You hear it everywhere: in that ad that makes you smile, the documentary that captivates you, the online training that enlightens you, or even the announcement for the next subway stop. The voice over is that invisible yet familiar presence that guides, narrates, explains, and moves.
But deep down, what really is a voice over? Just a pretty voice being recorded? A technical skill? Or a subtle art that demands much more than well-tuned vocal cords?
Hang on, we’re heading behind the scenes of this fascinating profession, far from clichés and using simple words.
Voice Over: The Essential Definition
Let’s start with the basics: a voice over is a voice heard without seeing the person speaking on screen or on the medium. It’s pre-recorded to be added to an audio or video project.
But reducing voice over to this simple definition would miss the point. Because behind that voice, there’s an actor. Yes, an actor! Our job, first and foremost, is to interpret a script, infusing it with a specific intention, emotion, and energy so it resonates correctly with the listener.
A Few Nuances to Shine Socially (or in a Client Brief)
To avoid common confusion, let’s quickly distinguish:
- Voice Over (Off-Screen Voice): The unseen, “off-camera” voice. Think documentary narration, radio ads, answering machine messages…
- On-Screen Voice (Voice In): The voice of a person visible on screen (journalist, interviewed actor…). You see who’s talking.
- Voice-Over (Technique): A specific technique where a voice (often a translation) is layered over the original voice, which is heard faintly in the background. Typical for foreign reports or interviews.
- Dubbing: Something else entirely! Here, the actor completely replaces the original voice of an on-screen actor and must perfectly synchronize with their lip movements (the famous “lip-sync”). It’s a distinct discipline.
Why a Human Voice (Still) Makes the Difference
In an era where artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly and offering increasingly convincing synthetic voices, the question arises: does the human voice over artist still have a future?
My deep conviction is: YES, a thousand times yes! Why? Because AI, no matter how sophisticated, cannot (yet?) replicate the infinite richness of human emotions, the subtlety of an intention, the warmth of a presence, the unique spark born from interpretation.
A human voice is a direct, authentic connection. It’s that extra soul that ensures a message isn’t just heard, but felt. AI is a fantastic tool for certain applications, but to touch the heart and mind, nothing replaces the unique vibration of an embodied voice.
The Many Faces of Voice Over
The voice over profession is incredibly diverse. Each field has its codes, expectations, and vocal “playground.” Here’s an overview of the main areas where my voice (and those of my colleagues) comes into play:
- Advertising (Radio, TV, Web): The art of grabbing attention in seconds! You need to be impactful, persuasive, and know how to play with emotions (dynamism, humor, softness, sensuality…). Every word counts.
- E-learning & Training: Here, the voice becomes a guide. The tone must be clear, steady, educational, but also engaging to keep the learner’s attention. We’re here to facilitate understanding and retention.
- Corporate Films & Branding: The voice embodies the image and values of a company or organization. The tone is often professional, reassuring, inspiring, but always authentic.
- Documentaries & Narration: Telling a story, drawing the listener in, conveying facts with clarity and emotion, without ever overshadowing the subject. A subtle balancing act.
- Motion Design & Explainer Videos: The voice accompanies the animation, pacing the information. It must be dynamic, clear, and perfectly synchronized with the visuals.
- Audio Guides & Museum Exhibits: A companionable voice that guides the visit, informs without being intrusive, and brings the experience to life.
- Audiobooks: A vocal marathon! You need to embody different characters, maintain consistent energy over time, and above all, respect the original work while making it vivid to the ear.
- Video Games & Animation: A fantastic playground where you can create colorful characters, explore extreme emotions. Creativity and energy are key!
- Telephone Systems (IVR): The voice that greets you on the phone. It needs to be clear, smiling (yes, you can hear it!), professional, and patient.
Each of these areas requires a specific approach, technique, and sensitivity. It’s this diversity that makes being a professional voice over artist so exciting every day!
Inside the Black Box: Voice Over Jargon
Like any profession, voice over has its own language. To better understand the behind-the-scenes and facilitate our discussions, here’s a small glossary of terms you might hear:
(The enriched glossary, translated and adapted, will be inserted here, organized alphabetically)
Acoustic Treatment: The art (and science!) of arranging a space so it sounds good, without unwanted echo or reverberation. Essential for professional-quality recording, even in a professional home studio .
