1. Spoken vs. Written Language in Your Script
A voice script is a written score for the spoken word, designed to sound natural.
Many texts that arrive in the studio were originally written for a website, a brochure, or a policy document. On paper, a long, complex sentence with subordinate clauses and formal conjunctions works perfectly. As soon as a voice actor has to speak those sentences aloud, a physical problem arises: breathlessness and an unnatural rhythm.
In the 'before' situation, we often see convoluted sentence structures such as: "To serve our customers even better in case of any disruptions, we have expanded our helpdesk." When we rewrite that in the studio for the 'after' situation, it creates space: "Is there a disruption? Our helpdesk is now even faster to assist you."
Always pay attention to these elements when reviewing your text:
- Short sentences: Break sentences longer than twenty words into two parts.
- Remove formal connecting words: Replace words like "nevertheless", "however", and "in order to" with conversational language.
- Listen to your own breathing: Read the text aloud yourself. If you have to gasp for breath halfway through, there's a missing full stop somewhere.
2. Choosing the Right Tone of Voice for Your Audience
The tone of voice refers to the specific vocal attitude and atmosphere a voice uses to convey a message.
The same script can sound formal and distant, or warm and trustworthy. This is closely linked to the voice actor you select. In our catalogue of 143 available voice actors, we carefully select voices based on their range and natural timbre.
In the studio, we notice that clients sometimes look for a general professional sound without defining who the listener truly is. For an internal instructional video, a script requires a clear, calm, and didactic approach. For a public commercial, a dynamic or intimate address works much better.
Voice actors like Marilyn and Bernard from Belgium are often requested in the studio when a project needs a natural, warm, and trustworthy style. If you have a project for the Dutch market, voices like Ruben or Youri often suit a clear, contemporary business narration. For a German-language production, a voice like Sylvia can offer exactly the right balance between authority and accessibility.Director's tip: avoid vague terms like 'nice' or 'professional' when you describe the desired tone of voice. Instead, give the voice actor clear context. For example, you could say: 'Speak this text as if you are explaining the new computer system to a valued colleague at the coffee machine.' A concrete situation like that immediately helps the voice actor find the right delivery.
3. Technology: Acoustics, Microphones, and Post-production
The technical quality of your recording determines how clear and professional your production sounds. A recording made in an office with hard walls often sounds hollow because of sound reflections. We call these early reflections. Even the most convincing voice actor can't overcome a poor acoustic environment.
A professional studio records sound in a controlled way:
- Acoustic treatment ensures the microphone captures only the direct voice, without echo.
- A high-quality condenser microphone records every detail of the articulation and breathing.
- During editing, engineers manually clean up distracting mouth noises, clicks, and harsh breaths.
Before professional treatment, a home recording often sounds dull, thin, or overdriven in the low frequencies. After a professional recording session and post-production, the voice sits perfectly in the mix. It's clear, warm, and instantly understandable, whether you listen on small laptop speakers or a powerful sound system.
4. The Brief and Live Direction: Partnering for the Best Outcome
A voice actor can only truly excel with a clear brief. If you provide text without context, you leave the interpretation entirely to chance.
A well-crafted brief includes at least these elements:
- The pronunciation of any specific jargon, brand names, or foreign words. If needed, write out foreign names phonetically in brackets.
- Your target audience: who exactly is the voice speaking to?
- The desired reading pace and any strict time limits (for example: 'this paragraph must be exactly 15 seconds long to fit the animation').
That's why at Voices, we regularly offer remote live direction. Through a simple audio connection, you can listen in live from the studio while the voice actor records. Would you prefer a sentence with a bit more emphasis on the verb? You simply tell us, and the voice records it again straight away. This saves time and avoids correction rounds later.
5. Rights and Fees: Clarity on Usage
When you order a voice recording, you pay for more than just the actor's time in the studio. The price of a professional voice-over has two main components:
- The basic recording fee: This covers studio time, preparation, recording, and professional post-production of the raw audio file.
- Usage rights or buy-out: This is the fee for distributing and using the recording.
Whether a buy-out applies always depends on the distribution channel, not the genre. If you use a video for non-commercial purposes, such as internal staff training or a company presentation behind a login screen, we usually charge per word or per completed project. If the same recording is used as a paid advertisement on social media, regional radio, or national television, then a commercial buy-out applies for an agreed period and region.
