E-learning Synchronisation: Calculating Word Count and Budget

Calculating the ideal speaking pace for educational modules

Before you finalise a recording, you must critically adjust the text length per slide or video segment to the available screen time. Educational content needs a slower pace than, for example, a commercial spot:

• For Dutch-language training with complex subject matter, aim for a guideline of 130 to 150 words per minute.
• Identify fixed visual anchor points, such as a graph appearing or an intertitle.
• Remove redundant subordinate clauses and stiff phrasing that looks good on paper but unnecessarily slows down spoken delivery.

As a rule of thumb: test the script beforehand by reading it aloud with a stopwatch. Intentionally build in a two-second pause at each screen change. This way, you prevent the voice actor from rushing and avoid costly re-recordings later.

Selecting the right tone of voice and voice direction

Each business training needs an appropriate intonation. A strict compliance course on regulations places different demands on the speaker than a motivational onboarding for retail staff.

The goal is always to find a natural balance: professional, clear, and accessible, without sounding formal or patronising. Experienced voices, such as Béatrice for French-speaking Belgium or Bart for the Dutch-speaking market, know exactly how to bring a business text to life. Give the voice actor enough editorial freedom. A clunky phrase like "dientengevolge" (consequently) can be smoothly rephrased on the spot to a natural alternative like "daardoor" (therefore). This only improves your module's clarity.

Transparent budgeting: word rate and technical surcharge

For non-commercial business projects, such as internal staff training or client training, the rate structure clearly covers three key factors:

1. The base volume: Since this is internal learning material, expensive broadcast rights for radio or television do not apply. The calculation starts from the total word count or the required studio time.
2. The synchronisation surcharge: When the voice actor is bound by specific time codes or image synchronisation, this requires extra studio work and precise editing. This is charged as a surcharge.
3. Corrections and pronunciation: We correct voice actor pronunciation errors free of charge. If you make content-related text changes to the script afterwards, an additional re-recording fee applies.

Therefore, always provide a concise pronunciation guide for technical terms, brand names, or technical abbreviations. This ensures the recording session goes smoothly from the first take.

Integration and finishing in your authoring toolAfter the recording session, the audio engineer delivers a fully finished and normalised audio track. Noise, distracting breaths, and mouth sounds are expertly removed. This ensures every sound clip maintains the same volume level.

For synchronised projects, always ask for the recordings to be delivered in separate, numbered files per screen (in WAV or high-quality MP3 format). This saves a lot of time during editing in authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate. We recommend you upload some test files beforehand. Check the synchronisation in your test environment before you publish the complete learning journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about E-learning Synchronisation

How does synchronisation differ from a standard voice-over?

With a standard voice-over, the voice actor determines their natural reading pace. The visual animations are then edited to match the audio. For synchronisation, however, the voice must strictly align with the existing time codes of a screen recording or translated video. This requires additional recording time and focused direction.

How do I check if a script fits within the video time?

Aim for a maximum of two and a half words per second for easily understandable training material. If a specific ten-second segment contains more than twenty-five words, you will run out of time. The text must be shortened beforehand.

Are broadcast rights due for an internal course?

No. Internal e-learning and corporate training fall under non-commercial use. The material is not used for external media campaigns. So you only pay for the recording hours and word count, without broadcast licenses.

Let's get started with your training material

Effective digital training relies on a perfect harmony between spoken instructions and moving images. Do you have questions about the feasibility of your script? Or are you looking for a professional e learning synchronsprecher for your next learning journey? We are happy to review your project with you. We will fine-tune the timing and voice selection.