---
title: 'Everything You Need to Be a Voice Actor - VO Gear for All Levels'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=F76H5PtZB7w'
video_id: 'F76H5PtZB7w'
date: 2026-08-23
duration_sec: 1433
channel: 'Brizzy Voices'
---

# Everything You Need to Be a Voice Actor - VO Gear for All Levels

> Source: [Everything You Need to Be a Voice Actor - VO Gear for All Levels](https://youtube.com/watch?v=F76H5PtZB7w)

## Summary

This video is a comprehensive guide to voice acting gear, presented by Brizzy, covering everything from beginner to expert level equipment. It includes recommendations for microphones, stands, cables, audio interfaces, headphones, and recording software, along with tips on setting up a home recording space.

### Key Points

- **Professional Voice Acting Gear Overview** [00:14] — Brizzy introduces the video as a detailed breakdown of everything needed to be a professional voice actor, covering mics, stands, cables, audio interfaces, and secret gear.
- **Recommended Resource: Voice Acting Mastery** [00:43] — Brizzy recommends voiceactingmastery.com, a resource she has personally used, and mentions Crispin, who has hundreds of credits, as a trusted expert.
- **Beginner Microphones** [01:11] — For beginners, Brizzy suggests the Blue Snowball (her first mic) or the Blue Snowball Ice ($49.99) and the Blue Yeti ($129.99), which are USB mics that don't need a separate interface.
- **Intermediate Microphones** [02:49] — The Rode NT1 ($269.99) is recommended for intermediate users, requiring an audio interface and XLR cable. The AKG C214 ($359.99) is another option.
- **Expert Microphones** [04:00] — For experts, Brizzy mentions the Neumann TLM103 (she got hers for $1000 on eBay) and the Neumann U87 ($3,295), which is a professional studio standard.
- **Travel Microphones** [05:37] — The Shure MV88 ($127.99) plugs into an iPhone for on-the-go recording, and the Shure MV51 ($179) offers more versatility.
- **Pop Filters and Stands** [06:42] — Pop filters are essential to prevent plosives and cost only $7-8. For stands, Brizzy recommends weighted stands like the MS7201B or desktop stands like the Gator Frameworks ($20.99).
- **Audio Interfaces** [09:48] — XLR mics require an audio interface to convert analog to digital. Brizzy uses the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen, $109.99) and mentions the Apollo Twin as a higher-end option.
- **Headphones** [11:46] — Closed-back headphones are recommended to prevent sound leakage. Options include Sennheiser HD202s ($20-30), AKG K240s ($79.99), Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro ($134.95), and Sony MDR 7506 ($99.99).
- **Computer and Software** [14:30] — A quiet laptop is recommended for recording. Brizzy uses a Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X and recommends Audacity (free), Adobe Audition, or Reaper for editing.
- **Internet and Remote Recording** [16:41] — A stable internet connection (preferably ethernet) is crucial. Source Connect ($35/month) is mentioned for remote recording, but Brizzy advises not to invest until needed.
- **Studio Treatment** [19:03] — Treating your recording space is essential. Beginners can use moving blankets, and acoustic foam (like Auralex) helps with sound deadening. For full isolation, professional booths like whisperroom.com cost $11,000+.
- **Acting Skills Are Key** [22:44] — The most important aspect of voice acting is acting skills, not gear. Brizzy emphasizes investing in your craft over equipment.

### Conclusion

Brizzy concludes that while gear is important, acting skills are the most critical element for a voice actor. She encourages viewers to prioritize their craft and invest in training over expensive equipment.

