Voiceover work - where to begin?
Discussion
I’m looking for advice/input/suggestions on getting into voiceover work, so I would love to hear from anyone that does this type of thing currently (or has done previously).
In previous companies where I’ve been employed, including a FTSE 100 business, I was involved in multiple in-house voiceover projects (including for a multi-million £ business case). I have also been the voice for video training material and podcasts but all on a very informal, ad-hoc and unpaid basis.
A lot of people have suggested I try and make a go of it, and I just want some pointers. I’d love to have my own podcast but unsure what content to put out, others have suggested I simply read out books and publish to podcast/YouTube.
I would happily undertake volunteer work initially to build my experience/portfolio (maybe on radio), is that even a realistic option.
If anyone has a project they need a male voiceover for, let me know! Otherwise any insight or experience you may have is welcomed.
In previous companies where I’ve been employed, including a FTSE 100 business, I was involved in multiple in-house voiceover projects (including for a multi-million £ business case). I have also been the voice for video training material and podcasts but all on a very informal, ad-hoc and unpaid basis.
A lot of people have suggested I try and make a go of it, and I just want some pointers. I’d love to have my own podcast but unsure what content to put out, others have suggested I simply read out books and publish to podcast/YouTube.
I would happily undertake volunteer work initially to build my experience/portfolio (maybe on radio), is that even a realistic option.
If anyone has a project they need a male voiceover for, let me know! Otherwise any insight or experience you may have is welcomed.
There was a thread on the business section on this subject a while back - can't find it at the mo but have a look through. In the meantime....
It's not something you can earn a living at and more a sideline thing for many. Those that are earning a living from it have been doing it for years and most likely blending VO with presenting work, MC work and the like. My go-to-guy for VO is also an ITV news reporter, BBC radio reporter and runs his own production company.
But, there is demand - a lot of it and is therefore a competitive market place. Key to success in terms of skill is rooted in two areas:
1. Having a distinctive voice - not just a 'nice' voice.
2. And know how to both record and mix your recording - knowing what is meant by 'rich', 'dry', etc... That also means having decent recording gear and set up. Almost all VO artists will be self-recording these days. The idea of spending a day in a voice booth in Wardour Street has long gone save for the Pixar type movies. Clients today will send a script and expect a high-quality audio file that they can just drop into wherever they need it.
If you're serious then you need to be serious about acquiring the knowledge about what to do and how. Volunteer at a local Community Radio station, present a show - this teaches you both the technical aspects of voice broadcast and recording and voice projection. And have a search and look for a company called Gravy for the Brain - set up by Peter Dickson, the voice of the Lottery, X-Factor, BGT, etc.. they run training and seminars on the subject.
Record a show reel and get yourself on platforms like www.mandy.com and push yourself to Ad Agencies, Video Production companies, radio stations and the like. There's also online voice over production companies like these: https://musicradiocreative.com - make yourself know to the likes of these.
And include foreign but English speaking countries on your target list. Massive demand for native, English accented VO in US, AUS, Canada, etc.
HTH.
It's not something you can earn a living at and more a sideline thing for many. Those that are earning a living from it have been doing it for years and most likely blending VO with presenting work, MC work and the like. My go-to-guy for VO is also an ITV news reporter, BBC radio reporter and runs his own production company.
But, there is demand - a lot of it and is therefore a competitive market place. Key to success in terms of skill is rooted in two areas:
1. Having a distinctive voice - not just a 'nice' voice.
2. And know how to both record and mix your recording - knowing what is meant by 'rich', 'dry', etc... That also means having decent recording gear and set up. Almost all VO artists will be self-recording these days. The idea of spending a day in a voice booth in Wardour Street has long gone save for the Pixar type movies. Clients today will send a script and expect a high-quality audio file that they can just drop into wherever they need it.
If you're serious then you need to be serious about acquiring the knowledge about what to do and how. Volunteer at a local Community Radio station, present a show - this teaches you both the technical aspects of voice broadcast and recording and voice projection. And have a search and look for a company called Gravy for the Brain - set up by Peter Dickson, the voice of the Lottery, X-Factor, BGT, etc.. they run training and seminars on the subject.
