Getting A Voice Over For Your Animated Video

 

If you have a question about getting a voiceover for your video that isn’t answered in this article, you can use our contact form to ask your question or click the image below to with a member of our production team:

This is The Video Igniter Show where we teach you all the ways you can use videos to improve your business. If you want to create an animated video with a voice over, need to know how to get a professional sounding recording. In this episode, you will learn where to get professional sounding voiceovers for your videos. I’ll also teach you how you can make professional sounding voiceovers if you don’t have the budget to hire a professional.

Where You Get Voice Overs Online?

Getting the right voice over has a massive impact on the way people perceive your video.

Popular online sites for buying voiceovers include Voicebunny.com, Voices.com, and Voices123.com. These sites let you browse recorded samples from their database of thousands of voiceover actors. I like using VoiceBunny.com because they make it easy for me to post a job and get three auditions custom made from my script. If I love one of the options, they produce the full voiceover. If I’m not happy with any of the auditions, they prepare three new custom auditions for me until we get one that sounds perfect.

How Much Does A Voice Over Cost?

On these sites, prices range from $50 to $500 per minute of recorded audio.

If you are looking for a more affordable option, you can check out fiverr.com. Even though Fiverr has a reputation for being a site to get things done cheaply, there are actually some very high quality, professional sounding voiceover artists that offer their services through the site.

Listen through their demo reel and pay attention to the prices they charge. Some will charge 5 dollars to record a 150 word script. Which is about a minute long. But many of the best people charge 5 dollars for every 10 to 30 seconds of audio they record.

Deep Dive: How Much Does Animation Cost?

How To Create Professional Quality Sounding Voice Overs For Free

If you’re creating an animated video with a voice over and have a shoestring budget, here’s a tip… You can use to record your own professional-sounding voiceovers for free.

What’s the difference between an amateur sounding voice over and a professional-sounding voice over? The pro-quality voice over only records the voice and none of the background noise in the environment.

You can do this yourself at home if you have a phone or computer with a microphone built in. Just put a blanket over you and the recording device. Then, hit record and read your script.

Yes, it looks looks ridiculous, but you will be surprised how great the sound quality is. Plus, you don’t need to spend a fortune on professional sound equipment.

That’s all for this episode, thank you for watching. And if you want to support the show, share this with someone who will find it useful, For more content like this, please like and subscribe on our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out our animated video portfolio to see our latest and greatest creations!

Why Your Animated Video Needs the Right Voice Over

When it comes to animated videos, the visuals are often the first thing that captures attention. But here’s the thing: your voice over is just as important, if not more so, in bringing your animation to life. A great voice over sets the tone, evokes emotions, and helps your audience connect with your message on a deeper level.

Think of it like this: if you’ve ever watched an animated film or commercial, you know how much a voice can influence the character’s personality, mood, and the overall feel of the story. Whether it’s a playful character, an informative explainer, or a compelling brand message, the right voice will make all the difference.

So, how do you choose the perfect voice for your animation? Let’s break it down.

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Voice Over Talent

Choosing the right voice over talent might seem tricky, but with the right approach, it becomes a rewarding process. Here are some tips to guide you:

1. Know Your Brand’s Voice: Before you even start searching for a voice actor, it’s important to understand the tone of your animation. Is your brand quirky and fun, or professional and serious? The voice you select should match your brand’s personality.
2. Consider Your Target Audience: Think about who will be watching your video. If your target audience is young children, you may want a bright, animated voice to keep things playful. For a corporate explainer, a calm, professional tone might be better suited.
3. Look for Versatility: The best voice over artists can adapt their tone, style, and pace to match different situations. If your animation has varied emotions or scenes, choose someone who can bring those nuances to life.
4. Audition a Few Voices: Don’t settle on the first voice you hear. Listening to a few options gives you a clearer sense of what works best for your animation. A good voice over artist will deliver a range of samples for you to choose from.

