As a voice talent, purchasing your gear for your home studio can be SO energizing… or maybe intimidating for some. It is vital to your voiceover career that you have a solid home studio setup with quality gear to record auditions and *hopefully* booked sessions. This includes: microphones, cables, sound treatment, headphones, an interface, a DAW, and so on). Voice talent, Actor, Video Content Creator, Instructor, and Audio Engineer: James Younger, compiled a list of the best microphones you can get for your money (without breaking the bank!). You’ll find that getting good equipment may not be as expensive as you thought.
Side Note: If you’re space isn’t treated properly, spending $3,000 on a microphone will not matter. All that will do is amplify your terrible acoustics! Learn more about SOUNDPROOFING & ACOUSTIC TREATMENT for your home studio at ProVoiceoverTraining.com or here at AtlantaVoiceoverStudio.com/classes
Mid-Range Microphones
These microphones tend to be the more affordable but still sound very professional.
Rode NT1KIT Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package
This is my go to recommendation for voice actors. This mic is unbelievably affordable but sounds extremely expensive. Purchase Here
LEWITT LCT 440 PURE Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Just like the Rode NT1 this mic packs an incredible sound at an unbelievably affordable price. Purchase Here
Rode NTG4 PLUS Shotgun Microphone
This mic is a great option for any voice actor who lives in a more noisy environment. This mic is designed to reject sound from the sides and back making it great for anyone who needs more outside noise control. Purchase Here
Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone – Blackout Edition
This microphone tends to be a little noisy for voice over work but the quality that this mic puts out is actually kind of impressive. Purchase Here
Apogee MIC PLUS USB Microphone
I’m not one for USB mics but THIS USB mic packs a punch! I recommend this mic for anyone who travels and wants convenience without sacrificing audio quality. Purchase Here
Audio-Technica AT4033/CL Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Audio-Technica AT4040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Sennheiser MD 421 II Cardioid Dynamic Mic
High-End Microphones
These microphones tend to be more expensive but are what you will see in most pro studios
Sennheiser MKH416-P48U3 Super-Cardioid Shotgun Tube Condenser Microphone
This microphone may be the most widely used microphone on the market for voice over. Originally made for “On set movie production” work, it soon became THE mic to have as a voice actor. It does an unbelievable job a rejecting outside noise from the side and back of the microphone due to the fact that it’s a shotgun mic. Purchase Here
Rode NTG5 Location Recording Kit
This microphone sounds identical to the 416 at a fraction of the cost! Very impressed with this microphone! Purchase Here
Neumann TLM 103 SET w/ EA1 Shockmount and Aluminum Case
This is yet another industry standard microphone that is widely used across the industry. Pretty much every professional studio you walk into will have this microphone. (Not recommended for really small spaces) Purchase Here
Neumann TLM 102 Black Cardioid Condenser Microphone Studio Set w/ Shock Mount MT
This one comes with a shock mount if you need it! Purchase Here
Neumann U 87 Ai Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone – Matte Black
If you’ve got the money and want THE industry standard voice over microphone you’ve come to the right link. Purchase Here
CAD Audio Equitek E100S Large Diaphragm Supercardioid Condenser Microphone
Known as the worlds quietest microphone, this mic will give you pristine audio quality at a mid range cost. Purchase Here
Neumann TLM-102 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone (Black) with Suspension Shockmount & Pop Filter
The little brother to the 103. Purchase Here
Rode NTG3 Precision RF-Biased Shotgun Microphone with WSS-2018 Professional Windshield, Universal Shock Mount and XLR M to Angled XLR F Microphone Cable -1.5′
We hope this list points you in the right direction! Our goal is to EQUIP, ELEVATE, and INSPIRE you in your voiceover journey!
For more equipment recommendations on:
- Interfaces
- Headphones
- Pop Filters
- Monitors
- Microphone Arms/Stands
- Microphone & Speaker Cables
- Podcast Equipment
- Computers
- Vocal Health Products and more
Check out our Kit.co page here