Buy-out explained for voice-overs: usage rights, no jargon
A buy-out is what you pay to use a recording on a specific medium for a certain period. At Voices, you see this price before you order. No hidden costs or surprises later.
A buy-out is what you pay to use a recording on a specific medium for a certain period. At Voices, you see this price before you order. No hidden costs or surprises later.
A buy-out is the right to use your voice-over on a specific medium (radio, TV, online, telephony) for an agreed period. You pay for this usage, in addition to the recording fee. You'll find what's included per project type on /tarieven/; the definition is also in our dictionary.
A voice actor provides their craft and permission to use the recording commercially. The broader the reach and the longer the campaign, the more significant the usage rights become.
Internal company videos or e-learning usually fall under corporate use. Radio spots, TV commercials, and online ads require a commercial buy-out with clearly defined media and duration.
You select the medium and usage in the configurator. The price shown on screen is what you pay; you won't receive a separate buy-out invoice later if everything is included in your order. If you're unsure which medium is right, please read our FAQ on /veelgestelde-vragen/ or ask for advice before you book.
Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.
Can you help me choose the right medium or a buy-out?
How do quotes work, what is a buyout, and how do I choose the right medium?
What is the difference between a business video and a radio or TV commercial through Voices?
I'm looking for the right voice for my video, explainer, or commercial. Where should I start?
How does online learning work at Voices Academy?
You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings.
Start at /academy/; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact.
Do I receive feedback on my recordings?
Do I need experience for a beginner's workshop?
Can I combine Academy with Studio-workshops?
Yes. Many students initially take online lessons and then attend a live workshop for additional coaching.
Studio: /studio/faq/ · Academy: /academy/.
How much does a professional voice-over cost?
The price depends on three factors: the medium (corporate video, radio advert, telephony), the licence duration (1 year, unlimited) and the script length. With Voices, you see the exact price per voice artist before you order. No surprises later on.
A short corporate video starts from a modest amount. A radio advert with national reach costs more due to the buyout (broadcasting rights). Telephone messages are generally the most affordable.
Tip: enter your script for the voice of your choice and you will instantly see the cost.
What exactly does a buy-out entail in voice-over?
A buy-out is the right to use your recording on a medium (radio, TV, online, telephony) for an agreed period. You'll see it reflected in your price before payment on /tarieven/.
Learn more: buy-out explained · dictionary.
Short definitions that help you decide faster.
The interactive tool on a voice actor's profile page. This is where you put your project together: medium (TV, radio, online, podcast), length (indicated in seconds), number of spots, choice of countries and term.
The Smart Checkout calculates the price live while you make your selection. No surprises afterwards.
Educational audio content: course modules, instructional videos, training. Often long texts. That is why we charge per word or per finished hour of audio instead of a standard BSF.
E-learning usually falls under corporate (non-broadcast). For public learning environments, a buy-out may be required.
Voice-overs for telephone menus, messages on hold, and voicemails. We charge per prompt (one short message) or per word, depending on the scope.
For larger telephony projects (multi-level IVR, multilingual, holiday and public holiday messages), we provide a package price.
A Buy-out is the fee you pay for the right to use a voice recording for a specific period and a specific medium (e.g. Radio, TV or Online).
For our telephony messages, we use a unique model:
For commercials (Radio/TV), the buy-out depends on the reach and duration. Our price calculator calculates this for you immediately, so you are never faced with surprises.
Reviews from customers who have worked with us.
“Request submitted and they review the text again, making some adjustments where necessary. If there's any detail the client finds a bit difficult in the produced audio, they resolve it very quickly and create a new audio on the same day. Highly recommended and very professional service now. Top! I was assisted and recorded by Johfrah.”
Kevin De Nil
Listen to a selection of voice actors and find the right voice for your project.
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Voice-over: practical information, tips and next steps on voices.be, the official Voices channel for Agency, Studio and Academy.
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“Voices.be is highly recommended for voice-overs in various languages. A professional company with pleasant communication, quick responses, and overall top-notch service. Look no further.”
Anastasia Van der Maas
“If you are looking for a reliable supplier, Voices.Be is definitely a recommendation! Our experience was top-notch - fast delivery, excellent quality, and it gives our company a professional appearance.”
Jelle Kerfs
