Whats the best Microphone For Voice Over?
By Dan Lenard
The Home Studio Master
Voice talents ask me this question almost constantly: “Whats the best microphone for recording voice over in a home studio?” I find people over-think this question almost to distraction of what really matters. The answer is not nearly as complex.
Here’s one way to look at it. Which ones aren’t optimal?
A Shure SM57, SM7, or any dynamic mic. Yeah sure the Electro-Voice RE20 is used by a few people, but its hardly the best microphone for recording VO. These are microphones designed for live performance and broadcasting. They are super for that. They are the industry standard, if you’re Bono or Howard Stern.
Also remember, We’re not talking about going into the Legendary Marc Grau’s studio in Hollywood or the Abby Road Studios in London. We’re talking about your personal home voice over studio in Kansas City, Kalamazoo or Katmandu. The less perfect the environment, the less optimum a mic you need to use.
I have 4 mics. Well actually many more than that. I use: The TLM 103, My trusty Harlan Hogan VO-1A , CAD E100S and what is rapidly becoming a favorite because not only for its sound, but its highly directional pattern which rejects side noise. The Sennheiser 416. Anyone of those mics and any other Studio condenser mic will fill the bill. But you still have to know how to use one.
The 103 and the 416 both are around $1K. The best mics, the most costly mics, like those examples, are the most sensitive mics. I can use a TLM 103 or Senn 416 because I have a professional, acoustically sterile and neutral environment to record in. Not the same thing as a great, isolated closet, full of clothes in a home with nearby traffic, toilets and AC. Go up a couple grand to a Neumann U87 at around $3K and you’re getting into a whole other realm, sensitivity wise. That doesn’t help when someone starts running the dryer or a jet or school bus goes by. Unless you’ve got a professional sound booth that rejects the majority of sound, don’t go spending a grand or more on a VO mic.
My standard has always been “Any Studio Condenser mic between $200 and $350.” If you use it right, it will capture you as you exist, some with a little more coloration that others, but guess what? Even you can’t tell the difference. You also have a huge pile of choices at that price point from great manufacturers like , AKG, MXL, Blue Microphones and many others we’ll examine here on voiceovergear.com.
Bottom line? Its not the microphone that gets you work, its the way you interpret copy, Proper mic technique and showing people you know what you’re doing. And one other thing. None of us are here in the VO biz to enjoy our own voices. Its to present our voices to potential clients they way they want to hear you. Don’t go auditioning mics on headphones in a big store trying to find what YOU think makes you sound best. You don’t hire you.
Get real. Do you think these guys casting a power point presentation are sitting there saying “Well this guy is using a U87, we should hire him?” The advantage you have is your talent, the uniqueness of your voice and personality, not your mic.
We’ll be reviewing microphones for Voice Over here on voiceovergear.com. We’ll look at price, the features and what makes them good, or improper for your use as a voice talent recording at home, in a less than perfect environment.
For more information and help on setting up a home voice over studio, contact Dan Lenard at http://homevoiceoverstudio.com
Here’s a little video with more details. Pay attention to the mics used here..