Voice Over Breathing: 5 Control Tips

Master these 5 key breath control techniques to elevate your voice-over performance:

1. Diaphragmatic breathing
2. Silent breathing
3. Breath flow control
4. Breath timing
5. Core muscle engagement

Proper breath control is crucial for voice-over work. It gives your voice power, consistency, and helps you maintain a steady pace. Common issues include chest breathing, nervous breathing, and poor phrasing.

Here's a quick start guide:

• Practice diaphragmatic breathing daily
• Use your mouth for silent breaths while recording
• Mark your scripts to plan breath points
• Strengthen your core with exercises like planks
• Stay relaxed using deep breathing before sessions

Mastering these techniques will significantly improve your vocal quality and endurance during voice-over sessions.

Related video from YouTube

How to Breathe from Your Diaphragm

Want to take your voice-over game to the next level? It's all about mastering diaphragmatic breathing. This deep belly breathing technique, also called "pocket breathing", is the secret sauce for top-notch vocal control. Let's break it down and show you how to breathe like a pro.

What's the Big Deal with Diaphragmatic Breathing?

When you breathe from your diaphragm, you're filling up the bottom part of your lungs. Most people don't use this area much when they talk, but it's a goldmine for voice-over work. Here's why it's so great:

• You can hold more air
• Your voice gets better support
• You can speak louder without straining
• Your vocal cords get a break

Tom Cobin, who runs DynamiCoach, puts it this way:

"This involves expanding the lower abdomen to pull air into the lower lobes of the lungs, which often are under-utilized in speaking."

Let's Practice!

Ready to give it a shot? Try this:

1. Lie down flat on your back
2. Put one hand on your belly and one on your chest
3. Breathe in, focusing on pushing your belly hand up
4. Keep breathing in until your chest starts to rise too
5. Hold it for a second (this helps get more oxygen in your system)
6. Let your belly relax but keep your chest up
7. Slowly let all the air out

Do this exercise often and you'll build up those breathing muscles. Soon, you'll be breathing like this without even thinking about it.

Stand Up Straight!

Your posture can make or break your breathing. A lot of voice actors mess up their breath support by slouching, especially when they're sitting. Here's how to stand for the best breathing:

• Feet shoulder-width apart
• Legs engaged (like you're ready to move)
• Shoulders relaxed and down
• Spine straight but not stiff

Michelle Blenker, a pro voice actor and coach, says:

"Our entire being is used when we do voice over. We use our body but our vocal cords take the brunt of what we do so we need to use our whole body to support them."

How's Your Breathing Right Now?

Want to know if you're breathing right? Try this quick test:

1. Put one hand on your chest and one on your belly
2. Take a deep breath
3. Which hand moves more?

If it's your chest hand, you're probably breathing too shallow. You want your belly hand to move more.

Breathe Bigger

Most people only use about 40% of their lung capacity. Here's how to use more:

1. Stand up straight and engage your legs
2. Focus on filling your lungs deep down
3. Control how fast you breathe out

But don't push too hard! Your vocal cords are delicate, so find a balance that works for you.

With practice, you'll be breathing like a pro in no time. Your voice (and your listeners) will thank you!

1. How to Breathe Without Sound

Voice-over artists need to master silent breathing for flawless recordings. Here's how to breathe quietly during your sessions:

Mouth Breathing: A Quieter Option

Surprisingly, breathing through your mouth can be quieter than nose breathing for voice-overs. Paul Strikwerda, a voice acting pro, says:

"Breathe in through the mouth rather than the nose to minimize noise and prevent smacking sounds from parting lips."

This method, combined with good posture and diaphragmatic breathing, allows for smoother, quieter air intake.

The Wide-Open Mouth Trick

Try this to cut down on breathing noise:

1. Sit up straight
2. Open your mouth wide, like you're about to belt out a song
3. Take a deep, relaxed breath from your belly

This approach significantly reduces the sound of filling your lungs. Strikwerda explains:

"Work at relaxing. So, before you take your next breath, sit up straight, open your mouth wide like a singer and take a deep, relaxed breath from the abdomen."

Smart Pausing

Timing is key for silent breathing:

• Breathe before you need to speak
• Use natural script pauses to take quiet breaths
• Practice reading without pauses to build your breathing endurance

The Head Turn Method

When you need a bigger breath, try this tip from voice-over expert nicod98:

"If you're doing voice over, that means a pause is needed there. Just relax, inhale through your nose, slightly turn your head if you need to. You'll definitely feel (strike that) HEAR a difference."

