Best Mic for Voice Over
If youโre going to record a voiceover, chances are youโll want it to come through crystal clear on the listenerโs end.
Even if you give the performance of your life, a poor microphone will limit the overall quality of the audio and diminish the experience for the listener.
As such, itโs important to seek out the best microphone for voiceovers if thatโs what you want to do, and weโre here to help with some voiceover microphone reviews.
Here’s what to expect in this article:
- Reviews of the best mic for voice over
- A detailed selection guide
- Your burning questions answered in a FAQ
Without further ado, here are our top picks…
๐ Our Pick for Best Overall
โญ Our Other Top Picks for Voiceover
- Best of the Best: Blue Yeti
- Runner Up: Rode NT1A
- Best on a Budget: Blue Snowball iCE
Best Mic for Voice Over Reviews
Blue Yeti (๐ Best of the Best)
The Blue Yeti microphone is our top pick for the best microphone for voiceover recording, and itโs the first of two Blue microphones to make the cut in our guide – such is the quality and reputation of the brand.
We must preface this review by saying that the Blue Yeti microphone is the best for the USB mic voiceover at an amateur level, so if youโre a professional looking for the best of the best this might not be the best pick for you. With that said, letโs dive into all of the Blue Yetiโs outstanding features which make it hands-down the best plug-in and play USB microphone for voiceovers. Itโs available in a wide range of elegant designs and colors, which makes it widely accessible, but under the hood itโs packing a ton of useful features.
Thereโs a good reason why Blue has earned such a stellar reputation over the years as the go-to brand for microphones. Each one of its mics looks professional, but most importantly, offers crisp audio quality and a host of excellent features to users. As a clear indication of the popularity of this mic, youโll find that the Blue Yeti is an โAmazonโs Choiceโ listed product on the online retailer with a staggering four and a half star rating from almost 10,000 satisfied customers. If that isnโt high praise, then we donโt know what is, especially considering how discerning the average Amazon customer can be.
So, what does the Blue Yeti have to offer that makes it such an enticing investment for amateur voiceover artists?
Well, this is a professional multi-pattern USB microphone, which means for one it offers high-quality audio but it also has the extra edge of being a portable device. Not everyone has a full home desk setup or a recording studio that they can kit out with top-of-the-range audio equipment. Some of us have to move around a lot for business, or get restless if weโre in one place for too long. For those people, a USB microphone like this one is a sound investment, as it can be easily stored in a backpack or suitcase for top quality audio recording on the go.
The microphone features a custom three-capsule array which in laymanโs terms means that it will give the user clear, broadcast-quality audio feedback. This makes it an excellent choice for recording audio for everything from YouTube videos and gameplay streams to podcasts and jam sessions. There are four separate pickup patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, and stereo. This will give you the flexibility you need to record in a variety of ways, so that one day you could have the ideal setup for a live stream and the next you could have some friends over to record your music. You can also check in on how you sound at all times with the no-latency monitoring that lets you hear how you sound with the sound from your computer. As a result of all this, you end up saving money since you wonโt have to splash out on several different microphones to get the desired results.
Adjustability is another key feature of the Blue Yeti microphone, which makes it highly versatile and suitable for just about every setup. For a start, thereโs the unique positionable design of the USB microphone which allows you to adjust and pivot it to get the best sound quality possible. While it might look like a rigid device at first, itโs far from it, so you can get up close to the mic or lean back and still capture the same level of quality. There are also onboard audio controls you can make the most of if you want to tinker with the audio experience including pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain. While this may not be enough to satisfy the seasoned audiophile, itโs more than enough for the aspiring voiceover artist looking to have an element of control over the audio recording process.
Features:
- USB connection
- Tri-capsule array
- Multiple pattern selection
- Adjustable settings
- Adjustable stand
- No-latency monitoring
- Signal to noise: 100db
- 2-year limited warranty
- WHY WE CHOSE IT AS OUR TOP PICK:
- The Blue Yeti has received many top reviews from satisfied customers which speaks volumes for its suitability for voiceovers.
- There is a wide range of features to sink your teeth into as well as a lot of adjustability which allows you to have the audio-recording experience you prefer.