ADR (Automated Dialog Replacement): Often used in film post-production. Re-recording dialogue in a studio environment to replace poor-quality audio or change lines, syncing to the picture.
Agent (Talent Agent): A valuable partner who represents the voice over artist, negotiates contracts, and finds casting opportunities. Not essential, but often an asset.
Ambience (Sound): The background sound environment accompanying the voice (music, sound effects…). The voice over must blend in harmoniously.
Articulation: The clarity with which syllables and words are pronounced. Good articulation is fundamental to being perfectly understood, regardless of pace.
Audio Description: A specific technique where the voice describes the visual elements of a work (film, show) to make it accessible to blind or visually impaired people. A balancing act between precision and emotion.
Audiobook Narration: The specific skill of recording an entire book, often involving character voices and sustained performance over long periods.
Background Noise (Noise Floor): The slight hiss or residual noise present in a recording, even when no one is speaking. A good studio (or home studio) aims for the lowest possible noise floor.
Billing / Invoicing: The essential administrative aspect: creating clear quotes, sending compliant invoices, tracking payments. Check my voice over rates page for more info on pricing factors.
Booth (Vocal Booth / Speak): An acoustically isolated space within a studio (or home studio) where the voice actor records to ensure a perfect sound capture, free from external noise and reverberation.
Brief: The initial document or discussion with the client detailing the project: the intention, desired tone, target audience, broadcast context… The clearer the brief, the more accurate the performance.
Broadcast Quality: Audio quality that meets the high technical standards required for television, radio, or major online platforms.
Buyout: A one-time payment that grants the client extensive or perpetual rights to use the voice recording, often replacing ongoing usage fees or residuals.
Casting (Voice Casting): The process of selecting the ideal voice for a project. This can be done via voice over demos or by asking actors to record a specific script excerpt (custom audition).
Character Voice: Creating distinct voices for characters (cartoons, video games, audiobooks…). Requires great vocal flexibility.
Client Direct: The end client (brand, company, institution) as opposed to an agency or production company acting as an intermediary.
Cold Read: Reading and interpreting a script effectively on the first try without prior rehearsal. A highly valued skill in studio sessions.
Compressor (Audio): A post-production tool that reduces the dynamic range (difference between the loudest and quietest sounds) of a recording for a smoother, more controlled result.
Contract: The document formalizing the agreement between the voice over artist and the client (service, rates, usage rights, deadlines…). Essential for a smooth collaboration.
Corporate Narration: The often steady, serious, and professional tone used for business communications (presentations, annual reports, internal training…). Find examples on my French voice over artist page .
Custom Audition (Spec): A short recording made specifically for a casting call, using a portion of the actual script, allowing the client to judge if the voice fits their needs.
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): The computer software used for recording and editing audio (e.g., Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, Audacity…). The “control tower” of the home studio.
De-esser: A post-production tool that reduces sibilance (harsh “s” and “sh” sounds) for a more pleasant listening experience.
Delivery (Vocal): The overall style and manner in which the script is read, encompassing pace, tone, and energy.
Demo (Voice Over Demo Reel): Your audio business card! A compilation of short clips (often 1 minute max per style) showcasing the range of your vocal palette and interpretive skills. Listen to mine here .
Diction: The art of speaking clearly, encompassing articulation, pronunciation, and intonation. Essential for a professional voice over artist.
Directed Session: A recording session where the client or an artistic director listens in real-time (in-studio or remotely) and guides the voice over artist’s performance.
Dubbing: A related but different discipline from voice over. Here, the actor replaces the original voice of an on-screen actor, perfectly synchronizing with their lip movements (lip-sync).
Dynamic Range: The difference between the quietest and loudest parts of an audio recording.
Editing (Audio): The process of cleaning up raw recordings, removing mistakes, adjusting silences, and assembling the final audio track.
E-learning Voice Over: The clear, engaging, and often pedagogical style used for online courses and training materials.
