How long does it take to record a whole book?

Recording a book takes quite some time. On average, you can expect one hour of finished audio to take around two to three hours of studio time. This is due to the necessary breaks to rest the voice, correcting any slips of the tongue and the meticulous editing afterwards.

Can a single voice actor portray different characters convincingly?

Yes, experienced voice actors are specially trained to do this. By introducing subtle nuances in pitch, speaking rate or intonation, they can bring different characters to life without them becoming caricatures. This keeps the story lively and easy to follow for the listener. [FAQ_BLOCK]

How do I order a phone message?

Pick a voice you like for your phone system. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. Add hold music if you want. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files.

How does ordering work?

Here is how it works: 1. Listen to the demos and pick a voice for your phone system. 2. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. 3. Add hold music if you want. 4. Pay securely with Bancontact, iDEAL or credit card. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files by email.

What does a professional phone message cost?

The price depends on how long your text is and which message you need (welcome, menu or hold). As soon as you pick a voice, you see what it costs. Hold music is optional.

What does a professional telephone message cost?

A welcome message or phone menu from a professional voice is surprisingly affordable. The price depends on the length of your text and the type of message (welcome message, phone menu, on-hold message). At Voices, you can see the price instantly for your chosen voice. On-hold music from our library can be added separately. Most clients receive their audio within 1 to 2 working days.

Can I provide my own music?

Yes, you can! You can add your own audio file using the upload button. Please ensure you have the correct broadcasting rights for any music you provide.

How much does it cost to add music on hold?

Adding a track from our library costs a one-off fee of €59. This gives you unlimited usage rights for your project.

Are the tracks optimised for telephony?

Absolutely. All our on-hold music is specially mixed and optimised for the frequency range of telephone systems (300Hz - 3400Hz), so it always sounds clear.

Do you also record voice prompts for IVR and phone systems?

Yes, we can record complete phone menus (IVR) for your telephone system. You provide the options you need, and we will ensure that everything is recorded clearly and professionally. This is ideal for businesses with multiple departments.

Recording audiobooks: what should you look for when choosing a voice?

Recording audiobooks: what should you look for when choosing a voice? | Voices

The atmosphere and genre of the book

Every book has its own character and a specific target audience. A gripping thriller requires a completely different approach to a romantic novel, a children’s book or an educational non-fiction book. The voice actor must be able to perfectly capture the atmosphere of your text and convey it to the listener.

You should therefore choose a voice that suits the genre of your work:

Fiction: Here, it’s important that the voice actor can switch smoothly between different emotions and characters, without it sounding forced or exaggerated.
Non-fiction and business books: For these, it’s best to look for a voice that exudes calm, authority and reliability. The listener must be able to take in the information easily.
Children’s books: This genre calls for a dynamic, warm and evocative voice that sparks the imagination of young listeners.

Stamina and consistent quality

Recording audiobooks is a marathon, not a sprint. Whereas a short radio advert is over after thirty seconds, a voice actor narrates a book for hours on end. It is a physical feat in which the voice must sound just as fresh, energetic and pleasant on page two hundred as it did on the very first page.

When listening to voice actors’ demos, pay particular attention to consistency. Does the pace remain steady throughout the entire recording? Is the articulation still just as clear as time goes on? Does the voice sound tired or hoarse after a long passage? Professional voice actors have the right breathing and speaking techniques to guarantee this consistent quality.

Pronunciation and a natural accent

In Flanders, we like to hear a voice that feels familiar to us. An accent that is too Dutch can sometimes come across as distant to a Flemish audience, whilst a dialect that is too local can hinder intelligibility. The ideal voice speaks in a refined and natural Belgian Dutch. This creates an immediate connection with the listener.

Furthermore, flawless pronunciation of foreign words, place names or specific technical terms is essential. Thorough preparation by the voice actor, involving a clear run-through of difficult words beforehand, prevents the listener from being repeatedly pulled out of the flow of the story by a stumble or incorrect stress.

The technical recording quality

As well as the voice itself, the technology behind the scenes is just as important. Nothing is as distracting as soft background noise, audible breathing or the crackling of a microphone during a listening session lasting several hours. A professional recording is an absolute must to ensure a comfortable listening experience.

Experienced narrators therefore work from a professional recording studio with high-quality equipment. This ensures a clear, warm and balanced sound that is pleasant to the ears, even when the listener is wearing headphones. So, when selecting a narrator, always ask about the technical quality of the recording studio.

Frequently asked questions

Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.

How do I order a phone message?: Pick a voice you like for your phone system. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. Add hold music if you want. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files.
How does ordering work?: Here is how it works: 1. Listen to the demos and pick a voice for your phone system. 2. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. 3. Add hold music if you want. 4. Pay securely with Bancontact, iDEAL or credit card. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files by email.
What does a professional phone message cost?: The price depends on how long your text is and which message you need (welcome, menu or hold). As soon as you pick a voice, you see what it costs. Hold music is optional.
What does a professional telephone message cost?: A welcome message or phone menu from a professional voice is surprisingly affordable. The price depends on the length of your text and the type of message (welcome message, phone menu, on-hold message).
At Voices, you can see the price instantly for your chosen voice. On-hold music from our library can be added separately. Most clients receive their audio within 1 to 2 working days.
Can I provide my own music?: Yes, you can! You can add your own audio file using the upload button. Please ensure you have the correct broadcasting rights for any music you provide.
How much does it cost to add music on hold?: Adding a track from our library costs a one-off fee of €59. This gives you unlimited usage rights for your project.
Are the tracks optimised for telephony?: Absolutely. All our on-hold music is specially mixed and optimised for the frequency range of telephone systems (300Hz - 3400Hz), so it always sounds clear.
Do you also record voice prompts for IVR and phone systems?: Yes, we can record complete phone menus (IVR) for your telephone system. You provide the options you need, and we will ensure that everything is recorded clearly and professionally. This is ideal for businesses with multiple departments.
How long should my telephone message be?: Keep it short and concise. A welcome message is ideally between 10 and 15 seconds. A phone menu should guide the caller to the correct department within 30 seconds. Think from the caller's perspective: they want to be helped as quickly as possible.