- Being able to switch the patterns is huge if you want some flexibility with your voiceover microphone.
- Thereโs a limited 2-year warranty so if anything goes wrong youโll be covered.
Here are the reasons we decided to put the Blue Yeti microphone at the top of our list of microphones for voiceovers:
Rode NT1A (๐ฅ Runner Up)
The Rode NT1A is a top quality cardioid condenser microphone that will satisfy both amateur and professional voiceover artists. Itโs a top option for recording voiceovers at home with studio-level quality.
These NT1A Rode voiceover mics are ideal for stereo matched audio, so if youโre looking to record a podcast or have multiple people chime in on any kind of video recording or stream then itโs a great investment. Even if you donโt immediately have plans to include anyone else in your voiceover recordings it can be handy to have the option, or at least have a backup microphone in case anything goes wrong with the first.
The nickel-plated body of the microphone gives this microphone a stylish aesthetic, but this is secondary of course to the features and audio quality it offers. The condenser mic provides studio-quality audio which some would describe as a warm sound that comes through loud and clear. There is also an extended dynamic range and high sound-pressure level tolerance, so what that means is you wonโt have too much to worry about in the way of distortion at higher pitches. The JFET impedance converter embedded in the microphone is intended to boost the sound quality of the mic when it comes to converting sound waves to recordings.
As for connectivity, this is an XLR microphone rather than the popular USB models. While USB microphones offer far more in the way of convenience and portability, you canโt go wrong with an XLR microphone if youโre after superior sound quality. This is one of the reasons why we consider this microphone to be one of the best for professional voiceover artists. As an XLR microphone, there is unrivaled low distortion, ultra low self- noise at just 5dB and high SPL capability. While this might all sound a little intimidating if youโre new to the voiceover game, for the pros it should sound like music to their ears.
Features:
- XLR wired connectivity
- Large 1 inch capsule
- Nickel-plated body
- Ultra low self noise of 5dB
- Includes two stereo matched microphones
- Low distortion
- High SPL capability
- Cardioid polar pattern, true condenser
Blue Snowball iCE (๐ฐ Best on a Budget)
The Blue Snowball iCE microphone is the second audio recording device weโve included from the top brand in this guide. It also happens to be our pick for the best voiceover microphone on a budget, so if money is tight, it might be your best option as a microphone for narration.
This is a microphone thatโs perfect for the beginner, or the aspiring voiceover artists whose strapped for cash. Itโs almost half the price of our top pick, the Blue Yeti, yet it still offers outstanding studio-level audio and the convenience and portability of a USB microphone. Thereโs not much to dislike about the Snowball iCE, unless of course youโre at the top of your game and need a professional microphone.
While the Blue Yeti received a substantial amount of praise and rave reviews from customers on Amazon, it pales in comparison to its sibling the Snowball iCE. This budget USB microphone has an astonishing four and a half star rating from well over 20,000 customers, putting it in pole position for best value for money USB microphone out there. Plus, to prove that it really is popular, it has become an Amazon number one best seller product in the category of vocal condenser microphones, which is no easy task.
In this microphone is a custom condenser capsule that makes it easy to get crystal clear audio regardless of what youโre recording for. You can capture audio for podcasts, record singing vocals, or even provide an epic narration to movie trailers to see if you have what it takes to make it big. The frequency response of the microphone is in the region of 40-18kHz and the plug and play design means this mic is about as easy to set up as they get. There are no drivers to install, simply plug the USB into your computer and youโre ready to start recording.
The Blue Snowball iCE microphone, like the Yeti, has an adjustable desktop stand. This means you can position the microphone in the perfect place with the metal tripod stand, optimizing space on your desk while also capturing clear audio however youโre sitting. If youโre looking for even more adjustability, you can use a Compass broadcast boom arm or Ringer shock mount to give you more options.
Features:
- USB connectivity
- Custom condenser capsule
- 40-18 kHz frequency
- Adjustable desktop stand
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- 2-year limited warranty
Ultimate Guide
Investing in any piece of technology is by no means an easy decision to make.
On the outset it might look easy to pick out a โgoodโ camera or microphone, but really, there are many factors to consider.