Energy (Vocal): The intensity and dynamism put into the voice. It must be adapted to each project (a children’s ad won’t have the same energy as guided meditation!).
EQ (Equalizer): A post-production tool that allows adjusting the volume of different frequencies (bass, mids, treble) to shape the voice’s sound.
Format (Audio): The type of audio file delivered to the client (WAV, MP3, AIFF…). WAV is generally preferred for its uncompressed quality.
Frequency (Vocal): The pitch of the voice’s sound (low, medium, high). Every voice has its natural range (tessitura).
Home Studio: The workspace set up at the voice actor’s home to record professionally. Increasingly essential. Take a look at my voice over home studio .
Imaging (Radio/TV): The voice “signature” of a radio or TV station, used for jingles, program announcements…
Impedance: A technical characteristic of audio equipment (mic, preamp…). Ensuring impedance compatibility is crucial for optimal performance.
Inflection: Variation in pitch or tone of voice to convey meaning or emotion.
Intention (Vocal): The emotional or informational goal behind the words. This is the heart of the job: finding the right intention (reassuring, dynamic, serious, friendly…) for each text.
ISDN / Source-Connect / SessionLinkPRO / IPDTL…: Technologies enabling high-quality, real-time remote directed recordings. The client can listen and guide the voice over artist as if in the studio.
IVR (Interactive Voice Response): The voice you hear on the phone when calling a company (“Press 1, Press 2…”). It must be clear, steady, and pleasant.
Level (Audio): The “volume” of the recording. It must be sufficient but never clip or distort (hit the red on the meters!).
Lip-Sync: The technique central to dubbing: perfectly matching the recorded voice to the on-screen actor’s lip movements.
Long-form Narration: Recording longer texts, such as audiobooks or extensive documentaries, requiring vocal stamina and consistency.
Mastering (Audio): The final stage of audio post-production, optimizing the overall sound for broadcast or distribution (volume, dynamics, frequency balance).
Microphone (Mic): The essential tool that captures the voice. Different types exist (condenser, dynamic…), each with its characteristics.
Mixing (Audio): The art of blending different sound tracks (voice, music, effects) to achieve a cohesive and balanced whole.
Modulation (Vocal): Variation in pitch, intensity, and rhythm in the voice to make it expressive and avoid monotony.
Monitoring (Studio / Headphones): The control listening. In the studio, it’s the speakers. For the voice actor, it’s the feedback of their own voice in the headphones during recording, essential for controlling their performance.
MP3: A compressed audio format, useful for sending lightweight files (demos, approvals) but not ideal for final high-quality delivery (WAV is preferred).
Narration: The voice over style used for storytelling (documentaries, audiobooks, explainer videos…). Often steady, but always engaging.
Noise Gate: An audio processing tool that automatically mutes the audio signal when it falls below a certain threshold, helping to reduce background noise between phrases.
Normalization (Audio): A post-production process that adjusts the overall audio level of a recording to a defined standard (e.g., -3dBFS peak).
Pace (Vocal): The speed at which one speaks. It must be adapted to the message, medium, and intention (faster for a dynamic ad, slower for an audio guide…).
Pickup: When a small part of a text (a word, a sentence) needs to be re-recorded after the main session to correct an error or adjust the performance.
Pitch: The perceived highness or lowness of a sound.
Placement (Voice): How one uses resonators (chest, head…) to produce sound. Good placement gives power and richness to the timbre.
Plosives: The burst of air created when pronouncing sounds like “p” and “b,” which can cause an unpleasant “pop” on the microphone. Attenuated by a pop filter.
Podcast: Digital audio content, often in episodic form, where voice over (narrator, host, guest) plays a central role.
Pop Filter: That screen (often round and made of fabric or metal) placed in front of the mic to reduce plosives.
Portfolio: A collection of work samples showcased by the voice over artist, often on their website, demonstrating experience and project diversity. You can explore mine on my French voice over artist page .
Post-production (Audio): All the steps following the raw recording: cleaning up noise, editing (cutting mistakes, adjusting silences), mixing, mastering…
Preamp (Microphone Preamp): The device that boosts the weak electrical signal from the microphone to a usable level for the audio interface or mixing console. Crucial for sound quality.
