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VOICE OVER TECHNOLOGY

The 9 Best Microphones for Voice

Over Work
By Grant Lingel ! In Voice Over Technology
When choosing a microphone for voice over work, a lot rides on that purchase, including
someone has to say itcareers. Pick the wrong mic, and bookings dry up because great vo
arent served well by crappy microphones that produce muddy or tinny sound.

Want high-quality recordings? Invest in high-quality equipment. Fortunately, a decent mic

doesnt have to come with a huge price tag.

The most important consideration when looking for a mic is your unique voice, and how yo
be using it. Some mics will t your voice better than others. Like if you have at feet, sure y
can wear sky-high heels, but theyre going to hurt.

Think about the acoustics in your recording studioeven if its a sound-proofed closet. Is t
background noise? Choose a mic that minimizes pick up. Will the recording be done on the
Then portability and easy set-up are nonnegotiable. Will the mic require a lot of post-recor
clean-up? Okay, skip that one.

Clarity, brightness, warmth, sound quality, and durability rule. Picking up higher registers
female vocalsis trickier, so bear that in mind when shopping, and seek a mic with a wide
dynamic range.

The bottom line when it comes to buying a microphone? Go for the completely necessary
features. Then add bells and whistles as budget permits. Try out a number of micsbe sup
pickyand see which one makes you sound the best before forking over your credit card.
Understand the return policy when buying online.

Here are the nine best microphones out there with all budgets in mind, some with comme
from their owners. Not surprisingly, they can be more than a little vocal about their favorit

Great cost-eective options under $250

Many voiceover talents vouch for the Rode NT1-A Vocal Condenser Microphone, and this is
ACX recommends for narration. This microphone costs around $229, so its denitely budg
friendly for beginners. Quiet and neutral sounding, it creates high-quality recordings with a
dynamic range. It comes packaged with a shock mount and an exclusive studio secrets D
oering recording tips and techniques.
Mid-range microphones up to $600
Got a bit more money? Here are four other excellent choices for voiceover actors.

The SE Electronics sE2200a II C Microphone is a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic. T

model has super vocal isolation, ltering out a lot of background noise. No case is included
it does come with a rugged shock mount. It sells for $299. Users praise its warm and clean
sound, and its ability to deliver clear and dynamic recordings of various voices and tones, f
and male alike.

Designed with voice over actors in mind, the Harlan Hogan VO: 1-A Microphone is a sweet
also at $299. A mic pouch, hard case, quick clip mount, shock mount, XLR cable, and two
replacement mount bands are included in that price. If a USB-style connection is preferred
XLR, its available.

VoiceBunnys own Tara Tyler uses a Blue Microphones Bluebird Cardioid Condenser
Microphone, preferring its clean, bright sound for both male and female talents. She says
just enough low end to ensure the vocal doesnt sound muddy. She further comments th
sturdier shock mount is needed than the one it comes with, but that the Bluebirds pluses
outweigh its cons. The Bluebird runs $299 and has a three-year warranty.

Looking at comments on other articles about buying the best mic for voice over, many in t
industry recommend going with the American-made CAD E100S Microphone, which runs $
Its a large diaphragm super cardioid condenser mic. To be honest, it looks more like an ele
razor than a microphone (its rectangular), but it makes for beautiful sound. One owner sa
the CAD E100S eliminates most background noise by itself; he claims he can sit outside his
sound booth and use it.

For its quality, the Rode NTK Tube Condenser Microphone is bargain-priced at $529. Its lar
diaphragm condenser mic makes for a warm sonic character without distortion, good to kn
for those who make LOUD recordings. It has wide dynamic range. Durability, versatility, an
great audio are all hallmarks of this microphone, which comes in a padded plastic hard cas
Like all tube mics, it needs to warm up, so plan to turn it on about thirty minutes before
recording.

Professional grade microphoness

The Sennheiser MKH416-P48U3 Super-Cardioid Shotgun Tube Condenser Microphone is
fantastic for recording outside, and theres a reason its been called the gold standard. Its
on so many tv sets and in professional studios. Its a directional shotgun mic, so it points d
to the voice and rejects feedback. It has great sound quality, its rugged, and is lightweight
easy to use. It sets VO artists back $999. One user commented that it was a great mic to ta
the road, with easy set-up.

For voice talents, almost everyones favorite mic appears to be the Neumann U87, but a lo
model, the Neumann TLM103 also produces great quality audio recordings. Listed at $1,0
it ts the bill for professional broadcasters and for those who have serious home studio
requirements. Neumann users say the mic picks up voice nuancesimportant for conveyi
emotion in a performanceas well as the overarching sound. This diaphragm condenser m
very sensitive, as expected at this price.

Even higher end microphones are available. Throwing lots of money at equipment will mak
dierence in sound quality. But if your mic is at a professional level already, it will take load
cash to make small tweaks in sound qualityand to tell the truth, these may not even be
noticeable.

Go forth and shop around

This listing gives you nine good alternatives to choose from, whatever your budget. Try to
borrow or rent the mic youre interested in and test it in your own studio environment. The
mic for you is always going to be the one that makes you sound the best.

Whichever microphone you pick, take care of it, and itll serve you for years to come.

This article was co-written by ArticleBunny

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