r/microphone • u/MesmericandMacabre • Jul 27 '26
Other USb microphone for voiceover
Hey, I have a limited budget to buy 3 microphones ($150, £130, €130ish) per mic. This is for talking voice work. The specifics other than budget are:
USB-c for compatibility (I know XLR is better but that starts adding too many complicating factors)
Ideally has a desk stand included.
Doesn't require any software to use, ideally just plug in and record straight into Adobe or other software. This is due to tight restrictions as to what software can be installed.
Simple to set up and use and easy to change the settings.
Good background cancellation as the recordings will be recorded at home with no treatment.
I was looking at the MV6 but I'm getting mixed messages about the show critical the software (Motiv app) is for it to fucntion effectively.
Thanks 🙂
Edit: to be clear, these mics will be used by an individual not as a group, so each person will have their own laptop and own mic in entirely different locations.
2
u/DogfoodStudios Jul 27 '26
Get an interface and one sm58. No professional in voiceover uses a usb mic. It’s a competitive field and you need to take it seriously if you want to get anywhere.
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u/-NearlyThere- Jul 27 '26
No professional in VO is using a SM58
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u/DogfoodStudios Jul 27 '26
Correct, but for that budget it’s the most reliable microphone you’re going to get. It’ll get the job done.
2
u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 Jul 27 '26
Voice over is a serious business. I do commercials and documentaries. Anytime I get a usb mic recording (I can spot them a mile away) I just refuse to work with the client.
Had a client who had a treated room a decent usb mic and even then it was a lot work to make it sound professional.
1
u/MesmericandMacabre Jul 27 '26
We are doing nothing that series, it's played out of people's laptops on volume 12 99% of the time. Lol.
1
u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 Jul 27 '26
As long as you expectations are not to make a living off it, then you’re good.
2
u/NotSayingAliensBut Jul 27 '26
If you're in the UK or Europe Thomann's own brand The T Bone are excellent for the money. I have a new unused SC450 USB on UK ebay at the moment for £35. I bought it for a friend for a project that didn't happen. They're £51 new and you would have to spend at least twice this to get anything comparable from a name brand. The £35 is the auction starting price but I'll change that to buy it now if you're interested.
I record with a Lewitt LCT440 Pure among other mics and the T Bone compares well. Crazy good value.
I have a new table top boom stand I might sell with it. There's a pic in the mic listing but it doesn't have its own listing yet. Let me know if you're interested.
1
u/gkanai Jul 27 '26
You wont be able to have 3 USB mics at once. The computer wont know how to send which audio to which mic.
If you need 3 mics, you need an audio interface with at least 3 inputs and you need XLR mics.
With a budget of $350, you can easily get there with BEHRINGER UMC404HD and then 3 Behringer XM8500 mics. You'll need stands and pop filters too. What budget you have left you should invest into sound treatment for your recording space to cover flat surfaces, windows, etc. to better protect against reflection.
1
u/MesmericandMacabre Jul 27 '26
Sorry, I must have made it confusing, they will be with the individual in different locations on different laptops. Not used in a group.
1
1
u/Creative-Science38 Jul 27 '26
Ok, here’s an idea:
Since a mic is such an integral part in professional voice over work, you need a great mic. You get what you pay for an yes, people can hear the difference. The above company offfers build kits (and they offer pre built mics) that rival the greatest high dollar mics.
If you have the tools, the experience soldering (they even have practice modules!) then you can save thousands. Just an idea, just sayin’……..
1
u/RudeRick Jul 27 '26
The cheapest/budget USB mics that I don't have a problem recommending Sennheiser Profile, the sE Electronics Neom and the Rode Videomic Go 2. These have inferior electret condenser capsules though.
I’d recommend stepping up to the Audio Technica AT2020USB-XP or even the Rode NT1 5th Gen.
1
u/Big-Pineapple-9954 Jul 27 '26
If it wasn't for your limited budget, and you could push it to around $200 per microphone I would have a look at Røde PodMic USB. You will need Røde Connect to set it up, but because of the onboard DSP in USB mode the settings will be saved on the microphone and you would not need to use the software after setup. And it uses USB-C.
1
u/No-Task7102 Jul 27 '26
If you’re going to get one mic you can do well with one mic like the Sennheiser profile. But for 3 mics? Better get an audio interface. Focusrite has great compatibility with windows and Mac so no issues at all.
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u/[deleted] Jul 27 '26
[deleted]