thinking about investing in new materials
Hi,
I’m starting to consider investing in a new microphone, audio interface, or preamp—maybe all three—because I’ve received some negative comments about my voice-over recordings (on other platforms) saying that my microphone is poor quality.
I currently record with a Rode NT1000 with a pop filter and an RME Fireface UC interface, inside a fully treated HDS acoustic booth.
Here is a sample of my voice that received a negative comment:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QdelrqKKt7YUltbrX2hLuYH6fOZmdpli/view?usp=sharing
The feedback I received was: “The VO’s audio might be the only drawback. Pick up a microphone with a deeper range; it may help bring out the VO’s lower tones.”
Could you recommend what I should be using?
I was thinking of maybe getting a Neumann microphone. I’m not sure about the audio interface or preamp yet. I should also mention that my current interface strangely stopped working with its original center-positive power supply and now only works with a center-negative supply??? So maybe I should invest in a new interface or get this one repaired, even though it still works fine.
I thought the preamps in my interface were good enough, but recently a sound engineer told me they aren’t high quality and make sharp sounds more aggressive, so he suggested I invest in a dedicated preamp.
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Hi Eden!
Please accept our apologies for the delayed response! We were catching up on our community threads and noticed we missed your message.
To help us give you the best advice, could you clarify if you plan to use your equipment strictly for voiceover (VO) work? While the Neumann is an exceptional, world-class microphone, it might be a larger investment than necessary if your primary goal is VO.
Depending on your room setup and budget, here are a few alternatives and the audio interfaces we recommend pairing them with:
Microphone Recommendations
The Industry Standard (Dynamic): Shure SM7B – Legendary for VO. It’s very forgiving in rooms that aren't perfectly soundproofed. Note: Needs a powerful interface or a Cloudlifter.
The Best All-Rounder (Condenser): Rode NT1 (5th Gen) – Extremely quiet, crisp, and much more affordable than a Neumann while still sounding "pro."
The Budget Pro: Audio-Technica AT2020 – A fantastic entry-point mic that delivers clear, natural sound for a fraction of the cost.
Audio Interface Recommendations
Best for Beginners: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) – The most popular interface in the world for a reason; it’s reliable, easy to use, and has great preamps.
Best for Sound Quality: Audient iD4 MKII – Known for having "console-grade" preamps that give your voice a very polished, professional warmth.
Best for the SM7B: Universal Audio Volt 276 – Features a built-in "Vintage" mode and a compressor that sounds great on voices.
Let us know what you think of these options, or if you had a specific budget in mind!
Best,
Gabriel