How long are the rights for a recorded TV commercial valid?

This depends entirely on your buy-out agreement. Usually, these rights are purchased for one year, for a specific country or TV channel group. You can always extend this later at a pre-agreed rate. Make sure you confirm this with the voice-over agency in advance.

Can I listen in live during the voice recording session?

Yes, we highly recommend this. Give live feedback to the voice actor during the session. This helps you adjust the tone directly. It saves a lot of time and prevents costly retakes later because the mood wasn't quite right. [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.

Why a cheap TV commercial voice will give you a headache in six months

Why a cheap TV commercial voice will give you a headache in six months | Voices

Myth: The cheapest voice is the best budget choice in the long run

What's true:

In the studio, there's a golden rule: cheap often means expensive in the end. The cost of a professional voice for a commercial always consists of two parts:

The fixed basic fee for the actual recording session in the studio.
The buy-out for usage and rights, which depends on the medium and campaign duration.

If you choose an amateur who quickly records a text for a pittance today, you will often run into issues in a few months. Professional agencies use clear contracts. This way, you know exactly what you are paying now and what a campaign extension will cost in a year. It's different for non-commercial projects like an internal company video or e-learning; there, we charge per word or per project. But for television, clear agreements about rights are the only way to avoid budget surprises.

Myth: A famous TV personality guarantees a better campaign

What's true:

Of course, we have famous voices in our database. Our Flemish voice, Sander, for example, presents on MNM and is a familiar face on Ketnet. But a famous voice only works if it's a perfect match for your brand. Listeners need to remember your product, not just the famous voice promoting it. The authenticity of the voice must seamlessly align with your company's identity, whether that's a warm, professional, or very fresh tone. A mismatch between voice and brand simply makes viewers disbelieve the message.

Myth: We can fix any mistakes in editing later

What's true:

The saying 'we'll fix it in the mix' has mercilessly ruined many creative projects. You cannot remove poor intonation, incorrect emphasis, or a lack of dynamism with any software in the world. If the raw recording lacks the right emotion, the final result will be flat and lifeless.

Director's tip: During recording, pay attention to natural pauses and breathing. A true professional uses micro-pauses just before the brand name is spoken. This creates a natural pause in the spot. It helps viewers remember the brand name without it feeling forced.

Myth: International campaigns can use one general voice per language region

Estelle is a French voice actor with over 20 years' experience. She is from France.
Lotte is a Dutch voice. She is based in the Netherlands and has a fresh, friendly tone.
Francesca brings that true Italian flavour from Italy.

Every voice needs to perfectly match the local culture and accent of your target audience. This builds real trust. Using a French voice for the Belgian market simply won't work. You will see it in your sales figures.

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.