Finding a microphone that can do justice to your acting skills is a little tricky. However, with this guide, you don’t have to worry about it, as I have simplified the process of getting the best microphone for voice acting for you.
No wonder the market is flooded with so many voiceover microphones, but it is still baffling to understand which one would be perfect. In this article, I am reviewing the best voice acting microphones, including
· Audio-Technica AT2020 – Best Microphone for voice acting
· Shure SM7B – Best Microphone for Podcasting
· Rode NT1 5th Generation – Best Mic for Budget
· Sennheiser Wired Professional MKH 416-P48U3 – Best Mic for Soundproofing
· Blue Yeti Pro - Best USB voice over microphone
· Electro-Voice RE20 - Best Microphone for YouTube
Do you need a good mic for voice acting?
The quality of the microphone directly impacts the clarity, warmth, and sound production. If you are a voice actor or on the verge of starting your vlogging, then yes, you need to get the best voice recording microphone.
Hence, you need a professional microphone for recording. Thus, after researching properly, here is a list of a few microphones based on perfect features and budgets.
The Best Microphone for Voice Acting
1. Audio-Technica AT2020 Condenser
When speaking of the best mic for voice over, Audio-Technica AT2020 is my first choice. This microphone is a professional-grade cardioid condenser microphone that is designed to deliver studio-quality audio for a wide range of applications.
Renowned for its outstanding audio reproduction and reliability, the AT2020 has become a popular choice among musicians, podcasters, voiceover artists, and content creators.
The cardioid pickup pattern of the AT2020 ensures focused audio capture from the front, effectively minimizing background noise and providing excellent isolation for the desired sound source.
With a wide frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz, the AT2020 captures the full spectrum of audio frequencies, delivering rich and detailed sound reproduction.
Furthermore, the condenser capsule of the AT2020 offers sensitivity and transient response, which is ideal for capturing the subtleties of vocals and instruments with clarity and precision.
Pros
· Great affordability
· Ideal for vocals and instruments
· Perfectly engineered microphone
· Has great sensitivity and transient response
Cons
· This microphone is sensitive to plosives
· The noise canceling is not good
2. Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is a legendary dynamic cardioid microphone celebrated for its versatility and exceptional performance across various audio applications. This microphone has become a staple in recording studios, broadcast environments, and content creators seeking unparalleled sound quality.
The cardioid pickup pattern of the SM7B ensures precise and focused capture of sound from the front while effectively attenuating off-axis noise, making it an ideal choice for environments with controlled acoustics.
The SM7B boasts a flat, wide-range frequency response suitable for capturing a diverse array of audio sources. From vocals and musical instruments to podcasting and broadcasting, this microphone excels in delivering natural and transparent sound reproduction.
The microphone features an advanced air suspension shock isolation system that minimizes mechanical noise transmission, ensuring clean and interference-free recordings even in environments with vibrations and handling noise.
Pros
· Offers great noise-canceling
· Features electromagnetic shielding, suspension, and windscreen
· Great to use with versatile controls
· Has a pop filter
· It comes with a wide-frequency response
Cons
· Heavy
· Requires a high-quality preamp as it offers a low-output
3. Rode NT1 5th Generation
The Rode NT1 5th Generation is a highly regarded cardioid condenser microphone known for its exceptional audio quality and sleek design. Tailored for a wide range of recording applications, this microphone has gained popularity among musicians, vocalists, podcasters, and content creators.
The NT1 boasts an incredibly low self-noise level of 4.5 dBA, making it one of the quietest studio condenser microphones available. This ensures that recordings are free from unwanted background noise, capturing audio with exceptional clarity.
With a cardioid pickup pattern, the NT1 focuses on capturing sound from the front while effectively rejecting off-axis noise, making it suitable for studio recordings where isolation is crucial.
The microphone offers a wide frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz, allowing it to faithfully reproduce the full spectrum of audio frequencies and deliver a natural, balanced sound.
The NT1 features Rode's proprietary HF6 capsule, known for its detailed and transparent audio reproduction. This capsule contributes to the microphone's ability to capture vocals and instruments with precision.
Pros
· Exceptionally low self-noise for pristine recordings.
· Versatile cardioid polar pattern suitable for various recording scenarios.
· Wide frequency response for capturing a broad range of audio sources.
· Integrated shock mounting minimizes handling noise.
· Sleek and durable all-metal construction.
