Starting your voiceover career requires the right recording equipment. From microphones to software, learn about the essential tools.

All of the voiceover recording equipment you need to get started

Voiceover recording equipment is an essential tool for anyone interested in pursuing a career in voiceover work or looking to create high-quality audio recordings in a home voice studio. Whether you're a professional voice talent or starting out in the industry, having the right equipment can make all the difference in the success of your voiceover career. From podcasting to creating everything you need for a home recording studio, the right voiceover recording equipment can help you achieve professional-grade sound quality for your voiceover projects. In this article, we will explore the various types of equipment needed for voiceover recording and how to choose the best options for your specific needs.

Voiceover equipment guide: essential gear for beginner voice actors

When it comes to voiceover recording equipment, there are a few must-haves for both beginners and professionals alike. Whether you want to hone your home studio for narrations or getting ready to find commercial work, there is one essential element: specialized equipment that will help give your recordings a competitive edge and the best sound quality. Start on the path to success with our comprehensive guide outlining all of the major items necessary in any audio setup. Let’s explore everything voice actors need when it comes to outfitting their home studio set up or voiceover studio and what each pro tool is used for:

Computers for recording voiceovers

First up, if you plan to record voiceovers, you’re going to need a reliable computer. Whether you settle on a Mac or PC is up to you, but you’ll need to ensure it’s compatible with recording software.

Editing software

Audio editing software like Audacity or Adobe Audition can take your recordings to a professional level by allowing you to edit and refine them with precision. With these tools, you can remove unwanted noise, adjust levels, add effects, and more, giving you complete control over the final product. Whether you're a voice actor, musician, or podcaster, having access to powerful audio editing software can make all the difference in the quality and impact of your work.

Soundproof vocal booth or sound booth

The purpose of a soundproof vocal booth is to create a controlled recording environment where unwanted noise is minimized or eliminated altogether. This is especially important for recording high-quality vocals for music or voiceover work, where any unwanted noise can compromise the final product.

Microphone

A high-quality voiceover microphone is essential for voiceover work, with the Neumann TLM 103 being an industry standard. Both condenser and dynamic microphones have their uses, with the Rode NT1-A being a popular condenser choice. Alternatively, the Shure Yeti is a popular USB microphone that is suitable for beginners.

Mic accessories

A microphone stand or boom arm is necessary for positioning the microphone correctly during recording. Likewise, a shock mount is also recommended to prevent vibrations and noise from being picked up by the microphone, a pop filter can be used to prevent plosives or popping noises, and a preamp should be utilized to boost the microphone.

Headphones

Good-quality studio headphones like those made by Sennheiser, a trusted brand for studio use, will help you hear your recordings accurately, making editing easier.

Studio monitors

Studio monitors are important for voice work because they provide accurate and detailed sound reproduction, allowing voice actors and engineers to hear all nuances, imperfections, and possible background noise in the recording and monitor sound quality, ensuring high-quality final output.

Audio interface

An audio interface is a device that connects your computer or recording equipment to other audio devices, such as microphones, speakers, or instruments. It acts as a bridge between your computer and your audio gear, providing high-quality analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. Audio interfaces, such as the Apollo Twin or Focusrite Scarlett, offer improved sound quality, reduced latency, and additional features like preamps, headphone amplifiers, and MIDI connectivity, making them essential tools for any professional or home studio setup.

Digital audio workstation

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a software application used for recording, editing, and producing digital audio files. A DAW allows users to manipulate and edit recorded audio files in a variety of ways, including mixing multiple tracks, adding effects, and adjusting levels and EQ settings.

Acoustic treatment

An acoustic treatment is essential to optimize the sound quality of your recording space because it helps to reduce unwanted noise and reflections, providing a more accurate and balanced representation of sound. By controlling the acoustic properties of your recording environment, you can create a more professional and polished sound, resulting in higher-quality recordings. Proper acoustic treatment can also help prevent listening fatigue and ensure that your work translates well across different playback systems.

Record voiceovers with Speechify

Speechify’s Voiceover Generator is the ultimate voiceover tool for professionals and amateurs alike. With its powerful and user-friendly software, Speechify makes it easy to create high-quality and professional voiceovers for any kind of project. Whether you need to narrate text, videos, explainers, slides, or even entire books, Speechify has got you covered. Its AI-powered Voiceover Generator can instantly generate voiceovers in any style, making it perfect for businesses, content creators, podcasters, video editors, and anyone else who needs to add professional-quality voiceovers to their work. What's more, Speechify's reading voices sound more natural and human-like than any other TTS AI reader, making it easy to understand and remember more. Give Speechify’s Voiceover Generator a try today and take your voiceovers to the next level.

FAQ

What is voiceover?

Voiceover (often abbreviated as VO) refers to the technique of recording a voice to be used in a variety of mediums, such as television, film, radio, podcasts, audiobooks, or even video games. It typically involves a professional voice actor reading a script, which is then added to the final product, often to provide narration, explanation, or character to enhance or clarify visual content, add emotional depth to a scene, or simply convey important information to the audience.

What is voice acting?

Voice acting refers to the art of performing voiceovers for animated characters, video games, commercials, films, television shows, and other media.

What is a plosive?

A plosive is a type of audio artifact that occurs when a speaker produces a burst of air that hits the microphone, resulting in a loud, popping sound that can be distracting and unpleasant to listen to. Plosives are commonly produced when pronouncing certain sounds, such as "p" or "b". A pop filter is a device that is placed in front of a microphone to help reduce the impact of plosives.

Should I try a usb microphone?

Whether or not to use a USB mic depends on your specific needs and situation.

USB microphones can be a great option for those who are just starting out with voice recording or who have a limited budget, as they are often more affordable and easier to use than traditional XLR microphones. USB microphones are also plug-and-play, which means that they can be easily connected to your computer without the need for additional equipment or setup like xlr cables.

Where can you buy voiceover equipment?

Voiceover artists find most of their voiceover must-haves on Amazon or the website of the specific brand of equipment they are seeking. For example, Speechify’s Voiceover Generator can be found by visiting the official Speechify website.

What is a condenser microphone?

A condenser mic is a type of microphone that uses a capacitor to convert sound waves into an electrical signal. It is known for its high sensitivity and wide frequency response, making it a popular choice for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and other detailed sound sources.