Some folks appear to appear on the radio and sound very genuine. But, a listener has written in to ask how they may enhance their voice when following a script.
So, how to make your podcast sound better? There are many ways to improve your natural voice, and some of them include:
- Use a mic stand
- Get a pop filter
- Take care of your recording area
- Invest in a de-esser
- Edit your show carefully
We will share what we have learned about enhancing our speaking voice and reading a script without seeming monotonous or dull. Let’s dive into the details!
How To Make Your Podcast Sound Better?
You may wonder the secret of those people who can speak fluently on the radio.
We used to ask the same question. If you want to increase your ability to read aloud, the first and most crucial piece of advice we can give you is:
Use A Mic Stand
Although this approach may appear to be a no-brainer, it’s worth investing in.
Using a portable microphone, you can find it challenging to maintain it in the right spot and suffer from processing noise.
Fortunately, you can avoid handling noise and position your microphone correctly by investing in a good microphone stand available on the market at a reasonable price.
There will be less ambient noise, and the levels will be more constant. Remember that having a basic one may be preferable to having no at all.
Get A Pop Filter
Plosives are less noticeable when using pop filters. (Plosives, such as the “p” and “b” sounds, are consonant sounds that contain a quick burst of air.)
Placing a pop filter in front of the mic can save you much time in post-production to correct these issues. Moreover, all the pros use them, which is a big motivation to get one for yourself!
Take Care Of Your Recording Space
First, you must begin with a high-quality recording. To do so, you’ll need to maximize your recording room.
Thanks to acoustic treatment, the extra noise will be absorbed, and surrounding noise will be significantly reduced. So, if you can’t treat the entire room, a reflection filter can make you sound like you are in a voice booth.
You may make an ideal recording area using as many covers as possible in a peaceful corner of your home.
When you are free to record, get inside and get to work. This procedure is not as successful as treating the entire area, but it will surely assist you in getting a more precise result with less noise.
Invest In A De-esser
Do you know how bothersome the “s” sound may be if you have ever listened to a broadcast without a de-esser?
It is a software or hardware device responsible for detecting and eliminating annoying “s” noises from your recordings. Many DAWs include a de-esser; however, you’ll need to create one if you do not have one.
You can eliminate most sibilant noises by using a de-esser. However, the best method is to work on your voice delivery and microphone technique.
Edit Your Show Carefully
The advantages of editing are immeasurable. A listener discovered narrative podcasts where the speaker took some seconds out of the presentation to throw a chew toy to their pets.
It is distracting! It would be wiser to leave that portion out of the finished product. With editing, you can remove sneezes, coughs, “ums,” and other sounds.
Remember that when one of your speakers or visitors talks through telephone or Zoom, you’ll need to cut out any connection troubles.
You can even totally reconstruct an interview if necessary. Trust us when we say that taking the time to edit your program will satisfy many listeners.
How To Sound Natural On A Podcast?
If you have been paying close attention, you have probably noticed that content creators or podcasters are all the rage these days.
Everyone wishes to take advantage of time audiences have free to listen, even if they can’t read or watch.
It includes storytellers, marketers, entertainers, and others. Here are some pointers on how to imitate their natural voice.
Practice Reading Out Loud
You are not born with a natural capacity to do anything; however, you will become more comfortable and better at it. People will notice if you’re doing it more frequently.
They will tell you how good you are at it, boosting your self-esteem and motivating you to perform more. So, if you want to improve at anything, practice it every day, although it’s only for less than 30 minutes.
Learn To Read Ahead
Another excellent piece of advice was learning to read ahead when reading aloud. It will seem strange at first, but afterward, it will become your second nature, and you will make fewer mistakes.
You will make fewer errors since you will know what words are coming next, and you will be less likely to make mistakes with sentence intonation.
Don’t Worry About Your Voice, Worry About How You Use
We cannot all have the same voice like Barry White or Ben Toalson. You should concentrate on being a dynamic and confident speaker.
So, you can learn how to make the most of your voice’s capabilities. Here are several things to remember when giving a speech:
- Convey emotion via your voice. Do not speak in a robotic tone.
