
the HOME Studio has become industry standard, and there are many paths one can choose. Here are some of the VOC's favorite equipment, software and extras. This will be the stuff you use for your business daily, choose well, choose wise and choose what's right for your voice, not just what works for others.
Looking to make a VOICE DEMO!? Click here to browse the best demo producers in the biz!
VOC & BSW Mic Packages *UPDATED*
**Hello everyone, BSW is updated these packages and they are even better now!**
Jay Preston of the VOC and Bryan Seeley of BSW joined forces and created some amazingly discounted full on Mic packages for you all! From beginner to pro, home studio to travel. Jay is always asked what gear he'd recommend so he finally found a way to get you all the gear you need through one convenient source!
The "Just getting started" in VO Package
List Price: $643.02
$399.00
This bundle won't break the bank, but it's a great, affordable entry into your VO journey. The Rode NTG2 is a great little mic that works similarly to the MKH 416 in that it won't be picking up EVERYTHING in your VO Booth or closet. This bundle can also become your on-the-road gear later down the line when you upgrade your home studio.
The "Most Versatile" VO Package
List Price: $2,588.94
$1,599.00
This bundle is perfect for home and travel. Sounds incredible and chances are you will use this for many many years. In addition, you are getting $200 off the MKH 416, one of the vo industries standard microphones! "Everyone's gotta get a 416!" ~Jay Preston
The "Industry Standard" VO Package
List Price: $3,196.94
$2,069.00
The TLM 103 has been one of the VO industry's go to favorites for decades! This bundle has everything you need to put into your home studio and get you recording!
The "Deluxe Industry Pro" VO Package
List Price: $5,967.94
$4,529.00
Deluxe Industry Standard VO Package**
TLM's big brother and one of the Mic's you'll find in almost every recording studio. The U87 is one of the best! If money is no object, this package is for you.
The "Pro VO Travel" Package
This next build it yourself package, is straight from "The Booth Of Us"! Jay Preston and Megan Hensley travel and record frequently. This is what they use! It's a compact and extremely pro combination. (and they have tried MANY combinations.
The DPA 4060 Mic Kit will run you about $670 and is PERFECT for travel!
Then you'll want to grab a nice lightweight interface like the UA Apollo Solo (left) and some pro but portable headphones like the Sennheiser HD 280's (right).
Jay & Meg also suggest a solid state drive laptop to go along with all of this. They suggest the MacBook Air with the M2 chip. However if you have the cash available, you can't go wrong with a Mac Book Pro M2!
That's all the equipment you'll need, and if you are wondering about the travel booth. Head here!
Pro Microphones
Neumann Mics
From the top of the line U87 to the industries favorite TLM 103 to the newly favored (and slightly cheaper) TLM 102. You can't go wrong with Neumann. Be sure to test it out with your studio and voice before a full commitment.
The World of Sennheiser
The MKH 416 has become an industry standard for promo work. It is now one of the go-to mics for home studio's! Also below are some incredible headphones that are exceptional for travel and home studio use. Joe Cipriano has been working with BSW for some incredible deals with this Mic as well!
In fact Click Here & enter promo code 416 to get $200 off the MKH 416!
Roswell Pro Audio
An expertly crafted VO Mic!
Roswell Pro Audio’s best-selling VO mic is the Mini K87. It captures a
natural, organic sound, without added color. Each mic is assembled,
tested, and individually tuned in Roswell’s California workshop, using
audiophile-grade components.
The “high output” edition of the Mini K87 was designed specifically
for voice actors. The mic’s pristine signal path is optimized for
vocal signal levels, and delivers 6dB higher signal into the preamp.
The Mini K87 includes Roswell’s proprietary Cutaway shockmount, whichoffers superior isolation to elastic mounts, without the risk ofsympathetic resonance that would affect the recording.
You could WIN a Mini k87 in A New VORG Publication!
the Aston Spirit Microphone
An Extremely Affordable Mic that rival the best!