Record a show reel and get yourself on platforms like www.mandy.com and push yourself to Ad Agencies, Video Production companies, radio stations and the like. There's also online voice over production companies like these: https://musicradiocreative.com - make yourself know to the likes of these.
twohoursfromlondon said:
I would happily undertake volunteer work initially to build my experience/portfolio (maybe on radio), is that even a realistic option
Yes. I mentioned Community Radio stations and I believe there are a couple in Hampshire. I almost guarantee that they will most likely be crap with an audience of between 0 and 10. But that doesn't matter. You get to hone your skills, produce and present your own radio show and get to say that you're a radio presenter in your creds. Hospital Radio too. It's all about building experience and both Community and Hospital Radio are normally crying out for people to present. If you're really good, some of the small independent stations may give you a platform but forget Heart, BBC, etc..And include foreign but English speaking countries on your target list. Massive demand for native, English accented VO in US, AUS, Canada, etc.
HTH.
Edited by StevieBee on Tuesday 8th February 21:32
Thanks for such an interesting and comprehensive response Stevie, that gives me a lot of food for thought and different avenues to explore, I’ve got so much to learn.
I did register on a few sites already, including Mandy, but I don’t really have a portfolio of work yet which I can upload.
I speak fluent French, so maybe it’s another angle to exploit, particularly on podcast/YouTube assuming I can create engaging content, that will be my biggest challenge!
Appreciate the insight you shared, thanks again.
I did register on a few sites already, including Mandy, but I don’t really have a portfolio of work yet which I can upload.
I speak fluent French, so maybe it’s another angle to exploit, particularly on podcast/YouTube assuming I can create engaging content, that will be my biggest challenge!
Appreciate the insight you shared, thanks again.
Many do well at this. Mainly ex broadcast.
You need a decent PC with a good soundcard, an excellent mic and a very quiet room with good acoustics.
One of the voiceover artists I know uses a Focusrite Scarlett for soundcard and a Neumann mic (cant remember model). Beyer mics are also ok as are Rode NT1a's. Sennheiser DT770 headphones are also a good choice for your headphones.
Mic processing is a very subjective thing, I'd prefer a voiceover artist to send flat uncompressed audio and i'll compress/limit/eq it as I see fit. Some prefer the artist to eq/compress mics, as I say everyone is different). Note I don't mean compression as in file compression I mean audio compressors for controlling level :-)
You can have the best voice in the world but the equipment/room could be your biggest let down.
Setup a free account with cleanfeed.net , there's also IPDTL. but i'm not sure what the latest flavor of the month is with getting your voice from your studio to theirs is assuming (live audio) Setup an account with we transfer for sending large audio files you record.
have a look at fiverr, many artists use it
Good Luck
You need a decent PC with a good soundcard, an excellent mic and a very quiet room with good acoustics.
One of the voiceover artists I know uses a Focusrite Scarlett for soundcard and a Neumann mic (cant remember model). Beyer mics are also ok as are Rode NT1a's. Sennheiser DT770 headphones are also a good choice for your headphones.
Mic processing is a very subjective thing, I'd prefer a voiceover artist to send flat uncompressed audio and i'll compress/limit/eq it as I see fit. Some prefer the artist to eq/compress mics, as I say everyone is different). Note I don't mean compression as in file compression I mean audio compressors for controlling level :-)
You can have the best voice in the world but the equipment/room could be your biggest let down.
Setup a free account with cleanfeed.net , there's also IPDTL. but i'm not sure what the latest flavor of the month is with getting your voice from your studio to theirs is assuming (live audio) Setup an account with we transfer for sending large audio files you record.
have a look at fiverr, many artists use it
Good Luck
As above, look at fiverr as that gets a fair amount of freelance traffic.
Have you considered vocal coaching (for public speaking rather than singing!)? If you've no idea how your voice sounds so good then you may struggle with this but maybe you're able to give people some pointers on a few things.
This could lead to a YouTube channel. Look up 'The Charismatic Voice' as an example. It's an opera singer critiquing mostly heavy metal songs! And she's fit. Maybe you could critique famous people during interviews, pointing out where they sound good/bad?
