Voiceovers are so universal that you probably don’t even think about how often they’re used in media today.

Of course, you hear them in animated shows and movies. However, voiceovers are also used for a variety of mediums, including TV/ radio commercials, video games, audiobooks, sales videos, and presentations. 

How can you break into this field? You’ll need the right equipment, starting with a microphone. What is the best voice over mic?

This quick guide will help you decide.

Finding the Right Voiceover Mic

There are several types and microphone brands on the market. The one you choose will depend on the audio quality you want and the environment where you'll be recording.

There are two types of mics to consider: the condenser mic and the dynamic mic. 

Condenser mics are designed to pick up every nuance of your vocal performance. You’ll pay more for one, but the exceptional sound quality may offset the cost.

If you’re in a room or studio that experiences a lot of background noise, a dynamic mic is a good choice. It won’t pick up voice details in the same way, but the ability to filter out background noise may make up it.

Best Voice Over Mic Options

Now let’s break down some options that deliver great microphone quality, along with other features. 

Neumann TLM 13 – This mic is used by a number of voiceover professionals. It offers exceptional audio quality and great noise canceling ability. It also has a low self-noise of 7db, which is great. 

Rode NT1-A – This is one of the best systems for under $200. It has a low self-noise of 5db, making it the quietest studio mic available.

Audio-Technica AT4040 – This is one of the best condenser microphones on the market. The only drawback is it does tend to pick up background noise, which you would need to edit out.

Blue Yeti – This microphone has a USB port and gives you the ability to record in 4 pickup patterns, including stereo, omnidirectional, bi-directional, and cardioid. It comes with a live headphone jack so you can hear what’s being recorded.

Samson Meteor – Similar to the Blue Yeti in quality, this mic is quite a bit cheaper. In exchange for the lower price, it only offers cardioid pickup. On the plus side, you can plug it into a smartphone and use a live headphone jack.

Audio-Technica AT2100 – This model has both a USB port and XLR plug so you can plug it into a computer or amplifier, preamp, or mixer.

Shure SM7B – This microphone is used in environments where background noises are a problem. It offers a flat frequency response so the audio sounds more natural compared to dynamic mics.

Follow Your Voice to a Rewarding Career

As a voiceover artist, you can make a great living while using your talent and creativity. All you need is a place to record and the right voice over mic. Hopefully, this guide will get you started. 

If you need to hire voice talent, browse our network of experienced professionals. If you have any questions about our hiring and recording process, be sure to watch this short video.