Spirit - $379
-
Designed and built in the UK
-
Multi pattern Microphone
-
Built in Pop filter Built in Pop filter using the latest stainless steel mesh knit technology
The Spirit is designed to deliver a beautifully open sound with sparkling harmonics. This highly accurate microphone gives a stunningly natural and transparent recording, capturing all the detail in the high range but without adding the harshness that some condenser microphones seem to.
It's even has that famed U87 sound!
SwiftShield ($89) combines the Aston Swift shock mount and the Aston Shield pop filter into one bundle, to give you the perfect set up for your studio vocal mic.
The Halo is the perfect travel companion as its light as a feather. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles that are sliced thinner than a hair. The Halo is more effective at tackling the ceiling/floor issue that is left open on other similar products
Other Mics of Mention
Here are some other VOC favorites! From the 'cream of the crop' to the 'get's the job done'!
RODE NT1Gen5 - $249
The NT1 5th Generation is a revolutionary studio condenser microphone that fuses the classic sound signature of the iconic NT1 with cutting-edge, next-generation technology. It features RØDE’s groundbreaking (patent-pending) Dual Connect output, offering both XLR and USB connectivity for incredible versatility
Soyuz Fet 017 - $2,499
The 017 FET large diaphragm condenser is one of Jay's favorites! Truly handmade capsules make these high performance microphones at home when detail, depth, and warmth are imperative to capture. The silky yet clear top end inherent in the capsule design makes the 017 perfect for complementing the subtle nuances of vocalists
Townsend Labs Sphere - $1,499
The Sphere® system is a microphone modeling system that consists of a high precision dual channel microphone, which when paired with the included Sphere plug-in (UAD, VST, AU, AAX Native) accurately models the response of a wide range of mics, including transient response, harmonics, proximity effect and three-dimensional polar response.
Manley Ref C - $3,499
The Manley Reference Cardioid Tube Microphone has that “finished” sound right out of the box, making it the favorite vocal mic of top producers and voiceover artists alike. Some refer to the Manley Ref C as the “Just Add Talent” microphone. Check out the website to compare all three versions HERE <--
USB Microphones
The World of
Shure has been a trusted name in broadcast, podcasting, studio recording, and voice work for a long time, but their newer USB-C and MOTIV-powered gear has made them especially exciting for voice actors who need to record quickly, cleanly, and from just about anywhere.
For actors working from home, traveling, auditioning from hotels, or building a compact backup setup, Shure’s newer lineup gives you a lot of flexibility without needing a giant pile of gear. The Booth of Us has been testing and using the MV7+, MV88 USB-C, and MVX2U Gen 2, and these are absolutely worth a look.
MV7+ - $319
Jay’s pick for best all-around new
Shure mic for voice actors
The Shure MV7+ is one of the strongest USB mics out there right now for voice actors. With both USB-C and XLR connectivity, it works as a simple plug-and-play audition mic now, and can grow with you into a more traditional studio setup later.
It also includes helpful onboard tools like Auto Level Mode, a digital pop filter, and real-time noise reduction, which makes it especially useful for travel, quick auditions, content creation, and remote work.
If you want one modern Shure mic that can cover a lot of ground, the MV7+ is the one we’d point to first.
Best for: auditions, travel rigs, home setups, podcasting, content creation, and USB convenience with XLR flexibility.
MV88 USB C - $159
Jay’s pick for best all-around new
audition phone mic for voice actors
The Shure MV88 USB-C is a tiny, portable stereo microphone that plugs directly into USB-C devices, making it a great option for voice actors who need something extremely compact for travel, quick auditions, scratch tracks, social content, or backup recording.
It is not meant to replace a fully treated booth and studio mic, but for something this small, it gives actors a lot of control in a very travel-friendly package. The MV88 USB-C includes selectable polar patterns, Auto Level Mode, real-time Denoiser, and customizable presets for different recording situations.
Best for: travel backup, mobile auditions, quick content, scratch audio, and actors who want a mic that can live in a small bag.
MVX2U Gen 2 - $139
Turn ANY XLR Mic into a USB Mic with all the features of the MV7+!