This small head turn can direct potential breath sounds away from the mic.

Breath Control Practice

Improve your silent breathing with these exercises:

1. Do daily diaphragmatic breathing to strengthen your abs
2. Take quick, deep breaths and let the air out fast to boost lung capacity
3. Use pursed lips to create resistance while slowly expelling air

2. How to Control Your Breath Flow

Breath flow control is key for smooth voice-overs. It's not just inhaling - it's managing your exhale too. Let's look at some practical ways to improve your breath control.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Basics

Diaphragmatic breathing is the foundation. It uses your diaphragm to fill your lower lungs, making breathing more efficient. Here's a quick practice:

1. Lie down, hands on stomach
2. Inhale, focus on expanding your belly (not chest)
3. Feel your hands rise as you breathe in, fall as you breathe out

Michelle Blenker, a pro voice actor and coach, says:

"Our entire being is used when we do voice over. We use our body but our vocal cords take the brunt of what we do so we need to use our whole body to support them."

Mastering Your Exhale

Once you've got inhaling down, focus on your exhale:

• Use your abs to control airflow as you speak
• Try the 'hiss' technique: Inhale deep, then exhale with a steady 'hiss' sound
• Practice with pursed lips: Exhale through slightly pursed lips for better control

Smart Phrasing and Breathing

Good phrasing is crucial for breath control:

• Mark your script: Find natural pauses for breaths
• Split long sentences into smaller chunks
• Breathe before you need to, not at the end of a phrase

Square Breathing for Better Control

This exercise can boost your breath control and calm nerves:

1. Inhale for 4 counts
2. Hold for 4 counts
3. Exhale for 4 counts
4. Hold for 4 counts
5. Repeat

Boost Your Lung Capacity

Many voice actors only use about 40% of their lung capacity. To use more:

• Stand tall, engage your legs for stability
• Focus on deep breaths, expanding your rib cage
• Practice quick, deep inhales followed by controlled exhales

Remember, don't strain your vocal cords. As Michelle Blenker points out:

"When you learn to use your resonators properly... many voice talents discover that their true voice is actually higher than they realized."

These techniques can help, but always prioritize vocal health over pushing your limits.

3. How to Time Your Breathing

Timing your breaths is key for smooth voice-overs. It's not just about breathing, but when and how you do it. Here's how to nail it:

Mark Your Script

Think of this as your breathing roadmap:

1. Find natural pauses in your script
2. Mark them with "..." or your preferred symbol
3. Use these marks as breathing cues

These pauses aren't just for air - they can show changes in thought or emotion, adding depth to your performance.

The Rule of Three

Brent Hahn, a voice-over Gear Guru, has a neat trick:

"Record each line in groups of three and time them with a stopwatch. By the time you get to the third one, you'll probably get the timing right."

This helps you find your rhythm and keep it consistent.

Breathe with Emotion

Your breathing can tell a story:

• Quick, shallow breaths? You might sound excited or nervous.
• Deep, slow breaths? You're probably calm or thoughtful.

Match your breathing to the script's emotion for a more authentic performance.

Prep Your Breath

Don't wait until the end of a phrase to breathe. Instead, breathe to prepare for the next phrase. This small change can make a big difference in your timing and delivery.

Practice Makes Perfect

Try this exercise:

1. Pick a familiar script
2. Read it normally
3. Now read it again, but without any pauses

It's tough, but it'll boost your breath control and timing.

Time Yourself

Use a stopwatch while reading your script. You'll:

• Learn your natural speaking pace
• Spot where you run out of breath
• Find the best places to breathe for smooth delivery

Remember, it's not a race. Find a comfortable pace that lets you breathe right.

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4. How to Use Your Core Muscles

Your core muscles are key for voice-over work. They're the foundation of good breath control. Let's look at how to use your core to boost your vocal performance.

Core and Voice: A Powerful Duo

Many voice actors focus only on their vocal cords. But your core is just as important. Sarah Whitten, a voice teacher at Harvard, says:

"A well functioning core is crucial not just for pain-free movement, but also for the voice to perform optimally."

Your core muscles (transverse abs, obliques, and pelvic floor) work together. They keep your posture stable and support your breathing. Weak core muscles can lead to poor breath control and vocal strain.

Core Muscles Voice-Over Artists Need

1. Transverse Abs: These deep belly muscles stabilize your midsection and affect breath control.
2. Obliques: They help keep your ribcage at the right angle for good breathing.
3. Pelvic Floor: Often forgotten, these muscles provide stability for breath support.