## Transcript

It's me Brizzy, on everything you need to be a voice actor. so let me break down fro you
to be a professional voice actor. and get cozy because we're about to talk in detail mic stands, cables, audio interfaces,
and the most important piece of secret gear I'll give recommendations at a beginner, and show you each piece of gear
that I have never personally used voiceactingmastery.com. that I highly recommend to any aspiring voice actor.
among hundreds of other credits, he knows his stuff. Obviously we gotta talk about microphones, It's the sexiest part of the whole setup,
Now, beginner level, these are great options and haven't earned any money yet in voiceover. and maybe even low paying jobs.
was the Blue Snowball. of my eight square foot Brooklyn closet. and I believe my first ever paid job on it
that paid $150. If you do go for this option, Blue Snowball Ice, it's cheaper, about $49.99,
with all the polar pattern options. and that's what the Snowball Ice is. would be the Blue Yeti for $129.99.
a knob to control input gain, and less awkward than this situation in my opinion. These two don't need a separate stand,
they just sit on top of your desktop. maybe even some low level jobs, or broadcast quality.
in the background that you will want to remove Intermediate level, and you have either earned
In 2014 I upgraded from the Blue Snowball to the Rude NT1 for $269.99.
for like six years. meaning the sound quality will be clearer, and an audio interface to use it.
or a boom arm to hold it up. would probably be the AKG C214 for $359.99. and I would trust him with my life.
of the popular studio mic, the AKG414, Like the NT1, the CT414 is an XLR mic, Expert level.
and You have earned enough to justify that'll last you many years. to record auditions and high paying jobs
and anything else that there may be, professionally sound treated area In 2020, when we all figured it was a good time
I finally upgraded to the Noyman TLM103, But I got mine from Ebay for a thousand bucks.
in professional VO studios. but that guy is $3,600. And if you have the cash to just drop on that,
But Crispin says that the TLM103 uses the same capsule the same essence as the U87 for a more reasonable price,
All I know is the TLM103 sounds great, and anyone who is asking for a broadcast quality studio mic is really hoping for something like the TLM103,
for your TLM103, but honestly if you don't already a TLM103 I feel like you're getting a little over zealous.
as mentioned, would be the Noyman U87, like $3,295, sans shock mount, I'm good, have fun with that.
I've one more category of mics to talk about. My travel mic is the Shure MV88 $127.99, right Into my iPhone, it's so cute
and it has great recording quality, So I love him, look at him, I wouldn't record any jobs on this,
when you're either traveling or on the go. the Shure MV51, $179, than the MV88.
so you could potentially kill two birds so you can plug it into your computer or get a little lightening to USBC adapter
No shame to the 51, but I just feel like the MV58 is so much cuter Just look at him, I love him so much.
will need a pop filter. could get that air popping sound, within the microphone,
So let's just put that back. and they are not expensive. but at least for now you can find it
for just seven or eight dollars. which is $74.99. this is so expensive, so unnecessary.
when I was upgrading everything, So here we are. but it's pretty, I like it.
will work just fine. Unless you're using a mic you'll need something to hold that baby up.
that's the little suspension basket thing Some microphones might need a specific shock mount
if you have the option. you'll need to decide if you want a standing mic stand, If you prefer to stand for your recordings
then maybe you'll prefer a standing mic stand, rather than the bent over boom army kind. Crispin recommends the MS7201B
and I don't know, it looks good to me. as long as it's a weighted mic stand, it works.
and have the mic sit directly on your desktop, like the Gator Frameworks for $20.99, or whatever this is that I got off Ebay
just find something cheap My preferred stand method because you can go from sitting,
to standing in a second. Currently I am using the blue compass, If you're using a USB mic,
If you're using an XLR mic, that's right, an XLR cable, muy bien.
from your audio interface, You can grab one for about $10 or your audio interface comes with one.
XLR mics cannot send their analog recordings they must first go through an audio interface and convert it to digital
The audio interface I have used I think it is the only thing is the focus right Scarlet Solo first generation,
It's simple, it's easy to use, so might as well get the third generation version, for $109.99 if you can
You probably don't need anything fancier, Crispin recommends either the Apollo Twin X duo or the Apollo Twin Mark two duo
According to Crispin, the Apollo Twin with amazing head room and low noise. and a bunch of other fancy sounding tech things
involving plug-ins and circatry, a Thunderbolt three or two connection, For now I think the Focus Right that I've been using
Maybe I'll use it for another eight years, who knows. Some voice actors don't like hearing themselves but sometimes, especially if you're on call with a team,