Lots of companies have recorded messages on their phone systems e.g. press 1 for this, press 2 for that. Maybe that's something to get into?
Have you considered vocal coaching (for public speaking rather than singing!)? If you've no idea how your voice sounds so good then you may struggle with this but maybe you're able to give people some pointers on a few things.
This could lead to a YouTube channel. Look up 'The Charismatic Voice' as an example. It's an opera singer critiquing mostly heavy metal songs! And she's fit. Maybe you could critique famous people during interviews, pointing out where they sound good/bad?
Lots of companies have recorded messages on their phone systems e.g. press 1 for this, press 2 for that. Maybe that's something to get into?
OP you haven't really set out what your level of knowledge is of home recording/your preferences for audio equipment so apologies if you're already familiar with this but I would take a look at the following two youtube channels.
https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianKrause
- this guy is very thorough in his reviews of audio interfaces as well as microphones, even to the point of giving you EQ settings which enable you to make your lower cost/mid range mic sound virtually identical to those costing much more.
https://www.youtube.com/c/Podcastage
This youtuber also does A/B testing of a wide range of mics, usually going through the same single audio interface (also referred to as a soundcard (incorrectly imo) at the same settings through the test.
Basically, if you want to record at home, you want:
a decent mic
a decent interface
a decent quality mic stand (doesn't flop/droop)
a decent quality pop filter (does what it's supposed to do without drooping)
a decent cable (no inherent noise, has a sound deadening outer sheath which isn't hard plasticy rubber)
some acoustic treatment or an SE Reflexion filter - you can make your own treatment with a little bit of DIY and the right sound absorbing materials and a decent size box (the idea is to stop unwanted sound reflections from getting back into the mic after they've bounced around the room
Sound On Sound magazine is a goldmine for technique and reviews with regard to getting the best from your equipment. This article is from 1997 but the fundamentals remain, even if the equipment has been superceded:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/recording-...
From 2021:
https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/choosing...
From 2016, recording an audiobook - has some solid advice about recording the voice in an ad-hoc recording environment:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/session-no...
https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianKrause
- this guy is very thorough in his reviews of audio interfaces as well as microphones, even to the point of giving you EQ settings which enable you to make your lower cost/mid range mic sound virtually identical to those costing much more.
https://www.youtube.com/c/Podcastage
This youtuber also does A/B testing of a wide range of mics, usually going through the same single audio interface (also referred to as a soundcard (incorrectly imo) at the same settings through the test.
Basically, if you want to record at home, you want:
a decent mic
a decent interface
a decent quality mic stand (doesn't flop/droop)
a decent quality pop filter (does what it's supposed to do without drooping)
a decent cable (no inherent noise, has a sound deadening outer sheath which isn't hard plasticy rubber)
some acoustic treatment or an SE Reflexion filter - you can make your own treatment with a little bit of DIY and the right sound absorbing materials and a decent size box (the idea is to stop unwanted sound reflections from getting back into the mic after they've bounced around the room
Sound On Sound magazine is a goldmine for technique and reviews with regard to getting the best from your equipment. This article is from 1997 but the fundamentals remain, even if the equipment has been superceded:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/recording-...
From 2021:
https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/choosing...
From 2016, recording an audiobook - has some solid advice about recording the voice in an ad-hoc recording environment:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/session-no...
Sod off, I had a thread on this a few months ago... You're eating into my business!
Only joking of course.
I have a focksrite Solo Studio, get one for yourself and set up in a wardrobe full of clothes. Get on YouTube and watch tonnes of videos, as odd as it sounds many pros started this way. Bill Dewees is a good one. I might sign up to Gravy for the Brain for their training courses.
Just practice, I'm setting up a YouTube channel voicing children's stories for practice.
Get Audacity too as software to practice editing. The general advice is to get as polished as possible before auditioning as people may remember your name of you're crap. Also get onto Fiverr.
Only joking of course.
I have a focksrite Solo Studio, get one for yourself and set up in a wardrobe full of clothes. Get on YouTube and watch tonnes of videos, as odd as it sounds many pros started this way. Bill Dewees is a good one. I might sign up to Gravy for the Brain for their training courses.
