How to dub videos from YouTube: Complete guide

Do you want to reach a broader target audience with your YouTube content? Here's how to dub videos from YouTube.

In our digital era, the boom of video content, particularly on social media platforms like YouTube, has made information and entertainment accessible to global audiences. As creators seek to expand their influence beyond their native language and reach new audiences, the need for localized content, specifically dubbed videos, has surged. This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to dub YouTube videos using both traditional dubbing and AI dubbing.

What is dubbing?

Dubbing is a post-production process used in film making and video production in which the original voice in the video is replaced by another voice in a different language. It involves translating the original video's dialogues, writing them down as subtitles, and recording a new voice over in the target language. The new dubbed audio then replaces the original audio in the video, allowing viewers to understand the content in their local language. This process has been a cornerstone in the localization of foreign language films, popular Netflix series, and anime, making them accessible to global audiences.

Traditional dubbing compared to AI dubbing

Traditional dubbing involves human intervention in all stages of the process, including translation, writing subtitles, voice acting, and audio syncing. For instance, when dubbing a popular English YouTube video into Spanish, Hindi, or Portuguese, a team of voice actors would have to record voice overs, capturing the essence of the original voice in the foreign language. It's a time-consuming process, which often requires in-house or outsourced localization teams. However, the result is an authentic, nuanced dubbed audio that respects the cultural and linguistic traits of the target language.

In contrast, AI dubbing leverages advances in technology, like text to speech and AI voices, to automate the process. Video editing software programs, such as Adobe Premiere or iOS-specific applications, can translate the original video, generate subtitles in different languages, and even produce a voice over in a variety of languages and formats. Although AI may not perfectly mimic the emotive qualities of a human voice actor depending on the quality of the software, it can drastically reduce the time and resources necessary for dubbing. Services like Netflix and streaming platforms have begun using AI dubbing to localize their vast libraries of content.

Why would you dub YouTube videos?

Dubbing YouTube videos offers an array of benefits, both to content creators and to their increasingly global audiences. Let's delve into these advantages with a comprehensive list:

1. Expanding audience reach: By dubbing their videos into various languages, YouTube channel owners can reach audiences in foreign markets. It's a strategic move to internationalize the content and attract non-English speakers, potentially bringing millions of additional viewers. For instance, popular YouTubers like MrBeast could increase their global reach significantly through multilingual video content.
2. Increasing content accessibility: Dubbing videos into different languages makes the content more accessible to a global audience. Not everyone is comfortable with English or the original language of the video, and dubbed content can help bridge this language barrier, ensuring a wider range of viewers can enjoy and benefit from the content.
3. Boosting visibility: YouTube's algorithm is designed to promote content that appeals to a broader audience. Therefore, multi-language audio content is likely to get boosted, thereby increasing the visibility of the dubbed videos.
4. Aiding content comprehension: Dubbing is particularly helpful for content that requires a thorough understanding, such as educational videos or tutorials. While subtitles can help, they often split the viewer's attention between reading and watching the video content. Dubbing allows viewers to focus on the video while understanding the content in their native language.
5. Localization and cultural sensitivity: Dubbing not only translates the language but also offers an opportunity for localization, taking into account cultural nuances and sensitivities. This makes the content more relatable and engaging for the local audience, thereby increasing viewer retention and interaction.
6. User convenience: With dubbed content, users have the convenience of consuming content in their preferred language. They can watch videos without the need for reading subtitles, making it more user-friendly, especially on smaller screens.
7. Potential for going viral: As the content becomes more accessible and engaging, the potential for the video to go viral increases. If a dubbed video resonates with a particular language group, it may be shared widely within that community, thereby reaching new audiences that the original video might not have tapped into.
8. Competitive edge: Given the crowded nature of YouTube, offering content in multiple languages can provide a competitive edge. It can differentiate a channel from others and provide a unique selling point that attracts viewers and sponsors.
9. Increasing engagement: By offering content in a viewer's native language, creators are likely to see an increase in engagement rates. Users are more likely to comment, share, and like videos that they fully understand and relate to.

In summary, dubbing YouTube videos into different languages offers an effective strategy for content creators to maximize their reach, engagement, and the overall impact of their content on the platform.

How to dub YouTube videos: Traditional dubbing and AI dubbing

Both traditional and AI dubbing have their own merits. Traditional dubbing shines when nuance and emotive performance matter, while AI dubbing is ideal for large-scale, rapid localization. With platforms like TikTok and Netflix already integrating AI dubbing as a new feature, the future of language dubbing seems poised to blend the best of both approaches. This union promises to make YouTube videos and content on other platforms accessible in every local language, fostering a truly global community of digital content consumers.

Traditional dubbing

For traditional dubbing, you'll need a script in the target language, a quiet space to record, voice actors, and a video editor software like Adobe Premiere.

1. Transcribe and translate: Start by transcribing the video content into text. Then translate this into your desired language. It's crucial to ensure the translation accurately conveys the original intent and context.
2. Find voice actors: Locate native language speakers who can perform the voice over. Platforms such as Upwork can be a good starting point.
3. Record the voice over: The voice actors record their voice, matching the speech's rhythm and timing to the original video.
4. Edit the video: Finally, replace the original audio with the dubbed audio using a video editor software. Sync the audio with the video for a seamless viewer experience.

AI dubbing

AI dubbing simplifies the process considerably. Companies such as OpenAI have developed language models like ChatGPT, which, coupled with text-to-speech technology, can dub videos in various languages.

1. Choose an AI dubbing software: There are numerous software options available. Ensure the one you choose supports your target language and has good reviews regarding the quality of the AI voice.
2. Upload the video: After choosing your software, upload the original video file.
3. Select language and dub: Choose your desired language, and allow the software to automatically generate the translated audio.
4. Review and edit: Review the dubbed video. AI is not foolproof, so there may be some inaccuracies in translation or pronunciation. Most platforms allow for edits in the text and audio file to correct these issues.

Dub YouTube videos with Speechify Voiceover Studio

If you want to dub your YouTube videos and make them accessible to a wider audience, Speechify Voiceover Studio can help. This advanced AI voiceover generator offers over 120 natural-sounding voices in more then 20 different languages and accents. What’s more, you can customize your voiceovers for pronunciation, pitch, pauses, and other voice qualities. Users also get access to 100 hours of voice generation per year, thousands of licensed soundtracks, unlimited uploads and downloads, fast audio processing and editing, and 24/7 customer support.

Take your YouTube content further by dubbing with Speechify Voiceover Studio.