Voice Overs: Find the Best Talent and AI Voices for Your Next Project

In this comprehensive blog we talk about the best Voice Over talent, where to find voiceover jobs as talent, and how AI can help you with your next project.

In this comprehensive blog we talk about the best Voice Over talent, where to find voiceover jobs as talent, and how AI can help you with your next project.

What is a Voice Over?

A voice over (often abbreviated as VO) is a production technique where a voice that is not part of the narrative (non-diegetic) is used in radio, television production, filmmaking, theater, or other presentations. The voice over is read from a script and may be spoken by someone who appears elsewhere in the production or by a specialist voice actor.

Voice overs are used for various purposes, including:

1. Narration: In films and television, a voice over is often used to narratively connect scenes or explain a character's thoughts or motivations. A famous example of this is the use of voice overs in the classic film noir genre.
2. Commercial/advertising: In radio and television commercials, voice overs are used to sell products or services by conveying messages persuasively.
3. News Reporting and Documentaries: Voice overs are often used in news reporting and documentaries to provide information or commentary about the visual content being shown.
4. Animation and Video Games: In animated films and video games, voice actors provide the voices for the characters.
5. Audiobooks: In audiobooks, the entire text is read out loud by a voice actor or narrator.
6. Training and Education: In training or educational videos or presentations, voice overs are used to instruct or guide the viewer.

Some of Our Voice Over Talent

Flexible voice over talent with instant delivery!

Davis

Davis is great for narration and has excellent emotion controls.

Jane

Jane is great for engaging announcements.

Guy

Guy is great for casual narration with a laid back feel.

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The quality of the voice over can greatly affect the impact and effectiveness of the content. The voice actor must be able to convey the right emotions and nuances as dictated by the script, and the recording and mixing processes must be done professionally to achieve the best result.

More Voice Over Talent from 100+

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Tony

Tony is sharp, smart, and very clear about the subject.

Aria

Aria is friendly, yet professional. She can speak to the masses.

Jenny

Jenny is neutral and can adapt to almost any situation.

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What to look for in a voice over artist?

When hiring a voice-over artist, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you find the right person for your project:

1. Tone and Style: The tone and style of the artist's voice should match the needs of your project. This can include elements like the artist's natural pitch (high, medium, or low), their speaking style (for example, energetic, soothing, authoritative), and any specific accents or dialects.
2. Versatility: Depending on your project, you might need a voice-over artist who can provide a range of voices or styles. For animated characters or video games, the ability to create unique, engaging voices can be particularly important.
3. Experience: It can be beneficial to hire an artist with experience in your specific type of project. For instance, someone who has done voice-over work for commercials might have a different skill set than someone who has experience in audiobook narration.
4. Professionalism: You want a voice-over artist who delivers high-quality recordings, meets deadlines, communicates effectively, and is easy to work with.
5. Equipment: High-quality recording equipment is crucial for professional voice-over work. The artist should have access to a good microphone and a quiet, soundproof space to record. It is vital to get voice overs free of any inconsistencies and noise.
6. Training: While not always necessary, formal training in voice-over or related fields (such as theater or broadcasting) can be a sign of a committed and skilled professional.
7. Demo Reel: A good voice-over artist should provide a demo reel or sample of their work. This allows you to hear their range of voices and styles, and get a sense of their capabilities.
8. Rates: Make sure the artist's rates are within your project budget. Rates can vary widely based on the artist's experience, the complexity of the project, and the intended usage of the recording (for example, a local radio spot versus a national TV campaign).

Remember, the right voice-over artist can greatly enhance your project, so it's worth investing time in finding the perfect fit.

Who has the better voice over artists: Fiverr or Voices.com?

Both Fiverr and Voices.com are well-known platforms for hiring the best voice-over talent and they both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The "better" platform really depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.

Both are great places to find voice over recording artists for podcasts and some will even do video editing. You can find male and female voice artists.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a marketplace for freelance services, including voice-overs. The platform allows voice-over artists to create profiles and offer services at set prices, which can range from very low (as little as $5) to much higher. Fiverr is typically a cost-effective option and allows for easy browsing of artists. However, the quality of artists can vary significantly, and while there are many talented professionals, there are also less experienced artists. It can take some time to sift through offerings to find the right fit.

Voices.com

Voices.com is a platform specifically designed for voice-over services. The platform hosts a large number of professional voice actors, and it has robust search and filtering options to help you find the right artist. They have a wide range of languages, accents, and unique voices, and they also have a broader range of pricing. The platform is known for its high quality, but it can be more expensive than Fiverr. The process is more streamlined for voice-over work, as the platform handles auditions, messaging, and payments.

In summary, if you are looking for a lower-cost option and are willing to spend some time browsing and vetting potential artists, Fiverr might be the better choice. If you have a higher budget and are looking for a platform specifically designed for professional voice-over work, Voices.com could be a better fit.

As always, when hiring a freelancer, be sure to clearly communicate your project requirements, listen to samples of their work, and read reviews from previous clients.

