Why a cheap voice will be more expensive in six months

The first listen in the studio

When we listen to a new production in the studio, it immediately stands out how we, as humans, react to sound. An artificial voice is like a beautifully designed wooden chair: it looks perfect at first glance, but after fifteen minutes of sitting, it starts to feel uncomfortable. The human brain is extremely sensitive to unnatural patterns. A computer voice misses the tiny breaths and the natural drop in pitch at the end of a sentence. After thirty seconds of listening, a listener disengages, simply because their ear becomes fatigued by the monotonous frequency.

What happens when your video needs to evolve

Imagine your company launching a new service in six months, or a phone number in the video changing. With a professional voice actor like Goedele, who uses her Flemish voice to create a warm and trustworthy tone, we simply book a short pick-up session. She takes the microphone, recaptures the mood of the original recording, and delivers the new sentences.

With a computer voice, it is a different story. Algorithms are constantly changing. There is a high chance that the generator will make the same voice sound slightly different six months later, forcing you to re-record the entire video. The initial saving then disappears in one fell swoop.

The human nuances behind the microphone

In the control room, we guide voices very specifically on feeling and subtext. That is something a computer simply does not understand.

Director's tip: The true persuasive power lies in the micro-pause just before the most important message, or in the slight smile you hear in the voice without it sounding overly cheerful. A voice actor like Youri from the Netherlands or Katie from the United Kingdom precisely senses where the emphasis needs to be to resonate with the listener.

How the price of a voice is truly calculated

To prevent surprises later, we work with a very clear pricing structure in the industry. It is divided into two parts:

1. The recording cost (the basic rate): this is the fee for the time the voice actor spends in the studio and their performance behind the microphone.
2. The buy-out (usage rights): this rate depends on the medium where the recording will be heard, such as social media or local radio, and the duration of the campaign.

For non-commercial projects, such as internal e-learning or a corporate video, we usually charge per word or per project. Because each project is unique, we always provide a customised quote.

Our behind-the-scenes process

When you start a production with us, your project goes through a fixed and careful process to guarantee quality. As our client Steven mentioned in his review, this fast and professional approach ensures a worry-free result.

• Voice selection: you choose from our selection of 93 professional, hand-picked voice actors. Whether you are looking for a Flemish voice or an international voice like Giuseppe from Italy or Birgit from Germany.
• The brief: we discuss the desired tone, tempo, and any difficult words or brand names.
• Recording and direction: the voice actor records the script in a professional studio, where we pay attention to the correct intonation and pronunciation.
• Quality control and delivery: the audio files are cleaned and technically checked, so they are immediately ready for use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the price differ between a corporate video and a radio spot?

For a corporate video, the reach is usually limited to your own website or an internal presentation, so no extra buy-out costs apply. A radio spot reaches a large audience via paid media, so the voice actor receives a fee for the usage rights of that specific campaign.

Can I re-book a voice actor later for adjustments?

Yes, all our voices are professional voice actors who work with us long-term. This makes it possible to make an additional recording months or even years later in the exact same studio environment.

How do I know if a voice suits my brand?

On our platform, you can listen to targeted demos of all our 93 voices in different genres, such as commercials or voice-overs. This way, you hear exactly how the voice sounds beforehand.

If you are unsure about the right tone or the approach for your project, an experienced voice director will be happy to help you. Feel free to contact johfrai for personal advice and a tailored proposal for your production.