Boost Your Core for Better Breathing

Try these exercises to strengthen your core and improve breath control:

1. Planks: Great for transverse abs. They help you pull your belly button toward your spine for better breath support.
2. Twists: Target your obliques and improve overall core stability.
3. Pelvic Floor Squeezes: Gently squeeze these muscles to improve posture and breath control.

Three Steps to Engage Your Core

Linor Oren, a voice technique expert, suggests this method:

1. Engage your pelvic floor.
2. Engage your lower abs while keeping the pelvic floor active.
3. With both engaged, breathe in, expanding all around.

This creates a stable base for your breath, allowing for more controlled and powerful vocal delivery.

Hula Hooping for Core Strength

Want a fun way to strengthen your core? Try hula hooping. Core Vocal Power notes:

"The hula hoop teaches you how to get out of your head and stop trying to micro-manage yourself, but trust your body and rely on your muscle memory to kick in."

Hula hooping can improve both physical strength and mental focus - crucial for voice-over work.

Diaphragmatic Breathing and Core Strength

Tom Cobin from DynamiCoach emphasizes diaphragmatic breathing:

"Repeating this regularly strengthens the abdominal muscles involved and will make it easier to accomplish over time. It fills the lungs with the air that forms the fuel for projection and other elements of effective speaking."

Practice diaphragmatic breathing daily. It strengthens your core muscles and boosts lung capacity. This gives you the air you need for powerful, controlled voice-over performances.

5. How to Stay Relaxed While Speaking

Tension can mess up your breath control and vocal quality. Here's how to keep cool during voice-over work:

Deep Breathing

Before you hit record, try this:

1. Breathe in through your nose (4 counts)
2. Hold it (4 counts)
3. Breathe out through your mouth (8 counts)
4. Do this 3-5 times

This "4-4-8 breathing" kicks your body into chill mode. David Greenberg from Simply Speaking adds:

"As you inhale, say to yourself 'I am,' and as you exhale, say 'relaxed.'"

Strike a Power Pose

Your body posture can actually change how you feel. Psychologist Amy Cuddy found:

"You can substantially reduce stress hormones in your blood by simply breathing deeply and slowly while assuming a powerful pose."

Try the Superman stance for two minutes before you start. It's like a confidence shot in the arm.

Warm Up

Don't skip the warm-up. Stretch out those neck and shoulder muscles. Then get your voice ready.

The London Music Academy says:

"Start with simple exercises to loosen up your muscles during warm-ups."

Hum, do some lip trills, or run through some easy scales. A warmed-up voice is a happy voice.

Make Your Space Comfy

Your surroundings matter. WhisperRoom, Inc. puts it like this:

"If you can stay confident, trust your ears, and learn to get along with other creatives, your recording sessions will be fun and productive."

Quick tips:

• Keep the room temp just right
• Use soft lighting
• Have water handy
• Put your phone on silent

Embrace the Oops

Trying to be perfect? That's a recipe for stress. It's okay to mess up. Susan Berkley, a voiceover pro, reminds us:

"Your body mirrors the tension in your mind."

If you're feeling tense, shake it out. Let your head hang loose for a sec.

Talk Nice to Yourself

What you say to yourself matters. Swap out the negative self-talk for some positive vibes. Belinda Huckle from SecondNature says:

"The more you look like you're enjoying delivering the presentation, the more the audience will enjoy listening to you."

Even if you're alone, pretend you're talking to someone who's super into what you're saying. It'll help you sound more natural and relaxed.

Using These Methods in Real Sessions

Let's talk about how to use these breathing techniques when you're actually recording. Trust me, it can make a huge difference.

Microphone Positioning and Pop Filters

First up: how you set up your mic. It's simple, but it matters. Here's what Joeq, a Gear Guru, says:

"If you have the gain up so high that inhale sounds are distracting, then some lessons or practice on vocal projection and speaking more loudly and confidently can work wonders."

Here's what you need to do:

• Put your mic about 6 inches from your mouth, slightly off to the side.
• Use a pop filter. It helps with those pesky breath sounds.
• Try putting the mic above or below your mouth. It can help direct your breath away from it.

Script Prep and Breath Marking

Before you start recording, get your script ready:

1. Use (...) to mark where you should breathe.

2. Break up long sentences. It makes breathing easier.

3. Practice reading while focusing on your breathing.

Keep in mind: for some voice-overs, like ads, they often cut out breaths when editing. Plan for that.

Real-Time Breath Control

When you're actually recording, try these:

• Use your diaphragm to breathe. It gives you more control.
• Breathe silently. Use your nose or the corners of your mouth.
• Breathe before you start a phrase, not at the end of one.

