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Best Microphones for Voice Over [Best All-around Choices in 2022]

Let’s just try and find the answer to a simple question:

Why would you want the best microphone for voice over?

We are certain there will be different answers based on age levels and personalities. Still, if we think about the general case, then we believe the answer would be something like this:

I want to stand up to my audience and offer solid content!

And we are making this answer as the objective of today’s review on the best voice over microphones

Now there are a plethora of options out there. They all have different pickup capabilities and sampling rates. They all have their own unique hardware. 

And that is the thing that amplifies the problems of a certain individual. They don’t know what to choose and why to choose it. 

That’s why we came up with a few options for you folks that are capable of zeroing you out of the crowd. In short, you will see the difference once you start using it. 

So, before we start with the in-depth discussion, it’s a good idea to have a look at the offerings we have for you in simple detail.

Comparison Table of the Best Voiceover Microphones

ProductPickup PatternSampling Rate
Blue Yeti USB MicCardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional & Stereo48kHz
Blue Snowball iCE USB MicCardioid44.1kHz
Rode NT-USB Versatile Studio-Quality USB MicrophoneCardioid48kHz
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ USB MicrophoneCardioid44.1 to 48kHz
Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Microphone packageCardioid44.1 to 96kHz
Shure SM7B Dynamic MicrophoneCardioid48 to 96kHz
Rode Procaster Broadcast Vocal MicrophoneCardioid96kHz
Neumann TLM 102 Black Microphone Studio SetCardioid192kHz at 24-bit

Now it’s time for us to jump into the hearts of each product. Our very generous team of experts (very nutty by the way) has gone through the specs and promises of each product. 

We will be totally unbiased in our review process. Also, we also take the responsibility to bring up the plus and minuses of each product as it is. 

Best Microphones for Voice Over – Our Picks for 2021

Blue Yeti USB Mic

Product Overview 

There’s really not much to say about ‘Blue’. The revolution it has brought in the media market is simply amazing. One of their main targets is to offer customers with the best microphone for voice over while keeping creativity and reliability in check. 

And the Blue Yeti USB mic isn’t anything different. It offers the same level of convenience and support for voiceovers, podcasts and more. Its creative design and highly reliable performance make it stand out from the crowd. 

In terms of the design, you are getting elegance that’s mixed with a touch of simplicity. In short, it can blend into almost any setting without ruining the overall aesthetic. 

As for the performance, you don’t have a lot to nitpick here. The 3-condenser design offers more than decent quality in almost any situation. Also, you have 4-patterns of pickup to choose from, which offers solid flexibility. Overall, you shouldn’t have any noticeable loss in the audio pickup department, whatever the setting may be. 

One of the prime reasons for the Blue Yeti USB mic to be at the very top of our list is simply because of the intuitive controls and seamless integrity with various operating systems. Although it’s a metric often overlooked by new users, you will find these settings to make a very noticeable difference. 

All in all, the Blue Yeti is a solid choice for almost any level of user who is looking for the best performance while keeping the bank balance dent-free. Despite some minor issues with the knob and buttons, it still managed to claim the first spot. 

So, if you want to have the best recording microphone at the right price, the Blue Yeti is the one to choose.  

Pros 

  • The design looks and feels premium. 
  • It features a 3-capsule design that’s capable of recording in almost any situation. 
  • You have all the necessary controls like the gain, mute, etc. 
  • It features a zero-latency microphone output that allows proper monitoring. 
  • It comes with multiple pattern pickup options, which is convenient. 

Cons

  • The knob and button quality could be better.

Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic

Product Overview 

The Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic comes with a unique set of features on its own. And we believe the brand needs no further introduction. It’s one of those brands that are very true about their work-creating seamless products which are pretty much uncontested when it comes to recording and streaming. 

The iCE microphone has a very unique round shape, which explains the ‘Snowball’ naming scheme. As with all ‘Blue’ voice-over microphones, you will find the design to be both sleek and muted. 

