Choosing a great microphone may be more important for voiceover artists than it is for singers and other musicians. This is because often, voiceover talent has no music or reverb effects to hide behind; your voice is the central character if not the only sound element in the mix. To capture your audience, it’s imperative that the mic you choose cleanly and thoroughly reproduces your vocal delivery so that every inflection and tonal shade is vividly conveyed. With that in mind, let’s look at the best voiceover mics available in every price category.
Condenser Mics
Large diaphragm condenser microphones are often the preferred choice for voiceover artists and voice actors. This is because good condenser mics are highly sensitive with a wide frequency response, and therefore, are great at picking up even the subtlest details and variations in one’s voice. It should be noted that condenser mics do require phantom power. So, just make sure that your audio interface offers a 48V phantom power feature.
Under $100
Audio-Technica AT2020
Don’t let the modest cost of the AT2020 dissuade you. This microphone from Audio-Technica has been used by a number of professional recording artists (most famously, Billie Eilish), to produce top-notch vocals on celebrated albums. For speech, you can expect studio-quality intelligibility with a level of detail that surpasses its humble price tag. Like most of the mic options listed in this article, the AT2020 features a cardioid pickup pattern. This means that the mic focuses directly on the speaker while being far less sensitive to sound coming from behind and far off to the sides.
MXL V67G
MXL has also gained a respectable reputation for offering sound quality that punches way above its price point. The V67G has become especially popular amongst vocalists for its warm, mellow and rounded tone. But these pleasing traits can also lend themselves well to speech recordings depending on the type of work voice you’re doing. And for those who prioritize style, the V6G7’s classy deep green color with the gold grille makes for an eye-catching centerpiece to your studio.
Under $300
RODE NT1
The Rode NT1 is another sonically delicious sounding mic. With a warm and fluid sound profile, this model provides a smooth frequency response with a super detailed midrange and clean, low noise delivery overall. Regardless of the flavor or tone of your voice, this proven all-rounder is likely to bring out the best qualities in your speech performance. Included in the package is a shockmount, pop filter and XLR microphone cable, saving you the added expense of having to buy separate accessories. Just mount it to your stand, and you’re ready to go.
Lewitt LCT 440 PURE
Lewitt is known for producing some very high-end (and pricey) vocal and instrument mics. And while the LCT 440 PURE is a much more cost-effective model, it does borrow its components and design from the company’s top-tier models. Thanks to a boost in the treble range, this mic is perfect for those who enjoy enhanced crispness in their voice delivery. The LCT 440 PURE also comes as an all-in-one package that includes a shockmount and windscreen to reduce breath noise and limit vibration.
Under $500
AKG C214
It’s hard to go wrong with any AKG microphone. In fact, their highest-tier mic, the C414 is a well-established standard in professional recording studios around the world. The C214 is modeled after their flagship model, using the same one-inch capsule but configured to offer only a cardioid polar pattern. Luckily, (like all the models above) this directional pickup-pattern is optimal for speech, as it captures the sound source in front of it, while minimizing ambient noise pickup. At the end of the day, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more detailed sounding microphone in this price range.
Earthworks ETHOS
The ETHOS, made by Earthworks is a unique microphone that stands out from the crowd for a number of reasons when it comes to speech-centric condenser models. It features a supercardioid response, which has a tighter pickup pattern than a simple cardioid condenser mic, like the ones shown above. It also employs a small-diaphragm condenser capsule rather than a large diaphragm, allowing it to deliver particularly nuanced and precise vocal recordings with extended high frequencies.
At the same time, the ETHOS also sports the physical design of a classic broadcasting mic. It includes a mount that pairs perfectly with a broadcasting boom arm and utilizes a foam windscreen to keep your recordings clean.
Under $700
Neumann TLM 102
Many people may think that a Neumann mic is out of their price range. But the company has produced a comparatively affordable, yet highly capable alternative, the TLM 102. It offers the undeniable Neumann sound, but without the bells and whistles you get on their incredibly pricey U 87, such as variable polar patterns, low-cut filters, etc. This model famously sits forward in the mix when recorded over music. And with respect to speech, this quality translates to a very direct, intimate and powerful delivery.
