What Equipment Do You Need to Start Voice Acting From Home?
I've been a voice actor working from home for seven going on eight years, and my recording setup looks a lot different now than it did when I started.
It has improved as I've worked more jobs, learned more about my own voice and figured out what actually matters when you're recording professionally from home. But even now, I don't have some enormous, perfectly soundproofed professional studio. I record in a mildly sound-treated area of my home. I live on a busy street, in a townhouse, with neighbors on both sides that I can sometimes hear through the walls.
In other words, I have many of the same real-world problems that beginners worry about.
When I first started voice acting, I didn't have a lot of money to throw at equipment either. Fortunately, home recording equipment was becoming more affordable, USB microphones were getting better, and recording professional-quality audio outside of a traditional studio was becoming much more accessible.
Then COVID changed the landscape even further. Suddenly, a whole lot more people were streaming, working remotely and figuring out how to record themselves from home.
My question when I started was simple:
What can I buy now that will let me do good work, without spending a fortune, and replace later if I outgrow it?
Over the years, as I've taught voice acting, I've heard some version of that same question again and again:
What do I need to get started?
The answer is simpler than a lot of beginners expect.
You need a microphone, a quiet and controlled recording space, headphones, something to record into, recording software and a few basic accessories.
But there is something I wish I had understood better when I started.
I was too focused on the microphone and not focused enough on the room.
When I listen to some of my old recordings now, I can hear it.
So this isn't just a list of equipment to buy. Your recording environment matters just as much as the gear, and sometimes more. You also have to learn how to use that equipment well enough to get the best sound out of what you have.
You don't need the most expensive setup.
You also don't want to buy the cheapest thing you can find simply because it's cheap.
Here's what you actually need to start recording voice-over from home.
1. What Kind of Microphone Do You Need for Voice Acting?
Your microphone is obviously one of the most important pieces of your voice-over setup.
Most beginners will be choosing between a USB microphone and an XLR microphone.
A USB microphone connects directly to your computer and generally doesn't require a separate audio interface. That makes it one of the easiest ways to start recording if you're brand new to audio equipment.
An XLR microphone uses a traditional microphone cable and normally connects to an audio interface before the signal reaches your computer.
When I was starting out, accessibility mattered. I wanted equipment that could get me working without requiring me to build a professional studio first.
That is still how I think beginners should approach it.
Buy something good enough to learn and work with. Then replace it when you understand why you're replacing it.
And remember: an expensive microphone does not fix a bad recording environment.
In fact, a sensitive microphone may simply give you a beautifully detailed recording of all the things wrong with your room.
Recommended Microphone: RØDE NT1 Signature Series
If you have around $100 or a little more to spend on your first voice-over microphone, the RØDE NT1 Signature Series is one I would seriously consider starting with.
What I like about the NT1 is that it may be a beginner-priced microphone, but it doesn't have to be a temporary microphone. It gives you the kind of clean, detailed vocal recording you can keep using as your voice-acting work grows, so upgrading later becomes something you want to do rather than something you have to do.
It also comes with a shock mount, pop filter, and XLR cable, which means several pieces of your starter setup are already handled.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you.
2. Do You Need a Soundproof Room for Voice Acting?
Your recording space is every bit as important as the equipment sitting inside it.
You want a place where your microphone can capture your voice without also capturing traffic, televisions, air conditioners, computer fans, neighbors, lawn equipment and a big helping of room echo.
That doesn't mean you automatically need a professional vocal booth.
People record voice-over in bedrooms, offices, closets and other areas of their homes every day. What matters is how quiet the space is and how well you're controlling sound inside it.
This is one of the areas where I would spend more attention if I were starting over.
I originally thought much more about which microphone I needed than what that microphone was going to hear once I turned it on.
Those are two different questions.
If you're trying to improve the space you already have, see How to Soundproof a Room for Voice Acting at Home, where I go deeper into closets, blankets, acoustic foam, reflection filters and when you actually need more serious sound isolation.
3. Do You Need an Audio Interface for Voice Acting?
If you're using an XLR microphone, you'll normally need an audio interface.
The interface connects your microphone to your computer and converts the microphone's analog signal into digital audio your computer can record.
