8 Things Only Voice Actors Will Understand

Blog Post - 8 Things Only Voice Actors Will Understand

Voice acting may look like just standing in front of a microphone and reading a text. However, once you step into it, you realize it’s much more than that—patience, technical knowledge, discipline, and a form of creative art. The world of voice actors is filled with details most people could never imagine.

Behind the Scenes of Voice Acting: Not as Easy as It Looks

One of the biggest misconceptions about voice acting is that it’s just “reading.” In reality, every performance is an act. You need to understand the text’s essence, adjust your tone properly, control your breathing, and sometimes repeat a single word dozens of times.

  • Studio Realities: Spending hours in a small booth repeating the same line is far from easy.

  • Microphone Discipline: Breath sounds, lip smacks, even throat-clearing noises are caught on the mic. Voice actors learn to “dance” with the microphone.

  • Endless Repetitions: In a commercial, you might have to say the word “hello” dozens of times until it’s perfect.

The Sacredness of the Vocal Cords and Throat: A Professional’s Secret Weapon

For a voice actor, the throat is the most precious instrument. Taking care of the vocal cords is not a luxury—it’s a professional necessity.

  • Love for Warm Water: Warm water is a must-have in the studio. Cold drinks can damage the vocal cords.

  • The Forbidden List: Chocolate, dairy, fried or spicy foods—all of these create phlegm and make recording difficult.

  • The Silence Drill: Before a long recording session, many voice actors remain silent for hours. Resting the voice determines the quality of the performance.

Connection with the Text: Every Line Has a Story

It’s not enough to simply read the text—you need to feel it. For voice actors, the tone, emotion, and rhythm of the script are essential.

  • Commercial Scripts: In a 10-second ad, you need to convey both excitement and trust.

  • Documentary Narration: The delivery must be natural, yet engaging enough to draw the audience in.

  • Animation Characters: Every character demands a unique energy and vocal tone. Switching from laughter to tears in seconds is completely normal.

Little Secrets and Funny Moments Only Voice Actors Know

Every profession has its quirks and funny sides. Voice acting is no exception.

  • The “Can We Do That Again?” Nightmare: This phrase from directors is the most frequently heard line by voice actors.

  • Lip-Sync Struggles: Matching your voice to a character’s lip movements in dubbing can feel almost impossible.

  • Mispronunciations: Sometimes you keep mispronouncing the simplest word over and over, which usually ends with the whole studio bursting into laughter.

Voice acting is a profession built on discipline, patience, technical knowledge, and creativity. While it may look easy from the outside, once you’re in it, you realize it’s full of subtle details that only voice actors understand. In this article, we covered 8 important aspects of the craft. If you’re planning to step into the world of voice acting, these experiences will serve as valuable guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between voice acting and dubbing?
Voice acting is mostly used for narration or commercials, while dubbing requires syncing the voice with lip movements of characters.

2. How can you protect your vocal cords?
Drink warm water, avoid shouting, and stay away from smoking and alcohol.

3. What equipment do beginners need for voice acting?
A good microphone, pop filter, headphones, and a sound-treated room are essential.

4. Is training necessary to become a voice actor?
Yes, for professionals. However, beginners can improve through online courses at first.

5. What’s the biggest challenge for voice actors?
Maintaining the same energy and tone throughout long recording sessions.