It should be noted that although the TLM 102 is marketed as having a built-in pop shield, we highly recommend buying an external pop filter to sufficiently eliminate vocal plosives.
Audio-Technica AT4050
The AT4050 is a great choice for independent voiceover artists, not only because it offers impressive transparency but also because it features a switchable high-pass filter to reduce any low frequency hum that can easily occur when recording in less-than-ideal environments, like your bedroom or home studio. What’s more, the mic offers three different polar patterns to choose from: cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure 8, giving it added versatility.
$1000 and Up
AKG C414
You can’t write a mic buying guide without mentioning the AKG C414. It’s one of the most famous microphones on the market and has become an industry in all professional studios. Sonically, the C414 takes its cues from the legendary C12 tube mic, offering a very up-front sound that gives demanding presence to any type of vocal you throw at it. The C414 offers a wide range of polar patterns, including cardioid and hypercardioid pickups, allowing you to experiment with which setting works best for your acoustic space. It also features a bass-cut filter which, again, is useful for untreated rooms where low frequency hums or vibrations can become an issue.
Neumman TLM 103
Many professional voice actors and voiceover artists will tell you that the TLM 103 is the ultimate choice for any work involving speech. Introduced in the late 90’s as a budget-conscious alternative to the U 87, the TLM 103 sounds a touch more modern with a wide presence boost in the treble frequencies, adding potency to vocals especially. Its wide dynamic range makes it particularly suitable for expressive speaking performances, capturing anything from a soft whisper to a roaring shout without adding any noise or distortion.
Dynamic Mics
Dynamic mics may not reproduce sound in a way that is as detailed as condenser mics, but they can offer a rich and warm gravitas to your voice. Dynamic mics also tend to be less sensitive to more distant sounds. So, if you are working in a room with less-than-ideal acoustic conditions, dynamic mics can often be the optimal choice. They also tend to be more rugged than condenser mics. Therefore, they can be a safer bet for those who frequently take their studio on the road.
Under $100
RODE PodMic
Specifically tuned for speech, the PodMic from Rode is a solid, wallet-friendly option for voiceover work. It features a tight cardioid polar pattern and employs an internal shockmount to minimize handling noise and table vibrations. In addition, it integrates a built-in pop filter to reduce plosive noises and breath sounds.
The PodMic works most optimally when you position yourself close to the microphone; it will help a achieve an intimate broadcast style recording with a deep and warm tone. And it pairs perfectly with the PSA1+ boom arm, allowing for flexible and accurate positioning.
Under $300
Telefunken M80
Although the Telefunken M80 is marketed as a handheld mic, it’s an ideal choice for voiceover work for a couple of reasons. First, it features a supercardioid polar pattern, making it extremely directional and skilled at rejecting ambient noise. Furthermore, it has the sonic qualities of a condenser mic with the durability of a dynamic mic. The M80 is not only a highly transparent sounding microphone, but it also offers a wide 50 Hz to 18 kHz frequency response. So, you can expect an impressively accurate vocal reproduction overall.
Unlike the PodMic, featured above, the M80 is designed to reduce the proximity effect, which is perfect for those who want to avoid the added depth and darkness that a broadcast style mic tends to deliver.
Under $500
Shure SM7B
The SM7B from Shure has become an industry standard for broadcast work. Again, like a typical broadcasting mic, you can expect a rich response in the low frequencies (though the tuning does provide a little bass roll-off) and a smooth, refined tone overall. There’s also a boost in the midrange that lends extra presence to one’s voice. And as with most broadcast microphones, you can comfortably move up close to the mic thanks to the detachable windscreen, eliminating the need for added protection from mouth sounds.
Electro-Voice RE20
Finally, the RE20 is one of the most well-known mics in the broadcasting industry. It offers incredibly low noise performance and remarkably good clarity and separation. The RE20 rugged steel build also does a great job of minimizing any handling noise, while the internal windscreen effectively protects from pops and breath noises even while speaking very close to the mic. All in all, it’s a broadcast studio workhorse that will get the job done with respect to any type speaking performance.
For more information about the microphones listed, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
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