Production (Audio): The entire process of creating audio content, from recording to final delivery.
Pronunciation: The accepted standard of how a word sounds when spoken.
Prosody: The musicality of speech: rhythm, intonation, stress patterns. It brings the text to life and conveys emotion.
Raw Audio: The unprocessed audio file recorded directly from the microphone, before any editing or effects.
Residuals: Additional payments made to performers when a recording (especially commercials) is broadcast beyond the initial contract terms or territory.
Reverb (Reverberation): The persistence of sound in a space after the original sound has stopped (echo). What acoustic treatment aims to eliminate.
Royalty-Free: Music or sound effects that can be used without paying ongoing royalties, usually after a one-time purchase or subscription.
Sample Rate & Bit Depth: Technical specifications of digital audio that determine its quality and resolution (e.g., 48kHz/24-bit is a common standard).
Scratch Track (Guide Track): A quick, simple recording of the script, done before the final session, to serve as a timing guide for video editors or for client approval.
Script: The written text that the voice over artist reads.
Session: A scheduled period of time dedicated to recording voice over.
Sibilance: The high-frequency hissing sound produced by consonants like “s,” “sh,” and “z.” Can be controlled with a de-esser.
Signature (Vocal): The unique timbre and recognizable style that defines a voice over artist’s identity. Learn more about my background here .
Silence (Management): Silences are as important as words! Knowing how to place them, giving them weight, is an integral part of the performance.
Sound Design: The creation of the overall sonic universe of a project (sound effects, ambiences) that enhances and supports the voice over.
Soundproofing: Measures taken to prevent outside noise from entering the recording space and sound from escaping.
Spot (Audio/Video): A short commercial or promotional message.
Storytelling: The art of telling a story to convey a message or emotion. Voice over plays a key role.
Studio (Professional): A dedicated space for audio recording, equipped with high-end gear and acoustically treated by experts.
Take: An attempt at recording a phrase or section of the script.
Talent (Voice Talent): Industry term for a voice over artist or actor.
Tessitura: The range of notes (from lowest to highest) that a voice can comfortably produce.
Timbre (Vocal): The unique “color” of the voice, what makes it recognizable (warm, clear, deep, bright…).
Timing: The skill of delivering lines within specific time constraints, often crucial for syncing with video or music.
Tone / Tone of Voice: The overall attitude or dominant emotion conveyed by the voice (e.g., warm, dynamic, serious, ironic, reassuring…). It’s the result of the intention.
Trailer: That short, ultra-dynamic montage that makes you want to see a film, series, or show. The voice is often impactful and rhythmic.
Turnaround Time: The time it takes for a voice over artist to deliver the finished audio after receiving the script and instructions.
Underscore (Music): Discreet background music accompanying the voice over to emphasize emotion or create an atmosphere.
Usage Rights / Licensing: The contract defining precisely how, where, and for how long the recorded voice can be used by the client. A crucial point never to overlook! Check my voice over rates page for details.
Vocal Fry: A low, creaky vibration in the voice, sometimes used stylistically but often considered unprofessional if unintentional.
Voice Acting: The broader art of using one’s voice to perform, encompassing voice over, dubbing, animation, and character work.
Voice Over Artist: The professional who performs voice overs. It’s about acting and interpretation, even for the most straightforward projects.
Warm-up (Vocal): Exercises performed before a session to prepare the vocal cords, breath support, and articulation. Essential for preserving the voice and performing well.
WAV: An uncompressed audio file format, ensuring the best sound quality. The standard format for delivering final voice over files.
Workflow: The sequence of steps involved in completing a voice over project, from receiving the brief to delivering the final files.
Beyond Words: The Essence of the Craft
As you can see, voice over is a rich, technical, and deeply human field. It’s a profession that demands an attentive ear, great adaptability, and a passion for interpretive accuracy.
Every project is a new adventure, a new story to tell, a new connection to create. And it’s precisely this diversity and demand for excellence that make this job so exciting every day.
Have a project in mind and wondering which voice could best embody it? Let’s talk! I’d be delighted to discuss it with you and put my experience at your service.