The first exciting step in becoming a voice over artist is buying your studio microphone. But don’t get caught up in the moment and buy just any old mic, you need to complete your due-diligence. There are thousands of different microphones from several reputable companies, but where do you start? Well let’s review the process I went through.

After doing a bit of research, I knew I wanted a condenser microphone with a cardioid pattern meant for vocals. Now sure, that narrows down the list of microphones but you still have hundreds to choose from. My next step was my budget. I wanted to spend no less than $100 but no more than $350. With the list narrowed down; I went searching for homemade reviews and listened to voice samples posted online. And that was it! My research was done and I purchased the EV Blue Cardinal.

The Electro-Voice Blue Cardinal is a somewhat obscure microphone. It’s sold by Electro-Voice but was designed by Blue. It’s reasonable price tag is achieved simply because it’s built in China, but don’t let that fool you. Just because they saved money on parts and labor doesn’t mean they compromised in quality. Blue designed the mic to combine the functionality of a contemporary studio microphone but with a vintage flare. It is a solid mic with a fully functional mount that swivels in all directions. Before it arrived in the mail, I was a little skeptical. But once I felt the weight of the microphone in my hands and installed it in my studio, I knew I’d be in love. The Cardinal accomplishes a realistic sound without sounding like a radio voice and it’s clarity is much better than I expected. The swivel allows me to position the Cardinal at just the right angle to compliment my voice over approach. For the price tag, the EV Cardinal is a force to be reckoned with. I’ve been using this microphone since the beginning of my career and will keep it in my arsenal without a doubt. Good luck in your search and remember, there is a microphone out there for everyone.

Jonathan Steiner
www.jsvoiceover.com