Finding the right type of microphone that will increase your talent and help bring out the required confidence for your voice-over skills isn’t as easy as most people think it is. The market is filled with so many microphones, and taking a look at the internet, almost everybody has a say on which microphone is the best or worst.
However, finding the best microphone for voiceovers comes with its own challenges. A couple of factors a person has to consider before settling for any voice-over microphone on the market.
These factors include the space where you will be recording, the type of sound you want to achieve, and your budget. In a recent survey, about twenty-five percent of correspondents revealed they choose their microphone out of trial and error.
Interestingly, there are different types of voice-over microphones on the market, but they are grouped under dynamic and condenser microphones. Condenser microphones are designed to have increased sensitivity, and it is capable of reacting to extremely faint sound waves using its thin diaphragm design.
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Best Microphone For Voice Overs – Buying Guide And Recommendation
Condenser microphones are best suited for studio voice recordings, and although these microphones are sound-sensitive, they will do great when used for voice-overs. Condenser microphones pick up only one sound, and that is what voice-over is all about.
A condenser microphone picks up just the sound you want it to, so you don’t have to struggle with other sounds when recording. However, dynamic microphones are not as sensitive as the condenser microphones, meaning they will not capture details. This has its own benefits, like not picking up background sounds and eliminating background noise is needed when making voice-over recordings.
If you have made your studio soundproof, you do not have to worry about your microphone picking up the background noise. Now that you have an idea of the two types of microphones, you will be able to tell the difference between the two when you go out shopping for the best microphone for voice-overs.
Top 5 Best Microphone For Voice Overs Reviews
1. Stellar X2 Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser XLR Microphone
The Stellar X2 condenser microphone is a high-quality microphone that’s designed using the right type of components to ensure it produces subtle sounds, and you can count on this microphone to be suitable for several purposes.
Compared to most low-quality microphones on the market, this high-quality microphone from the Stellar brand will not produce harsh sounds, ensuring that your sounds or mix don’t sound fatigued. What we find interesting about this condenser microphone is its low noise circuit that guarantees great performance with zero or minimal distortion.
Furthermore, durability is one of the stand-out features of this microphone as it boasts an all iron material body construction, while its grill offers protection to the capsule. The durability of this microphone tells you it will last for a long period of time.
Specifications
- Brand – Stellar
- Item Weight – 346g
- Color – Black
Key Features
- Cardioid polar pattern
- JFET Circuit
- Gold traces for high conductivity
What We Like
- This microphone offers quiet, natural, and warm sounds.
- Its noise floor is .shallow
- It is the best for voice-overs.
What We Don’t Like
- There are no complaints about this microphone.
2. Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone
Up next on our best microphone for voiceovers is the Shure MV7 USB podcast microphone. You are looking at a microphone that allows XLR and USB connections, making it suitable for analog and digital connections.
When it comes to close-mic operations, this microphone’s design and features make it suitable for various applications like live streaming, recording, podcasting, voice-overs, and more. Its intuitive touch panel control enables users to have total control over monitoring volume, gain, microphone muting, and headphone mix.
This microphone features an in-built microphone output for direct headphone monitoring while making a recording. Thanks to having an optimized frequency response, users are guaranteed natural and rich vocal reproduction.
Specifications
- Brand – Shure
- Item Weight – 1.32 Pounds
- Color – Black
Key Features
- In-built headphone output
- Touch panel controls
- Dual connections
What We Like
- This microphone has a solid build
- It boasts having flexible connections
- It has a thick windscreen
What We Don’t Like
- Its pickup level is tranquil
3. USB Microphone, DUTERID USB Condenser Microphones
This is a portable and easy-to-use condenser microphone that requires users to plug in and start using this microphone, while its USB data port allows users to connect with computers and other compatible devices without using a special driver.
This condenser microphone uses an Omni-directional pickup pattern to attract sounds from all directions, and when used in a room, it picks up exactly what you are recording. This microphone is best for streaming games, recording voiceovers, talking to Cortana, google voice search, and skype voice chatting.
Furthermore, this condenser microphone boasts a flat and smooth frequency response that makes it perfect for recording speech and singing. We will not forget to mention the sturdy metal construction that makes it durable and long-lasting.
Specifications
- Brand – Duteri D
- Item Weight – 13 Ounces
- Color – Black
Key Features
- Tripod stand
- USB Connector
- Windows, MAC, and iOS compatible
What We Like
- This microphone works great and delivers great value for your money
- It can be used in the church for broadcasting
- This microphone improves audio quality
What We Don’t Like
- It is bulky when used for small-sized headphones
4. Blue Yeti Nano Professional Condenser USB Microphone
If you are familiar with the Blue Yeti brand, you will attest that the brand is focused on making high-quality products, and speaking about high-quality products, the Blue Yeti Nano Professional Condenser Microphone bears the same trademark.
