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Preparing Your Script for the Ear, Not the Eye

A recording script is the final text a voice actor reads. It includes directions for pronunciation, pauses, and emphasis. In the control room, we immediately notice when a text is written purely for print. Sentences that read smoothly in a report often sound stiff or unnatural when spoken aloud.

As soon as a script comes in, we review potential issues with the voice talent:

• Foreign brand names, industry terms, or technical concepts with a specific pronunciation.
• Numbers and years: should '2024' sound like 'twenty twenty-four' or 'two thousand twenty-four'?
• Web addresses and abbreviations: note phonetically or in full how you want the voice to articulate them.

By clarifying these specific instructions in the brief beforehand, you avoid an unnecessary second recording.

Setting the Right Tone of Voice and Timing

Every video production needs its own rhythm and character. An instructional video or e-learning for internal staff requires a calm, clear delivery. A promotional commercial video for social media, however, needs speed and dynamism.

As directors, we ensure the chosen voice perfectly matches your company's target audience. Here’s a proven tip for anyone submitting scripts: read the text aloud yourself at least once beforehand with a stopwatch. This way, you will immediately feel where you run out of breath. You will also see if the text length realistically fits within the allocated video timing. After all, a voice actor who has to rush to keep up with the visuals loses their persuasive power.

Your Step-by-Step Plan for a Smooth Online Booking

When you use an online voice for your video project, the process follows a fixed step-by-step plan to avoid surprises:

1. You provide the final script and project details via a contact form or your account.
2. You select the suitable voice actor from the portfolio or request specific advice based on a sample recording.
3. You confirm the order, specifying the desired tone of voice, pronunciation instructions, and timing.

Once the brief is complete, the voice talent takes their place in an acoustically optimised studio. After the recording, a sound engineer carefully checks the audio for breaths, noise, and timing before delivering the files.

Transparency on Rates and Usage Rights

In practice, there is often confusion regarding the fees for voice recordings. In the professional audio sector, pricing always depends on the distribution method, not just the type of production.For non-commercial uses, such as an internal training video or e-learning, we usually charge per word or per finished project. If a recording is distributed commercially through paid media channels, the price includes a basic recording plus a buy-out for broadcast rights within a defined medium and a specific period. For a detailed overview of our rates, please refer to our fixed rate structure.

Understanding this rights structure clearly helps avoid unnecessary discussions or unforeseen additional costs on your invoice later.

Audio Post-Production and Quality Control

After the recording session, the finishing work begins at the mixing desk. Even seasoned voice actors benefit from the expert ear of an audio technician. Annoying mouth sounds, overly pronounced breaths, and minor imperfections are manually removed, all while preserving the natural dynamics. When you use a professional voice online, you receive audio files that are technically fully cleaned and mixed. You can place the audio directly into your video edit, which saves you a lot of time in your own editing software.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I best provide a pronunciation guide?

You can include difficult words phonetically in brackets within your text, or record a short spoken note using your smartphone. This way, a voice talent will hear exactly how a company name or term should sound within seconds.

What if the style differs from what I expected?

If you provide a clear brief with reference material beforehand, the desired style is almost always correct immediately. Should a subtle difference arise, we can arrange a re-recording based on the initial instructions.

Giving Your Project the Right Voice

A professional production relies on good preparation and clear communication. If you are looking for a suitable Dutch voice-over for your next corporate film or online campaign, please feel free to contact us for specific advice or browse the voices on our platform. We are happy to discuss what your production requires.