What factors should be considered when selecting a microphone for professional voiceover work?

Test different microphones with your voice if possible, as some microphones suit deeper, richer tones, while others enhance higher frequencies.

In my situation, I began with the Boya M-1 microphone, which is probably the least expensive. However, because of my editing abilities, I was only able to produce high-quality audio for a short period of time. Naturally, I then bought a high-quality Rode microphone, and the output was rich and high due to the good mic. However, that does not imply that I will never do professional audio editing.

PI don´t know how to quote someone, apologies, but Mr Matt P, a couple comments before, said, for me, the best response:

Unequivocally, the single MOST IMPORTANT factor in choosing a microphone is one that will work with your recording space. Truthfully, you could have a $20k Neumann U47 but if you put it in an untreated room, it's going to sound like .sh**

I started with an 80 dollars Thomann T-Bone microphone, and i have recorded professional Tv advertisements and full audiobooks for Audible with it. I never had a complaint or even anyone noticing or telling me that i was using an affordable gear.  I have tested a lot more expensive mics, of course, and finally chose a not too much expensive Rhode, not for the brand but for the results in my humble home studio.  I think the most important think is to begin, and experience, and your ears, will tell you what you need. But don´t go crazy. Find a middle term between the great advices written here, and your resources, to begin.

This is a great question. However, I think that we can get hung up spending too much time worrying about what particular equipment to buy to get started in Voice Over. 

The most important thing to do is GET STARTED! We can get so stuck worry about the perfect equipment that we come up with reasons not to start. You can make any decent microphone sound pretty good. Once you get into high-end recording equipment, there's not a ton of difference between the quality in the recording. It's going to have more to do with the highs and lows and what that particular microphone picks up more than others. My advice would be to just get a decent starter microphone for under $150 like the Shure SM-57. Then you'll need an interface to convert that audio file to a digital format into your computer.

Almost more important than your microphone is the space that you record in. It needs to be properly "treated" to make it quiet. That means having soft materials like clothes, blankets, etc. to stop your sounds from bouncing around. 

JUST GET STARTED! Voice Over is such a fun career and if you just get going, you're going to find out the kind of sound you want and what things you want to upgrade to in the future!

When choosing a microphone it is best to understand the differences between condensers and dynamics. Condenser microphones are usually the go-to choice for studio work because they capture sound with incredible clarity and detail and have the best analog-to-digital converters and components. That being said, if you’re just starting out and working in a noisy or untreated room with lots of echo, a dynamic microphone might be a more practical option. 

However, most dynamic mics are designed for live performances, so there aren’t many that deliver the high-quality recordings needed for professional voiceover work. A couple of exceptions to this are the Shure SM7B and the Universal Audio SD-1, which work great.

As for USB microphones, avoid them. They often struggle with sound quality, tend to introduce distortions, and rely on poor analog-to-digital converters that just don’t cut it for professional voiceovers.

For condenser microphones, excellent performance is achievable around $500 with models like the Aston Spirit, AKG C214, or Audio-Technica AT2050. If your budget allows for $1,000, premium options from Shure KSM series, AKG C series, Audio-Technica, Warm Audio, or Neumann offer exceptional sound quality. There's a lot more out there, but these are some of the ones I've personally tried and can recommend.

A microphone is like an instrument—some will suit your voice better than others. If you’re serious about voiceover work, visit a local store to test and rent microphones to find your ideal match. Don’t forget to use a pop filter and position the microphone properly: align the membrane at nose height and tilt it slightly toward your mouth for the richest, most balanced sound. When recording, maintain at least a hand’s distance (around 7 inches) from the microphone to avoid proximity effects.

The kind of work you're doing and the type of setup you have will definitely have a deciding factor in microphone you get.

For example, let's say you focus mainly on character work and need your microphone to be able to capture fuller and more dynamic changes. For this, I recommend a condenser microphone. These microphones have a wider pickup range and end up capturing more detail than dynamic microphones. These will serve you well for this type of work. However, if your space is not treated for echo, these microphones will certainly capture that, so I recommend having a treated space when using these for the best, clean sound.

