Blue Box Tonstudios specializes in professional voice recordings (off-voice, voice-over), sound design, and mastering.
We are particularly often booked for recordings with experienced speakers in Swiss dialects and in standard German with a touch of Swissness. We also provide language adaptations into the Swiss national languages. We provide audio tracks for film and video projects, online formats, TV and radio commercials, audio guides, and event or telephone announcements.

Yes, we have a huge network of professional voice actors in 55 languages. At www.sprechersuche.ch, you can preview our most popular voices, create a watch list, set up a casting, and send it via link. We look forward to your inquiry. 

Yes, every platform has its own audio specifications—from loudness to format to dynamics. An ad that is submitted too loud or too quiet will be automatically adjusted, which costs impact and presence. We know the technical requirements of all social media channels and ensure that your audio sounds great on every platform – whether it's a YouTube ad, Instagram reel, TikTok clip, or Spotify spot.

The fees for speakers vary depending on the type of product and its intended use. 

For an OFF commentary, such as those used for image videos, explanatory videos, or documentaries, the fee is a flat rate based on the length of the net minutes used. The use of the recordings is unlimited in time and free of charge. This includes our one-time expense in the recording studio for clean recording/direction/optional post-production (audio post-production). 

The situation is different for voice recordings for commercials. For speakers who are members of the association, the fee is based on the number of commercials and whether they are used locally, nationally, or internationally. Commercials, reminders, cut downs, etc. are billed on a buyout basis. This means that there are separate usage fees for different media (TV, radio, online, cinema) and time periods. The greater the reach and the longer the usage, the higher the fee. However, we also have a small, select group of voice artists who are not members of the association and are therefore very flexible in terms of pricing. We would be happy to provide you with a suitable quote for your desired use. 

Production costs vary. The net text length is the decisive factor for voice-over/off-voice commentary recordings. The fees charged by voice artists also vary. Well-known voices often cost a little more. Depending on the voice, travel to the studio or an IP link studio should also be budgeted for. We would be happy to provide you with a non-binding quote.  

We have been testing various AI voices and AI platforms for some time, but the results do not yet meet our quality standards. The voices often sound soulless, the intonation is often wrong, and the emotions or pronunciation of company names are usually inappropriate. However, we are staying on top of this and will offer AI-based voice productions as soon as the technology meets our high standards.

Yes, of course... Sound design brings images to life. We develop tailor-made soundscapes that perfectly complement your images and your story – from subtle background sounds to epic surround sound experiences. For simple animations or explanatory films, we can create a harmonious sound design in 1–2 hours.
If you want more, we can record our own Foley sounds or design immersive surround experiences for cinema, events, and social media. We are happy to advise you on the effort, style, and budget required – and deliver the right sound level for you. 

It's simple... you can accompany the recordings in a relaxed atmosphere at our recording studio in Burgdorf/Bern – or remotely via Zoom, Teams, or telephone. Whatever suits you best!
If you feel like dropping by in person, we always welcome visitors to our studios! Fresh coffee/tea is waiting for you. Let's work together to create great voice recordings for your project. ️☕

For commercials, the fee for voice-over artists is calculated differently than for voice-over commentary. It is not calculated based on speaking time, but rather on the type and number of commercials (subjects) and their use. Many voice-over artists calculate their fees according to the recommendations of the voice-over artists' association. But not all of them. And those voices outside the association are correspondingly more flexible in terms of fees and usage. Is it an online ad? A TV and radio campaign with several subjects? Will there be a reminder? Will the commercial be actively advertised in cinemas or stadiums for several years? We would be happy to provide you with an individual quote. 

Yes, we do. These are not part of the association and are therefore flexible in terms of price. This also applies to buyouts. Just ask us for specific details. 

No, musical works are generally protected by copyright. However, there are countless pieces of music that have already been cleared for use in advertising and may be used without further consultation. This does not automatically mean that they are copyright-free and that you will not receive a bill from a collecting society such as SUISA after registration.
We know which music is 100% SUISA-free and will be happy to advise you on this rather complex topic. 

Spoken versus written word
Spoken language arises in conversation very quickly and is context-dependent. Written language is not time-critical in its construction; sentences can be rewritten, optimized—in other words, constructed—with the aim of being read, understood, and perhaps even enjoyed. When a voice-over reads a text, this is an artificial situation in several respects: written language is spoken and the speaker is neither visible nor present, the listeners cannot ask questions and have no additional information from facial expressions and gestures. Therefore, the rule of clarity and, in case of doubt, simplicity applies to sentence construction in voice-over texts.

Creating the perfect script for speakers
Speakers read what is written. That is why your script must be free of errors. Typos are stumbling blocks for the speaker, but they can usually be corrected without further consultation. Incomplete or convoluted sentences, on the other hand, require the speaker to be clairvoyant in order to "auto-correct" them.