If that sounds intimidating, don't let the terminology throw you.
For a basic voice-over setup, you're usually recording one person with one microphone. You probably don't need a giant interface with eight microphone inputs and enough blinking lights to land an airplane.
A basic interface with one or two microphone inputs is usually plenty.
Many interfaces also give you a headphone output and controls for adjusting your microphone input level.
If you're using a USB microphone, you can usually skip this piece because the microphone handles that connection itself.
4. Do You Need a Microphone Stand or Boom Arm?
Yes, you need some way to keep your microphone in a stable position.
You don't want to hold it while you're recording voice-over.
A desktop stand can work. A floor stand can work. A boom arm can work.
The important thing is being able to position the microphone properly and keep it there while you perform.
A good stand also helps reduce unwanted movement and handling noise.
You want to be thinking about the script, the character, the client and your delivery.
You do not want half of your brain assigned to Don't move the microphone.
5. Do You Need a Pop Filter for Voice-Over?
Yes. A pop filter is one of the simplest and most inexpensive pieces of equipment I would consider essential for voice-over.
When you say words containing strong P and B sounds, bursts of air can hit the microphone capsule and create a low popping sound. These are called plosives, and a pop filter helps break up that air before it reaches the microphone.
Pop filters also give you a convenient visual reference for maintaining a consistent distance from your mic, and they help protect the microphone from moisture, breath and the occasional bit of spit that naturally comes with speaking into one for hours.
Fortunately, you do not need an expensive pop filter. Many microphones even include one, so check what's in the box before buying another. If you're purchasing one separately, I would pay more attention to the reviews and the quality of the clamp and flexible arm than to fancy materials. A cheap gooseneck that constantly droops away from the microphone gets annoying very quickly.
Pop filters can be made from fabric, nylon or metal, and the basic physics are pretty simple. In a pinch, people have even made DIY versions from stockings stretched over a wire frame. They work. They're just much harder to position and adjust than a filter designed to clamp onto a microphone stand.
Pop filters are also easy to clean or inexpensive enough to replace when they eventually get dirty.
Just remember that a pop filter doesn't replace good microphone technique. Learning your distance, angle and how to slightly turn away from the mic on particularly aggressive consonants will help too.
For something that can prevent a ruined take and usually costs very little, a pop filter is one of the easiest yeses in a beginner voice-over setup.
Recommended Pop Filter: Aokeo Microphone Pop Filter
The Aokeo Microphone Pop Filter is a simple, inexpensive option for controlling plosives without overcomplicating your setup. It uses a three-layer filter and a flexible gooseneck, so you can position it where you need it and keep it there.
For a beginner voice-over setup, this is exactly the kind of accessory I mean when I say you do not need to spend a lot of money to solve a basic recording problem.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
6. What Kind of Headphones Do You Need for Voice Acting?
For voice-over work, closed-back studio or monitor headphones are usually a good choice.
Closed-back headphones help keep sound from leaking out of the headphones and back into your microphone. But just as important, monitor headphones are designed to give you a more accurate picture of what you're actually hearing.
You generally want headphones with a fairly neutral or flat response, meaning they aren't intentionally boosting the bass, brightening the highs or making everything sound more exciting than it really is.
That matters when you're checking a voice recording.
You want to hear the recording as accurately as possible so you can catch background noise, mouth noise, distortion, bad edits, uneven levels and anything else that might need attention. Consumer headphones made primarily for enjoying music may add some extra flavor to the sound, which is great for listening but not always ideal when you're trying to evaluate audio.
That said, don't overthink this when you're starting.
If the only headphones you own are regular consumer headphones and they let you hear your recording clearly without leaking sound into the microphone, use them. You can upgrade to dedicated monitor headphones later.
I also don't personally record voice-over while wearing headphones. Because my recording area isn't completely soundproof, I like being able to hear the room around me. That makes it easier for me to notice a truck passing, a neighbor making noise or something else that could ruin a take.
I use headphones more for listening back and checking the recording than for hearing myself while I perform.
And for most voice-over jobs, you're usually delivering relatively dry audio rather than doing an elaborate music-style mix anyway. The goal is not to make the recording sound bigger or more exciting.
