Behind the microphone: how a voice truly comes to life

Our Selection Process

In our database of 93 publicly available voices, we never look for the most perfect, slick voice. We look for character. A voice actor must be able to carry a script without sounding like they are reading a commercial. Our Flemish voice, Johfrah, is a great example. His voice radiates natural calm and credibility. This works because he doesn't try to convince you; he just tells the story. Or take Christina, one of our Belgian voices. Her clear and warm tone invites you to listen, rather than pushing the message on you.

Why a Good Voice is Like Restaurant Lighting

A strong voice behaves like the lighting in a cosy restaurant. If the light is too bright, everyone feels uncomfortable. You want to leave as quickly as possible. If the lighting is set just right, you don't even notice the lamps themselves. You simply enjoy the atmosphere. It should be the same with a voice-over. The listener shouldn't be thinking about how beautiful the voice is. They should be completely absorbed in the story.

The Director's Tip for a Human Sound

During studio recording sessions, we actively guide voice actors to let go of the written script. My most important tip as a voice director is the 'neighbour technique'. As soon as a voice actor gets behind the mic and goes into 'presentation mode' too much, I stop the recording. I then ask the actor to explain the sentence as if they are at the kitchen table with their neighbour, with an imaginary cup of coffee. This simple shift in mindset removes the artificial pressure from their vocal cords. It immediately brings back natural speech.

Clarity on Pricing

Behind the scenes, we often get questions about how recording costs are calculated. We like to keep things simple and transparent. For commercial work, such as an advert, we use a fixed basic recording fee, supplemented with a buy-out. This buy-out covers usage rights. It depends on where the advert will be heard and for how long it runs. For non-commercial assignments, such as an internal corporate film or an e-learning course, we simply calculate the price per word or per project. This way, everyone knows exactly what to expect beforehand. No surprises later.

From Script to Finished Recording

To turn a text into a credible recording, we always follow a fixed pattern:

1. The Briefing: Together, we determine the desired tone and production goal.
2. Casting: We select the voice that best suits the project's identity.
3. Direction: We record the text, guiding for natural diction and the right pace.
4. Finishing: The recording is cleaned of breaths and distracting background noise, ready for editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many voices can I choose for my project?

We have 93 professional voices publicly available on our platform. They cover various languages, such as German, French (BE), Italian, Spanish, and Flemish.### How do costs differ for commercial and non-commercial work? For commercial projects, you pay a basic rate plus a buy-out for usage rights. Non-commercial projects are priced based on a word rate or a fixed project fee.

Finding a voice that truly fits

Finding the right tone isn't about luck. It's about listening carefully and being ready to adjust. Are you looking for a voice that sounds human, not like an advert? Feel free to contact us to discuss your project. Or, search our database directly for the perfect Flemish voice over to hear what works best for your story.