The Shure MVX2U Gen 2 is not a microphone, but it may be one of the most useful little tools for voice actors who already own an XLR mic. It is a compact XLR-to-USB interface that lets you connect an XLR microphone directly to a computer or mobile device.
For travel, this is a big deal. Instead of bringing a full interface, you can pair the MVX2U Gen 2 with a favorite XLR mic and create a much smaller recording setup. Shure describes it as a compact, mobile-friendly, single-channel XLR-to-USB interface for recording or streaming on desktop or mobile devices using any XLR microphone.
Best for: voice actors who already own an XLR mic, compact travel rigs, auditions on the road, and anyone trying to reduce gear without giving up mic quality.
SM7dB / SM7B - $439+
Jay’s suggestion, is to try it out, but try the NEWER MV7+ as well!
The SM7B has been a voice actor, broadcaster, podcaster, and studio favorite for years, but it does require an XLR setup with plenty of clean gain.
The newer SM7dB keeps that classic SM7 sound, but adds a built-in preamp with up to +28 dB of gain, making it easier to pair with a wider range of interfaces. You can also bypass the preamp if you want the original SM7B-style performance.
For most modern voice actors choosing between the two today, we’d point to the SM7dB first. It gives you the familiar SM7 sound with a simpler, more flexible setup.
Best for: home studios, broadcast-style VO, podcasting, narration, content creation, and actors who want the SM7 sound without needing an external gain booster.
The Tula Mic
This use to be one of "The Booth of Us'" favorite travel mics. The Tula is still an amazing device though. They teamed up with a well-known Swedish music software company to create an embedded version of their noise-reduction algorithm. With just the touch of a button, you can get rid of unwanted background noise such as fans, air conditioners or even traffic.

the World of Apogee
A woman owned business that continues to innovate and create some of the best audio gear for us all!
USB/Phone Mics
Low cost microphones ready to plug in and start recording! Many people start off with a USB mic while they are getting into voice over. One of the great things about them, is they are great for travel audition mics later on down the road as you build your pro studio! Here are some of our favorites!
Headphones
Headphones
So many to choose from out there! The higher end one's are great for those of you with that sound engineer ear. Whatever you get, just make sure it's for pro sound or studio use. Headphones made for leisure music listening just don't cut it.
P-C-I
Preamps, Converters & Interfaces
(The fancy box between your mic and your computer)
Don’t Bottleneck Your Microphone
A great microphone is only one part of your recording chain.
If you are using an entry-level XLR mic, a simple interface like a Focusrite Scarlett, Audient EVO, or similar beginner-friendly box can be a great place to start. But if you upgrade to a higher-end microphone, like a Neumann TLM 103, Sennheiser MKH 416, Soyuz, or U87, it is worth looking at the rest of your chain too.
That does not mean you need to run out and buy the most expensive preamp in the world. It just means your interface, preamp, and converters should not be the thing holding your mic back.
Think of it like this: if your microphone is capturing more detail, your interface needs to be able to pass that detail along cleanly, quietly, and accurately. A better interface or preamp can give you cleaner gain, lower noise, better conversion, stronger headphone monitoring, and a more professional overall signal path.
The goal is balance. Start with a quiet room, choose a mic that works for your voice, and then make sure the box between your mic and your computer is in the same league.
Top of the line (if your mic cost over $600)
Here are a few strong options for voice actors using mics like the Sennheiser MKH 416, Neumann TLM 103, Soyuz, DPA, U87, or other professional-level microphones.
UA Apollo Twin X Gen 2 - $999.00
Best for: voice actors who want a pro interface with real-time processing options.
The Apollo Twin X is a popular choice for working voice actors because it combines strong conversion, quality preamps, and UA’s real-time plugin workflow. If you like the idea of tracking through tasteful compression, EQ, or preamp emulations while still keeping a professional studio chain, this is a strong option.
Prism Sound Lyra 2 - $3,311.00
Best for: boutique conversion and clean, detailed recording.
Prism Sound may not be the first name many voice actors hear when shopping for an interface, but in professional audio circles, it has a serious reputation. The Lyra 2 is a compact, high-end interface with clean Class-A mic preamps and excellent conversion.
