In the era of podcasts, audiobooks, and voice messaging, we tune into the recorded human voice more than ever before. 

After joining Zoom meetings and calling long-distance friends, maybe you’ve even gotten a compliment or two on how you sound: “You should do voiceover!” or “Start a podcast!” 

But perhaps your research led you in a different direction: audio erotica. 

Whether you’re a new vocal artist, an established performer looking to expand your portfolio, or a romantic partner hoping to get better at dirty talk, this guide will teach you how to voice act for erotic audio. 

What makes a good erotic voice actor?

One key quality all successful voice actors share — erotic or otherwise — is the ability to create a natural listening experience. They bring life to stories and characters in a way that sounds authentic, with good vocal control that modulates their voice, tone, and tempo to match the mood and intensity of a scene. Great actors let the emotions and desires of the characters they’re portraying shine through.

Successful voice actors are also exceptional storytellers. They know how to captivate the listener and immerse them in the story. A pleasant voice isn’t enough — intonation, pacing, and rhythm all work together to engage the audience from beginning to end.

But being successful in audio erotica requires more than just technical proficiency and storytelling skills. You also need to understand human sexuality. Erotic voice actors should be able to tap into the nuances and intricacies of desire to connect with the listener on a visceral level, arousing them without overdoing it. It’s a fine balance, and it’s tough to learn — but not impossible.

How to make your voice sexy for audio erotica

If you’re interested in recording for audio erotica, you’re probably coming in with some natural talent. But even the most experienced voice actors can benefit from tips and tricks for this corner of the entertainment world. Here’s what you can do to enhance your performance:

Develop a vocal warmup routine

Have you ever seen a Broadway performer buzz their lips or sing their way through the music scale before going on stage? These exercises may look silly, but they’re an effective and important way to help your voice sound its best. Try adding these steps to your pre-recording routine:

• Breathing exercises to relax the body and engage your diaphragm

• Lip trills and buzzing to warm up your lips, tongue, and facial muscles

• Tongue twisters and articulation exercises to improve diction, clarity, and precision

• Vocal range exercises to loosen up your vocal cords

• Tongue and jaw stretches to release tension and support articulation

Avoid smoking, drinking, or consuming dairy before recording

Knowing what not to do before recording is just as important as preparing a warmup routine. Smoking cigarettes can inflame and dry out the vocal folds, causing your voice to sound rough and hoarse. And dairy products like milk and ice cream can increase the amount of mucus in the back of your nose and throat, which may affect your vocal clarity and force you to cough. Like smoking, alcohol can dry out the vocal folds, so avoiding it altogether is your best bet. But it’s also important to feel relaxed when recording audio erotica. If drinking a glass of wine before recording helps to calm your nerves better than herbal tea, you may find that the pros outweigh the cons. Just try to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum to prevent it from affecting your vocal health.

Try the green apple trick

Ice cream may not be the best snack choice for recording day, but many voice actors and singers swear by the “green apple trick” to reduce mouth sounds. 

There’s some debate about whether it really works, but the idea is that the malic acid in Granny Smiths clears mucus from the mouth. The combination of sweetness and acidity produces just the right amount of saliva to keep your tongue and cheeks moving smoothly against your teeth and gums. It isn’t a scientifically proven method, but try it and see if it works for you.

Speak slowly and softly 

Many people speak quickly in everyday conversations. Instead, softening your tone and slowing your cadence will lend a more sensual feel to every word you say, allowing the listener to savor the language and the seductive sound of your voice.

Lower your pitch

Speaking in a lower pitch adds depth and warmth to your voice, which could help you sound sexier. Don’t drop your pitch so much that you’re straining your voice or sounding like a different person. Just deepen it enough to give your voice a soft, inviting quality.

Practice breathy speech

A breathy voice gives off a sexy, intimate vibe, and all it takes is exhaling a little more air than you’d usually breathe out while speaking. It doesn’t take much to add a breathy feel to your sound, so don’t overdo it. Avoid whispering, since that can lead to irritation in the vocal cords (unless it’s for the scene). 

Be confident

Don’t mistake softness for weakness. Whether you’re setting the scene or acting out an electric conversation between characters, a confident voice will captivate listeners, showing them you’re someone they can trust to take them where they want to go.

Make natural noises

The exaggerated moans typical of traditional, male-centric porn are just that: exaggerated. Most women don’t feel naturally compelled to vocalize loudly during sex. In fact, research suggests they do it for their partner’s benefit, not their own. 

Soft moans, sighs, and gasps are a more realistic response to stimulation and arousal. And incorporating natural pleasure sounds into your audio erotica recordings is another way to make your performance believable so you don’t risk taking the listener out of the scene.

Use “bad words” strategically and sparingly

Profanity and vulgarity have a place in sexual voice acting jobs, and if you use them strategically, they’re effective tools for enhancing certain moments. But overusing explicit language can distract listeners or turn them off. Use it sparingly, saving it for beats that need more intensity and passion.

Don’t be judgmental

Erotic storytelling encompasses a wide range of desires and fantasies. To sound genuinely sexy, approach the material without judgment. Embrace the characters and their desires, and let yourself fully embody their sensuality. If you’re into it, your listeners will be, too.

Frequently asked questions

Voice acting is a complex art, especially if you aren’t familiar with its ins and outs. Here are some answers to questions you might have about how to get into voice acting:

How do I train my voice for voice acting?

Training your voice involves a combination of practice and learning. Taking voice acting classes or working with a vocal coach can help you understand techniques, develop your range, and improve your skills. But whether working with a professional or on your own, you’ll see the best results if you devote time to practicing and exploring different styles and characters. 

Can I teach myself voice acting?

Formal training is always a plus, but you can do a lot of learning on your own. Look for tutorials, books, and exercises to help you explore the basics and practice techniques. Just be sure to seek out honest feedback from people you trust, and record practice rounds to evaluate your own performance and pinpoint areas you need to improve.

Is voice acting easy?

Becoming a voice actor, no matter what type of content you want to make, takes time, effort, and lots of practice. Even the most naturally skilled vocal performers have to work to convey emotions and bring characters to life. Voice acting will come easier to some than others, but practice really does pay off — and you can have a lot of fun while learning the ropes. 

Get started with Quinn

We offer a wide range of erotic content on Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world. Get inspired with thousands of audio stories and guided sessions, available on the Quinn app for iOS or Android. 

Want to share your audio creations with an audience that’s always hungry for new content? Become a Quinn creator. In the meantime, keep listening and practicing. You’ll produce sensual sounds of your own in no time.