While sites like Fiverr and Voices are great for “human voice over artists” and can be a bit more expensive and time consuming - given the multiple takes, schedules, and logistics. Sites like Speechify.com have provided better solutions for great voice-over narration with AI.

AI Voice over generation gives you all the control without adding extra work or learning new skills. Everything is done in your browser. Simply upload your script, select a voice from over 100’s of options - even select a language. Each voice can then be fine tuned. That’s it. Hit play, and you have a voice over - within minutes.

Human vs AI Voice Overs

With human voice over artists, it is a pay-for-every-project. With Speechify, you pay one subscription and then create multiple voice overs for no extra cost.

Sounds too good? It gets better. You can try Speechify AI Voice Over for free, today. Right now. See for yourself.

Voice overs have very niche categories such as Spanish voice overs, British voice overs, podcast voice overs, English voice overs, female voice overs, or radio voice overs, and more. You can do them all in Speechify Studio. No matter your use case, you can find the right voice - even free background music. You can use Speechify for personal or commercial purposes.

Getting into Voice Overs

Entering the world of voice over work requires a blend of talent, training, and the right equipment. Your unique voice is your asset, but it's essential to hone your skills through voice acting courses or coaching. Understanding how to manipulate your voice to suit different contexts, like audiobooks, explainer videos, or video games, is fundamental to being successful. Investing in high-quality recording equipment and setting up a quiet recording studio is also crucial. Networking and building a portfolio through small gigs can eventually lead to more substantial, higher-paying voice over jobs.

Potential Earnings in Voice Overs

The amount of money you can make doing voice overs varies significantly based on factors like the type of voice over work, your experience, and the specific job's requirements. Novice voice-over artists might earn small amounts, but professional voice actors can make thousands of dollars for a few hours of work. High-quality voice-over work in areas like TV shows, documentaries, or dubbing often pays higher rates.

Types of Voice Overs

There are many types of voice overs, but two broad categories are narration and character. Narration voice overs are used in documentaries, e-learning materials, and explainer videos, where the voice provides information or tells a story. Character voice overs, on the other hand, involve the actor embodying a character, often used in animated TV shows, video games, and audiobooks.

Cost of Voice Over Work

The cost of voice over work varies greatly depending on several factors, such as the length of the recording, the experience of the voice-over actor, and the recording's purpose. A local promo might cost significantly less than a national ad campaign, for example. On average, professional voice-over services can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Voice-Over Artist vs. Voice Actor

A voice-over artist and a voice actor both work in the field of voice over, but their roles can differ. A voice-over artist provides their voice for various projects, including IVR, e-learning, explainer videos, and more. In contrast, a voice actor specifically embodies characters, providing the voice and personality for animated characters or video game roles.

Benefits of Voice Overs

Working in voice overs offers several benefits. It provides a creative outlet and the opportunity to work on diverse projects, from e-learning courses to animated movies. High-quality voice-over work can also be lucrative, and many voice-over artists appreciate the flexibility to work from anywhere and set their own schedules.

Announcer vs. Voice-Over Artist

An announcer and a voice-over artist both use their voices professionally, but in slightly different ways. An announcer typically presents information in real-time, such as during a live event or radio show. In contrast, a voice-over artist usually records their voice as part of a production technique, often in post-production, for use in various media like commercials, documentaries, and video games.

Being successful in the voice-over industry requires more than just a good voice. It demands continuous learning, the right voice for the right project, and understanding the algorithms of how it works in terms of production, post-production, transcription, and even subtitles. Whether you're based in New York or anywhere else in the world, the perfect voice-over role awaits you!

What are some of the best voice overs?

The "best" voice overs can often be subjective and dependent on the type of media and the specific context. However, there are a number of voice-over performances that are widely recognized for their excellence across various media platforms. Here are three of what are widely considered to be some of the be:

1. Morgan Freeman in "The Shawshank Redemption": The smooth, rich narration provided by Freeman throughout this film is considered one of the best voice-over performances in cinematic history.
2. Don LaFontaine in Movie Trailers: Known as "the voice of trailers", Don LaFontaine's distinctive and powerful voice set the tone for countless films.
3. James Earl Jones as Mufasa in "The Lion King": Jones' deep and resonant voice perfectly captured the character of Mufasa, making it one of the most memorable voice-over performances in animated films.

Is there a career in voice overs

Yes, there is definitely a career in voice overs! Voice-over artists are in high demand across various industries, including advertising, film, television, radio, video games, and e-learning. With the rise of digital content and technology, opportunities for voice-over work have significantly increased.

In a voice-over career, you might find yourself:

1. Dubbing: Providing the voice for characters in films or TV shows that have been translated from another language.
2. Narrating: Working on documentaries, audiobooks, educational videos, or explainer videos.
3. Doing commercial work: Voicing ads for TV, radio, or online platforms.
4. In animation or video games: Bringing characters to life with your voice.
5. Recording for IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems: These are the voices you hear on phone systems, GPS, and some automated devices.
6. Podcasting: While not strictly voice-over, podcasting involves a lot of the same skills, and many voice-over artists host or co-host podcasts.