The Challenge: Addressing Common Doubts
'We can easily record that ourselves,' thought a local company creating an instruction video for their new software. They worried an external voice would sound too distant. They also felt the investment might not be worth it. It's a common doubt: why spend money on a voice actor when you have a microphone yourself?
When we look closely at this concern, you'll see that recording a voice is much more than simply reading words aloud. An untrained voice often lacks the right breathing, subtle emphasis, and calm needed to convey a message clearly. The voice acts as a guide, leading the listener through the information. Without that guide, viewers quickly get distracted by hesitations or a monotonous tone.
Our Approach: Selecting and Directing the Right Voice
For this project, we looked for a voice that conveyed warmth and reliability. This helped users feel at ease with the software explanation. From our database of 93 professional voice actors, we made a targeted selection. We chose Gitta, a Flemish voice from Belgium known for her approachable delivery.
During the recording session, we provided specific direction to the voice actor. As a voice director, I pay attention to details that the average listener notices subconsciously but cannot name directly.
My most important directing tip for these types of productions concerns microphone distance. Inexperienced speakers often get too close to the microphone, trying to create an intimate atmosphere. However, this causes disruptive plosive sounds for 'p' and 'b' and unwanted mouth noises. A professional voice actor maintains the precise correct distance, uses a pop filter, and controls their breathing. This keeps the recording perfectly clear.