This is a great “hidden gem” option for actors who want a professional, transparent front end without buying into a plugin ecosystem or chasing hype. It’s clean, detailed, and built for people who care deeply about the quality of the signal going into the computer.
Apogee Symphony Desktop - $1,599.00
Best for: actors who want a polished, premium desktop interface.
The Symphony Desktop is a higher-end interface with excellent conversion and clean, detailed preamps. It’s a great fit for voice actors who want a sleek desktop setup that feels more like a small professional studio than a basic interface.
RME Babyface Pro FS - $999.00
Best for: clean, reliable, no-drama professional VO work.
The Babyface Pro FS is one of the safest high-end recommendations for voice actors who want excellent sound, rock-solid drivers, low noise, and a compact setup that just works. It’s not flashy. It’s not trying to color your sound. It’s a professional tool built for consistency.
Neumann MT 48 - $1,975.00
Best for: premium mic owners who want a reference-quality personal studio interface.
The MT 48 is Neumann’s high-end desktop interface, and it makes a lot of sense for voice actors using premium microphones. It offers excellent conversion, very clean preamps, strong gain, and a professional monitoring workflow in one compact box.
This is a great fit for actors who want a clean, modern, high-resolution signal path without building a complicated rack. If you’re using a Neumann mic, Soyuz, DPA, 416, U87, or another serious microphone, the MT 48 is built to let that mic speak clearly.
AMS Neve 88M - $999.00
Best for: actors who want a high-end interface with classic preamp character.
The 88M is for the voice actor who wants more than clean. It brings real Neve flavor into a compact interface, which can add weight, warmth, and character to the right voice and mic pairing. It’s more of a “sound” choice than a neutral choice, but for the right setup, it can be beautiful.
Budget Friendly or Travel (if your mic cost under $600)
UA Apollo Solo Heritage - $699.00
Best for: solo VO actors who want the Apollo workflow in a compact box.
Apollo Solo gives you clean conversion, Unison preamps, and real-time UAD processing without buying a larger Apollo. Great for travel & simple vocal chains and auditions. Just know it has less DSP power than the Twin.
Audient iD24 USB-C - $463.00
Best for: serious sound quality without paying for hype.
The iD24 is a sleeper pick with clean Audient console-style preamps, strong conversion, inserts, and ADAT expansion. It’s practical, professional, and gives voice actors room to grow without pushing them into a plugin ecosystem. Great if you want a strong front end at a sensible price.
Solid State Logic SSL 2 MKII - $229.00
Best for: simple pro sound with a little character.
The SSL 2 MKII is the right pick over the 2+ for most solo VO actors. You still get SSL’s clean preamps, 4K enhancement, high-pass filter, loopback, and modern conversion, without paying for extra outputs or MIDI features you may never use. Great for a simple, professional booth setup.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen - $224.00
Best for: newer VO actors who want a safe, modern, easy recommendation.
The 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 is a serious upgrade, with 69 dB of gain, Auto Gain, Clip Safe, Air mode, and loopback. It’s not boutique, but it’s practical, familiar, easy to use, and strong enough for clean auditions and everyday VO work.
Tiny But Mighty: Portable Interfaces & Travel-Rig Heroes
Sometimes you do not need a full desktop interface. You need something small, reliable, and good enough to get a professional audition or pickup recorded from the road.
This is where portable XLR interfaces can be incredibly useful for voice actors.
MVX2U Gen 2 - $139
Turn ANY XLR Mic into a USB Mic with all the features of the MV7+!
The Shure MVX2U Gen 2 is not a microphone, but it may be one of the most useful little tools for voice actors who already own an XLR mic. It is a compact XLR-to-USB interface that lets you connect an XLR microphone directly to a computer or mobile device.
For travel, this is a big deal. Instead of bringing a full interface, you can pair the MVX2U Gen 2 with a favorite XLR mic and create a much smaller recording setup. Shure describes it as a compact, mobile-friendly, single-channel XLR-to-USB interface for recording or streaming on desktop or mobile devices using any XLR microphone.