- Make your voice heard. It’s not too loud, yet it’s clear and rich.
- Take a breath, relax, and repeat the sentence or word correctly if you make a mistake. Do not get worked up or apologize.
- Take your time. If you speak deliberately, speaking slightly slower than the ordinary person is acceptable.
- Speak clearly and carefully, ensuring that each word is pronounced correctly (enunciate).
Trust Yourself
Isn’t it true that we have skills that we excel at? We all have things with which we are at ease. So, we need you to quit telling yourself that you will never be excellent at reading or speaking aloud.
Believe us! You can improve every skill. It only takes a little practice. Telling that you will never be excellent at something merely hinders you from making progress at it.
Instead, say something like, “I am not very good at this right now, but I am going to put in the time and efforts to improve.”
You can rely on the instructions in this video to better understand how to improve voice for podcasts.
How To Make Your Podcast Sound Professional?
After all, if somebody will listen to your audio for an hour or more, it should be enjoyable and straightforward to listen to!
So, make your audio recordings clean, attractive, and simple to listen to with these fast recommendations, and your listeners will keep returning for more.
Choose A Decent Microphone
Purchasing a decent microphone is a sensible investment for anyone who plans to podcast regularly.
The best mics are directional mics, which cut out background noise and only take up the directly directed audio.
Choose A Quiet Recording Environment
You need to decide where you’ll record your audiobooks and attempt to record in the exact location each time if feasible.
It not only helps you prevent any hitches in the audio quality, but it also ensures that the audio quality is constant between episodes.
An optimum location is a quiet place with little foot traffic. Spaces with large hardwood tables and floors will reverberate a lot, obliterating the intimate sound you’re striving for.
The best approach is to use a space with an echo absorber (using thick drapes and carpets).
Practice Simple Exercises Beforehand
Incredibly, simple sentences become landmines once the mic is switched on, with you stumbling over your mouth in every direction.
Preparing with a few basic diction exercises will help you relax, warm up your muscles, and boost confidence.
Mute The Microphone When Not Talking
You probably have no clue how loud you sneeze or type the keyboard, or that small radiator in the back can sound until you edit your podcasts.
The noise suddenly surges with the keyboard clicking or sipping your drink when your guest is answering. Please turn it off.
Think Up!
As we conclude a product, our loudness and intonation tend to diminish. After a time, you can put your listeners to sleep!
To correct this, raise your pitch towards the end of a line to keep the power traveling forward and upward. That notion keeps your enthusiasm up and prevents the audience from falling off or getting bored.
It is especially crucial while you’re signing off! Do you want to conclude the show with a whimper or a bang?
Do Not Only Follow A Script
This suggestion is for those who are doing interviews with visitors. It is tempting to make a list of questions in advance and adhere to each show.
You may remark, “That’s wonderful,” and go on to the next item on your list as soon as they respond.
But that is not how an actual dialogue takes place! Instead, pay attention to your visitors’ responses and respond appropriately.
It’s OK to have a list of crucial points to cover to structure the interview. But, push yourself to respond honestly to what the visitor is saying.
You reduce your point of emphasis and drive your visitor to be particular by focusing attention on a topic. The spontaneous, natural give-and-take among two individuals who are connected is what brings a conversation to life.
Start Over When Necessary And Take Your Time
We will tell you a little mystery: podcasts aren’t broadcast live. It means you may enjoy your time and redo the task if necessary.
If you stumble over a word, what should you do? Make a mental note of the time for your editor and yourself, and say, “Hey!” That was a disaster. That’s something I’m gonna do again!” It has gone with two mouse clicks.
Take a moment to glance over your documents and breathe through them if you have trouble figuring out where to go with the following question. Silence is significantly more straightforward to edit out than a sloppy delivery.
Final Thoughts
You may know how to make your podcast sound better. Believe us when we say that the real “you” is always better than any radio voice you might make up.
If you’ve had a peculiar laugh or voice, or a strange sense of humor, go for it!
Make yourself that thing! After all, it might differ you from the others who do not possess this characteristic.
So take a deep breath to be yourself as you cruise with your audiences to the locations that excite you the most!
Thanks for reading!