FAQ
Questions about voice talents and casting?
Here you’ll find answers about voices, languages, recordings, fees and more.


What kind of voices do you represent?

We represent a wide range of voices, from well known dubbing voices and international native voice talents to natural voices, distinctive character voices, dialects and new talent. Whether authentic, approachable, energetic or distinctive, we represent voices for advertising, film, games, podcasts, documentaries, e-learning, audio branding and digital content, nationally and internationally.

Do you also cast internationally?

Yes. We regularly cast voice talent around the world, in almost any language, including dialects and language varieties. Whether it’s an international campaign, a multilingual corporate film or a localized language version, we find the right voices for your project, including regional accents and specific language requirements.

What languages and accents can you offer?

It really depends on what languages and accents you’re looking for. We’ll make it happen. We produce voice recordings in almost any language, from widely spoken languages to less commonly spoken ones, including dialects. And if the right voice isn’t already in our roster, we’ll cast specifically for your project. Our passion for finding the right voice takes us to even the most remote corners of the world to find exactly the voice your project needs.

Do you also source well known dubbing voices?

Yes. We also source well known dubbing voices and actors for advertising, corporate films, games, documentaries and brand communications. Availability, budget and usage rights all play a role.

How does a voice casting work at rekorder studios?

You send us information about the project and your brief, including your requirements for the voice. If you already have a storyboard or script, that’s helpful.

We then select suitable voices from our roster or cast specifically for your project.We clarify the fee and availability of the selected voice talents.

We then put together a tailored casting with suitable demos from our archive.

You receive a link to the online casting and can make your selection.

If you wish, we can also arrange custom castings, where voice talents record individual casting texts. Depending on the scope, this may involve additional costs.

What do you need to find the right voice for our project?

The key information to start with is the language, gender and age range of the voice. The more context we have about your project, the more precisely we can cast. Helpful information includes your brief, script and storyboard, as well as details about the target audience, intended use and desired tone.

Should the voice feel natural, emotional, modern, convincing or energetic? References or example voices can also be helpful, but they’re not essential. Often, a few good keywords are enough for us to suggest voices that fit your project.

Do you also offer custom castings?

We usually put together an individual online casting with carefully selected demos from our archive. You receive a link to listen to the voices.

If you wish, we can also arrange custom castings, where voice talents record individual casting texts. These usually require a little more time and coordination.

There are two options for custom castings:

1. With live direction
You have already shortlisted your preferred voices and would like to hear how they sound with your specific text before making the final decision. We can arrange the recording sessions with the voice talents at our studio or remotely. You can join the session either in person or remotely and direct the recording yourself. This gives you a solid basis for making your selection.

This type of custom casting is subject to a fee. Studio costs and a layout fee for each voice talent apply.

If one of the voices is subsequently booked and the same layout is used for the production, the layout fee already paid is credited against the voice talent’s fee.

2. Without live direction
You send us the text to be recorded along with your direction notes and leave the interpretation and recording to the voice talents.

The brief may be interpreted differently, and recording quality can also vary, as not all voice talents have access to professional recording equipment.

Many voice talents are happy to record custom castings free of charge, although this is not possible for everyone.

How quickly can you put together a voice casting?

It depends on how quickly you need the casting. Depending on the project and requirements, we can sometimes do it on the same day, but usually within one to two days at most. Custom castings, where voice talents record individual casting texts, usually require a little more time.If it’s urgent, give us a call.

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Do you also work with voice talent who have already been booked?

Already booked a voice talent? Of course. We’re happy to handle the recording, either at our studio in Berlin or remotely.
We regularly work with voice talents, actors, influencers, testimonials and brand voices who have already been selected for a project. If you’re still looking for the right voice, we’re also happy to support you with the casting.

What does a voice recording process look like at rekorder studios?

How would you like to do it? We can take care of everything from finding the right voice through to final delivery, or just handle individual steps. Here’s one possible workflow:

1. Finding the right voice
You send us your script and brief. We find the right voice and put together a tailored casting selection for you. Already have someone in mind? Just let us know.