so you can do the classic one ear off method but also hear everything you need to hear Regardless, ideally you are going to want
to prevent as much sound For beginners, for the life of me I cannot remember or find what headphones I used first
For all I know, it was just standard earbuds But I don't know, it worked for me, whatever it was. I don't recommend in the long run.
Senheiser HD202s which I think may be discontinued, for $20 to $30. he recommends the AKGK240s for $79.99
which will be much more comfortable so you don't want your volume to be too high but just don't crank your volume,
That's right, I skipped intermediate, kind of. What's keeping count? Headphones, generally speaking are headphones.
for your ears or your head, and the sound isn't leaking profusely into your recording, You don't need to break the bank on headphones.
But if you want something nice, I love my Beyerdynamic DT770 pros 32 ohms version for $134.95.
The gray felty cups are so comfy They are over ear and I have large ears, unless you really pump the volume,
There are other ohms versions, 16, 80, 250, meaning the amount of resistance
and it's complicated. Hey, editing Brizzy here. these are 80 ohms, it says right there.
or whatever I said, but I'm telling you it doesn't matter. is the Sony MDR 7506 for 99.99.
in Hollywood productions. in professional recording studios. Obviously you'll need a computer to record on,
and probably read your script. you'll have to wire the case to sit outside of the booth so I recommend a nice quiet laptop instead.
Currently I am using the Lenovo Slim seven pro X, which brings us to the sponsor of today's vidoe, AMD. AMD is here to bring you pure, portable power to create.
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you will obviously need an internet connection. a direct ethernet cord connection of any connection hiccups.
for my Lenovo for just that reason. To record and edit auditions and jobs Since the very beginning I have been using Audacity
and it's super simple It does everything I need which is typically and using the normalize or noise removal filter,
Other options which should work just fine Adobe Audition or Reaper. use specifically something like Logic Pro
where the client took over control of my computer remotely and I just used the trial version,
so I wouldn't worry about it. remote recording software which is different. you may be asked if you have ISDN or Source Connect
and receive high quality audio remotely. and hear exactly what you're gonna sound like, You literally won't have the file on your computer.
but they save it, it's crazy. involving digital telephone connections. but Source Connect Standard,
is a $35 a month subscription So just don't worry about it Don't, save your money until you need it.
need Source Connect Pro so don't even, $105 a month?
You have the best microphone, audio interface, but it is useless if you don't The good news is just about anyone can put together
The bad news is it probably won't be very pretty Beginners, when I first got started we talked about that.
And today I'm still recording in my closet, well treated closet. even if you came out of it a long time ago.
and there are no windows, is moving blankets. Hang them from walls,
or even build your own whole personal voiceover booth The blanket fort skills you honed as a child I got a Port-A-Booth Pro
and while this can certainly help isolate a microphone, I don't particularly recommend it.
It's just super bulky and awkward, and recite your lines while having access to reading your lines at the same time.
It's constantly flopping over and collapsing on itself, if you wanna do a standing mic thing, and just, it's really awkward.
almost $400 when you could make something sound just as good with a blanket fort also more fun.
Crispin and I recommend the brand Auralex, though at $154.99 for a 24-pack Just please, please don't use adhesive spray
Please don't make the same mistake I did in which case go wild. even if you have to reapply some every year or two.
The most important areas of your recording studio to treat When I'm recording I'm actually usually facing this way, I will be linking below an educational guide
Sound deadening with foam is crucial, but just as important is sound isolation Unfortunately acoustic foam is not a miracle worker,
your space will not necessarily be sound proof. or neighbors or city sounds may eek through. unless you've got the big bucks to invest
in a professionally crafted sound isolation vocal booth, or the carpentry skills to sound proof your area yourself. Crispin recommends whisperroom.com,
to like $11,000 and beyond, And finally the most important thing
more important than the booth, more important than anything is acting skills. (laughs) formally trained for it,
every voice actor must know how to act You've heard it over and over from me don't put so much focus on the gear
Prioritize, investing in your craft And that's it, that is everything you need overly detailed video, I hope it helped.
of VO gear that you swear by in your setup, If you haven't already, subscribe, and I'll see you next time with a brand new video.
(gentle music)