Best for: voice actors who already own an XLR mic, compact travel rigs, auditions on the road, and anyone trying to reduce gear without giving up mic quality.
CEntrance MicPort Pro 3 - $349.99
Best for: serious travel VO with a real XLR mic.
The MicPort Pro has been a longtime favorite for actors who want to travel with a professional XLR mic instead of relying on a USB mic.
The current MicPort Pro 3 keeps that tiny, road-friendly idea alive with clean gain, 48V phantom power, USB-C, a built-in limiter, and a rechargeable battery.
It is not meant to replace a full studio interface for everyone, but as a travel rig, backup setup, or “I need to record this audition from a hotel room” tool, it still makes a lot of sense.
CEntrance PASport VO - $349.99
Best for: advanced VO travel setups and remote-session flexibility.
The PASport VO is the more VO-specific CEntrance option. It was designed with voiceover workflow in mind, including routing features that can help with remote sessions, podcasting, and more flexible recording setups.
This is not the simplest option for a brand-new actor, but for working VO people who travel, connect remotely, or want a compact box with more routing power than a basic interface, it is a very interesting tool.
Portable interfaces are not just “cute little gadgets.” For working voice actors, they can be the difference between missing an audition and sending in a clean, professional read from wherever you are.
Acoustic Treatment
Your Room Is Part of Your Mic
Before you spend thousands of dollars on a microphone, make sure your recording space is helping you.
A great mic in a bad room will still sound like a great mic in a bad room. For voice actors, acoustic treatment is not about making your studio look fancy. It is about controlling reflections, reducing boxiness, calming harshness, and creating a clean, consistent sound that casting directors, agents, engineers, and clients can trust.
The goal is not silence. The goal is control.
Get expert advice!
The Tri Booth!

Created by VOC members Rick Wasserman & George "The Tech" Whittam,
Tri-Booth manufactures professional sound isolation booths for home & portable recording studios - voice over, broadcast, audiobooks, animation, and more, all size spaces & budgets. Reclaim your closet with Tri-Booth!
Before you panic-buy a new mic, blame your interface, or start stapling blankets to every wall,
talk to George The Tech.
George Whittam and his team help voice actors diagnose home studio problems, improve recording spaces, troubleshoot gear, prep for remote sessions, and figure out what actually needs fixing.
VOC George "The Tech" Whittam is here! Book some time to talk through your technical needs, solve issues, and receive recommendations for gear and studio acoustics upgrades.
Mention Code : VOCGTT10OFF
That will get you 10% off on scheduled services!
Full Custom Booths
And sometimes you just want to buy one that's perfect. There are many VO Booth manufacturers out there. The prices range from ridiculous to affordable. Do your research, try it out first if you can and then get the one that fits you and your style and your home the best. Keep in mind. It's an investment for your future and you will be spending A LOT of time in these. Make it count.
Studio Bricks Booths are just wonderful. Not only do they look great, they are a favorite among VOC members. Studiobricks booths isolate 45 dB and up. And there is a wide range of custom options!
Scott Peterson is a voice actor and custom booth maker! They take a little longer to create, but they can be tailor made to your needs and budget! Check them out!
VocalBooth.com has been creating some awesome Vo booths for years. Available in a single or double-wall design, and are also offered in a pentagonal shaped design called the Diamond Series in four sizes.
Sound Blocking & Sound Absorption DIY
Sound Treatment vs. Soundproofing
These are not the same thing, and this is where a lot of new voice actors get confused.
Sound treatment helps control the sound inside the room.
This means reducing echo, flutter, room reflections, boxiness, and weird buildup around your voice.
Soundproofing, or sound isolation, helps stop outside sound from getting in and your voice from getting out.
This is much harder and usually requires mass, sealing, air gaps, construction, or a properly built isolation booth.
Blankets, foam, panels, curtains, rugs, and acoustic materials can help your room sound better.
But they will not magically block trucks, leaf blowers, dogs, neighbors, planes, or plumbing noise.