In short, it looks good on any surface without blowing up on your face. 

One of the noteworthy features of the iCE mic is the custom capsule design that’s very effective when it comes to voice-overs. 

Custom capsules that have the right design to deliver proper voiceovers should give a competitive advantage. You may get an edge with your listeners due to the crystal-clear quality. 

Also, you don’t have to worry about installing any large-size software for operation. The iCE USB mic offers the easy plug-and-play feature, which adds more dimension to the overall functionality as a computer microphone that works as a voice-over mic as well. 

Overall, if you’re in confusion about which USB mic you should choose, then going with the Blue Snowball microphone will certainly not hurt your chances. Granted, having the ability to properly control the mic would be nice. 

Still, it makes its case very lucrative as a voice-over mic. 

Pros 

  • The design is very low-profile. 
  • It features a custom capsule design that offers crystal clear audio. 
  • It’s just a simple plug-and-play, there’s no added inconvenience. 
  • The pricing is very competitive. 

Cons

  • The lack of controls is a bit off-putting. 

Rode NT-USB Versatile Studio-Quality USB Microphone

Product Overview 

The makers at ‘Rode’ are well-known for producing studio-quality products and taking them to the doorstep of the average consumer. In short, they bring the studio to your doorstep, allowing you to be the artist you’ve always wanted to be. 

Let’s see what features the Rode NT comes with:

Let’s start with the design. As with our previous options, it’s nothing too shiny. You have a matte black finish on the surface with all the buttons at the right places. Overall, it looks premium, feels premium and offers good functionality. 

Apart from picking and delivering seamless audio, you are getting a hefty number of accessories. You have pop shields and tripod desk stands along with other useful accessories. It’s one of the things that makes it a very worthy option. 

You have two more things to consider. And these are the zero-latency microphone output and the user controls. Both of these features add a lot of value to the overall package which a user of any level will surely appreciate. 

So, if you’re in the market for a USB mic that offers a good balance between price and performance, then you should certainly have a look at the Rode-NT USB microphone. 

Sure, there are some cheap plastic parts here and there. But as a whole, you will certainly appreciate the quality you’re getting for the price. 

Pros 

  • The audio quality is superior thanks to the internals and external shields. 
  • It comes with all the necessary controls at the right locations. 
  • The 3.5-mm audio jack is great for monitoring audio. 
  • You get a good number of accessories with the package. 

Cons

  • The plastic parts don’t have any robust feeling about them. 

Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ USB Microphone

Product Overview 

When it comes to offering cinema-grade performance, Audio-Technica is one of the brands that you can easily rely on. If you want proper reliability and quality, then you can easily go for Audio-Technica without a doubt. 

As for an offering to the list for the best microphone for voice over, the AT2020USB+ from Audio Technica stood out to us. It’s simply because of the simple yet highly effective design and robust performance. 

Let’s start with the design first. 

It’s a very monochromatic design with intuitive controls that offer very good flexibility of use. You have a decent stand with the USB functionality. If you think of these features as a combined entity, then you will certainly appreciate the design Audio-Technica is going for here. 

We are also very happy with the performance as well, which incorporates a high-frequency range along with good software compatibility. As mentioned earlier, you are getting all the necessary controls you need. Furthermore, software usability stands out as well. 

All in all, it’s a very good package at the price you’re getting. Sure, the stand design may not be up to the mark. Still, if you factor in the other aspects of the design and performance, then you are getting a decent package overall.   

Pros 

  • This condenser microphone has the headphone jack for proper audio monitoring. 
  • It features good A/D internals that allows for better frequency range and response. 
  • Its compatibility with Windows and MAC is commendable. 
  • The high o/p amplifier within allows a good, clear sound signature.  

Cons

  • The stand design feels mediocre.

Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Microphone package

Product Overview 

The Rode NT1-A anniversary edition is just an extended iteration of its big brother, the NT-USB. It mostly comes with the same feature set. Still, this vocal condenser has a few chips up its sleeve. 

