OT: Voice Question

wwaag wrote on 2/27/2008, 10:33 AM

I'm trying to do some voiceovers, but unfortunately have a case of the mid-winter "crud"--the result being a very raspy and nasal sound. Any tips for temporarily improving one's voice quality would be greatly appreciated since I suspect I'm not the only one who has experienced such problems. Thanks in advance.

wwaag

Comments

bdg wrote on 2/27/2008, 11:13 AM

I'm having a similar problem right now as well.
This is what has helped me:
1) Warm the studio up a bit more than usual.
2) Do vocal exercises before recording - stuff to get your lips and tongue flexible.
3) Concentrate on reducing loud breath intakes. (I always have a problem with breath intakes).
4) Have a nice cup of milky tea to sip between takes.
Good luck!

Coursedesign wrote on 2/27/2008, 11:30 AM

Ideally get some Throat-Coat (tm) tea (you can get the tea bags at Whole Foods, etc.), it contains slippery elm which is an old throat lube that works quite well.

Honey also lubricates the throat, add a generous amount of that to the above tea (or whatever tea you have available), but wait to add the honey until the tea has cooled down to drinking temperature. Some components of the honey break down in an unhealthy way at temperatures over 130F/55C.

musicvid10 wrote on 2/27/2008, 6:09 PM

Three words from a vocal coach:
Warm fruit juices

Two words off the record:
Balvenie Doublewood

johnmeyer wrote on 2/27/2008, 8:22 PM

Two words off the record:

Cough .... cough ... wheeze ...

Oh, I think I'm coming down with something ... guess I'll have to try your cure.