The simplest model in the range, The third-generation Scarlett solo provides singer-songwriters with a reassuringly easy recording process. Equipped with high performance 24-bit/192kHz AD-DA converters, Scarlett S the same professional sound quality throughout the third-generation range. Its features include a single upgraded third-generation Scarlett mic preamp: with a switchable air setting to reproduce the air effect of focus rite's original ISA mic preamp, giving your vocal recordings a brighter and more Open sound.
lights | coffee water stand
LED lights (it gets hot in that booth!)
Kootek Clip On Book Lights Music Light Stand 10 LED Orchestra Lamp Adjustable Neck Reading Light Rechargeable USB Desk Lamp
Portable and Lightweight: take it with you while traveling, it is easy to carry and can be powered by built-in battery. 10 bright LEDs, built-in Rechargeable Lithium Battery. AC adapter and USB cord included. One Button Control: easy access power switch behind to power on/off and control two brightness levels.
Water | Coffee | Phone stand
Gator Frameworks Microphone Stand Clamp-On Utility Shelf; 9" x 9" Surface Area with 10 pound Weight Capacity (GFW-SHELF0909)
Gator Frameworks’ GFW-SHELF0909 Small microphone stand clamp-on Utility shelf is perfect to hold small accessories like capos, harmonicas, and cell phones. The 9” x 9” surface area provides plenty of space while the raised lip around edges prevents items from sliding off.
business
Pipedrive
This software is great for managing contacts and project workflows. What it does is it allows you to create visual and personalized pipelines that will show you in what stage your leads and your projects are. For example, for contact/marketing management — to be organized in how you progress a contact from being a lead to being a client — you can create a pipeline where you can track your interaction with the individual. It can be something like: Initial contact > Sent follow up email > Sent follow up postcard > Scheduled for call > Send contract. And you can make it as personalized as you want. You can even add notes like if they have responded or not, if they told you to follow up with them after a certain period of time, etc. You can also set reminders so that you don’t forget tasks you’ve created for turning the lead into a client. This is also the same case with project management. You can make pipelines for your workflows like: Received Script > Recorded > Edited > Submitted > Made Revisions > Sent Invoice > Received Payment. Pipedrive can be very flexible, and you can customize it as much as you want. The best thing about it is that keeps you organized so that you’re on top of things and nothing falls through the cracks.
Xero
Xero is an invoicing solution similar to QuickBooks and FreshBooks. I love this software because it lets me easily create beautiful invoices. I’ve actually gotten compliments on my invoices, which is pretty unusual. Most the time, invoices aren’t intended to look artsy or anything beautiful (and not that my invoices have actual artwork on them other than my logo), but they’re attractive-looking. I also love that it’s very easy to use and that it integrates with Paypal and credit cards, making it a breeze for my clients to make payments.
DocHub
This software is really important for me. It makes my life a lot easier when I have to sign an NDA, a contract, or even when I need to fill out forms for taxes. A lot of times my clients or agents will send a form that needs my signature, and it’s such a pain to print something out, get a pen, physically sign it, scan it back in, and then email it. DocHub allows you to sign PDFs on your computer without having to print anything out or scan it in.
Moo
Moo.com is where you can get really great business cards and postcards, among other paper products. They have a type of card stock that is significantly thicker than your average business card and postcard, and I tell you — it really makes an impression. Almost every time I hand out a business card, I get wonderful comments about it, and there’s nothing super special about my design, logo, or anything like that — the card itself just feels really high quality.
Big Scoots
I’ve used several different hosting providers in the past, but so far, what has been the most reliable and by far the fastest is BigScoots. You probably have never heard of them before. They’re not a huge name like GoDaddy, but they’re great. They have lightning fast hosting, so your site will be fast. Mine increased in speed noticeably when I switched from GoDaddy to Big Scoots. They also have amazing customer service.
WordPress
There’s a difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org. Basically, with wordpress.org, you’ll need your own hosting account to make your website live, but you’ll also have more freedom with customizing your website, which is why I love it. It’s technically free, unless you’d like to purchase premium templates from third party providers. I really like it because it’s very flexible and customizable, and you can do pretty much anything you want to do with your website using it. It does require some technical knowledge, but it has gotten a lot easier to use over the years.
Drip
This is the email service provider I currently use. I love Drip! It's so powerful. Drip offers ALL the bells and whistles you could ever want from an Email marketing provider.
Get in on an ECRM that uses customer insight, data, and smarter email marketing automation at scale. With the best customer experience, your brand will never blend in.
RYPE App
For those bilingual voice actors looking to translate or brush up on a second language I recommend Rype. This is a language learning app that connects you with language teachers. They put you in contact with fully-vetted, professional teachers who are native speakers of the language you want to learn. You then choose a teacher that suits you, and you get to schedule an unlimited number of lessons with them. You could do a 30-minute or 60-minute lesson every day, and you pay either monthly or annually.
Learn Spanish, French, English, German and more with top language teachers online. Start learning immediately by claiming your free lesson.
Join our community,
the Voiceover Success Intensive!
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You'll spend enough time alone in your voiceover booth (or closet!) when you're recording. For all the other stuff, take advantage of a community of other voice actors on the same journey you're on.
Learn more about The Voiceover Success Intensive membership here!