The goal is to hear what is actually there.
Recommended Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
I’ve used the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x for years for voice-over work. They’re comfortable, durable, affordable, and give me the clear, honest sound I want when checking recordings.
They’re also a good example of why you do not need to spend a fortune on headphone
s to get something reliable for voice acting.
Mine have lasted long enough to be refurbished and kept right on working, so for a budget pair of studio monitor headphones, I recommend them highly.
Check them out here
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you.
7. Do You Need a Powerful Computer for Voice Acting?
Not necessarily.
Recording a single voice track generally doesn't require the kind of computer you might need for a massive music-production session with dozens of tracks, effects and virtual instruments.
If your computer can reliably run your recording software and communicate with your microphone or audio interface, you may already have what you need.
A desktop, laptop or even a capable mini PC can work.
If you're shopping for a new computer specifically for voice acting, I would look for a modern processor, at least 16 GB of RAM if your budget allows, and an SSD instead of an older mechanical hard drive. You don't need a high-end gaming graphics card just to record voice-over. Your recording software's own system requirements should also be one of the first things you check before buying. Current programs such as Pro Tools maintain specific compatibility requirements for supported computers and operating systems.
One thing voice actors should pay particular attention to is noise.
A powerful computer with loud fans sitting three feet from a sensitive microphone can become an unexpected member of your cast.
If possible, look for reviews that specifically mention fan noise, cooling noise or quiet operation. Mini PCs and some laptops can work particularly well in small recording spaces because they may use smaller, quieter cooling systems, although this varies by model.
My own mini computer has a fan, but under normal voice-over work it is quiet enough that I don't really hear it in my recording space. That matters more to me than having an oversized computer built for workloads I don't actually need.
So when you're shopping, think about four things:
Can it run the recording software you plan to use?
Does it have enough RAM and storage for comfortable everyday work?
Does it have the USB or other connections your microphone or interface needs?
How loud is the computer when it's actually working?
For voice acting, the best computer isn't necessarily the most powerful one.
It's the one that can run your setup reliably without trying to join the recording.
8. What Recording Software Do Voice Actors Use?
You'll also need software to record and edit your voice.
Recording programs are often called DAWs, which stands for digital audio workstation. There are free programs, paid programs, simple programs and programs that look like somebody opened the control panel of a spaceship.
You do not need the most complicated one.
For basic voice-over work, you mainly need software that lets you record clean audio, edit mistakes, remove unwanted sections, make basic adjustments and export the file format your client requires.
If you're completely new and want to test the waters before spending money, there are several good places to start:
Cakewalk Sonar has a free tier with its core recording, editing, mixing and export tools. I have used Cakewalk throughout my voice-acting career, including more than 1,000 jobs.
Audacity is completely free and is built specifically for recording and editing audio.
Pro Tools Intro is Avid's free version of Pro Tools and gives beginners a way to learn the Pro Tools workflow without immediately paying for it.
GarageBand is another approachable option for Mac users.
If you eventually want something more advanced, paid versions of Pro Tools and Cakewalk Sonar, along with other professional DAWs, give you additional tools and flexibility.
But don't let choosing software become the thing that keeps you from recording.
Pick one program, learn how to record a clean track, edit it and export it properly.
You do not have to learn everything about audio engineering before you record your first sentence.
Learn enough to make good recordings.
Then keep learning.
9. What Cables Do You Need for a Home Voice-Over Studio?
This depends on the equipment you're using.
An XLR microphone will need an XLR cable connecting it to your audio interface.
Your interface will then need the appropriate connection to your computer, often USB or USB-C depending on the device.
A USB microphone normally connects directly to your computer.
Cables aren't exciting, but your microphone will be remarkably committed to silence without the correct one.
Check what your equipment requires before you order everything so that your brand-new studio doesn't arrive missing the one cable that makes the whole thing work.
What Voice-Over Equipment Is Optional for Voice Acting Beginners?
Once you start looking at other people's studios, it is easy to feel like you need everything you see.
You don't.
You do not need the most expensive microphone, premium headphones, a professional vocal booth or an entire room covered in acoustic foam. You also do not need to completely soundproof your home before you start recording.