This is the perfect condenser microphone for music, YouTube, game streaming, podcasting, voiceovers, and skype calls. Surprisingly, this Blue Yeti professional microphone has a zero-latency headphone output, and another feature that will attract you to this microphone is its mic mute and headphone volume design.
This is a PC-compatible condenser microphone, and users will find it easy to use this microphone as all it requires is for users to plug in and play.
Specifications
- Brand – Blue Yeti
- Item Weight – 1.39 Pounds
- Color – Brand
Key Features
- Unidirectional pickup pattern
- USB Connectivity
- 120dB audio connectivity
What We Don’t Like
- This microphone has a great size
- It is nice looking
- Its audio quality is impressive
What We Don’t Like
- It has a weird price
5. Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
Finally, the last product of this well detailed and interesting guide. This microphone has a wide range and flat frequency response that makes sound reproduction clean and natural, making it the best for recording speech and music.
What we love about this microphone is its inner air suspension design that works effectively in eliminating mechanical noise transmission, and you can trust its effective pop filter to offer protection against breath sounds.
This explains why this high-quality microphone is best suited for close-up narration and vocals. Mounting and dismounting this cardioid dynamic microphone is easy, thanks to its captive stand nut and yoke mounting. This mounting design offers precise control and adequate microphone positioning.
Specifications
- Brand – Shure
- Item Weight – 2.7 Pounds
- Color – Black
Key Features
- Replacement cartridge
- Cartridge protection
- Cardioid polar pattern
What We Like
- This microphone is a wise investment if you want to make music.
- It is best suited for robust studio recordings.
- For voice-overs, podcasting, and YouTube, this microphone does really great.
- This is a high-quality microphone that comes with a preamp.
- It delivers excellent sound reproduction when used for voice-overs.
What We Don’t Like
- So many users misunderstood this microphone’s operation.
How To Choose The Best Voice Over Microphone
Testing The Microphone
If you do not know about the microphone available on the market, one piece of advice you should take is to try out whatever microphone comes your way. If you have a colleague or friend that already has the type of microphone you need, borrowing it to try it out might help you eliminate the stress of visiting the market. It will be better to get the microphone into your recording space, use it, and listen to how it sounds when you are done recording.
Be Open To Various Microphones Before Making Up Your Mind
If you succeed in using a microphone in your recording space and it sounds good, it will be better if you do not stop there. Instead, it would help if you tried out other types because comparing various products will help you find the best microphone that will be perfect for your needs.
Select The One That Picks Out Your Voice Clearly
Condenser microphones are the most popular types of microphones, and they are effective in picking out voices clearly. This gives you an idea of what type of microphone you need to settle for.
Consider Price, But Remember Expensive Doesn’t Mean Quality.
The fact is the microphone that will pick out your voice doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. From our perspective, the best type of microphones is the ones that will get the job done and are affordable.
Considering why you need and why you don’t need to have a particular microphone is crucial. Microphones and preamps are the middlemen between you and your computer, so it will be better if you get a microphone that makes you sound good and fits into your budget.
The Importance Of Preamps
As much as you desperately need a voice-over microphone, the importance of preamps needs to be taken into consideration as well. Amplifying low-level signals is what a preamp does, and you can count on preamps to boost your standard operating level.
No matter your sound source, you need to use a preamp for it, but there are so many interfaces that come with a preamp. However, obtaining better sound quality is possible when using an external preamp plugged into a microphone. Lowering external noise is another benefit associated with using an external preamp with a microphone.
If you are new to voice-over recordings, you do not need to worry yourself overusing preamps, but you can settle for an interface that uses an in-built preamp. The combination of an audio interface with preamps and a condenser microphone will give birth to exceptional voice-over recordings. What you need to have in mind when shopping for a voice-over microphone is never to decide in a hurry.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a newbie or not, but what you must do is making out time to try out several voice-over microphones. Please shop around, use the microphone in your recording space, and listen to how you sound when you are done.
Final Thoughts
Before you kick start your recording, we could share a few tips with you to help you get the best out of your microphone. The truth is microphones do great, especially when the conditions surrounding where they are used great too.
If the conditions ain’t that great, you can modify them so you can have impressive recordings. Below are some tips that you can try out;
- Use thick blankets or absorption panels to make your room soundproof. It helps in cutting down echo and unwanted noise.
- A pop filter should be placed in front of the microphone to make the S and P’s smooth.
- Use your microphone with a shock mount to prevent bangs and bumps.
- When recording, ensure you go closer to the mic.
No matter what budget you have when shopping for a microphone, there is one for you. With everything we have shown you in this guide, you are on your way to making the best voice-over recording ever. You can also try spicing your recordings with some effects to make your recordings sound really good.
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