Very often people ask me for information and how they can be part of making voice overs for media, like documentaries, videos, radio ads, games and more. Being a voice over talent, voice artist, voice actor. (It’s all really the same… you’re making voices!)
Voice Over Malaysia
A lot of VO people I know learnt the hard way. (Be prepared for rejections, and re-recordings even if you have a great voice). Practice, practice & read out loud! Sometimes it works trying to mimic radio announcers and TV spots. You’ll learn the various styles of reading you’ll encounter in this career, and make better demos! (“Demos? Why would we need demos? You asked.” Onwards to the next paragraph please)
The voice demos are the first impressions whether clients are going to choose you or not. It’s best to use your natural voice when you’re new, but you can learn to use it as an actor, trying different speeds, intonation and learning how to breathe. In audio production we record part by part, so don’t assume you have to read the whole spot without breathing! Below are some voice demos posted up by various voice talents who are working with us. Remember, the first impression is often the best impression and why you are picked!
The beauty of being a voice talent?
• Let’s be honest. Everybody deserves some good honest pocket money. Here’s a secret… Being a voice talent pays well!
• Work from your comforts of home
• The world is your market. Basically you showcase your demos to the world.
• You do not need a studio to do voice overs. (This turns the many studios around and myself down, but it’s just the truth!)
You probably accessed this article using your computer. That means you already have enough equipment to get started recording your voice. However using a condenser microphone would be essential for serious voice projects. Look on buying an affordable USB condenser microphone to get started. A good budget condenser that would work well for this could be the M-Audio Vocal Studio or the Samson CO3U . Music Shop sells the most affordable equipments with great customer service in the nation so rest assured you’re getting only the best value!
And who said you need a studio to do this? In fact many big commercial studios have closed their doors down because of this growing music technology. You just need to get your voice recorded clear & dry using a free simple audio software for the PC & Mac like Audacity.
Click here to see a crash course on : Recording & editing in Audacity
Something crucial here. Not many people like the sound of their own voice playback at first, though it may be in proper fidelity. This is because you hear your voice differently than others do because of how your voice sound travels through the body to your ears. You’re accustomed to usually only hearing your voice this way since birth. It may take sometime to get used to your voice recorded. Don’t fret, concentrate on how you read and interpret more!
Getting into voice overs is not expensive. If you have talent and have practiced you shouldn’t be wasting too much time and very well shouldn’t have to spend much over MYR600. It’s attitude and the will to do that counts really.The key is of course how much time it will take to make you and your voice overs sound good. Expect to spend more if it’s going to take more time and work to get you to sound like a professional Voice Over Talent.
Once you have your demo ready and your home studio ready to record anytime you want it deliver your demo in CD formats or mp3 format online to companies seeking voice over talents, such as cable companies, recording studios, video producers and smaller advertising companies as a start. When you get called, do ask for a copy of the finished production with your voice. Then save them for your next demo and for portfolio. Doesn’t hurt to ask the producer to hand you a copy.
Those are basic ideas to get you going. It’s a tough business so good luck!
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Reuben Chng
Reuben is a producer who writes music and produces music at The Cat Studio
2 Responses to “Getting into the Voice Over Business”
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Hi.. I already joined with thecatstudio.com but then it replied me and ask for my voice samples..
what should i do then? singing, simply talk, or what else ??
Please just simply answer me and send it to my email,, ricky_remind@yahoo.com Thanks..
HI Ricky,
Thanks for writing to us. Yes, what kind of voicings can you do?
A better voicing that sells gives you a better chance of being a great voice talent.