Get to the point and use commas correctly

Use short, clear sentences. Use commas correctly, and the speaker will thank you for it. Use exclamation marks and question marks consciously and correctly, and the voice-over artist will follow suit!
Pronunciation and intonation markers
"When the status OK appears on your screen, press Ctrl-Alt-Del." You can rephrase such sentences as follows: "When the status OK [spelled in English, pronounced Oh Keh] appears on your screen, press the key combination Control Alt Delete [idem]." Place pronunciation instructions in square brackets. Use italics for emphasis. "You may only upload one file." For foreign words and technical terms whose pronunciation is unclear or only known to experts, you must specify the pronunciation: "Aedificium [Ädifikium]" or "Aedificium [Ädifizium]".
Abk. (abbreviations) etc.
Abbreviations and expressions in brackets are unsuitable for speaking. Or how would this sentence sound: "The BDP (Bürgerlich Demokratische Partei) actually emerged from the SVP (Schweizerische Volkspartei)." If abbreviations are necessary, indicate their pronunciation – whether spelled out or sounded (acronym) – e.g.: "The major Swiss bank UBS [abbreviation spelled in English "Juu Bii Ess"] has today doubled the RAM [acronym "Rämm," R rolled American] in all its PCs [abbreviation spelled in German with a plural "S" "PeeCees"]." You can be creative with the phonetic spelling; it doesn't matter whether you write "Juu Bii Ess" or "Juh Bih Ess."

Voice-over for videos
Make sure that the moving image shows what the voice-over is saying. Humans are not capable of processing two different sources of information with diverging content at the same time. If keyword-like texts are displayed in the video, the voice-over text must use precisely the same terms. If text is displayed in full sentences in the video, the voice-over must read the same sentences, otherwise the audience will experience what is known as split attention. Exceptions to this rule are subtitles, which may differ from the spoken text for reasons of space.

In longer, didactically designed videos, redundancies in the form of repetitions and summaries are usually useful.

Structure of the text
Structure long texts. Headings are sometimes not suitable for spoken language, for example:

Plants
Plants are characterized by the fact that...
Animals
Animals differ from plants in that...
A) You can solve this problem with transitions that are complete sentences and introduce the new topic.
B) You can solve this problem with transitions that are complete sentences and introduce the new topic.

Delivery times vary and depend on the availability of the desired voice. Ideally, we would like three to fourteen working days' notice for a voice recording. However, if the desired voice can be booked at short notice, we can often deliver on the same day or within two working days.

Not in every case. But the right music can create an atmosphere or mood that fits the message of the commercial and supports it wonderfully. Music can evoke excitement, joy, nostalgia, or emotions, drawing the listener into the commercial. In addition, distinctive music can also increase recognition value.

Yes, the entire process of acoustic branding. For every type of audio branding. From analysis, conception, production, and implementation of your sound logo. Just ask us for a no-obligation quote. 

Ideally, we would like 14 working days' notice for the production of a radio commercial before delivery of the finished product. During these 14 days, we develop text concepts, create a suitable voice and music casting, book the voice actors once the voice(s) have been selected, produce the commercial (and any variants and reminders), and have two to three days after the first approval round for any adjustments. However, we know that sometimes things just have to be done quickly. You provide us with the ready-to-read text and let us select the appropriate/available voice? Then we can sometimes deliver within one working day. 

Yes, you can. And the best way to do this is in a testimonial. Testimonial spots are characterized by the fact that you identify yourself as the company owner or employee (e.g., "Hello, my name is Hans Muster, owner of the company..."). With your expertise and conviction, you can advertise your service or product in a credible and appealing way. What your voice may lack in years of radio commercial experience, you make up for with authenticity.

You can broadcast your radio commercials on all private radio stations in Switzerland. The choice of radio station depends on various factors, such as the target audience, budget, and geographical reach. All public broadcasters are required by law to be advertising-free (except for sponsorship). We would be happy to advise you on this. 

Yes, this is an area in which we have many years of experience and in-depth expertise. We specialize in analyzing damaged, noisy, or old audio recordings and using state-of-the-art technology (AI) to restore them to the best possible quality. Put us to the test. 

120–130 words are roughly equivalent to one minute of spoken language. 

To estimate the length of an advertising text, we have found two simple approaches to be effective:

Measure the length of the text in a Word document. With classic page margins and Arial font size 14, one line of text corresponds to approximately 4 seconds of spoken text. Make sure that numbers are written out in words, otherwise too little time will be allocated to them. In addition, any sounds should be noted in the effective spot length and added to the spot length. E.g.: ((Intro music fanfare 2 sec.))

It is even easier if you read the text aloud clearly and without stressing too much, using a stopwatch to time how long it takes. Any sounds and music should be spoken onomatopoeically or added as seconds. This is because effective sounds are played separately in the commercial and are not mixed in with the spoken voice.

Choosing the right voice actors for your project is much more important than you might think. The right voice can make all the difference in how and whether the message is perceived—and that also influences how long customers stay. 

Every brand has its own personality. Whether cool, professional, humorous, or innovative—the right voice and style should reflect this personality. A voice that fits the company makes the message seem more authentic. With the right speaker, the message feels "real."

Yes, everything is optimized for perfect voice recordings: acoustically calibrated voice booths, Neumann U87 and Brauner microphones, SSL microphone amplifiers in combination with Avid hardware, ProTools Ultimate, and Swiss VoVox cables. It doesn't get much better than this...

Each region of Switzerland has its own identity, and this is also reflected in the language. So if you want to build an authentic connection with your target audience, it is crucial to choose speakers from the relevant language region. Not only do they understand the local culture, they also speak the language and dialect that resonates best with the local people. Whether you are in German-speaking Switzerland, Ticino, or French-speaking Switzerland, the right speakers will help you present your content with the right accent and tone, building a strong emotional connection with your target audience. Just ask, we are happy to help. 

A basic distinction is made between organic (unpaid) and paid distribution. Any measure that serves to promote sales is considered advertising. If a voice recording is used to increase reach, awareness, lead generation, or sales through the use of a budget, it is considered an advertising spot in this context.
Simply put, as soon as financial resources are used for distribution, it is considered advertising—and separate rates apply.