For VO, you usually need some combination of both:
Treatment: makes your voice sound cleaner.
Isolation: keeps outside noise out of your recording.
Sound Absorption
Sound absorption materials absorb unwanted noise, like an echo, within a room. Sound absorption is the process by which sound waves are taken in or soaked up by soft surfaces.
-
Designed for sound absorption (not sound blocking)
-
Lab Tested
-
NRC 0.85
-
96” long x 48” wide - 10 lbs
-
Made in the USA
-
Price - $69
Sound Blocking
Sound-insulating or "blocking" materials effectively block or stop sound waves from traveling to adjacent spaces. Soundproofing materials and products are typically found inside walls, making soundproofing efforts inconvenient to accomplish once a structure is built.
-
34.5" wide x 82" long
-
Approx. 18 lbs.
-
3 metal grommets (1/2" diameter) on the top of the sheet for hanging with included hardware
-
Eco-friendly materials
-
Made in the USA
-
Price - $118
Start Here : The VO Room Test
Before buying anything;
Record 30 seconds of clean audio in your space, play it back and Listen for:
-
Room echo
-
Boxiness
-
Hollow closet sound
-
Sharp reflections
-
Computer fan noise
-
Traffic
-
AC rumble
-
Mouth clicks becoming too obvious
Then clap once and listen. If you hear a quick “ping,” slap, ring, or flutter, your room needs treatment.If you hear traffic, neighbors, lawn equipment, airplanes, dogs, or plumbing, you are dealing with isolation problems too.
** Updating Soon! **
Editing Software
Software
From industry standard to VOC favorites. Here's what we recommend you record and edit your audio with!
Travel Software & Apps
Recording from your laptop, iPad or phone? On the go!? Apple or Android device!? Here's what works for us.
AUDACITY
Coaching Available
Plug-Ins
Audio Software Plug-Ins
So you've got it all, you've learned your audio editing software, no grab some plug-ins
and learn how to make everything sound better and your life even easier!
SSLXComp
Flexible dynamics processing for classic and modern compression styles
SSLXValComp
Add amazing color to your recordings!
*New Era 5 Bundle
The Whole bundle is amazing,
but the noise remover is incredible!
Brusfri Noise Reducer
An amazing plug in or app for your IOS
Digital Recording
Making the digital connection
All three of these platforms digitally connects the voice-talent, who is at one studio and the client (producer) who is at another studio.
ISDN
Source Connect
ipDTL
Integrated Services Digital Network is a system of digital phone connections, which allow recording studios to ’link up’ digitally, and share and transmit audio files simultaneously around the world with digital quality. Usually $2,000 for the ISDN unit, plus a few hundred dollars to have your local telephone company hook up ISDN phone-lines (if they can) into your home-studio, plus standard monthly fees from your telephone compnay. This info is from Edge Studios
Source-Connect is a VOC Favorite and just happens to be the most popular world wide solution for VO talent and Producers to record and monitor remotely over the internet or for bridging to ISDN. Source-Connect is backed by the best live support team in the industry, visit Source-Elements.com.
ipDTL is ISDN in the cloud. With just your web browser, you can dial and receive ISDN calls, setup a phone-patch, or send a link which your client can open up in their browser to connect with you. A Day Pass costs just $15
ConnectionOpen....the ULTIMATE ISDN replacement technology is a stand alone application that allows multi-participant, uncompressed audio sessions with near zero latency & also has a solo and session recording feature built right into the application and has a plug-in suite (AAX/VST/AU) that integrates directly with your DAW. With superior quality and reliability, we believe ConnectionOpen can not only redefine the expectations of VOIP, but also revolutionise its use in business, education and entertainment. An online communication tool that enables users located thousands of miles apart to connect and interact as if they were in the same room. As a cost effective software solution, the accessibility of our system unlocks a whole new world of possibilities to explore; the key is ConnectionOpen.












































