Tom Cobin from DynamiCoach says:

"This involves expanding the lower abdomen to pull air into the lower lobes of the lungs, which often are under-utilized in speaking."

Dealing with Nerves

Feeling nervous? It can mess up your breathing. Try this:

• Do the 4-4-8 breathing before you start: Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 8.
• Talk yourself up. It helps you relax.
• Make sure your recording space is comfortable.

After Recording

Even if you do everything right, you might still hear some breaths. Here's what to do:

• Use software like Audacity to cut out unwanted breaths.
• Try the Noise Gate effect. It can get rid of breaths between words.
• For storytelling, keep some breaths. They add emotion.

Scott Horton, an online mixing expert, suggests:

"The absolute most effective way to remove breaths is with automation."

Keep Getting Better

Want to improve? Here's how:

• Record yourself and listen back. You'll hear what needs work.
• Do breathing exercises every day. It strengthens your diaphragm.
• Try different things. Find what works for you.

Conclusion

Breath control is what sets pro voice actors apart from amateurs. Let's recap the five key techniques we've covered to boost your voice-over game.

Diaphragmatic Breathing: Your Foundation

It all starts with breathing from your diaphragm. Tom Cobin from DynamiCoach puts it this way:

"This involves expanding the lower abdomen to pull air into the lower lobes of the lungs, which often are under-utilized in speaking."

Make this your go-to breathing style. You'll breathe deeper, speak longer, and sound better.

Silent Breathing: Stealth Mode

Clean recordings need silent breathing. Paul Strikwerda's tip:

"Breathe in through the mouth rather than the nose to minimize noise and prevent smacking sounds from parting lips."

Practice this until it's second nature.

Breath Flow Control: Pacing is Power

Mastering your breath flow means controlling both in and out. Try the 'hiss' technique and pursed-lip breathing daily. You'll gain more control over your voice, leading to smoother, pro-level performances.

Timing Your Breaths: Find Your Rhythm

Good breath timing can make or break your performance. Mark up your scripts to plan your breaths. Remember Brent Hahn's "Rule of Three" for consistent timing. With practice, you'll know exactly when and where to breathe.

Core Muscle Engagement: Your Hidden Ally

Don't ignore your core muscles. Sarah Whitten, a Harvard voice teacher, says:

"A well functioning core is crucial not just for pain-free movement, but also for the voice to perform optimally."

Add some planks and twists to your routine. Your voice will thank you.

Stay Relaxed: Keep It Natural

Tension is your enemy in voice-over work. Try deep breathing and power poses before you record. Susan Berkley nails it:

"Your body mirrors the tension in your mind."

A relaxed you means a more natural, engaging performance.

Put It Into Practice

Want to make these techniques work for you? Consistency is key. Here's a simple plan:

1. Kick off each day with 5-10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing.

2. Practice silent breathing during everyday activities like reading or watching TV.

3. Add core exercises to your workouts 2-3 times a week.

4. Before each recording, spend 5 minutes on relaxation and breath timing exercises.

Stick with it, and you'll hear the difference in your voice-over work. Your breath control will improve, your performances will shine, and you'll be on your way to pro-level voice acting.

FAQs

How do you control breathing for voice acting?

Breathing control is key in voice acting. Here's how to do it:

Take a silent 'sigh' to prep your vocal cords. It's quiet and effective.

Use your diaphragm. Breathe deep into your belly. Tom Cobin from DynamiCoach says:

"Expand your lower abdomen to pull air into the lower lungs. Most people don't use these enough when speaking."

Try humming. Take a deep breath, then hum up and down in pitch. Do this as long as you can on one breath. Cobin adds:

"It's not about singing like Julie Andrews. Just hum."

For quick, quiet breaths while recording, use your mouth instead of your nose.

Practice these often. You'll get better at voice acting as you master your breathing.

How to improve voice breathing?

Want better voice breathing? Do these daily:

Track your breath length. Try to make your exhales longer than your inhales. It builds control.

Make S and Z sounds. Breathe normally 10 times. Then inhale through your nose and exhale with an "S" sound. Do this 10 times. Switch to "Z" for 10 more.

Breathe easy. Don't rush to inhale. Gasping isn't good.

Read scripts longer. See how many lines you can read without stopping for air. It builds stamina.

Manage nerves. When you're anxious, focus on deep breaths. An expert notes:

"Nerves make us take tiny breaths. Our lungs barely fill."

Keep at it. Your breathing will improve with practice.

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