3. Recording time-sync, lip-sync or wild?
How the script is read also influences the recording time. There are three recording types:
Wild
Reading a script aloud at a voice actor's natural pace.
Time-Sync
Reading a script in time to visuals or matching a prescribed duration.
Lip-Sync
Reading a script exactly to match the lip movements.
Wild
Most professional voice actors can record about 15-20 minutes (1,875 – 3,000 words) of standard narration wild in one hour. This
includes time for listening back to the audio and re-recording any mistakes. However, the time varies depending on the type of project.
For example, a professional narrator can frequently record 30-40 mins for an Audiobook in one hour. This is because they may be well
prepared and/or are able to sight read making very few errors. The same narrator
reading a technical eLearning programme may only record 10 mins of audio in the same hour.
Time-Sync
If the voice over must be time-synced to a video or recorded within a specific duration this will take about twice as long as a wild
recording. This is because the actor will have to repeat the sentences many times to get the pacing right. It’s even more difficult if
they must match an on-screen speaker or actor phrase by phrase, particularly if the speech is fast. Most voice actors can record around
10 minutes time-sync in one hour, but it can be less for foreign voice over, technical subjects or where timing is more complex.
Lip-Sync
Lip-sync voice over is extremely time consuming, it will take 4-6 times longer than a wild recording. The voice actor will have to
repeat their lines dozens of times to get the timing right. And if they are performing a character role it can take even longer trying
to get the timing and the emotion right. There are also pre-production costs associated with foreign dubbing projects because the script
will need to be adapted (condensed) to match the lip movements. For this reason, lip-sync recordings are un-common and predominantly used
only in feature films, animations or video games with higher budgets. Most corporate videos are dubbed time-sync instead or in a UN-style
like a news interview where the voice over acts as an interpreter.
How it works - 6 reasons why voice actors and creatives love our service
Metrics used to calculate voice over costs
Now you understand how long your script may take to record it should be easy to calculate the total cost right? Not so fast! Not
all voice actors will charge on an hourly basis. Professional voice over rates are commonly charged using other metrics, for example:
# words
Audiobooks or eLearning are commonly charged per word.
# minutes
Explainers and corporate videos are often charged per minute.
# messages
Telephone messages or IVR prompts may be charged per message.
Eek! It’s confusing but it's because the voice over actor is charging for more than their time.
If their voice over is helping to service thousands of customers on a telephone IVR; to sell more Audiobooks; or promote products via a
commercial - the voice is adding intrinsic value to what you offer.
They are playing a key role in helping you to achieve success.
This is why it's best to know the usage of the audio before contacting us for a quote.