What are the Best Audio Interfaces for Voiceover? | Tips from a PRO VO

A rundown of where to start and what to look for in your audio interface no matter where you are in your career.
Buy me a coffee:
➡️www.buymeacoffee.com/jaymyersvoiceover
Voiceover Coaching:
➡️www.jaymyersvoiceover.com/coaching
My Recommended Starting Gear:
➡️Rode NT1 Bundle: geni.us/jYq4A
My Interface:
➡️Apollo Solo: geni.us/LXbkB
My Favorite Mics:
➡️Neumann U87ai: geni.us/WmJI2
➡️Neumann TLM 103: geni.us/NvigA
➡️Earthworks ETHOS: geni.us/lFBYg
➡️Sennheiser MKH-416: geni.us/1Hh4c
➡️Shure KSM 32: geni.us/lFBYg
Other channels and talents I've found helpful:
➡️kzbin.info
➡️www.youtube.com/@AudioUniversity
➡️kzbin.info
➡️kzbin.info/door/IcCXe3iWo6lq-iWKV40Oug
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Music provided by Epidemic Sound
#microphone #reveiw #VoiceOver #tutorial #howto #Voiceacting #professional #audio #audioengineering #audiobooks #recording

[@jackedkerouac4414]

I went entry level with the Scarlett Solo then saved and got the Apollo Twin X. I use the Solo when I travel and have an absolute beast of an AI in my studio. Nothing wrong with going budget but I don't think it's an accident I started getting booked once I leveled up in gear and quality room treatment.

[@salubrioussnail]

This was helpful, thank you!

[@losexpedientes]

I love your audio 👌

[@coacharielandersson]

Very helpful:). So many are pushing only to super top without more info. This is great for this phase:)) Thank you:)

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

My pleasure!

[@Stew_Pid]

What I’m wondering is if I’m fine just sticking with my Rodecaster 2 that I use for live streaming or if I need to get a dedicated interface like the Apollo. Don’t want to waste money and the Rodecaster does seem to have great quality mic preamps.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

If what you have is working you’re probably just fine! Upgrading to a mid/high level interface becomes more viable when you begin doing live-recording sessions with higher profile clients.

[@AWSKAR]

If I have a Scarlet already with a cheaper mic, is it more sensible to buy a new very high end mic for like $1000 or should I rather upgrade both the interface and the mic? I can always upgrade my mic and follow up with an interface upgrade in a few months or longer if needed. Ive done a bit of research, and while doing pretty well recording on a budget system, Im feeling ready to splurge on the Sennheisser 416 as it seems to be a perfect mic for my living situation. Or am I wacko for getting a $1000 mic to plug into a scarlet 2i2?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I used the 416 with a 2i2 for years! Worked great. 👍

[@orwellmadera]

Hello Jay I'm planning to get one of the Volt series from universal audio for my first interface do you think it's a good option for voice over work?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Rock on! Should work great 😊

[@adamgordon9380]

Great video Jay. I'm just starting my VO career and I was considering the Rode NT1 (5th Edition) along with the Scarlett 2i2. I've heard the room you're recording in is probably one of the biggest things to focus on. What do you think of the Rode and 2i2 as a starter set?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad you liked it! That’s the set I recommend to everyone 👍 and you’re exactly right that the room is far more important than your gear. I’ve got videos on that somewhere called your first booth

[@adamgordon9380]

@@jaymyersvoiceover thanks for confirming and replying so quickly. I'll look for your "first booth" video. I'm about to start getting that together.

[@Kharr]

This was a great video! I was looking to get into voice acting and voiceover, and was considering the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, so you've definitely sold me on it! You've definitely earned a like and sub!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks very much! Best of luck with the Focusrite!

[@SombreApollo]

What type of stuff specifically do you use the channel strip for? Like what does it do? What effects does it give? Spare no detail!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

A channel strip allows for additional processing and tone, and varies depending on the strip. Some things they do are Compression, Equalization, De-Essing, etc. I'll likely make a video about it in the future to go into more depth. :)

[@SombreApollo]

I’m so new to everything audio related, it’s so intimidating I’m on low income and can’t afford loads of dancing stuff and it feels like I’ll never get into voice acting because of it

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I know, it can be overwhelming at first. Take it step by step as best you can. Focus on one thing, then the next, and soon you'll have a good foundation under you. You also don't need to spend a ton of money to get started. Check out used stuff on Reverb and you can throw together a professional setup pretty affordably.

[@VoiceOverHQ]

Hi Friends, what about the Arturia Minifuse 1 for VoiceOver?...

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

On paper it looks competetive with a lot of others! It's one of Sweetwater's top 15 interfaces too.

