My Gear: What I Use (and recommend) For VO/Acting

I’ve not only been asked countless times to recommend the microphones, computers, editing equipment and other technology I personally use, but have also written about the more mundane but really useful things I use (like my chair). As I’m also an on-camera actor, I’ve got some suggestions for your home self-tape setup as well.

Well, here you go: my entire home studio set-up and accessories (even some recommended books and vocal health suggestions), along with (mostly) Amazon links to get each of the items listed at a nice discount. Items are divided into major categories below, like hardware, software, adapters and the like. I hope you find what you’re looking for here – if you don’t, drop me an email at [email protected] and I’ll post other items I use.

— David

CORE VOICEOVER GEAR

The hardware and software we provide for VOHeroes Pro members. NOTE: do note purchase any of these items if you are a Pro member, unless you need to replace something. Remember, these items are all supplied when you begin your membership.

VO microphone: AudioTechnica AT2040USB microphone
Desktop mic stand: OnStage DS7200B mic stand
Earbuds: Panasonic RP-HJE120 wired earbuds
Headphone amplifier: eSynic HiFi headphone amplifier
Windscreen/Pop Filter: The Mike Sock
Audio recording/editing: Audacity (lesson, accessible to VOHeroes Pros only)
Audio mastering: AudioCupcake
Narration proofing: Pozotron
On-camera rehearsal: Rehearsal® Pro

ADDITIONAL VOICEOVER GEAR

Additional gear you might want to consider when provisioning your home VO studio.

Microphone boom arm: RØDE PSA1 Professional Studio Arm
Floor mic stand: On-Stage MS7701B Tripod Boom Stand
Headphones: Sony MDR-7506 wired headphones

ON-CAMERA GEAR

Additional gear you might want to consider when outfitting your home on-camera audition studio.

Video camera: Sony ZVE-10
Camera lens: VILTROX 23mm f/1.4 Auto Focus E-Mount Lens
Shotgun microphone: RØDE NTG4+ Condenser Shotgun Microphone (requires mic interface below)
Mic interface: Zoom AMS-22 Mic Interface
Lighting: tbd
Backlight: tbd
Work desk: tbd
Desk drape: tbd
Backdrop: tbd
Camera tripod: tbd
Portable selfie stick/tripod: tbd
Atomic clock: tbd

COMPUTERS/TECH HARDWARE

Other items i recommend for your tech stack.

Computer (voiceover studio): Apple M1 MacBook Air
Computer (on-camera studio): Apple M1 Mac Mini
Monitor (on-camera studio): Toshiba 27″ 276E8VJSB
Wireless trackball: Logitech ERGO M575
Wireless mouse: Logitech Pebble Mouse
Wireless keyboard: Logitech mx mini
Powered USB hub: Anker 7-port USB-3 Powered Hub
External storage hard drive: WD 4TB Black My Passport
External backup hard drives: Seagate Portable 5TB

SOFTWARE

The software I use in addition to our core voiceover software.

Audio recording/editing: Audacity (accessible to VOHeroes Pros only)
Audio mastering: AudioCupcake
Narration proofing: Pozotron
On-camera rehearsal: Rehearsal® Pro
Video recording/editing: Screenflow
Text editor: BBEdit
Backup software (Macintosh): Apple Time Machine (built-in to MacOS)
Backup software (Windows): Macrium Reflect

PODCASTING

Solo podcast microphone: AudioTechnica AT2040USB microphone
Multiple host/guest microphone: AudioTechnica AT2020 (mixer below needed)
Windscreen/pop filter: The Mike Sock
Podcast mixer: Behringer XENYX X1222USB
Video recording/editing: Screenflow
Text editor: BBEdit
Audio podcast platform: Buzzsprout
Video podcast platform: YouTube

Items related specifically to podcasting, as noted in our Mastering Podcasting courses.

ADAPTERS/CABLES

Cables, adapters, dongles and other accessories to connect your gear together.

Ethernet Cable: Cat-8 Ethernet Cable (choose the length you need)
Ethernet to USB Adapter: Cable Creations Ethernet To USB Adapter
Multiport adapter for MacBook: Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
iPhone/iPad Microphone Adapter (Lightning): Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter
iPhone/iPad Microphone Adapter (USB-C): USB-C to USB-A Camera Adapter
Power block for laptops/phones/pads: Anker Nano USB-C Power Block
Apple USB-C Charging/Power Cable: Apple USB-C to USB-C Charge Cable

ACCESSORIES/FURNITURE

Office furnishings to keep you safe, comfortable and productive.

Studio chair: Flash Furniture Aluminum Chair
Studio chair cushion: Cylen Home Office Memory Foam Seat Cushion
Portable hard drive carrying cases: AmazonBasics Hard Drive Case
Business cards: MOO cards
Laptop Stand: VECOFO Adjustable Aluminum Stand
Personal evaporative cooler: Evapolar EvaSMART EV 3000
My cup holder: Smart Drinklip
Moving blankets: US Cargo Control Moving Pad (6 Pack)
Wrist rests: Gorilla Grip Wrist Rest Set

BOOKS

Books that add to your knowledgebase and to help you be more efficient in your performance career.

Acting: Secrets Of Screen Acting by Patrick Tucker
Business Presentations: Brief by Joseph McCormack
Business Marketing: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Performance/Mental Health: 10% Happier by Dan Harris

VOCAL HEALTH

Products to help keep you healthy and your voice in great shape.

Nasal irrigator: Waterpulse Neti Pot
Congestion reliever: Lo Han Quo
Throat lozenge (mild): Grether’s Black Currant Pastilles
Throat lozenge (brisk): Fisherman’s Friend Honey-Lemon Menthol Lozenges