In this ultimate guide weโre going to do our best to address the various factors that can help you make an informed decision, so you donโt end up disappointed with your purchase.
Types of Microphone
One of the most important factors to consider with regards to voiceover microphones is the type of microphone you get.
Microphones can be categorized in several different ways.
There are different forms of connectivity and different types of sound recording, so weโre going to take a look at all these types of microphones for voiceovers now.
Condenser
The condenser microphone is ideal for studio-based audio recordings.
This type of mic has better response sensitivity with its thin diaphragm. This basically means that it can pick up even the faintest of sound waves in an instant, giving you a detailed audio you wouldnโt find with other microphones.
As a sensitive microphone, it can be great for the audiobook style narration when you need to whisper or play around with various voice pitches.
Dynamic
The dynamic microphone, unlike the condenser, isnโt sensitive so this means you wonโt get the same level of detail and richness come through in the audio.
The benefit of this?
Well, you wonโt have to worry about background sounds intruding on your recording, which is ideal if you record in a noisy space or a house with others.
USB
As for connection type, USB is the way to go if you want convenience and portability.
As with models like the Blue Yeti, you wonโt even need to compromise on quality to get these benefits either, though you may not have the most professional setup.
XLR
The XLR microphone is a high-quality option which sends a balanced signal to isolate noise.
This means you will usually get better quality than with the USB microphones, at the expense of convenience and portability.
Typically you will need to invest in an XLR to USB converter if you want to be able to just plug the mic into your computer to record.
Best Brands
Weโre going to keep this section simple.
We believe that the top two brands for the voiceover microphone setup are Blue and Rode. Thatโs not to say that there arenโt other excellent brands out there (there are) but few come are as prolific as these two when it comes to producing top microphone after top microphone.
It doesnโt matter whether youโre looking for a microphone for voiceovers, music recording, or any other purpose, Blue and Rode will inevitably show up in your search sooner or later.
So with that in mind, letโs take a look at the two brands and what makes them so special.
Blue
Many top online and print publications have nothing but good things to say about Blue, including ScreenRant, PC Gamer, and The Verge.
Thatโs not to mention the tens of thousands of glowing reviews from Amazon customers that position the Blue brand microphones as some of the most coveted on the market.
The brand has covered all bases with its high-quality low-cost microphones by targeting just about every demographic, with microphones for music recording, streaming, and making YouTube videos.
The most popular models are probably the Yeti and the Snowball iCE, which we covered in this guide as some of our top picks for voiceovers.
Rode
Rode is another top microphone brand, that has more of a reputation for producing studio-quality audio recording equipment.
If you want to come across in your videos as the consummate professional, then an investment in a Rode microphone is a great place to start.
The brand covers everything from studio equipment to live recording microphones and mobile attachments, so it can be your go-to for all of your audio needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About voiceover Mics
What type of microphone is best for voiceover?
Arguably the best type of microphone for recording voiceovers is the condenser microphone.
WIth that in mind, youโll need to make a decision between the convenient USB style condenser mic or the flexible XLR style mic.
Either way, youโre guaranteed studio-quality audio provided you invest in the right brand and model.
What MIC do voice actors use?
Most voice actors would tell you that the best type of microphone for recording voiceovers is a condenser microphone.
This is primarily due to the superior sound quality this type of microphone offers, along with detailed middle and upper frequencies.
In terms of brand, Blue is an extremely popular choice with its range of top-quality microphones such as the Yeti and the Snowball.
Are USB microphones good for voiceovers?
Yes, a USB microphone can be an excellent choice for recording high-quality voiceovers.
Youโd be surprised at just how good the quality of a USB microphone can be, and thatโs not to mention how incredibly convenient they can be.
USB microphones are also the most portable of the bunch, so if you need to record voiceovers while traveling then theyโre your best bet by far.
A Final Word From Run Gun Shoot
There are many top voiceover microphones on the market, many of which are produced by the brands Blue and Yeti. Choosing the best mic for your needs can be tough, but if you go into the process knowing what you want it becomes a lot easier.
Whether youโre looking for a beginner-friendly mic thatโs easy to setup and use or a professional broadcast-quality device, you should find what youโre looking for in this guide.