If your video contains regular on-screen text or you simply want to offer your customers a more comfortable viewing experience, you should consider voice over.
Planet Languages has built an extensive pool of voice talent in 80 different languages. We will work with you to cast the most suitable voice artists in each language or locale guided by the style, level of formality, and the type of voice you have selected in your original video.
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FAQs
Delivered well, the spoken word can make a huge impact on listeners, so voiceover is ideal for advertising campaigns and instructional videos.
It takes more than a good voice to deliver an engaging voiceover recording. Professional voice artists are highly versatile, adept at bringing a script to life and experts in microphone technique.
We can provide you with a selection of sample voices from our voice library for you to listen to and choose the voice artist that is the best fit for your project. If you would like to listen in while the recording is taking place or direct the session with the voice artist, we can also arrange this via Skype.
Wild voiceover narration is not timed or recorded to picture. With no timeline to follow, a voice artist will read your script aloud at a natural pace. This kind of recording is suitable for audio podcasts and recorded telephone messages.
A timed voiceover is recorded to synchronise with video playback. Also known as recording “to picture”, this method ensures that what is being said is timed to match what appears on screen. Off-screen narration is the most cost-effective option if your video has no on-screen contributors. The foreign-language voiceover simply replaces any existing voiceover.
If your video features on-screen contributors and you wish to replace the speakers’ voices with foreign-language voiceover, there are two dubbing methods to choose from: phrase-syncing and lip-syncing. Lip-syncing involves matching the on-screen contributors’ mouth movements as closely as possible. Phrase-syncing matches the start and end of the contributor’s speech, though it is not matched to lip movements. Both types of dubbing are commonly seen in feature films, animations and video games.
A timed voiceover is recorded to synchronise with video playback. Also known as recording “to picture”, this method ensures that what is being said is timed to match what appears on screen. Off-screen narration is the most cost-effective option if your video has no on-screen contributors. The foreign-language voiceover simply replaces any existing voiceover.
If your video features on-screen contributors and you wish to replace the speakers’ voices with foreign-language voiceover, there are two dubbing methods to choose from: phrase-syncing and lip-syncing. Lip-syncing involves matching the on-screen contributors’ mouth movements as closely as possible. Phrase-syncing matches the start and end of the contributor’s speech, though it is not matched to lip movements. Both types of dubbing are commonly seen in feature films, animations and video games.
News programmes often broadcast clips of people delivering speeches in a foreign language. After a second or two, the volume is lowered and the voiceover begins, though viewers will still be able to hear the original speaker in the background. This method is known as UN-style voiceover and is widely used in news programmes, documentaries and interviews.
We work with an extensive pool of professional voice artists and can cater to any requirements.
Yes, we only work with voice artists who are mother-tongue speakers of the target language.
Sessions are charged on an hourly, half-day or full-day basis, depending on the duration of the video, script length and type of service required. Fees include the voice artist’s and sound engineer’s time, studio booking and delivery of audio files. Additional usage fees may apply if you intend to use the voice recording in the public domain.
If you are planning to use your voice recording in the public domain, such as on your website or social media accounts, or on the TV or radio, usage fees may be payable to the voice artist. Similar to royalties and based on a percentage of the basic session fee, usage fees vary depending on where the recording will be used and for how long. Usage fees don’t apply to voice recordings intended only for internal use.
In order to put together a binding cost estimate, we would ideally need the following information:
1. The script in Word format (if available)
2. Number of voices required and any preferences regarding gender and age range
3. Language(s) required (e.g. variant, dialect, regional accent)
4. The type of recording required (e.g. wild or to picture)
5. The purpose of the recording (e.g. for educational or promotional purposes)
6. Where you intend to use the voice recording (e.g. for internal use only, on your website, for a TV campaign)
7. If you intend to use the voice recording in the public domain, how long for
8. The number of videos and total duration
9. How you would like us to handle any on-screen text in the video
1. The script in Word format (if available)
2. Number of voices required and any preferences regarding gender and age range
3. Language(s) required (e.g. variant, dialect, regional accent)
4. The type of recording required (e.g. wild or to picture)
5. The purpose of the recording (e.g. for educational or promotional purposes)
6. Where you intend to use the voice recording (e.g. for internal use only, on your website, for a TV campaign)
7. If you intend to use the voice recording in the public domain, how long for
8. The number of videos and total duration
9. How you would like us to handle any on-screen text in the video
