Essential Vocal Care For Video Game Voice-Over Actors
Author: Jesse Nerenberg, Reg. CASLPO, Speech-Language Pathologist
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
I was an actor for many years (and, in fact, I still am from time to time). This means I have many old friends who are still working in the industry and rely on their voices to make a living. Recently, an old friend texted me in a bit of a panic. She had just finished a session recording a role in a video game. The session lasted several hours, during which she had to do a lot of screaming and crying. According to her, her voice was now “shredded,” and she was concerned about how this might impact her career if she had injured her voice.
While she ultimately turned out to be fine, this incident got me thinking about the need for greater awareness in the video game voice-over industry about maintaining good vocal care and habits. As I explained to my friend, recording a video game is like a high-performance athlete playing in an intense championship game. Just as a hockey player may be sore and need to care for their muscles after a grueling game, my friend needed to care for her voice. After all, we produce our voices using muscles! This interaction inspired me to come up with a short guide specifically for voice-over actors.
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I’ve seen firsthand how demanding voice work can take a toll on the human voice, especially for professionals like video game voice-over actors. This unique field often demands performances filled with intense emotion, shouting, and vocal strain—all of which, if done improperly or excessively, can lead to vocal fatigue or injury. To sustain your voice for the long haul and to be able to get into that intense performance in a healthy and sustainable way, it's essential to understand how to care for your voice before, during, and after a session. This blog post will explore how to maintain vocal health, avoid injury, and recover after a rough session.
Why Vocal Care Matters for Voice Actors
Your voice is your instrument and livelihood. Unlike musicians who can replace or repair their instruments, you have only one voice, and damage can lead to long-term consequences.
Common issues for voice-over actors include:
Vocal fatigue: Overuse of the voice can lead to temporary or permanent hoarseness.
Nodules or polyps: Persistent misuse or overuse can lead to these growths on the vocal cords.
Laryngitis: Inflammation of the vocal cords can cause temporary loss of voice.
Video game voice-over actors, in particular, face heightened risks due to the nature of their work. Video games are often about intense actions and scenes (not many video games are about sitting at home drinking hot tea, even though that sounds pretty fun). Screaming battle cries, portraying intense emotions, and performing for long extended sessions can push the voice to its limits. By adopting proactive vocal care habits, you can protect your voice and ensure a thriving and sustainable career.
Preparing for a Voice-Over Session
Preparation is key to vocal health. Just as athletes warm up their bodies, voice actors need to warm up and care for their voices. Here are essential steps to prepare effectively:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day and on the day leading up to the session. While there is the old adage of “8 glasses a day’ this is not actually accurate. Aim to not feel that sense of thirst coming on (if you feel “thirsty” you are probably not adequately hydrated. As well, aim to “pee pale” (this is how our body expels toxins and more hydration leads to clearer coloured urine).
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate the vocal cords. So if it is the night before a recording session, do not go out and stay at the bay till 3 in the morning. Your voice will feel it the next day.
Use a humidifier to keep the air moist, especially in dry environments. In particular during the dry winter months, get a small humidifier for your bedroom so you will wake up feeling ready to go.
Hydration does not just involve drinking water during the session; it is about maintaining a habit of consistent hydration. Your vocal cords vibrate thousands of times per second, and adequate moisture ensures they can perform efficiently. Again, think of the athlete. The high-performance athlete does not go the gym for a workout and not drink any water. Neither should you!
Warm-Ups
Warming up is crucial to gently prepare your vocal cords for the demands ahead:
Lip trills: Blow air through your lips to gently warm up the vocal cords.
Sirens: Glide your voice smoothly from low to high pitch to increase flexibility.
Humming: Gentle humming can wake up the vocal cords and resonance chambers.
Incorporate exercises that target breath control and resonance, such as diaphragmatic breathing and soft humming. These warm-ups set the foundation for a productive and strain-free session. Think of this as stretching out your muscles before the big race. You do not want to jump from 0 to 100 in an instant.
Lifestyle Considerations
Your overall health significantly impacts your vocal performance:
Prioritize good sleep to allow your voice to recover. Get a good night’s sleep the night before a big session!
Avoid smoking or exposure to smoke, which irritates the vocal cords. I have some clients who are smokers, where I can hear immediately within the first few minutes of a session whether they have been smoking more or less in recent weeks (they sound different!).
Maintain overall physical health.
Environment Setup
If recording remotely, or recording a self-tape, your recording environment plays a role in reducing vocal strain.
Use a quality microphone to reduce the need for vocal strain.
Ensure your recording space minimizes echo and background noise, so you don’t need to push your voice.
And ensure you have quiet in your space so you will not have to constantly re-record takes ruined by noise.
