What is the difference between voice-over and dubbing?

With a standard voice-over, an off-screen voice narrates the story over the visuals, without needing to match mouth movements. With dubbing, the voice actor replaces the dialogue of an on-screen speaker. The timing of the voice must precisely match the lip movements.

How long does it take to sync a video?

As the translation must first be adapted syllable by syllable to the visuals, preparation takes longer than a regular recording. On average, we estimate at least several working days for re-translating, fine-tuning, and recording a video of a few minutes to deliver a perfectly matching result. [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 Cheap Dubbing Costs Your Brand Dearly

Why Cheap Dubbing Costs Your Brand Dearly | Voices

Why a literal translation always goes wrong in the studio

If you ask a translation agency to convert a script, you usually get text that is grammatically correct but rhythmically impossible to perform. A French or English sentence has a very different cadence from a Dutch or Flemish one. If you try to overlay that translation onto the original visuals without editing, something painful happens: the voice actor has to rush to finish the sentence before the on-screen speaker closes their mouth, or they have to drag it out agonisingly slowly.

The result feels like a cheap, off-the-rack suit with trousers that are far too long: you can roll up the fabric, but everyone instantly sees it doesn't fit. Good synchronisation therefore doesn't start at the microphone, but at the writing desk. We shorten sentences, rearrange clauses, and choose synonyms that have exactly the same number of syllables as the original.

Three steps to avoid wasted budget in video adaptation

To prevent a video project from turning into a bottomless pit of correction rounds, you should use a clear methodology.

Rewrite on timecodes: Do not work with a loose Word document. Translate directly next to the timecodes of the source material. For each scene, measure how many seconds of speaking time are actually available.
Select voice actors with specific studio experience: Not every pleasant voice can perform lip-sync acting. A voice like Kristien or Christina masters the technique of precise, millimetre-perfect timing without sounding strained. For French productions, you should also choose an experienced voice actor like Estelle, who knows exactly how French speaking rhythms work.
Maintain a clear cost structure: Ask in advance how the rates are structured. For non-commercial work, such as internal training or e-learning, a rate per word or per completed project usually applies. For commercial spots, you pay a fixed base rate for the recording and a buy-out for the broadcast rights. By defining this beforehand, you avoid financial surprises later.

Director's tip: pay attention to plosive sounds and breathing pauses

In the recording studio, as directors, we look at much more than just pronunciation. A golden rule that can save you hundreds of euros: pay attention to lip movement for plosive sounds like 'b', 'p', and 'm'. When the person on screen presses their lips firmly together, the voice actor in the translation cannot produce an open sound like 'a' or 'o'. That immediately feels off to the viewer, even if they cannot name exactly what is bothering them.

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.