I was forwarded this great article on setting up the ultimate home studio. I’m always interested in learning about how people set up their gear and equipment for the ultimate recording experience.  While this article focuses on music production (not just voice over) it’s a comprehensive guide to setting up a home studio.

The only thing I would add to this incredibly helpful article is to mention the importance of getting the right kind microphone for voice acting, particularly a large diaphragm condenser microphone with XLR cable. While a large diaphragm condenser microphone with XLR cable is usually more expensive (but prices are going down all the time), and they require an interface (you can’t plug them in directly to your computer) they are much more sensitive than dynamic microphones. Dynamic microphones are great for live music performance and singing, but not the optimal choice for picking up the subtle nuances of the spoken word.

Is it possible to get a large condenser microphone with a USB cable so you can plug and play without an interface? Absolutely! However, in my opinion its worth springing the extra dough for one with an XLR connection.  In some instances, the price is comparable.

Enjoy!