Protecting Your Voice During the Session
Once the session begins, keeping your vocal health in mind can prevent strain and injury. Here are actionable tips for protecting your voice:
Monitor Your Technique
Proper vocal technique can make a significant difference:
Maintain good posture: Stand or sit up straight to allow optimal airflow.
Support with breath: Use diaphragmatic breathing to reduce pressure on your vocal cords. I constantly say to my clients that speaking is just a form of controlled exhalation. Breath is the gas in the tank of the car, it is the power source and it’s the key to finding volume and vocal intensity without straining.
Avoid throat tension: Speaking of straining, keep the muscles in your neck and throat relaxed. Gently massage your strap muscles on your neck throughout the day.
Some general massages to consider:
Use your thumbs to massage the soft area under your jaw (this is the base of your tongue).
Use the thumb and forefinger to gently pinch the strap muscles along the front of the neck on either side of your voice box.
Use your pointer finger and middle finger to gently move the voice box down by gently guiding it down on either side using your fingers.
Pace Yourself
Pacing is vital for preserving your voice:
Schedule/advocate for short breaks every 30-60 minutes to rest your voice. During these breaks do gentle trills or straw phonation.
If the session involves shouting or extreme vocal effects, try to do these takes last to avoid early fatigue. I realize this can be tough, but be an advocate for your voice in the room. State up front: “I’d like to do all the shouting and loud bits at the end of the session to take care of my instrument.”
Shouting early in a session can cause rapid vocal fatigue, compromising your performance for the rest of the day.
Plan your script strategically to balance high-intensity and low-intensity lines. For particularly high-intensity moments, try to do 1 take, if possible. Be sparing. This is like the major league pitcher trying to throw that fastball as hard as possible. There is a reason why relief pitchers exist, that kind of intensity is not sustainable in the long-term.
Use Vocal Alternatives
For intense scenes, consider techniques that minimize strain by adding emotional intensity through tone rather than volume. Or try adding intensity with heavy breathing.
Obviously, you still want to put out a quality performance, so try exploring different “safe” options before a session that you can turn to in a pinch.
Many professional voice actors collaborate with vocal coaches to develop methods that add dramatic effect without putting unnecessary strain on their voices.
Recovering After a Rough Voice-Over Session
Even with the best precautions, some sessions can leave your voice feeling rough, as was the case with my friend. Recovery is crucial to prevent long-term damage. Here’s how to help your voice bounce back:
Rehydrate
Continue to drink water to keep your vocal cords lubricated. Avoid icy beverages, as they can constrict your vocal cords, making recovery slower. Warm or room-temperature liquids may be better. Avoid menthol-based cough drops, these actually dry you out in the long term. If you want something soothing, mix some honey into a cup of warm water.Rest Your Voice
Avoid speaking excessively following a big session. While this does not mean you need to stop speaking entirely, make sure you give your voice time to recover. If you have a big voice-over session, do not go out to a concert or sporting event that night and scream yourself hoarse, or work a long shift in a noisy nightclub. Think of your voice as a battery. When are you using the battery and when are you recharging it?
Resist the urge to whisper, as it can strain your vocal cords even more than speaking softly.Use Steam Therapy
Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or take a warm shower to reduce inflammation. Steam can help to relax and moisturize the vocal cords, promoting faster healing.Gentle Vocal Exercises
Do SOVT Exercises. I cannot stress enough how helpful these can be! By reintroducing light humming or lip trills or straw phonation you gradually ease your voice back into use. Avoid jumping back into intense vocal work too quickly. Gradual reintroduction helps rebuild vocal strength without risking further strain.Seek Professional Help if Needed
If hoarseness or discomfort persists for more than two weeks, consult an SLP or an otolaryngologist (ENT). Early intervention can prevent more serious issues.
What to Do If You’ve Overused Your Voice
Evaluate Your Practices. Reflect on what might have caused the overuse. Was it poor technique? Insufficient breaks? High vocal intensity? Adjust your preparation and pacing strategies for future sessions.
Conclusion
Your voice is a powerful and irreplaceable tool. It is your livelihood! By understanding how to prepare, protect, and recover your voice, you can not only avoid injury but also ensure longevity in your career as a video game voice-over actor. Whether you’re delivering a subtle performance or screaming battle cries, these vocal care strategies will keep your instrument in top shape for years to come.
Remember, vocal health is an ongoing commitment. If you’re experiencing persistent vocal issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to an SLP or ENT. Early intervention is key to resolving problems before they escalate. Invest in your voice, and you’ll be investing in your future.
To speak with a psychotherapist or one of the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or calling (647) 795-5277.
