What is the difference between a voice-over artist and a voice actor?

You often hear a voice-over in the background to clarify information, such as in a corporate film or instruction manual. A voice actor really gets into the skin of a character, for example for a radio play, an animated film or an expressive advert. The line between the two is often blurred, but the approach differs.

Why are the acoustics of the recording studio so important?

Even the best voice sounds terrible if there’s an echo in the background or if the room isn’t properly soundproofed. Professional recordings in a soundproof room ensure a clear and warm sound that’s ready to use straight away in your video.

Can I listen to a demo beforehand?

Yes, absolutely. It’s the best way to hear whether a voice suits your project. Most voice artists have various demos online, categorised by genre (such as commercials or corporate films), so you can get a good idea of their range and style in advance. [FAQ_BLOCK]

How do I make my voice sound soothing without sounding boring?

Bernadette teaches you the technique of grounded speaking. This focuses on breathing, resonance, and finding the right pauses to draw the listener in.

Voice-over studio: what should you look for when choosing a voice?

You’ve had a brilliant video made, the editing is spot on and the footage speaks for itself. But to really get your message across to your audience, you’re still looking for the perfect voice in a professional voice-over studio. After all, the right vocal quality and pitch determine how your brand or message is perceived. But how do you make the right choice from such a wide range of voice talents? In this article, we’ll guide you through the key points to consider.

The power of the right accent and language

In Flanders, we’re very sensitive to accents and dialects. For a national campaign, you’ll usually opt for a voice that speaks a clear, well-articulated ‘intermediate language’ or standard language. This sounds professional and is easily understood by everyone in Flanders. Sometimes a local dialect can be just the thing to strike a chord with a specific target audience, but do tread carefully here. In any case, ensure that the voice-over artist has a perfect command of the nuances of the Flemish language, so that the stresses fall naturally.

Technical quality and flexibility

A good voice is one thing, but the recording quality is just as important. Professional voice-over artists work from a high-quality voice-over studio with excellent equipment. This ensures that the recordings are free from distracting background noise, echo or hiss, which is essential for a professional end result.

Always ask about the voice artist’s flexibility too. Can they deliver the recording quickly? Is there the option to re-record if the stress isn’t quite right, or if you want to tweak the text slightly afterwards? Making clear arrangements about this in advance prevents any surprises later on.

Experience and the ability to follow direction

Speaking into a microphone seems simple, but it’s a real craft. An experienced voice actor knows exactly how to handle the microphone, how to control their breathing and how to convey the right emotion in a sentence.

What’s more, experienced voice actors are adept at following directorial instructions. If you ask them to record a sentence “a bit more cheerfully, but not too over the top”, a professional will immediately know exactly how that should sound in practice. That saves you a great deal of time during post-production.