Can you help me choose the right medium or a buy-out?

Certainly. Medium refers to where the voice will be deployed (e.g., internal video, web, radio, TV, etc.). Buy-out defines the usage period and geographic regions. You can specify these details step-by-step in the price preview; if you're unsure, simply provide a brief description of the voice's intended purpose.

How do quotes work, what is a buyout, and how do I choose the right medium?

A quote is a bespoke, written price quotation. A buy-out refers to where and for how long you are permitted to use the voice (e.g., TV, radio, online). Select your medium in the calculator or quotation flow; this will ensure the price reflects your intended use.

What is the difference between a business video and a radio or TV commercial through Voices?

For a corporate video, the cost primarily covers the recording and its use across your own channels. A radio or TV commercial typically requires a buy-out for broadcast – this is reflected in the chosen medium and usage term. You can select the appropriate medium below the price preview.

Can you provide me with a price estimate? I can provide the word count or duration if that helps.

Yes — simply enter your word count or duration below, and you'll receive an instant guide price from our calculator. Should you require a formal quote, please request this separately.

I'm looking for the right voice for my video, explainer, or commercial. Where should I start?

Start by listening: choose a few demos that match your tone. Then I'll help you with usage, buy-out or a quote when your script is ready.

How does online learning work at Voices Academy?

You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings. Start at /academy/ ; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact .

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.

Do I need my own home studio?

A quiet space and a basic microphone are enough to get started. In the course, you'll learn what you need for broadcast-quality at home. You can book professional recordings for clients later via Voices showcase ; rates are on /tarieven/ .

What is the difference between a demo recording and a workshop?

A voice demo is a short professional recording of your voice for your portfolio. A workshop is live coaching: feedback, technique, and practice with other participants. For casting with Voices, you book voice talent via the showcase; Studio helps you improve your own recording skills. See also home demo versus studio .

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.

Why a human voice-over beats automated voices

Why a human voice-over beats automated voices | Voices

Is a professional voice recording too expensive for small projects?

The idea that a human voice actor is too expensive for shorter videos or internal presentations is a common misunderstanding. Voice recording rates are clear and thoughtfully structured:

Non-commercial recordings: For internal corporate videos, e-learning, or presentations, you typically pay per word or per project. This keeps your budget manageable.
Commercial productions: For commercials on radio, TV, or online, you work with a fixed basic rate for studio time. This includes a licence for usage and campaign duration.

This way, you only pay for what you actually use. A professional voice remains affordable for every type of project.

How do you know when to choose a human voice?

Not every recording needs compelling drama. But some clear situations show where a human voice makes all the difference:

For sensitive or narrative topics: When empathy and trust are crucial to persuade a listener.
For specific Belgian nuances: The Belgian market has its own quirks. A Flemish voice like Johfrah naturally conveys warm credibility. For French-speaking projects in Brussels or Wallonia, a voice like Bernard ensures the right, familiar tone.
If your brand seeks its own identity: Automated voices are used by hundreds of companies simultaneously. Developing your own unique voice creates recognition.

What role does direction play in audio recording?

A good recording depends on the right direction in the studio. An experienced voice director immediately hears where a sentence feels off and how an emphasis changes the meaning of your message.

Director's tip: Ask the voice actor to smile briefly before the first sentence. You cannot set this subtle 'smile in the voice' through software. But it immediately gives the listener a warm and welcome feeling.

Under professional direction, a voice actor like Kirsten (known from StuBru) delivers exactly the soft, friendly vocal tone that suits your brand.

How do you choose the right voice for your project?

With 94 professional voices available on our platform, there's a perfect match for every idea. Whether for a business explainer video or a cheerful radio commercial, the right voice brings your text to life. It never feels forced.

Frequently asked questions

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

Can you help me choose the right medium or a buy-out?: Certainly. Medium refers to where the voice will be deployed (e.g., internal video, web, radio, TV, etc.). Buy-out defines the usage period and geographic regions. You can specify these details step-by-step in the price preview; if you're unsure, simply provide a brief description of the voice's intended purpose.
How do quotes work, what is a buyout, and how do I choose the right medium?: A quote is a bespoke, written price quotation. A buy-out refers to where and for how long you are permitted to use the voice (e.g., TV, radio, online). Select your medium in the calculator or quotation flow; this will ensure the price reflects your intended use.
What is the difference between a business video and a radio or TV commercial through Voices?: For a corporate video, the cost primarily covers the recording and its use across your own channels. A radio or TV commercial typically requires a buy-out for broadcast – this is reflected in the chosen medium and usage term. You can select the appropriate medium below the price preview.
Can you provide me with a price estimate? I can provide the word count or duration if that helps.: Yes — simply enter your word count or duration below, and you'll receive an instant guide price from our calculator. Should you require a formal quote, please request this separately.
I'm looking for the right voice for my video, explainer, or commercial. Where should I start?: Start by listening: choose a few demos that match your tone. Then I'll help you with usage, buy-out or a quote when your script is ready.
How does online learning work at Voices Academy?: You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings.
Start at /academy/; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact.
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.
Do I need my own home studio?: A quiet space and a basic microphone are enough to get started. In the course, you'll learn what you need for broadcast-quality at home.
You can book professional recordings for clients later via Voices showcase; rates are on /tarieven/.
What is the difference between a demo recording and a workshop?: A voice demo is a short professional recording of your voice for your portfolio. A workshop is live coaching: feedback, technique, and practice with other participants. For casting with Voices, you book voice talent via the showcase; Studio helps you improve your own recording skills. See also home demo versus studio.
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.

Glossary

Terms used in this article

Short definitions that help you decide faster.

Flemish voice-over
A Flemish voice-over is a professional recording recorded in Belgian Dutch with a recognisable Flemish accent and intonation. Producers opt for Flemish when they want a familiar, local tone for the Belgian market or are seeking an authentic Belgian character in international productions.
Flemish differs from Dutch spoken in the Netherlands in terms of vowels, intonation and word choice. Belgian advertisers almost always use Flemish voices for local adverts; international clients book a Flemish voice-over for scenes featuring Belgian characters or a subtle European accent in English-language productions.
Scratch track (guide track)
A temporary, rough recording — often recorded by the director, editor, or the client themselves — that serves as a timing reference for the final voice actor.
The scratch track is not final audio. It is used to finalise the animation or edit before the real voice-over arrives.
Corporate (non-broadcast)
A voice-over project without a paid media buy-out. Think of corporate films, e-learning, internal presentations or organic social media.
"Unpaid" in our price list does not mean "free". It means there is no media buy attached to it; the voice actor is simply paid for the recording work.
Commercial (broadcast)
A voice-over project with a media buy-out: TV, radio, Spotify ads, YouTube pre-rolls or sponsored social media.
The rate consists of two parts: BSF (the recording) and the buy-out (the usage rights per medium and term). You will find both amounts listed separately in our quote.
Voice-over Pickups
A pickup is a small re-recording of a specific part of your script, for example, because the text has changed or a name needs to be pronounced differently.

How does it work with us?

Thanks to your personal vault at Voices.be, arranging pickups is very simple:
- Consistency: We use the same voice actor and the same studio settings, so the new sentence blends seamlessly with the rest.
- Speed: You don't have to restart the entire project.
- Cost-saving: For a small text change or an error after the retake period, we normally charge a flat rate of €75. For larger changes, the voice actor decides on the rate.
This ensures your communication always stays up-to-date without having to start from scratch every time.
Breathing exercise
A breathing exercise helps you regulate your heart rate and stress levels using a fixed rhythm or counting pattern. Breathing is the quickest way to calm your nervous system without needing any extra equipment.