6 Essential Tools You Need to Start Your Home Voiceover Studio

Affiliate Disclosure:The links in this article are Amazon Affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase using these links at no cost to you. All the products recommended are ones I have used in my personal home studio and truly love.

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Interested in becoming a voice actor with a professional home studio? You hear the work of voiceover artists every single day; they feature in animated shows, nature programs, interactive voicemail systems, and commercials on your television as well as your phone. Many professional voice actors make a living working from the comfort of their own home, something that has become even more desirable than ever. However, the convenience of a personal and professional home studio comes with commitment and investment. Here are 6 essential tools you will need for a high-quality professional home studio of your own!

​1. Computer

This one is probably obvious, but you'll need a computer to record on and one that is compatible with your editing software you choose. You do not need to invest a fortune getting a desktop with the best specs, but you will definitely want a reliable machine. Having your computer crash after recording and editing for hours can be an absolute nightmare. Remember to save often!

​2. Microphone

A very important part of your home studio if you want to be a voice actor, right?
 Some USB Microphone's like The Blue Yeti  are great for beginners but if you want to provide industry quality and competitive auditions, you'll want a condenser microphone. I recommend the Rode NT1-A for your home studio, especially if you're not ready to spend a lot for a top quality microphone, but are ready to take your studio and business serious.

​3. Mic Stand

You'll need a stand to attach your mic to. There are multiple types of stands you can purchase. Some will even clamp to your desk if you prefer. I have a large mic stand so that I can stand and engage my body while voice acting for high energy characters, but I can also adjust the stand so that I can record while sitting for longer voiceover sessions.
​I use one like this.

​4. Interface

To connect your fancy condenser mic you're totally excited about to your computer, you'll need an interface. You plug the microphone into the interface and the interface plugs into your computer via USB. I chose the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and I can adjust the playback volume and the microphone gain right on the interface.

​5. Headphones

A pair of comfortable headphones is important to hear your audio clearly while you're playing it back and editing. I love these Sennheiser HD 200 Professional Monitoring Headphones . Great quality sound and comfort for long recording and editing sessions. Adjustable too!

​6. Recording/Editing Software

To complete your beginning home studio you'll need a software to record into. Fortunately, there are free options available for recording and editing. For beginning voice actors, and other audio based creators, the most widely used free software is Audacity. I personally have long used Adobe Audition CC and it is my preferred option for its interface and abilities. ​

There are tons of ways to update your studio over time. You can even have a professional soundproof booth installed in your house. This setup is a quality setup that will get you started so that you can establish your voiceover business, make money, and allow you to get to a place where you can upgrade your equipment as your business grows. 

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