Do You Really Need a Mic for Musical Theatre Self-Tapes?
Self-taping is now an essential part of life as a musical theatre performer. Whether it’s an initial submission or a callback, the stakes are high and you want your audition to look and sound as close to "in the room" as possible.
But here’s the truth:
🎙️ Your performance always comes first. The mic won’t save a mediocre take but a great performance can still shine through basic audio. That said, investing in a microphone can boost your confidence and clarity on tape if you use it well.
So, do you need one? Let's dive in.
🎧 Built-In Audio vs. External Mic: What’s the Difference?
In my video, I walk you through three real callback tapes I recently submitted and compare:
Raw audio from my iPhone only
Audio synced from an external mic
The difference? Noticeable. Crisper tone. Fuller sound. Easier for casting to hear the nuances of my voice—especially in musical material.
🧪 Example Breakdown: Hear It For Yourself
Example 1: Acoustic ballad
Example 2: Belty contemporary uptempo
Example 3: Legit soprano musical theatre
Each is presented with and without an external mic so you can judge the difference.
Spoiler alert: Most of my tapes now use the Apogee MiC Plus, my favorite compact mic for musical theatre auditions.
💡 Why I Use an External Mic for Singing Tapes
It captures my vocals more clearly than my phone alone
It allows me to feel more confident in my tape
It better recreates the experience of singing live in the room
My setup is simple: mic on a desk, just below frame, synced in post with my phone’s video. No lapel mics (they don’t compress singing properly!).
🎤 My Mic Recommendation
Compact and lightweight
Plugs directly into your computer
Great for singers
Easy for travel and any other online sessions like zoom auditions or lessons
I use it for:
Self-tape auditions singing, acting and even slates
Voice lessons with my personal voice teacher on Zoom
Coaching sessions with my clients on Zoom
Content creation like videos for my YouTube channel
Commercial & on-camera work like auditions and gigs
I’ll link it in my Amazon favorites if you want to check it out.
🛑 What I Don’t Recommend
Lapel mics: Better for speech, not singing
Mics designed for speech only: Often block out music and vocals
If you’re not ready to buy, start with your phone. Just be smart about your environment and distance to the built in mic.
🧰 Want Help Setting Up Your Reel or Audition Kit?
Book a 1:1 coaching session with me, and I’ll help you:
Pick the right equipment
Set up your space
Improve your audition materials
Submit with confidence
🆓 Free Downloads to Boost Your Self-Tape Game:
Ready to Upgrade Your Audition Setup?
Using a mic won’t make or break your career—but it can make your voice easier to hear, and your submissions more professional.
Check out the full video demo here: https://youtu.be/Ez-l3E6C-J0
You deserve to be heard. Make sure your self-tapes reflect the quality of your talent—in every sense.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers thrive onstage and off. She brings over two decades of experience and a unique perspective from her bi-coastal lifestyle as a working artist. A former college professor, she now splits her time between performing, coaching, and creating digital resources to support other artists. Follow her on Instagram or check out the Musical Theatre Mentor YouTube channel for weekly career advice.