2. Scheduling & preparation
We coordinate a suitable recording date with you and the voice talents.
Then we prepare everything for the session: importing the footage, adding music, setting up the DAW session, preparing the microphone, setting levels …

3. Recording
You can direct the session live, either at our studio or remotely. We take care of clear sound, a relaxed atmosphere and a smooth production process.

4. Selecting & editing
Together, we select the best takes. We lay them directly to picture or, for audio spots, edit them to the desired length, so you get a good sense of what the final result will sound like.
5. Mixing

If you’d like, we can also mix the production ready for delivery, including music, sound design or mastering. Always tailored to the medium it’s intended for.
6. Export & delivery

You’ll receive the final files in whatever format you need, WAV, MP3, AAF, Dolby Atmos … ready for whatever comes next, and delivered on time.

Can you also record remotely?

Absolutely. Remote recording is part of our everyday workflow. With tools like SessionLink PRO you can join the session live from wherever you are in the world. All you need is a stable internet connection and a good pair of headphones. You can direct the session, give feedback and be involved in real time, just as if you were in the studio.



What does passive and active use mean?

So, you want to know what passive and active use mean? Well then, pay attention. You might want to grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea before diving into this topic:

The type of use plays an important role in voice talent fees. In principle, there are two types of use or publication:

Passive use means that the recording is published without any additional payment for the publication.
For example:
  • an image film on the company website
  • an explainer film on YouTube
  • a recruitment film on the company’s careers page
  • a corporate film on the company’s own social media account

Active use means that the film or audio spot is specifically used as advertising, and payment is made to reach an audience.
For example:
  • a YouTube or Instagram spot as a paid ad
  • a radio spot on terrestrial radio or online platforms
  • a TV, streaming or cinema spot
  • a paid social media campaign

The simple distinction is:
Passive: The recording is published without any additional payment.
Active: Payment is made for the publication, meaning the recording is specifically distributed as advertising.

Why distinguish between the two? Because active use increases the advertising reach and therefore the value of the voice use. For example, an image film published only on a company website will generally reach fewer people than the same film used in a nationwide advertising campaign.

Another distinction concerns period of use and territory: 
With passive use, the period of use and territory are generally not limited. 
With active use, the period of use is generally limited to up to one year. An additional year is charged separately. The territory is also generally limited; extending the use to additional territories is charged separately.

Certain forms of use are considered active use regardless of a traditional paid advertising campaign, such as advertising in retail environments.

What determines a voice talent’s fee?

The fee cannot be determined as a standard rate. In addition to the type of use (active or passive), various other factors play a role.
For example:
  • the type and scope of the project
  • the territory / reach: regional, national, across Europe, worldwide
  • the language: English voice talents are generally more expensive due to their greater international reach
  • the media and channels where the recording will be published
  • the period of use
  • the company or brand the recording is produced for
  • the length of the script
  • whether the voice talent is a prominent voice, actor or a well-known dubbing voice associated with a Hollywood actor


We take the individual circumstances into account and calculate the fee based on the specific use.

What do terms like layout, buyout, session fee and usage rights mean?

Layout
The actual voice recording of a text.

Buyout
The fee for using a layout for a defined period of time and across the agreed media. A buyout can cover multiple media, such as online, TV and streaming.

Session Fee
A session fee is mainly used for advertising productions when several different layouts are recorded for a spot, giving the client options to choose from. The fee is based on the recording time, usually in half hour increments after the first hour.

If one of the layouts is later used in the final production, the layout fee is credited against the voice talent’s fee, regardless of how many spots are ultimately released from it.

Usage Rights
They define the territory, period of use and media in which the voice recording may be used, and, most importantly, how it may be used: with or without paid advertising, or for internal use only.

I’d like to join your voicetalents.berlin roster. How can I apply?

We’re always happy to hear from distinctive voices and new talent. Send us demos that showcase your range and repertoire to  ››voices@voicetalents.berlin.

We prefer individual recordings from productions you’ve already worked on. For a first impression, you’re also welcome to send reels or professionally produced demos. If we decide to add you to our roster, we’ll need individual demos that showcase your range.

We’d also like to know a few basics about you as a voice talent, including your experience, how we can record with you and, of course, your contact details