Just practice, I'm setting up a YouTube channel voicing children's stories for practice.
Get Audacity too as software to practice editing. The general advice is to get as polished as possible before auditioning as people may remember your name of you're crap. Also get onto Fiverr.
Thanks guys for all the helpful information shared. I have zero technical recording experience and no equipment at home (yet) so I’m very much starting from scratch.
Every VO I’ve done so far was simply reading/recording a script which was then used for purpose.
I can see I have got vast amounts to learn, and I’ll start researching this soon.
Every VO I’ve done so far was simply reading/recording a script which was then used for purpose.
I can see I have got vast amounts to learn, and I’ll start researching this soon.
twohoursfromlondon said:
I can see I have got vast amounts to learn, and I’ll start researching this soon.
What equipment do you have access to at home?ie, laptop (mac? PC? Linux?), tablet (mac? android?), decent spec phone (mac? android?), spare room? or even as suggested a corner of a room you could screen off?
Do you have some heavy blankets? Have you got a plumbers outfit nearby? - you can make up a simple frame from PVC plumbing tubing + joints, to make a frame over which you can drape the fabric. Try to get your head around 'off axis rejection' - this means sound coming from your mouth into the mic is picked up clearly, and sound coming from the opposite direction is rejected.
But that means any other sound coming from behind you, into the mic can also be picked up - this is why you need some acoustic treatment/screens to absorb unwanted sounds, from your left, right, above if possible and below you, front and rear.
The floor or surface that the mic stand is on will also pick up vibrations, so that needs to be decoupled (a nice thick pad of plastazote foam is lightweight and vibration reducing).
Going back to the laptop/tablet, just install Audacity on it as suggested earlier, and get to grips with making some simple test recordings through the built in mic, how to give them a proper file name, a proper location to keep them in, get used to editing them, deleting them - just some good practices for version control.
Then once you get a proper mic you've got the recording file format to take into account - often .wav if PC, .aiff or .aac if mac, as well as bitrate and sample frequency. I'd suggest 24bit at 48kHz, or 44.1kHz minimum but exact specs will probably be determined by the outfit you supply to.
BigGingerBob said:
Fiverr.
Some 'today' experience that gives you an idea...Had a short 1.30 video that needed VO. 200 words. Was going to be done by one of the actors in the vid but he's off on another shoot and the vid's needed tomorrow.
Hit Fiverr. Found the ideal voice (chap does the current Kia advert). Sent the script, bit of direction and link to rough cut of the vid. That was 8.00am today.
My midday, I get two WAV files, slightly different approach in each.
Sound file drops into video timeline perfectly. No need to cut, tweak or do anything. Sounds great.
All that for the princely sum of £44 which includes all the licenses.
StevieBee said:
Hit Fiverr... All that for the princely sum of £44 which includes all the licenses.
So in short, the world and his brother are doing it, prices have plummeted and it's probably not worth doing it any more.Back in the day you'd hire a studio for £150ph including engineer, hire the VO for £120ph + travel, add on a few hundred for your own time and travel as producer, and consider it a nice day's work
Simpo Two said:
StevieBee said:
Hit Fiverr... All that for the princely sum of £44 which includes all the licenses.
So in short, the world and his brother are doing it, prices have plummeted and it's probably not worth doing it any more.Back in the day you'd hire a studio for £150ph including engineer, hire the VO for £120ph + travel, add on a few hundred for your own time and travel as producer, and consider it a nice day's work
Voice Over is a little different. Whilst it may have been a more fruitful endeavour in the past, demand for it was less but is today applied to a great many more applications. Technology has negated the need for fully equipped studios for most applications and decent sound engineering is within the grasp of more and more people willing learn how to use the software.
Whether it's worth or not is up to the individuals. As I mentioned in my original reply, it's mostly something people do as 'part' of their work but is not their primary source of revenue.
S100HP said:
You'd be better off becoming a Bear Grylls double 
I did once impersonate him, successfully… 
There’s a lady in Cheltenham whose shirt I signed from BG on her hen night…
Re v/o work, I didn’t realise how much was involved with all the equipment etc for what seem fairly low fees in a seemingly crowded space. Appreciate all the input above!
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