A quiet, controlled section of a room can be enough. If outside noise is something you cannot eliminate completely, timing matters too. I live on a busy street with neighbors on both sides, so part of recording from home is knowing when my environment is quietest and working around what I cannot control.
You can also skip expensive portable isolation products, high-end preamps, large studio monitors and oversized audio interfaces when you're starting. Products like a Kaotica Eyeball or reflection filter can be useful in the right situation, but they are not requirements, and they can change the sound around your microphone in ways you may or may not like.
And you definitely do not need expensive recording software. Audacity is completely free, Cakewalk Sonar has a free tier, BandLab Studio is free and browser-based, and Soundtrap offers a free tier. Apple users also have GarageBand available as an accessible starting point.
What Can You Skip When Starting Voice Acting?
To keep it simple, you probably do not need:
the most expensive microphone or headphones
a professional vocal booth
a completely soundproofed room
acoustic foam covering every wall
an expensive portable microphone enclosure
high-end preamps or studio monitors
a large multi-input audio interface
expensive recording software
What you need is a functional setup, a reasonably quiet recording space and enough knowledge to get clean audio from the equipment you have.
Upgrade when something is actually holding you back.
If the room is the problem, work on the room. If outside noise is the problem, improve isolation or record during quieter hours. If the microphone eventually becomes the weak point, upgrade the microphone.
Your studio can grow with your career.
Mine did.
Can You Start Voice Acting With a USB Microphone?
Yes.
USB microphones have improved dramatically, and one can be an accessible way to start learning microphone technique, recording, editing and auditioning without immediately buying a separate audio interface.
That doesn't mean every USB microphone is good.
It also doesn't mean you'll necessarily use one forever.
But beginners sometimes get so concerned with having a "professional" setup that they delay actually learning the profession.
If a decent USB microphone allows you to start practicing now, there's value in that.
Later, you may decide an XLR microphone and audio interface give you more control and flexibility.
You'll also understand those upgrades better because you'll have experience telling you what you need.
How Much Should You Spend on a Beginner Voice-Over Setup?
There isn't one magic dollar amount.
Someone who already owns a capable computer and a good pair of headphones is starting from a completely different place than someone who owns none of it.
Your room matters too.
A person with a naturally quiet, carpeted closet full of clothes has a different starting point from somebody recording beside a busy intersection in a mostly empty room with hardwood floors.
This is why I don't think the goal should be:
How cheaply can I possibly do this?
The better question is:
What is the least I can reasonably spend and still build a setup that lets me learn, practice and produce usable audio?
There is a difference.
You don't have to break the bank.
You also don't want to spend your money twice because you bought equipment that was never suitable for what you're trying to do.
So, What Do You Need to Start Voice Acting From Home?
To recap, the basic setup we've just gone through includes:
a microphone
a quiet, controlled recording space
an audio interface if you're using an XLR microphone
a microphone stand or boom arm
a pop filter
closed-back headphones
a computer
recording and editing software
the cables your particular setup requires
You may already own some of those things.
And you can absolutely improve each piece over time.
If you want a broader walkthrough of putting the entire recording process together, I also have How to Record From Home: 9 Steps to Setting Up a Basic Studio at the House.
The biggest thing I want beginners to understand is that your voice-over setup is a system.
The microphone matters.
The room matters.
Your equipment matters.
And eventually, knowing how to use all of it matters.
You don't need the studio you're going to have seven years from now in order to start today.
You need a setup that allows you to start learning, recording and improving now.
Recommended Portable Booth:
If you have a little more money to spend and want a dedicated recording space without permanently rebuilding a room, the Snap Studio Portable Vocal Booth is the kind of setup I would look at. It uses heavy sound blankets around a portable frame to help cut down echo and reflections, and it comes in multiple sizes with useful extras like lighting, a mic adapter, phone mount, and carry bag.
I actually built my own version of this with PVC pipe and moving blankets when I first started, so seeing a ready-made version is pretty cool. A setup like this can be especially helpful if you're recording in a room with hardwood floors, bare walls, or a lot of reflective surfaces and want to create a more controlled little recording zone without treating the entire room.
Check it out here!
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you.
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