[@VoiceOverHQ]

@@jaymyersvoiceover thanks, which is your choice in the entry level category?... 🤝

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@VoiceOverHQ I started with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, but anything from $100-150 is going to be stellar for the most part.

[@VoiceOverHQ]

@@jaymyersvoiceover great, and which is your favorite right now if money is not a concern?...

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@VoiceOverHQ I use an Apollo solo. 😊

[@dinogiacobbe5192]

Great video thank you. I purchased a DBX 286 s channel strip like the one in your video. I have not used it yet. I also have a Scarlett 2i2 focus rite. I am wondering if i should include the DBX into my system for everyday recordings where I am getting small you tube VO jobs and a character voiceovers. where could I get info on proper settings for the DBX? The other question I have is once you upgraded to the Apollo did you continue to use the DBX? Thank you.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks! Regarding the dbx it’s up to you how often to use it. For myself I just left it in my signal chain for the sake of ease for all my work, unless the client requested unprocessed audio. For settings there are some great tutorials here on KZbin to help you dial it in. I’ll also likely make one of my own eventually. Once I purchased the Apollo, I stopped using the dbx simply to save myself space and the Apollo does many of the same things digitally. Let me know if I can help further!

[@MrDunnowhyimadethis]

This is a great video. What are your thoughts on using a Podtrack p4? Not only as an interface but similar to what you said my booth is difficult to run power into, and also then for on the road, so using the podtrak to record and then taking the files into laptop later for post processing? Is the fact it’s sample rate is 16 bit and 44.1 khz a problem?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks! And great question. I think for auditions and on the road the P4 sounds like a solid choice. However for higher-level work/clients, you may run into issues with them needing higher audio quality. Most of my jobs and clients request .wav, 24bit, 48k as standard for final deliverables. All to say for $150, for VO (unless you're recording multiple tracks as in a podcast) there may be better/higher quality options at the same pricepoint or even cheaper that'll fit the bill more completely.

[@Habbedasher]

Great videos. Thanks for making these. Very helpful! What are your thoughts on the UA Volt? I know they don't integrate with the apollo plugins but the 276 for instance has the onboard compressor.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I'm glad they're helpful! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Re the Volt, I think it's a great middle point between baseline entry interfaces (~$100) and something higher end that has DSP. Though I haven't personally used it, so I can't say one way or the other about the specifics of it.

[@BeardedManFromWaco]

Earthworks ethos is amazing. What are your thoughts about the Ethos without the provided foam windscreen? I prefer the sound, and if you have a BSWpop windscreen and some foam (adds space to attach onto mic) you have protection from plosives. Thank you for your down to earth advice and suggestion with voiceover!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks for the kind words! I do like the sound without the provided foam windscreen, though I often find the ETHOS to be so sensitive to plosives that I keep it on for ease of use. Definitely great mic tho

[@WhysoDerrick]

What’s the microphone you’re using? Also I recommend the ssL2 for starting interphase.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

The ssL2 is a great starter for sure! The mic in this video is the Earthworks Ethos.

[@MustangLeaf2010]

I just started narrating for ACX. I already own an IRig Pro Duo because I am a recording artist. I already own a Shure SM58 mic with shock mount, boom arm, pop filter, isolation shields, etc. Is this equipment okay? Or should I get the Scarlett interface?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

That’s great starting gear for ACX!

[@MustangLeaf2010]

@@jaymyersvoiceover I’m scared to buy a condenser mic for home recording. I’ve only used them in professional settings when I had a sound engineer. Is it worth the investment, or am I okay sticking with the Shure SM58 dynamic cardioid?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@MustangLeaf2010 nah for acx the sm58 is a great start. When you start doing higher level gigs with publishers and other VO gigs, a condenser becomes more important.

[@willjonesiii1316]

Jay, what mic stand are you using in your booth?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

It's built into the StudioBricks VO edition. The brand is called Yellowtec. Very high quality, but pretty darn expensive. Were it not for being built into the booth, I might've chosen a more affordable system, but I'm happy with it!

[@hulkss497]

Thanks

[@djb12DeepAcidHouseExperience]

The new Neumann MT-48 is the winner in my opinion, not sure if you’ve had the pleasure yet.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Not yet, but maybe someday.

[@djb12DeepAcidHouseExperience]

@@jaymyersvoiceover it’s got a hefty price tag, I got mine from Sweeteater 24 month 0% financing, but it’s awesome and we’ll worth it. There’s another channel, microphone assassin, that’s done some great videos on it. It beats the Apollo by a lot. If you have the time, might be cool to check out. Thanks again for your reply. Very coo channel you have.

[@isaiahwalking]

As someone wanting to get into voice overs this was really helpful my guy! 👍🏼

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Awesome !