How many words per minute are typically used in a documentary voice-over?

The pace in a documentary is much slower than in an explainer video or commercial. Expect an average of 110 to 130 words per minute. This slower pace gives the viewer time to process the visuals and allows the sound design to shine.

Can I get a demo recording with my own script?

Yes, for larger projects like a documentary, it makes sense to hear how a voice sounds with your specific script beforehand. This helps you assess if the timbre and narration pace match the visuals' atmosphere. Are you looking for the right voice for your production? Feel free to contact us for tailored advice on a suitable documentary voice-over. We can help you find the voice actor who best fits your visuals. [FAQ_BLOCK]

How do I order a phone message?

Pick a voice you like for your phone system. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. Add hold music if you want. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files.

How does ordering work?

Here is how it works: 1. Listen to the demos and pick a voice for your phone system. 2. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. 3. Add hold music if you want. 4. Pay securely with Bancontact, iDEAL or credit card. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files by email.

What does a professional phone message cost?

The price depends on how long your text is and which message you need (welcome, menu or hold). As soon as you pick a voice, you see what it costs. Hold music is optional.

What does a professional telephone message cost?

A welcome message or phone menu from a professional voice is surprisingly affordable. The price depends on the length of your text and the type of message (welcome message, phone menu, on-hold message). At Voices, you can see the price instantly for your chosen voice. On-hold music from our library can be added separately. Most clients receive their audio within 1 to 2 working days.

Can I provide my own music?

Yes, you can! You can add your own audio file using the upload button. Please ensure you have the correct broadcasting rights for any music you provide.

How much does it cost to add music on hold?

Adding a track from our library costs a one-off fee of €59. This gives you unlimited usage rights for your project.

Are the tracks optimised for telephony?

Absolutely. All our on-hold music is specially mixed and optimised for the frequency range of telephone systems (300Hz - 3400Hz), so it always sounds clear.

Do you also record voice prompts for IVR and phone systems?

Yes, we can record complete phone menus (IVR) for your telephone system. You provide the options you need, and we will ensure that everything is recorded clearly and professionally. This is ideal for businesses with multiple departments.

5 Insights for the Right Documentary Voice-over in Flanders

5 Insights for the Right Documentary Voice-over in Flanders | Voices Belgium

2. Understand the Difference Between Commentary and Narration

A documentary voice is a voice actor who naturally conveys facts, emotions, and the spirit of the time without imposing an opinion on the viewer. Think, for example, of a nature series where silence is just as important as the explanation for a migrating flock of birds.

To find the right pitch and cadence for your project, pay attention to these points:

The rhythm of the editing: Fast cuts need concise, calm sentences, while slow visuals allow for a warmer cadence.
The subject's nature: Forensic investigations call for neutral precision, while a family history allows for a more delicate touch.
Room for ambient sound: A voice should never compete with the audio track or the original field sound.

Director's tip from the studio: Don't just have the voice actor read the text. Also, show the edited scene on screen in the recording booth. When an actor sees how one shot transitions to the next, the emphasis naturally falls on the right moment.

3. Mind the Flemish Accent and Credibility

For a Flemish audience, a too-Dutch timbre or a forced, unnatural Flemish accent immediately feels wrong when discussing local history or social topics. A voice should sound like people speak here: natural and polished, with authentic pronunciation, and without falling into a caricature.

Voices like Kristien and Gwenny, both among our most booked voices, intuitively understand this balance. They know when a word like 'ergens' (somewhere) or 'misschien' (perhaps) deserves that slight delay to sound natural in a Belgian context.

4. Build in Enough Pauses in the Script

Documentary writers sometimes try to cram every empty moment with facts and context. In the recording studio, this consistently stifles the narration. Words that look good on paper sometimes turn out to be tongue-twisters when spoken aloud, breaking the pace.

Give the voice actor room to breathe. The silence between sentences helps a shocking revelation or moving testimony land with the viewer. Our voices Kirsten and Machteld deliberately include that pause in their recordings, allowing the visuals themselves to do the heavy lifting.

5. Understand How Rates for Long Narrations are Structured

The compensation for recording documentaries is structured differently than for a short commercial. For commercial work, you typically pay a basic fee plus a buy-out for the broadcast medium and the duration.For non-commercial work or longer documentaries, you will usually find pricing is based on a per-word rate or a fixed project fee. Since documentaries are often screened at festivals or broadcast by public channels, the final cost depends on your script's length and how it will be distributed. For an exact price, it's best to ask for a custom quote.

Frequently asked questions

Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.

How do I order a phone message?: Pick a voice you like for your phone system. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. Add hold music if you want. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files.
How does ordering work?: Here is how it works: 1. Listen to the demos and pick a voice for your phone system. 2. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. 3. Add hold music if you want. 4. Pay securely with Bancontact, iDEAL or credit card. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files by email.
What does a professional phone message cost?: The price depends on how long your text is and which message you need (welcome, menu or hold). As soon as you pick a voice, you see what it costs. Hold music is optional.
What does a professional telephone message cost?: A welcome message or phone menu from a professional voice is surprisingly affordable. The price depends on the length of your text and the type of message (welcome message, phone menu, on-hold message).
At Voices, you can see the price instantly for your chosen voice. On-hold music from our library can be added separately. Most clients receive their audio within 1 to 2 working days.
Can I provide my own music?: Yes, you can! You can add your own audio file using the upload button. Please ensure you have the correct broadcasting rights for any music you provide.
How much does it cost to add music on hold?: Adding a track from our library costs a one-off fee of €59. This gives you unlimited usage rights for your project.
Are the tracks optimised for telephony?: Absolutely. All our on-hold music is specially mixed and optimised for the frequency range of telephone systems (300Hz - 3400Hz), so it always sounds clear.
Do you also record voice prompts for IVR and phone systems?: Yes, we can record complete phone menus (IVR) for your telephone system. You provide the options you need, and we will ensure that everything is recorded clearly and professionally. This is ideal for businesses with multiple departments.
How long should my telephone message be?: Keep it short and concise. A welcome message is ideally between 10 and 15 seconds. A phone menu should guide the caller to the correct department within 30 seconds. Think from the caller's perspective: they want to be helped as quickly as possible.

5 Insights for the Right Documentary Voice-over in Flanders