Mouth Clicks

Mouth clicks are sounds from the tongue, teeth, and saliva during speech. They can sound like bubbles or pops. Most voiceover artists get these sounds from bad speech habits, not health issues.

These sounds can really hurt a voiceover career. A director once had to redo a 5-hour recording because of too many clicks. This shows how big of a problem it can be.

Things like smoking, drinking too much coffee, and not drinking enough water can cause mouth clicks. Being dehydrated makes saliva stick, leading to more clicks. But drinking too much water can also cause problems.

After recording, editing can make mouth clicks worse. To avoid this, drink water before recording to stay hydrated. Water helps keep your voice clear and stops clicks.

How close you are to the microphone and how loud you speak also affects mouth noise. Keeping a good distance and speaking softly can reduce clicks.

Drinking water during recording helps prevent dehydration and cuts down on clicks. It shows you're professional and keeps your voice clear.

Some sounds like "P" or "B" words can make mouth clicks worse. Words starting with "D," "G," "K," and "T" can also cause them.

It's key for voiceover artists to know about mouth clicks and how to stop them. By understanding what causes them and how to prevent them, artists can make professional recordings.

Causes of Mouth Clicks and Solutions

Mouth clicks in voiceover recordings can be annoying. They can ruin the audio quality. Knowing why they happen is key to fixing them. Here are some common causes and how to fix them:

Dehydration:

Not drinking enough water can make your saliva thick and sticky. This can cause mouth clicks. Voiceover artists should drink plenty of water to keep their voices healthy.

Staying hydrated stops mouth dryness and helps prevent clicks. Avoid drinks like coffee and milk that can dry you out.

Mic Technique and Placement:

Where you place the microphone can affect how loud mouth clicks sound. Putting the mic a bit off to the side helps reduce clicks. It's best to place the mic a little above you and angled down.

This setup helps with voice quality and cuts down on mouth noises. The best mic spot can vary depending on your voice type.

Proper Hygiene and Diet:

Good oral hygiene and eating right can help too. Eating apple slices or drinking herbal teas can lessen mouth noises. Avoiding milky drinks and choosing herbal teas can also help.

Drinking Diet Coke can even help hide mouth noises during recordings.

Software and Hardware Solutions:

Even with good mic placement and staying hydrated, you might need extra tools. A pop filter can greatly reduce mouth and breathing sounds. Software like the Sonic Solutions de-clicker can quickly remove unwanted noises.

This tool works fast and doesn't mess with your voice. It's great for improving audio in movies and ads.

Knowing why mouth clicks happen and how to fix them can make your recordings better. Voiceover artists can improve their work and sound more professional.

Tips for Preventing Mouth Clicks During Recording

To get great voice recordings, you need to stop mouth clicks. These clicks can make your recording sound bad. Here are some tips to help you avoid them:

Hydration Tips for Voiceover

Drinking enough water is key to stopping mouth clicks. Start drinking water two hours before you record. This lets your body spread the water out.

Drink lukewarm or room-temperature water all day. It helps a lot in stopping clicks. Also, drink water while you're recording to keep your mouth moist.

Microphone Technique

How you use your microphone can also help. Turn your face a bit to the side of the mic. Move your mouth away from the mic a bit too.

This way, you capture your voice better without picking up mouth sounds.

Diet Impact and Oral Hygiene

What you eat before recording matters. Eating things like apples, celery, carrots, or cucumbers helps clean your mouth. They make it less likely to get clicks from mouth stuff.

Also, brush your teeth and use a tongue cleaner before recording. Gargling with mouthwash can help too. These steps make your mouth cleaner and quieter.

Technology Solutions

There are also tech tools to help with mouth clicks. The Izotope RX 9 Mouth De-click Plug-In is one. It gets rid of clicks, which is great for long recordings.

Using tech like the Izotope RX 9 can make your recordings perfect. It helps voiceover pros make recordings without mouth clicks.

Seeking Professional Help for Mouth Clicks

If you still have mouth clicks after trying the tips above, get help from a pro. Voiceover coaches can give you advice just for you. They can teach exercises to make your voice better and stop the clicks.

There are also webinars and online groups for voiceover artists. Here, you can learn from experts and share what you know. If your mouth clicks come from a health issue, a doctor might help too.

Getting advice from pros is key in the voiceover world. They give you feedback and special tips to fight mouth clicks. This helps you do better in your work.

Training and getting help from experts can really change things. It helps you make better recordings and stand out in the industry. So, if you're still having trouble, try getting some professional help.

Whether it's training, finding special resources, or talking to experts, getting help makes a big difference. It stops the annoyance of mouth clicks and opens up new learning chances. So, if you're still dealing with mouth clicks, don't hesitate to ask for expert advice and support.

FAQ

What are mouth clicks in the voiceover industry?

Mouth clicks are sounds that happen when the tongue, teeth, and saliva make bubbles during voiceover recordings. They can make auditions and getting hired again harder. These sounds are not wanted.

What are the causes of mouth clicks and are there any solutions?

Dehydration, smoking, some medicines, or bad microphone use can cause mouth clicks. To fix this, drink lots of water, avoid certain medicines, and use the microphone right. Speak a bit louder and pay attention to how your mouth is near the microphone.

How can mouth clicks be prevented during voiceover recording?

Drinking water is key to stop mouth clicks. Start drinking water hours before recording and keep drinking it. Don't take things that make you lose water, keep the microphone the right distance, and adjust your mouth's position. Use a pop filter and think about where you breathe. Drinking water during recording also helps.

What should I do if mouth clicks persist despite implementing prevention techniques?

If mouth clicks don't go away, get help from a voiceover coach or trainer. They can teach you new skills and exercises. Online groups and resources can also help. Sometimes, a doctor can give advice or suggest treatments for health issues that cause mouth clicks.