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Today’s Quick Voiceover Tip: Why do I sound “announcery” as a voiceover talent?
As a voiceover talent, you may have noticed that you naturally sound more “announcery” than other types of voices. This is because the announcer voice has been around for decades and is still used (sometimes incorrectly) in many forms of media today.
The announcer voice is typically associated with authority and neutrality. It is often used to deliver information to consumers in an unbiased way. The use of this type of voice can be traced back to radio and television commercials, where it was used to introduce products or services.
Today, the announcer voice has evolved into something much more versatile. It has replace authority with believability. Replaced neutrality with connection – conversational! Conversational voice work can be used for a variety of purposes, such as narrating documentaries, providing commentary on sports events, or even introducing music videos. In addition, the conversational voice is often used in video games and animation to provide background narration or character dialogue.
So, why do I sound announcery as a voiceover talent?
In the past – especially in broadcast – talent were often judged by the “sound of your voice”…in other words how deep is the pitch of your voice. For certain generations of broadcasters, this led to unnatural “affecting” of your voice to make it lower in pitch and giving off a fake sounding quality. This is probably the biggest cause of the “announcery” read. Lots of created tension in the throat and voice, where conversation is relaxed and easy (even in an excited read).
There are several other factors that contribute to this phenomenon. First, announcers typically have deep voices with clear enunciation and good diction. These qualities make them well-suited for delivering information in an authoritative manner. Sometimes the enunciation is TOO PERFECT. Authentic conversation is not perfect.
Another factor that contributes to sounding announcery is the use of certain vocal techniques such as unnatural pauses and emphasis on certain words or phrases. This tends to distract from the believability of the delivery. Think complete thoughts, not….breaking up sentences…..in unnatural …places.
Finally, the mental picture of announcing or presenting, as opposed to the more authentic act of conversing or sharing leads to an announcer-style delivery when doing voiceover work. Here is a great example – how would you speak to, say, your wife laying next to you in bed, or maybe an infant in your arms? Most likely you will not be “putting on your voice”. It is usually more believable, real and authentic.
Want to really know what your authentic voice sounds like?
How do you speak when you are pissed off and angry?
There’s your honest and real voice.
M. Bruce Abbott is the Creative Director/Partner at Radio Lounge. Bruce has over 30 years experience as a voice actor, casting and production director, as well as extensive advertising, marketing, and podcasting experience.