Cons
· It needs to be connected to the mixer for phantom power
· It does catch room reflections
4. Sennheiser Wired Professional MKH 416-P48U3
The Sennheiser MKH 416-P48U3 is a premium shotgun microphone that has earned a stellar reputation in the audio industry for its exceptional performance in broadcast, film, and professional audio recording. Built with precision and Sennheiser's renowned engineering, the MKH 416 is a versatile and reliable choice for capturing high-quality audio in various applications.
The super-cardioid polar pattern provides excellent off-axis rejection, focusing on the sound source in front of the microphone while minimizing background noise and ambiance.
Known for its exceptional directionality, the MKH 416 excels in isolating the targeted sound, making it an ideal choice for field recording, film production, and capturing audio in challenging environments.
With a wide frequency response ranging from 40Hz to 20kHz, the MKH 416 captures a broad spectrum of frequencies, delivering natural and transparent audio reproduction.
The microphone’s low inherent self-noise ensures that recordings are clean and free from unwanted background hiss, maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio crucial for professional audio applications.
Pros
· Offers coverage to a wide range of application
· Great isolation for the desired sound
· Low self-noise ensures clean recording
· Weather-resistant, perfect for outdoor weather conditions
Cons
· Costly
5. Blue Yeti Pro
The Yeti Pro features four selectable pickup patterns - cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of recording scenarios, from solo voiceovers to interviews and musical performances.
With a 24-bit/192kHz resolution, the Yeti Pro ensures that audio recordings are detailed and accurate, capturing the nuances of vocals and instruments with clarity.
Users have the flexibility to connect the microphone directly to a computer via USB for plug-and-play convenience or use the XLR output for professional audio interfaces, offering a seamless transition between various recording setups.
The microphone features a built-in headphone amplifier with volume control, allowing for real-time monitoring of recordings without latency issues.
The tri-capsule array provides a high level of versatility in capturing different sound sources, making it suitable for a variety of applications ranging from voice recording to musical instrument capture.
The Yeti Pro boasts a robust and stylish design, with a stable desktop stand that minimizes vibrations and handling noise during recording.
Pros
· It works perfectly for every kind of versatility
· Offers both USB and XLR connectivity, catering to users with various audio setups
· The 24-bit/192kHz resolution ensures high-quality, detailed recordings
Cons
· The size and pricing of this microphone is an issue
6. Electro-Voice RE20
The Variable-D design of the RE20 effectively manages proximity effect, ensuring a consistent low-frequency response regardless of the microphone's placement. This feature allows users to maintain control over the bass levels in various recording scenarios.
The cardioid pickup pattern ensures focused audio capture from the front while minimizing background noise and ambient sounds from the sides and rear. This design makes the RE20 ideal for isolating the primary sound source.
Built-in shock isolation minimizes handling noise and vibrations, ensuring that the microphone captures clean and professional-grade audio without the interference of unwanted mechanical sounds.
The RE20 boasts a smooth and flat frequency response, capturing sound with accuracy and neutrality. This characteristic makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from vocals and instruments to broadcasting and voiceover work.
Pros
· Comes with integrated sound
· Sturdy build
Cons
· Might be a little tricky for some users
How do you select the best microphone for voice acting? Factors to consider.
Before you get your own microphone for voice acting, it is suggested that you give it an initial try, i.e., you can borrow it from someone acquainted and see if it is fulfilling your needs. Else, you can evaluate the following.
1. The reason why you are getting a microphone for voice acting
First you have to be aware of the fact that for what kind do you need your microphone. Usually, a microphone for voice acting is used nowadays for narration, podcasts, voiceovers, video games, animation, and audiobooks.
This will let you decide which tone will be suitable and whether you need a dynamic, condenser, or ribbon mics.
2. Types of Mics
For voiceover, the top microphone for recording depends on the voice tone you need according to the requirement. Usually, they are categorized as condenser, dynamic, ribbon, USB, lavalier, and shotgun.
· Condenser Microphone: They are further categorized as large diaphragm condensers and small diaphragm condensers. The large diaphragm condensers: These microphones are popular for voiceovers due to their sensitivity and ability to capture a wide range of frequencies. They are particularly effective for capturing the nuances and details of a voice. The small diaphragm condensers While more commonly used for instruments, small diaphragm condenser mics can also be suitable for voiceover work, especially in controlled acoustic environments.
· Dynamic Microphone: Similar to condenser mics, dynamic microphones are categorized as cardioid dynamic microphones and broadcast dynamic microphones.