And that is its capability to sense a low sound signature. The 5dB self-noise rating is one of its key features that makes it stand out. Also, the wide dynamic range is also one of its inherent features as well. 

Who should buy this then?

If you can look past the cable length, then there’s absolutely no reason to let this option slip by. It is certainly worth the investment

Pros 

  • You have an externally biased condenser with a wide dynamic range. 
  • The low noise sensitivity is spot on. 
  • It features a solid transformer-less inner design.
  • The sound signature is warm and accurate overall.  

Cons

  • The cable connector is short. 

Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone

Product Overview 

When it comes to the best microphone for voice over, then Shure SM7B should not be left out. Although many of you may not have heard about the brand, the responsibility naturally came to our shoulders to introduce it to you folks. 

You have a very sleek looking microphone that’s got a fairly wide frequency range. Also, you have decent bass roll-off and electromagnetic noise reduction, which is an added bonus for a voice-over microphone. 

Other than that, you have air suspensions in place to reduce any mechanical artifacts. Also, you do get some mounting accessories that will make your job a lot easier. 

So, if you can look past the mediocre plastic bits, there’s really no reason for you to ignore this option. Do check it out.  

Pros 

  • There’s very little self-noise. 
  • The noise artifact reduction is effective. 
  • The build quality is very robust. 
  • The mid-range pickup is excellent.  

Cons

  • The plastic parts don’t have the right rigidity. 

Rode Procaster Broadcast Vocal Microphone

Product Overview 

The Rode Procaster Dynamic Vocal Microphone comes at a very compelling price point with a lot of good features. 

For instance, its smaller footprint allows it to be a very good mobility-based option. Also, the metal construction feels very robust and will last long.

Then you have the low-impedance output that is responsible for clear and deep audio. Pair that with the internal shock and pop-filter mount, you have a very solid midrange voice-over mic. 

So, if you can look past the minor functionality mishaps, you can certainly have a look at it for home streaming. 

Pros 

  • The build quality is robust. 
  • It features good artifact minimization. 
  • The high output dynamic capsule offers decent performance. 
  • The internal artifact filtration is very robust overall.

Cons

  • There are some minor functionality issues. 

Neumann TLM 102 Black Microphone Studio Set

Product Overview 

The Neuman TLM 102 comes with a lot of robust features. It may not be one of the more well-known brands out there, it makes no compromise with its quality. For this reason, we think it’s our duty to put it into your mind’s radar. 

There’s nothing to nitpick here if you talk about the design. You don’t have any unnecessary design choices whatsoever. It’s very well-built and will last long without a doubt. 

Now, let’s talk about performance. 

It’s a cardioid condenser microphone that comes with a wide diaphragm. Pair that with an SPL level of 144dB, and you have a very solid microphone that has superior sensing capabilities as a whole. 

You also have a small boost of pressure as you move above 6-kHz which is an added bonus. 

Overall, if you factor in all the features, you will find this Studio microphone set to be a very capable option. You do have a very hefty price point. Still, if you look at what you are getting you will know that you are getting what you pay for. 

Pros 

  • The body is fairly small. 
  • It features robust sound quality. 
  • The SPL range is decently high. 
  • The user experience is flawless. 

Cons

  • It’s got a very hefty price tag. 

Buying the best microphone for voice over: Making the right choices 

There’s always the possibility of someone willing to go a different route. What we mean to say is this:

You may not have any liking for any of the products we have in store for you. 

And we are fine with that. 

But, as mentioned earlier, we want you to end up with the best microphone for voice over. That being said, we would like to help you go through the option(s) you want to choose for yourself. 

In order to do that, we have a buying guide that will tell you how you can make the right choice. Although it’s not very comprehensive or anything, going through it will certainly help your chances, by a good margin of course. 

The polar pattern: what does it imply?

Usually, you may have 3-options to choose from: cardioid, super-cardioid, and hyper-cardioid. This is the simplest breakdown of the polar pattern, which is simply the way your microphone picks up the sound. 

