I’ve used the FocusRite 2i2 digital interface since it was introduced. Why? When it comes to functionality, sound quality and affordability, FocusRite’s Scarlett 2i2 is hands down the top choice for voice over talent home studios. The best and easiest to use digital interface. The “Second Generation” 2i2 has 2 in/2 out USB 2.0 audio interface with one Scarlett mic pre amp and one instrument input, 24bit/192kHz & USB bus powered. Mac & PC compatible. It also has an easy to use and understand audio level meter that arcs around the audio input gain dial. I wish I had a nickel for every 2i2 I recommended to someone. I’ve heard few complaints aside from occasional problems with drivers when used with a PC.
Reviews
KRK Rockit 5 Studio Monitors for a home voiceover studio
When it comes to being affordable and trustworthy, the KRK Rokit 5’s have become a go-to studio monitor for many voiceover actors with home studios. I’ve been using the same pair for over 10 years and they still deliver the sound that I can differentiate frequencies, and hear clearly, the subtleties of my voice. They’ve been $149 since I can remember. They’re easy to set up and tune to the room using all the adjustments in the back (Volume, 4 step frequency adjustments)
If you’re on a budget and want a studio monitor that delivers flat response, great power and clarity along with affordability, the KRK Rokit 5’s are a must.
Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII
The Apollo Twin MKII is the ultimate digital interface for home studio and professional studios alike! Apollo Twin MkII is a ground-up redesign of the world’s most popular professional desktop recording interface for Mac and Windows — delivering enhanced audio conversion with the tone, feel, and flow of analog recording.
Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, Apollo Twin MkII starts with two Unison™-enabled mic preamps and stellar next-generation A/D and D/A conversion derived from UA’s flagship Apollo 8, 8p, and 16. Together with its included bundle of UAD analog emulation plug-ins — which you can track through in real time with UAD-2 SOLO, DUO or QUAD Core processing
Yamaha HS5 5″ Powered Studio Monitor
I use the the Yamaha HS5’s in my home VO studio. After looking at every other monitor in its class, these won out, hands down. This active studio monitor will help you make better-sounding voice recordings. Yamaha’s nearfield monitors with those iconic white-coned woofers have been ubiquitous in top studios worldwide ever since the original NS-10s hit the scene in the late ’70s. They’ve continuously developed and perfected their monitors, resulting in HS series monitors with newly designed bi-amplified drivers and scientifically ported enclosures that deliver amazing accuracy and vanishingly low coloration. Thats an essential quality to getting your voice over recordings sounding exactly like you. I highly recommend these legendary studio monitors. They’re worth every penny!
Condenser Mic – The VO1A Signature Series from Harlan Hogan
I love this microphone! I’ve been using the Harlan Hogan VO-1A on the set of Voice Over Body Shop for over 3 years! It helps us show how this mic is perfect for VO. Harlan Hogan custom designed it with the people at MXL to make a VO only Studio Condenser mic and succeeded with making the perfect product at a great price point! At this price you can’t find a better mic built for what you do. Voice Over!
It comes with:
- Foam-lined travel case and fleece-lined protective storage pouch
- MXL quick mic clip & shock mount
- Fifteen foot Marshall XLR microphone cable
- 1 YEAR WARRANTY & 30 DAY ‘No Questions asked’ refund policy
- Gold sputtered diaphragm
- Wiring by Mogami®
Put this one straight into your VO booth! You’ll see (Hear) why its a great value!
VO Microphone-sE Electronics sE2200 Cardioid Condenser
A VO microphone that delivers! The sE Electronics sE2200 studio condenser microphone has been a popular choice by many voice artists over the past 10 years. I’ve seen it at trade shows, read lots of reviews and yet never had the chance to try one in my own studio.
It was fairly easy to set-up with the twist tight shock mount which also has a clip for the included “Pop” filter.
A versatile VO Microphone
Multi-pattern microphones do have a lot to offer. A cardioid pattern makes it a go-to for vocal and instrument use in the studio. Why compromise on quality or increase the price with pattern switching when all you want and need is the simplicity of a cardioid pickup pattern. This is what you get with the sE2200: Excellent side and rear rejection to cut down on room reflections and a present noise floor from other hardware, with clear audio capture in front
Over-all Impression: A high end VO microphone for great price
As well as creating a large diaphragm microphone perfect for voice over that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, sE has included several little touches to ensure it can work in a range of situations. Firstly, a -10 or -20 dB attenuation switch allows you to pull back the gain for high SPL signals, capturing even the loudest of voices with excellent clarity. There is also a high pass filter with two different roll-off points to take care of low frequency rumble. This is further addressed with the included shock mount and pop filter, making this an ideal combination for any home studio or professional setup looking for another microphone flavor. When it comes to the quality of this microphone’s performance, the sE2200 can stand up to a range of higher priced microphones and deliver results over and over.
Summary
A great, professional sounding mic for voice over, at a great price! When you consider the price of this model, it would be hard to consider any microphone collection not having an sE2200. You could do a lot worse if you wanted to stand with just one microphone in your kit, but you should certainly consider having an sE2200 in there for variety of tone and additional signal source offerings even when more expensive microphones are in use. In all, there’s a reason why this microphone has remained so popular over recent years.