The cardioid dynamic microphones are known for their durability and are less sensitive to ambient noise. They are commonly used in radio and podcasting environments. Broadcast Dynamic Microphones They are designed for broadcasting applications; these microphones often have a robust build and a tailored frequency response to enhance voice clarity.
· Ribbon Microphone: These microphones use a thin strip of metal (ribbon) suspended in a magnetic field to capture sound. Ribbon mics are known for their smooth and warm sound, making them suitable for certain voiceover applications.
· USB Microphone: USB microphones are convenient for beginners or those on a budget. They connect directly to a computer via USB, eliminating the need for an external audio interface. While they may not provide the same level of audio quality as some XLR microphones, they are easy to set up and use.
· Lavalier Microphone: These mics are often used in broadcast and video production. The Lavalier microphones are small and clip onto the clothing, offering hands-free features. However, they do not provide the same audio quality as larger, studio-oriented microphones.
· Shotgun Microphone: Ideal for field recording and situations where the microphone needs to be directed toward the sound source, shotgun microphones have a narrow pickup pattern focusing on the basis directly in front of them. They are commonly used in film and television production.
· Tube Microphone: The tube (valve) microphones use vacuum tubes in their circuitry, providing a distinctly warm and vintage sound.
Usually, the condenser mic is the most trusted and considered a good mic for voice acting.
3. Frequency Response
Mostly, the mic for voice acting with a large diaphragm is designed to flatter the low frequencies, like deep human voice, bass guitar, or a drum sound. At the same time, the microphone with a small capsule picks up sound with more frequency with a tiny, elegant membrane. This helps in recordings for different instruments.
All of this is determined by Hertz, which measures the number of cycles per second. Hence, for males, you need a microphone with a frequency range of 110-120 Hz., and for females, 200-210 Hz.
4. Test your microphone
In case you are not lucky enough to test your microphone before buying it, then you should be aware of these facts.
· The studio microphones add extra bass with the proximity.
· For the condenser microphones, they should be placed on your hand, a distance from your mouth.
However, other than that, you can borrow or check the voice quality of a microphone by testing it from acquaintances.
5. Polar Patterns
Polar patterns refer to a specific direction from which your microphone captures different sounds; it could be narrow or broad, depending on your requirements. This also impacts the sound that you are recording and the tones.
Here, you have the option to go for Omnidirectional microphones that capture the sounds from all around with a great bass response. However, they are not recommended for voice acting as they also capture minor unwanted sounds.
The other option is cardioid microphones that have more sensitive sounds that focus on capturing sound more from the front and less from the rear. Such mics are preferred by radio DJs and voiceover artists.
Super cardioids and hyper cardioids have narrow patterns that help them isolate vocalists perfectly. Hence, this will help you understand better and get the ideal mic for yourself.
6. Controls
Many microphones lack this feature, but some high-end products offer slider and toggle switches. Usually, the EQ (equalizer) helps to filter the voice to bring out more clarity to the voice and many others similar to that. If you are a pro, you should consider this feature too; however, for beginners, it is unnecessary.
Do I need a preamp for voice recording?
A preamp helps to boost the low-level signals to the standard level; thus, a preamp can be used with every type of sound. However, having a preamp is unnecessary, especially if you are starting for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions | Best Microphone for Voice Acting
1. What mic is best for recording?
Different factors all together combine to make the best microphone for voice acting. However, it is advised to prefer quality over budget, but the most used and trusted microphones are Shure SM7B, Rode NT-USB, Sennheiser MKH416, and Blue Yeti, which we recommend.
You can go through our guide to get what you want.
2. What mic do anime voice actors use?
Anime voice actors use different mics depending on their preference. However, the most used voice acting microphone for anime is a Condenser microphone that offers industry standards. A large diaphragm condenser microphone is the best option that is usually used for music studios.
3. Is Blue Yeti good for voiceover?
Indeed, Blue Yeti is one of the best voice acting microphones, which is widely used and recommended by many successful YouTubers, content creators, and podcasters. The best part is that it does not require external amplification, which is ideal for a cardioid mic.
One of the reasons that makes it the best microphone for voice acting is that it connects with your system easily.
Summing it Up | Best Microphone for Voice Acting
The best microphone for voice acting plays an elevating role that improves the quality and performance of your vlogs and podcasts as it ensures clarity without nuances. Whether you opt for the industry-favored Shure SM7B, the versatile Audio-Technica AT2020, or another top choice, investing in a quality microphone is an investment in delivering compelling and authentic voice acting that stands out in the competitive landscape.