How to Record a Voice Over on a Budget

If you’re working with a tight budget, you might be wondering if you can still get a professional-sounding voice over. The answer is yes! Here are a few tips to help you record quality voiceovers without breaking the bank:

1. DIY at Home: If you have a decent microphone, you can record voice overs from home! Find a quiet space, such as a closet or any room with soft furnishings that can absorb sound. Consider throwing a heavy blanket over yourself and the microphone to keep background noise to a minimum. Use free or low-cost editing software like Audacity to clean up the audio.
2. Voice Over Marketplaces: If you don’t have the skills to record it yourself, platforms like Fiverr and Voices.com are great places to find voice over artists at various price points. Just be sure to review samples and read reviews before making a hire.
3. Be Specific with Your Script: The more detailed your script is, the less likely you’ll need to pay for revisions. A clear, concise script will help the voice actor understand the tone and pacing you need, resulting in less time spent in the studio (or on revisions) and fewer costs for you. Take the time to add directions within your script to help the voice over talent understand the tone, pacing, pronunciation and energy you want them to use for each part of the script.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Voice Over Talent

While hiring a voice over artist can be exciting, it’s easy to make a few mistakes along the way. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Not Defining the Tone: If you don’t clearly communicate the desired tone, you might end up with a narration that doesn’t quite match the feel of your animation. Take the time to define the emotional tone—whether it’s upbeat, dramatic, or neutral—before choosing your voice talent.
2. Overlooking the Script: A voice over artist can only work with the script you provide, so make sure it’s well-written and clear. Avoid overly complicated language or ambiguous instructions that could lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
3. Ignoring Post-Production: The voice over is just one part of the process. Once you have your recording, don’t forget to edit and mix the audio with the animation. Professional quality sound mixing, background music, and sound effects can elevate the overall experience of the video.

Voice Over Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I ensure my voice over matches the tone of my animation?

Make sure you communicate the style and tone of your animation to your voice over talent before they start recording. A brief overview of your animation’s storyline and target audience can help your voice actor match their delivery to the emotions you want to convey. You can also create your own test recording with your smartphone and share it with the voiceover talent to help them understand how you want them to record specific parts of your script.

Can I use a text-to-speech tool instead of hiring a voice actor?

While text-to-speech and AI tools have come a long way, they still can’t fully replicate the nuance, warmth, and emotion that a human voice actor brings to the table. If you’re aiming for a professional-sounding video, a real voice actor will always be your best choice.

That being said, we have used AI voice generators to produce one-off lines that didn’t require the same tone, nuance and energy as a full length voiceover.

How do I produce a video in multiple languages?

While it’s possible to hire a bilingual voiceover artist, often times, we typically produce a video in English and then audition voiceover talent for the other languages. Then we re-time and re-sync the animation so it lines up with the pace of the new voiceover.

Deep Dive: How to Translate Your Video Content?

What is the ideal voice over length for a 60-second animated video?

A 60-second animated video usually requires a voice over that is about 125-150 words long. The ideal length is 150 words per minute. Aim for a shorter word count if your video has more pauses. Using a word count of 180 words means you will have little time for pauses or the option to vary the pace of the voiceover narration because the narrator is going to have to breeze through the recording quickly. Be sure to match the pace of the voice over with the animation to ensure everything syncs up smoothly.

What’s the difference between a voice over and narration in animated videos?

While both terms are often used interchangeably, “voice over” typically refers to a character or personality speaking in the animation, while “narration” is usually a more neutral, informative voice guiding the viewer through the story.

Where can I hire voice over actors?

Fiverr, Voices.com, Voices123.com, Voicebunny.com, Upwork.com, & Backstage.com.

Ready to Get Your Voice Over?

Now that you have a better idea of how to choose and work with voice over talent, why not take the next step? Whether you’re producing an animated explainer, commercial, or anything in between, getting the right voice over can be a game-changer.

If you need help finding the perfect voice over for your project, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team is ready to help you create an animation that truly speaks to your audience.

Final Thoughts: The Power of the Right Voice

While often overlooked, the voice over is an essential element of any animated video. It brings personality to the characters, guides the viewer’s emotions, and ensures that your message is delivered clearly. By following these tips, avoiding common mistakes, and working with the right talent, you can ensure that your animated video stands out with the perfect voice.

Ready to take the leap? Let’s get started on your next animated project today!

What is Video Igniter Animation?

 

Examples of Videos You Can Create With Video Igniter

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you.

To see more example videos, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.

Animated Video Production Resources

Looking for extra help to create your animated video? Check out these free resources:

How To Make A Video Animation

How To Make Animations Online With Video Igniter

How To Make A Professional Animation

How To Make An Animated Cartoon Video