out post sound blog

Many people assume that recording a voice over is a simple process. Yet, like most things, the best voice overs are a combination of a few but crucial ingredients. In this overview we will explain everything you need to know about recording a voice over or narration and how out post sound can help you achieve the result you wanted.

The Ingredients

1 x Voice Over Artist

1 x Great Script

1 x Experienced Sound Studio

THE VOICE OVER ARTIST

To get the best possible effect from your piece you need the best voice to match the message you want to convey. It is pointless having a quiet, subtle voiceover for a hard hitting documentary for example. We understand that the choice of VO (voice over) artists online can be overwhelming and this is where we can help. We at out post sound have been working closely with voice over artists for over five years and have a broad selection available in our own database. We can help you cast the voice over artist that you need to get your production sounding great.

THE SCRIPT

Of course, it is all for nought if your script is lousy. Scripts need to be concise and punchy. For radio commercials they need to get the whole point across in 30 seconds or less. For television you need a voice over that compliments the footage and for this the script is key! If you already have a script then send it over. We can look at it and give you an expert opinion on length, time required to record and edit and how, if necessary, it can be tightened up to give you the most professional read possible.

THE STUDIO

When it comes to recording a lone voice it is surprising that it is actually harder than recording an ensemble, band or group. Why? Because a lone vocal is naked. A lone vocal is exposed and problems become much more noticeable. That is why we at out post believe that we highly skilled in recording a voice over that not only sounds great but at the same time is not noticeable. See the dichotomy? The best voice over is one that sounds natural both in delivery, script and technical excellence and that is where out post sound can help.

The Method

Dig around looking for your ideal voice over artist. Can’t find them? Then let us help you cast you ideal voice. We can draw on both our years of experience, contacts and also our ever expanding database of voice over talent. We can take a brief from you and send you a selection that match your requirements instead of you having to spend hours trawling the net or even worse, speaking to agents!

Hone your script. Edit, edit and re-edit. Make sure it is tight. Make sure it gets across what you want and how you want it. Let out post sound look at it and give free advice. We are here to help and we can help you to hear!

Finally, the day of the recording. You are in Manchester (or Paris if you are lucky) we are in London or Brighton and you voice over talent is with us. How can this work? Traveling all the way to Brighton sound like a hassle. This may be true, but there are many options that mean you can join in and direct or listen in on the session from the comfort of your own chair.

Option 1 - Give us a brief and we will direct, record and edit, matching it to picture if necessary or script.

Option 2 - Hire a studio in your location and connect to us either via ISDN II or Source Connect. Hear the recording session in our location in full quality at your end. Interact with the voice over artist and recording engineer at out post and record the audio your end.

Option 3 - Use your good old fashioned telephone and call us at the time of the session. We can patch you straight into the recording where you can talk to both the voice over artist and studio engineer (or anyone else in the studio for that matter). You can direct or just listen in from the comfort of your own arm chair. We record the audio, edit if required, and send you the edited version or all of the takes via FTP or YouSendIt after the session has finished.

Option 4 - Connect to us using most instant messenger clients including MSN Messenger, Skype, aMSN, Yahoo, AIM or iChat. We can, as in option 3, patch you into the recording session and send you the finished audio.

The Conclusion

You end up with a great voice over or narration delivered by a professional voice over artist, recorded by a studio that has passion and expertise in getting the best from the talent and the technology and flexibility to allow you to interact and be involved from anywhere in the world.

Why would you want to go anywhere else?

out post sound - where the world listens.

For more information and to contact us please visit the out post sound website here