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There are a lot of different microphones, and this is by no means a comprehensive list or breakdown. However, it will give you a good overview on what types of microphones are available and what the right questions might be to find the right one for you depending on your goals, recording environment, and budget.
Is there a “best” microphone? Eh, depends on who you ask.
Is there a “best” microphone? Eh, depends on who you ask.
Here are links to some of my recommendations. Again this isn’t an exhaustive list, but a starting point. If none of these feel right for you, that’s okay! There are thousands of mics out there.
My Recommended Starting Gear: ➡️ Rode NT1 Bundle: A fantastic mic that’s quite affordable, and can last you your whole career if you wish. One of the best bang for your buck options out there.
My Favorite Mics: ➡️ Neumann U87ai: One of the most widely used professional microphones in the world. Prized for its detail, flexibility, and honest sound it’s a great choice for established professionals. However, due to its high sensitivity and neutral tone, it’s not a beginner friendly mic.
➡️ Neumann TLM 103: One of the two most popular home studio mics for VO artists. A jack of all trades, it excels in just about any recording genre—commercial, audiobooks, animation, you name it. It does work best with a well treated space.
➡️ Earthworks ETHOS: A newer mic to the scene, this is a broadcast condenser that has a very true to life tone to it. While perhaps not the go-to for many VO projects, I’ve found it to be a great addition to my studio for many reasons.
➡️ Sennheiser MKH-416: Probably the most ubiquitous home studio mic for VO artists these days, owing to it’s larger than life sound, ease of use, excellent off-axis rejection, and small form factor. A great all-rounder that deserves a look.
➡️ Shure KSM 32: An unsung hero in many respects. Used in countless high profile studios and podcasts, including “This American Life” & “The New York Times,” this mic sounds good on almost all voices. While not as punchy as some others, it offers an undeniable foundation that punches well above its weight class. In terms of bang for your buck, this is one to look for.
➡️ Electro-Voice RE20: My favorite dynamic microphone to use. Its condenser-like detail with the benefits of a dynamic mic’s ease of use and fantastic off-axis rejection. A great option if you aren’t ready for a hyper sensitive condenser mic.
The audio interface is the “brain” of your recording setup. It provides power to your microphone if necessary, it allows you to control the mic’s sensitivity, jacks in your headphones, and most importantly it lets your microphone talk to your computer, using a process called conversion. All very sciencey, and again important. Here are some things to think about as you look for the right one for you.
https://youtu.be/-His7apN3oo?si=KCPhIAHjeS---Bq0
My audio interface recommendations:
➡️ Focusrite Scarlett Solo: One of the more ubiquitous entry level interfaces. It can last well into your career, if not the whole darn thing if you want.