Voice Acting or Voice Actor? 5 Tips To Improve Voiceover Recording!

Ruth Mgbemena
Mar 12, 2025
4 min read

Dear Aspiring Voice Actor,

I know how it feels to start this crazy journey. It feels like there are a million things to know, and you just don’t know them.

Trust me, I have been through the madness. We’ve all had days where our voice just doesn’t seem to want to cooperate with us. Have you ever done a recording and played it back and your like “Who the hell was that? Is that what I sound like”?

Yep! My voice has shocked me, too. From sounding inspirational to sounding like a dying toad, I have the historical proof!

“So, not posting them! TO DAMN EMBARASSING”!

But through my croaks, I have learnt some essential tips that ensures I go into the studio in perfect pitch.

Here are 5 Tips to improve your voice over recording.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Brush Your Tongue

2. Drink Warm Tea or Milk

3. Vocal Warm Ups

4. Record In The Morning

5. Use A Mic

#Tip 1: Brush Your Tongue

I know! It weird right?

But; Your tongue is one of the most important tools for voice acting.

Your tongue is like sneaky little troublemaker, silently collecting all kinds of gooey, speech-sabotaging bacteria and residue.

When you record, you don’t want your tongue doubling as a swampy, saliva-filled roadblock that makes you sound like you're chewing gum in the middle your monologue.

Brushing your tongue clears out the funk, leaving your mouth fresh, your voice crisp, and your delivery smooth. Your tongue rolling allows for better pronunciation, tone versitlity, and change without interuptions, so you don’t sound a mess.

#Tip 2: Drink Warm Tea or Milk

Trust me, your voice will thank you.

P.S. I am obsessed with drinking warm milk. HELP!!

Your voice is your instrument, your brand and just like any instrument or brand, loyalty and some TLC (Tender Love & Care) is needed.

A warm drink (not hot, we’re not trying to steam your insides!) can help soothe your voice, hydrate your throat, and loosen up any tension that might make you sound off. Tea with honey is my go-to for smooth, silky tones, and milk (#firstlove)can work wonders for giving your voice that rich, creamy texture.

Avoid cold drinks before recording, they will freeze your voice.

#Tip 3: Vocal Warm Ups

I know this sounds crazy (like Charpay from high-school musical crazy) but it does work, just like stretching before a workout!

Vocal warm-ups help ease your voice into action, allowing for smooth transitions between pitches and helping you hit those high notes without sounding like a squeaky door.

They also increase your vocal range and depth, giving you more power and control. So, before you jump into your recording session try some Lip Trills, Straw Phonation, make some silly sounds, hum like you’re in a jazz band, do some mouth streches and tongue movements.

Here’s an amazing YouTube video by Voices

Another amazing vidoe by Javaughn Henry

#Tip 4: Record In The Morning

Think of your vocal cords like a fresh sponge. When you wake up, it is well rested, nice and plump, and ready to soak up all those smooth, soothing tones.

By the end of the day they’ve been through countless conversations, that one heated phone call, and maybe a few too many 'huh?'s and 'what?'s, so your voice is strained.

When you record in the morning, your voice is still in top shape. It’s clearer, smoother, and a less strained cord.

This gives you better vocal control and a richer sound and avoids that hoarse, tired tone after hours of talking.

So, grab your warm tea, warm up those vocal cords, and let your voice shine while it’s still in that fresh, energetic morning state!

#Tip 5: Use A Mic.

USING A MICROPHONE FOR VOICEOVER IS A NECESSITY

Finally. I know this is where the expense comes in,

But; Your phone’s built-in mic is not your friend.

You can record with your laptop or your phone, but do you really want to sound like you’re talking from the inside of a cereal box?

A good mic sharpens your voice, gives you that crystal clear, professional sound, and captures every nuance of your performance.

A proper mic helps filter out those 'pop' sounds that happen when you say words like 'pancakes' or 'popcorn' (you know, the ones that sound like you’re accidentally spitting all over the mic).

Investing in a decent mic is like upgrading from a tricycle to a sports car! That’s a big difference. A mic will make your recordings sound polished.

So treat yourself to a good mic and invest in your art. I recommend Shure MV7X as it is the best, but there are cheaper options.

Here are links to 2 amazing microphones.