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.

How Voice Overs Influence Viewer Engagement and Conversion Rates

One of the most overlooked aspects of animated video production is the direct correlation between voice over quality and viewer engagement. Numerous marketing studies show that audiences decide within seconds whether they trust a brand based on the tone, clarity, and personality of the voice they hear. This means that even if your animation is visually stunning, a poorly executed voice over can dilute the message, cause confusion, or even reduce conversion rates.

When viewers hear a confident, pleasant, and well-paced narration, they are more likely to stay engaged through the entire video. This is especially important for explainer videos, product demos, and onboarding content—formats where your end goal is to educate or inspire action. A strong voice acts like a guide, easing your audience through the journey you’ve created. In contrast, a voice that sounds rushed, monotone, or low-quality can distract from your message and diminish the impact of your visuals.

For marketing teams, the right voice over doesn’t just deliver words—it reinforces brand trust. A calm, warm tone can reassure potential customers. A high-energy, enthusiastic voice can build excitement around a new feature or announcement. A playful, charismatic voice can make your content more memorable for younger audiences or consumer-focused brands. Simply put, your voice over becomes part of your brand identity.

Types of Voice Overs Used in Animated Videos

When selecting talent, it can be helpful to understand the different types of voice overs commonly used in animated video production:

1. Character Voice Overs

These are ideal for storytelling animations, explainer videos with characters, children’s content, or anything that requires a distinct personality. Character VO requires flexibility, acting skills, and the ability to match emotion to visual cues.

2. Narration Voice Overs

Narration is more neutral and is commonly used in educational videos, training modules, and corporate explainers. The tone is usually calm and steady, aiming for clarity rather than personality.

3. Promotional or Commercial Voice Overs

These recordings lean into persuasion—often energetic, warm, or aspirational. They’re perfect for advertisements, brand videos, and social media content where you want to motivate a viewer to take action.

4. Conversational Voice Overs

This increasingly popular style mirrors the casual tone of how people actually speak in real life. It’s great for brands targeting millennials and Gen Z, or for videos that aim to feel authentic and relatable.

Understanding which category your project fits into makes it much easier to filter voice talent and communicate what you’re looking for.

What to Listen for When Reviewing Voice Over Samples

Listening to demos is an essential part of hiring voice talent. Beyond tone and personality, here’s what you’ll want to pay attention to:

Audio Quality

Is the recording crisp, clear, and free of hiss, echo, or background noise? A talented voice actor should consistently deliver broadcast-quality audio.

Pacing & Timing

Does the narrator rush? Pause too long? Speak too slowly? The timing should feel natural and match the energy of your animation.

Emotional Delivery

Great voice actors use emotion intentionally. Notice whether they sound engaged, present, and connected to the script—or if they read lines monotonously.

Consistency

If you’ll need ongoing content or multiple versions of your video, choose someone who shows consistency in tone and performance across samples.

By being intentional about what you listen for, you’ll dramatically improve the odds of selecting the ideal talent for your project.

How to Direct Voice Over Talent for the Best Performance

Even with the best voice actor, you’ll get the strongest results when you provide clear direction. Here are some tips for guiding your talent:

• Provide reference videos
  Send a link to another animation with the style or tone you want. This gives the voice actor a concrete target to aim for.
• Highlight keywords
  Use bold or italics in your script to mark important words or phrases you want emphasized.
• Describe the emotional arc
  If your animation shifts energy—calm at first, then energetic—tell them.
• Specify pacing
  If you want pauses or dramatic beats, write them in using ellipses (…) or instructions like “pause 1 second.”
• Request two versions
  Some creators ask for a “safe” read and a “creative” read, giving space for the actor to add their own flavor.

A few minutes of direction upfront can save hours of revisions later.

Choosing Between Human Voice Actors and AI Voice Generation

As AI voice generation tools gain traction, you may wonder whether you should skip hiring a human voice actor altogether. Here’s a simple breakdown:

When AI Works Well

• Temporary placeholders during animation production
• Internal training or drafts
• One-off lines, corrections, or short snippets
• Videos where emotional nuance isn’t critical

When Humans Are Essential

• Brand videos or high-visibility marketing content
• Emotional storytelling
• Character voices
• Anything requiring personality, warmth, or authenticity

AI voices are improving rapidly, but they still lack the organic flow and emotional intelligence that a skilled human performer provides. For most client-facing animated videos, a human will still create a stronger connection.

Why Voice Over Revisions Happen (and How to Avoid Them)

Many people underestimate how common voice over revisions are—especially for animated explainers and marketing content. Here’s why revisions happen and how you can prevent them:

• Script changes after recording → Lock your script before hiring talent.
• Mispronounced names or jargon → Provide pronunciation guides or audio recordings.
• Tone mismatch → Send clear direction and sample references.
• Timing adjustments → Ask for a version with natural pacing and one slightly slower or faster.

Avoiding these pitfalls keeps your production timeline running smoothly and reduces extra costs.

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