What Are The Most Common Mistakes Voice Over Dubbing Companies Make?

Voice-over or Voice-Over Dubbing services are an essential part of localization. Brands looking to expand their business in the global market need these services. Professional voice actors in companies know how to give life to content. They maintain an optimum voice style and pattern. That helps them ensure that your brand’s audio-visual content gets proper reach in the global market. 

But it is challenging for brands to find a professional service provider. It is because without the right voice, creating an impact on the listeners is hard. Voice-over artists should know what role they are playing because without that, they won’t be able to portray their characters perfectly. 

The dubbing has to be emotion-rich. Whether the audio-visual content is about a product promotion or an entertainment video, the voice-over should be on-point. 

Besides, voice-over artists should also adhere to the guidelines and requirements of the client. Dubbing is a crucial communication tool, so it is not only about establishing an understanding. The target audience should be able to grab the message conveyed by the brand.

All these are significant solutions that voice-over companies deliver. However, we have also observed voice-over companies make some common mistakes. These mistakes often prove to be expensive for their clients.

In this blog, we will discuss the top five mistakes that they make.

Relying on Editing for Fixing Voice Issues

The professional voice-over services should never be over-dependent on editing. Yes, we are talking about using edits to fix recorded voice issues. Sometimes, voice artists leave a lot of echoes and reverberations in the recorded voice. They try to skip re-recording and leave that for the editors.

When it comes to editing of audio files, less is more. Companies that use too many noise reduction effects ultimately ruin the clarity of the voice-over. Also, using extreme amounts of noise reduction can pave the way for creating unnecessary echoes. This is one of the trademark mistakes that service-providing companies make.

How to Deal with It?

• Fixing unwanted reverberations or noises is easier when voice artists find the source. 

• They can avoid further issues by choosing an isolated place to record audio.

• While recording audio, the recording studio or room should be somewhere silent.

• Doing the famous “clap test” can help artists determine whether it is echoing or not.

Following the above steps before recording can escape the chances of a bad recording. Also, re-recording should be the first choice instead of heavy editing. 

Making Distracting Mouth Noises While Recording

Most of the bad recordings are a result of distracting noises coming from the mouth. Voice artists sometimes make pesky pops, clicking, or smacking sounds while recording. Even though they are unintentional, they distract the audience badly. 

Noises coming from a voice artist’s mouth are because of the sticky sounds inside the mouth. Although these sounds do not come while we talk, they are audible in recordings. 

Voice-over dubbing artists should ensure that their recording does not have such sounds.

How to Deal with It?

• Prevention is the primary key to avoid all these mouth noises from recorded voiceovers.

• Dehydration is by far the main reason why the mouth creates such sounds. 

• However, dubbing artists should never gulp a bottle of water before recording. Because doing so will only increase the issue.

Following these can reduce the chances of making weird noises from the mouth. However, in the case of existing ones, the best thing to do is to re-record the clip.

Using Outdated Recording Equipment and Editing Software

If your brand does not choose an experienced and reputed voice-over services company, the result can be unsatisfying. It is because many start-up localization companies use the lowest-price recording equipment. These companies use free online editing tools to edit the recordings.

Well, both of these can create bad-quality recordings. Using outdated or low-quality equipment will mostly pave the way for disappointments. That is why some companies never match the expectations of their clients.

How to Deal with It?

• Professional Voice-over services should always check whether their voice artists have the right gear or not.

• Such companies should never compromise with buying a good microphone. Undoubtedly, it is the most important equipment when it comes to voiceover.

• Therefore, it is not a good decision to buy the cheap microphone in the market. 

• Nevertheless, that does not mean that artists should buy the costliest ones. 

• The best option is to do a fair bit of research before buying a bad-quality product.

Artists must list their needs, their desired features, and their budget. In this way, it becomes easier for them to invest in the right product wisely. As a result, they will not end up buying the costliest microphone and the cheapest software.

Talking about the software, it is equally important to invest in professional editing software. There are different softwares out there in the market. Each software has various features and options.

They can have a look at the recommendations or the ones used by their competitors.

Not Working on the Reading Skills

Voice-over services require natural talent more than anything else. Even if a voice artist has an alluring voice, he can still fail if his delivery isn’t accurate. Also, having natural talent does not mean the voice artist requires no practice or further grinding.

Often, voice-over companies hire incompetent voice actors. When working on a particular project, these actors often fail to deliver the expected results. The blame should go to their lack of practice and awkward reading habits.

Most brands want a “‘conversational’” voice-over from voice-over companies. However, it is also the toughest one to get comfortable with. Therefore, if the voice artists do not practice enough, they will never produce such a voice pattern.

How to Deal with It?

• Exercising the voice and enhancing reading and articulation skills is the primary solution. 

• Voice artists should focus on delivering a natural rhythm while recording voice.

• Voice artists should always try new ways to improvise and implement different vocal techniques. 

• They should keep mastering different styles through exposure and repetition. 

• These artists should bring their creativity into their recordings to keep the originality intact.

• Even while gaining new skills, they should keep producing demos to test their skills. 

Impersonations are necessary for voice-over dubbing artists to give their best for auditions. The one thing they should never forget is to maintain authenticity in their voice.

Signing Projects Without Testing Voice Compatibility 

It should be the first and foremost consideration when selecting a new client’s project. Even the most professional artists will fail to deliver without the right and compatible voice.

Different factors come in between, like gender, age, voice tone, etc. It is true that voice-over dubbing artists need to be versatile. However, it is also equally important to check for voice requirements and compatibility. 

The requirements of the client should come as the top priority. If a voice artist has a high-pitch or a shallow pitch, she can never fit into a voice role that requires the opposite. Besides that, it is also essential to check for the required accent. 

To elaborate, a European voice artist won’t be a good fit if a video is for the American public. 

How to Deal with It?

• Checking out the client’s requirements in detail is the first thing voice-over companies should do. 

• They should send voice samples and demos to the client to get approval. 

• Sending demos will ensure that the client hears the voice artist before signing the deal.

• The voice-over company should ensure that the demo is properly recorded before sending it.

The right voice can create a significant impact on the audience in a positive way. However, the reverse can make a bad impression on the audience. 

The Conclusion: Professional Voice-Over Services and Localization Company Is the Right Way to go

So, these were the top five mistakes that most voice-over companies make. Although the list does not end here, the ones mentioned earlier are the most common.

Brands can avoid these mistakes by hiring the right companies for their requirements. Hiring voice-over dubbing from reputed localization companies will be the best option. But why choose a localization company?

Post-production as a whole is a vast segment having a variety of stages. From translation, transcription, and interpretation to subtitling, captioning, and editing, the list is long.

Thus, it is always a better idea to choose a localization company like Acadestudio. Especially if your brand is in the United States, then choosing Acadestudio’s highly qualified team is the best option. They have fast project deadlines, work 24×7, and provide affordable voice-over solutions. 

Moreover, their fleet of voice-over dubbing experts offers a great portfolio. So, if your brand is looking for a professional and reliable organization, they are the ones.