The Common Cold – The Voiceover Artist’s nightmare!

The Voiceover Artist’s Worst Nightmare: Coping with a Cold

Ugh I have a cold!

As a voiceover artist, my voice is my livelihood. So, when I feel that dreaded tickle in my throat, I know trouble is ahead. A cold is an inconvenience for most people, but for me, it can mean missed work, delayed projects, and a real challenge in maintaining vocal quality.

Why Is a Cold So Problematic for Voiceover Work?

A cold affects the voice in several ways. Congestion can make your voice sound nasal and blocked (I’m definitely struggling with that right now), while inflammation of the throat can result in hoarseness or even complete voice loss (I’m really hoping it won’t get that bad though!). Coughing and sneezing create unwanted noise when recording, and fatigue makes it harder to sustain energy and vocal consistency.

Unlike many other professions, where you can power through with a tissue box and some tea, voiceover work demands a clear, controlled, and expressive voice. Clients expect consistency, and if your voice sounds drastically different from one day to the next, it can disrupt an entire project. I have a client right now who needs some changes to a project we’ve worked on previously and I can’t do it – I sound too different!

What Can Be Done About It?

1. Prevention is Key

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water keeps the vocal folds lubricated – I’ve always got a glass of water on the go on my desk.
• Resting the voice: Avoid unnecessary talking, especially shouting or whispering, which can strain the vocal cords. However rehearsing a play three nights a week at the moment so that’s not happening!
• Washing hands regularly to minimize exposure to viruses. I’ve usually got a little bottle of hand santitiser with me.
• Using a humidifier: Dry air can make the throat more susceptible to irritation.

2. Managing Cold Symptoms

• Steam inhalation: Helps clear congestion and soothe the throat.
• Herbal teas with honey and lemon: These can provide relief and keep the vocal cords hydrated. I use one called Throat Coat which has echinacea, liquorice and marshmallow in it.
• Avoid dairy: It can supposedly thicken mucus and worsen congestion, but not everyone is affected in this way.
• Rest and sleep: The best way to recover quickly is to let the body heal, but I’m rehearsing three nights a week so that’s not happening either….

3. Recording While Under the Weather

Sometimes, deadlines are non-negotiable. When that’s the case then I:

• Warm up gently: with some light vocal exercises
• Adjust mic technique: Speaking closer to the mic at a lower volume can help compensate for lost vocal power.
• Edit strategically: and try to blend the more nasal-sounding passages as seamlessly as possible.

Knowing When to Rest

Sometimes, no matter what you I, my voice just won’t cooperate. In these cases, honesty is the best policy. Most clients appreciate transparency and would rather wait a few days than receive subpar audio.

An unexpected silver lining

I had a radio advert to record last week which was just one line (so possible to get through without coughing). It was for a care home and I was playing the role of an 80 year old resident. I sounded perfect!