Microphones of Choice

General

Neumann TLM103 / U87 Ai - Cartoons, Anime, Video Games, J-Pop, K-Pop
Sennheiser MKH416 - Commercials, Trailers, Promos
Shure SM58 / SM7B - Beatboxing and Rapping
- The SM7B was famously used to record Michael Jackson's Thriller album

Specific (feel free to add to this list and/or leave a reply)

Don LaFontaine - Manley Reference Cardioid
- Sentai Filmworks also uses this microphone
Marissa Lenti - Shure KSM42
Kanye West - Audio-Technica AT4050
Markiplier / PewDiePie - RØDE NT1
Taylor Swift - Avantone CV-12
ShadyVox and xthedarkone - Studio Projects C1

Edited by PSColdFire

PSColdFire Since: Jul, 2013

Jul 17th 2017 at 7:02:53 AM •••

Starter Setups for New Voice Actors

All prices reflect 2017 retail values in USD

Recording Environment
- The most popular option is a walk-in closet because the clothes provide natural insulation
- You can also treat the room around you by lining the walls (especially the corners) with thick foam or blankets. Mattress pads and packing blankets work fine.
- Another option is to make a "booth" with a PVC pipe frame with packing blankets draped over it. (~$100)
- If the above options are not feasible for you, get in a car or under a thick blanket while recording.
- It is important that you isolate your mic and the space around you from reverb. Porta-booths and Reflection filters, which only surround your mic are far less effective than any of the above (and are often overpriced).
USB Microphones ($40–80)
- CAD GXL2400 ($30 on Amazon)
- Samson Go Mic
- Behringer C1u
- Samson Meteor
- Audio-Technica ATR2100
- Audio-Technica AT2005
- Samson Q2u
- Samson C01u Pro
  - The most popular beginner microphones are the Blue Snowball ($50) and the Blue Yeti ($130), but they are bulky and overpriced for the sound quality they produce, and come with features you don't need if you're only recording yourself.
  - You can also use your cell phone to record lines. Keep in mind, this will limit the roles you can get.
Recording software - Just use Audacity. Or, if you're on a Mac computer, you can also use GarageBand. These programs are free and simple to use.

Edited by PSColdFire


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