However, if you're mainly narrating commercials or long pieces of text like audiobooks or training guides, I recommend dynamic or shotgun microphones. These microphones have a very tight pickup range and offer bonuses for people looking for a linear, more compressed sound with not many dynamic changes. They benefit from having less background noise as well due to their pickup range, so a less treated space would be okay to record in.

The quality of microphone and room are essential, then there is the certainty of having an absolut quiet place. I started recording with a 120$ mic in a big room at home. Now I record with a Brauner Phanthera mic in my professional new studio and the difference is crazy. Starting low was important for me to grow, but I'd recommend to buy quality equipment as soon as you can afford it. The bigger studios or customers will hear the difference and at the end it will lead you to more jobs.

At our studio, we have several options available. Some microphones simply work better with some voices, but it also might depend on the type of processing that you want to do. If the voice is supposed to sound really natural and dynamic, going for a classic large diaphragm condenser microphone can be a good idea. If the voiceover will need to be compressed or processed more extensively, then using a classic broadcast microphone like an SM7B could be the best option.

Hello, this question can result in a really long discussion haha. 

To me, when selecting a microphone for professional voiceover work, several key factors come into play to ensure the best quality and tone for the voice being recorded. Here are the most important considerations:

1. Microphone Type

• Condenser Microphones: Generally preferred for voiceover due to their sensitivity and ability to capture detail and nuances in the voice. Large-diaphragm condenser mics, in particular, offer a warm and natural sound.

• Dynamic Microphones: While less common in voiceover, some voice actors prefer them for specific voices or applications, especially in untreated spaces, as they can be less sensitive to ambient noise.

2. Polar Pattern

• Cardioid Pattern: Most voiceover work uses cardioid mics, which capture sound from the front while rejecting sounds from the sides and rear. This helps isolate the voice from room noise.

• Other Patterns: Rarely, omnidirectional or figure-8 patterns may be chosen for special effects or if capturing a more open, ambient sound is desired.

3. Frequency Response

• Look for a microphone with a frequency response that complements the voice. Most professional voiceover microphones emphasize the midrange and have a slight boost in the upper frequencies (around 3-5kHz) for clarity and presence, though some voices may benefit from a flatter response.

• Avoid mics with excessive high-frequency boosts, as they can make sibilance more pronounced.

4. Sensitivity and Noise Floor

• High Sensitivity: Ensures that the mic captures low vocal nuances and details without requiring excessive gain, which can introduce noise.

• Low Noise Floor: For voiceover, especially quieter or more nuanced performances, a mic with low self-noise (under 20 dB is ideal) is essential for a clean recording.

5. Proximity Effect

• Mics with cardioid patterns typically exhibit a proximity effect, boosting low frequencies as you get closer to the mic. While this can add warmth, it’s important to choose a mic that offers control over this effect to avoid muddiness.

6. Room Acoustics and Environment

• In untreated rooms, consider a microphone that’s less sensitive to room reflections or one that offers good rejection of off-axis sounds, such as a cardioid dynamic mic. In treated studios, more sensitive condenser mics will perform better.

7. Budget and Brand Reputation

• While high-end models like Neumann U87 or Sennheiser MKH 416 are industry standards, there are excellent mid-range options like the Rode NT1 or Audio-Technica AT4040 that offer professional results at a lower price.

• It’s helpful to review demos and industry feedback for each mic’s suitability for voiceover to ensure a good investment.

8. Voice Characteristics

• Tone Matching: Select a mic that complements your natural vocal tone. For instance, deeper voices may benefit from a mic with added clarity in the high-end, while brighter voices might pair well with a mic that has a fuller low-end.

9. Additional Considerations

• Pop Filter: Voiceovers often involve close miking, so a good pop filter is essential to prevent plosives.

• Mount and Shock Mounting: A shock mount reduces handling noise and vibrations, crucial in voiceover for a steady sound.

• Versatility and Future Needs: If you’ll be doing a variety of voiceover styles, consider a versatile mic that can adapt to different vocal expressions.

There's a lot of information here, I hope this helps to acheive a best result.
Kind regards

Xavier