29 Jun 2026
4 min read
Why the silences and breaths between words are the real secret of a famous voice-over artist. We debunk the biggest myths.
What is actually true. Even the most experienced speaker needs a director who pays attention to micro-breathing. Without guidance, every sentence sounds equally important, causing the message to become flat and monotonous.
As a director, during the recording with, for example, our Flemish voice Kirsten (known from StuBru) or Laura (the voice of ProximusTV), I pay close attention to physical relaxation. A voice actress whose breathing is too tight loses her natural warmth. By consciously building in pauses, the text gains the necessary breathing space.
What is actually true. Completely erasing breaths makes a voice inhuman and robotic. A natural breath actually gives rhythm, humanity, and credibility to the story.
Compare it to the grout between bathroom tiles. You don't want them to be excessively thick and visible, but if you leave them out entirely, the wall collapses. Breathing is the grout that connects the words and gives the listener time to process the information.
What is actually true. The pricing structure in the industry is logically structured and transparent, making professional quality achievable even for smaller projects. The price depends on the nature of your project:
Commercial work: This consists of a fixed base rate for the studio recording, supplemented by a buy-out fee for usage rights. The amount depends on the medium and the duration of the campaign.
Non-commercial work: For projects such as e-learning or an internal corporate video, fees are usually charged per word or per project, excluding licensing costs for public distribution.
Custom work: For an exact price, it is best to request a custom quote so that you never pay too much for rights you do not use.
What is actually true. A recognizable voice always carries a specific association. If that association clashes with your brand values, you miss the mark completely. It is about the match with the target audience, not the fame of the actor. Our database contains 92 professional voices that are native speakers of various languages:
Each of these voices, such as the Polish Pawel with his deep, convincing tone or the Spanish Marina with her years of experience, excels in its own niche. Selecting the right pitch and tempo is many times more important than merely having a famous name on the cover.
What is actually true. A script without directorial instructions is like a blueprint without dimensions. The voice actor must know where the emphasis lies, which words need extra breathing room, and what the desired subtext is. A short briefing on the intended atmosphere prevents a voice actor from recording the text too formally or, conversely, too enthusiastically.
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For commercial work, in addition to recording costs, you also pay for broadcasting rights (the buy-out). For non-commercial work, such as an internal instructional video, you pay a fixed rate per word or project.
Mainly leave the breathing sounds intact during editing, but lower the volume by a few decibels. This preserves the human element without being distracting for the listener.
Choosing the right voice isn't about the biggest name, but about the smallest details that determine credibility. Do you want to hear how a professional Flemish voiceabout bringing your script to life with the right breathing and timing? Contact us for personal advice and a no-obligation, customized quote.
Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.
Can you help me choose the right medium or a buy-out?
How do quotes work, what is a buyout, and how do I choose the right medium?
What is the difference between a business video and a radio or TV commercial through Voices?
I'm looking for the right voice for my video, explainer, or commercial. Where should I start?
How does online learning work at Voices Academy?
You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings.
Start at /academy/; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact.
Do I receive feedback on my recordings?
Do I need experience for a beginner's workshop?
Can I combine Academy with Studio-workshops?
Yes. Many students initially take online lessons and then attend a live workshop for additional coaching.
Studio: /studio/faq/ · Academy: /academy/.
How much does a professional voice-over cost?
The price depends on three factors: the medium (corporate video, radio advert, telephony), the licence duration (1 year, unlimited) and the script length. With Voices, you see the exact price per voice artist before you order. No surprises later on.
A short corporate video starts from a modest amount. A radio advert with national reach costs more due to the buyout (broadcasting rights). Telephone messages are generally the most affordable.
Tip: enter your script for the voice of your choice and you will instantly see the cost.
What exactly does a buy-out entail in voice-over?
A buy-out is the right to use your recording on a medium (radio, TV, online, telephony) for an agreed period. You'll see it reflected in your price before payment on /tarieven/.
Learn more: buy-out explained · dictionary.
Short definitions that help you decide faster.
Educational audio content: course modules, instructional videos, training. Often long texts. That is why we charge per word or per finished hour of audio instead of a standard BSF.
E-learning usually falls under corporate (non-broadcast). For public learning environments, a buy-out may be required.
A breathing exercise helps you regulate your heart rate and stress levels using a fixed rhythm or counting pattern. Breathing is the quickest way to calm your nervous system without needing any extra equipment.
The step in our checkout where you provide everything the actor needs: the script, the tone of voice (warm/business-like/energetic/...), reference videos or audio, deadline and any NDA requirements.
A Buy-out is the fee you pay for the right to use a voice recording for a specific period and a specific medium (e.g. Radio, TV or Online).
For our telephony messages, we use a unique model:
For commercials (Radio/TV), the buy-out depends on the reach and duration. Our price calculator calculates this for you immediately, so you are never faced with surprises.
Reviews from customers who have worked with us.
“Request submitted and they review the text again, making some adjustments where necessary. If there's any detail the client finds a bit difficult in the produced audio, they resolve it very quickly and create a new audio on the same day. Highly recommended and very professional service now. Top! I was assisted and recorded by Johfrah.”
Kevin De Nil
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“Voices.be is highly recommended for voice-overs in various languages. A professional company with pleasant communication, quick responses, and overall top-notch service. Look no further.”
Anastasia Van der Maas
“If you are looking for a reliable supplier, Voices.Be is definitely a recommendation! Our experience was top-notch - fast delivery, excellent quality, and it gives our company a professional appearance.”
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