In general, with polar pickup patterns, you have a couple of more metrics, which are unidirectional, bidirectional and omnidirectional. From the name itself, you can guess what they mean. 

The unidirectional mic will only pick up sound from one side. In contrast, the bidirectional option can pickup voiceovers from multiple directions. As for the birational option, you can only expect coverage from two sides-north/south or west/east. 

As for the patterns, the hyper-cardioid simply has more coverage than the cardioid and super-cardioid. The naming scheme comes from the heart-shaped pickup pattern. 

You only have a limited pickup field with the cardioid pickup, rejecting the 180-degree coverage almost entirely. As for the other two, the pickup field increases respectively. 

The response: why does frequency matter?

You’d want to pick up a microphone for voice over that has a good frequency range. Now there are now standards when it comes to the range of the frequency range. But you need to start as low as you can: 20-50Hz if you can. 

And the upper range shouldn’t be less than 10 to 15-Khz, which is essentially an ideal choice. 

The sensitivity: how good is the detection?

The sensitivity measurement is a metric of what is the lowest range of pickup your microphone can perform. In general, with voice over microphones, the sensitivity levels can play an effective role in offering quality results. 

However, there are microphones that don’t include the SPL or Sound Pressure Level feature in the best possible way. 

So, if you are spending a premium, then you should probably consider this factor for good measure. As for the range, you may want to consider around 80 to the 130-decibel range. 

The Proximity Effect: Should you even consider it?

The proximity effect is the measure of the sound pickup expansion. In short, it creates an enjoyable change in the effect of the sound output. 

If you’re someone who does voice-overs along with some singing, then you may want to try and pick up an option that comes with this feature. You’ll notice that condenser options have very good effects that make a noticeable difference. 

What more should you look for?

The dimensions

The dimensions of your voice over apparatus is certainly an important concern. You should try and have a guess at the dimensions and calculate the space. If you have very limited space to work with, then you must take it into account. 

The build quality

The build quality is usually good with all the options you may find. Still, if you’re in the market for an option that doesn’t put a dent in your bank balance, then it’s probably a good idea to keep that factor in check as well.

Accessories 

Finally (it is a very important thing of course), you may want to consider the accessories you will be getting. Pricing is a matter of great concern here. The higher the price point, the better the chance of getting decent accessories as a whole.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What’s the highest available sampling rate as long as these voice-over mics are concerned?
Answer: As long as we keep the sampling rate under the sky, the Neumann TLM 102 will be the highest bidder with a sampling rate of 192kHz.

Question: What kind of voice-over tasks these sets of mics are able to cover?
Answer: Voice-over for any kind of works like streaming, recording, interviewing, podcasting and many more – can be covered with the mics that we’ve listed over here.

Question: What roles do pickup patterns play in a voice-over microphone?
Answer: There are usually 2 to 4 pickup patterns in the mics that we’ve listed. This offers flexibility to the recorder.

Question: Are there any plug and play models available for professional voice-overs?
Answer: Yeah. In fact, there are a few. For the moment, we’d put our hands on the Blue Snowball iCE USB mic.

Question: Does this mic provide accessories right in the box?
Answer: Not all of them come up with the same set of accessories. But models like Rode NT-USB bring a pop shield, a tripod desk stand and some more with it.

Question: What should I look for to record music with a voice-over mic?
Answer: Responding to music comes with the requirement of being able to have a wide frequency response rate. Look for a 20-20,000 Hz response rate.

Final Thoughts 

We admit 3000 words write up isn’t very efficient to convey information in 2021. 

Still, if you’ve completed this entire article on the best microphone for voice over – we want to congratulate you on all our hearts. We appreciate you making the right decision that will help you land the best possible deal. 

Of course, we would advise you to get second opinions from your friends and closed ones. If you add your knowledge you’ve gained through this review, add some secondary thoughts and then buy the product, the chances of success would be a lot higher. 

With that said, it is time for us to take your leave. We wish you all the luck in your journey ahead.