Record your voice the right way

Recording your voice

Whether you are an actor or voice artist recording ADR or voiceovers, or a singer laying down some vocals for a song, it is important to prepare your voice properly, or you won’t be happy with the end result! here are some tips to consider next time you are recording your voice!

1. Be slightly more expressive! While your normal speaking voice may be fine in person, it loses a little something in a voice over. With singing, the same can happen, the ‘feeling’ may not come across as well. To compensate, you’ll have to crank things up just a bit. Really put yourself in the scenario you are speaking or singing about, and don’t forget to annunciate a little more than normal, as none can read your lips, mumbling through it just won’t do!

2. Practice recording yourself. Most phones these days have a voice recorder on them. Using a test recording or two, listen to the playback of your voice and make notes for any slurred phrases, indistinct words, or strange pronunciations. They’re usually easy to correct with some practice. Don’t forget your vocal inflection, emphasis of important words, and emotion too.

3. Know the material. This is a no-brainer – it’s not just for people saying a loy of technical or medical jargon that can be a tongue twister – everyone should practice saying or singing the words several times to get their tongue around them and say / sing them clearly. Also, you should research the topic as best you can, so you understand what you are saying / singing about. It will make for a far more believable performance.

4. Take care of yourself. Don’t drink fizzy drinks or milk that may make you phlegmy before you sing. Don’t have a cigarette or eat greasy food. Instead, drink room temperature water, eat a light healthy meal so you don’t feel bloated or sluggish, and do some stretches so you are loose and ready to go!

5. Seemingly little but annoying errors – Avoid any umm or ahhs. They are easy to say, but really lessen the quality of your recording. And don’t forget to breathe. of course you need to avoid big gasp breaths, but holding your breath will make you more breathless and dizzy. Sounds silly but it is very easy when nerves come into play, to forget to breath normally.

Happy recording!