COLLABORATION
Our partnership with Blue Box.
We give your project the right voice and the perfect sound. Blue Box Sound Studios specializes in professional voice recordings (off-voice, voice-over), sound design, and audio mastering. We’re particularly often booked for commercials and promotional videos—with experienced voice actors and actresses in Swiss dialects as well as in Standard German with a touch of Swiss flair. We also handle voice adaptations into the Swiss national languages. We deliver the finished audio for a wide range of applications, including online formats, film and video projects, TV and radio spots, movies, audio guides, audio description, and professional event and telephone announcements.
Our clients range from private individuals to major international corporations. We restore old, distorted audio recordings just as naturally as we produce multilingual campaigns. A large portion of our work comes directly from the industry: video producers, advertising agencies, media specialists, and event planners who want to entrust their audio to professionals. And when it comes to radio advertising in particular, we collaborate with a variety of radio stations—from the local bakery around the corner to national campaigns, such as the one for BAUHAUS.
It all starts when you reach out to us—whichever way you prefer: by phone at +41 34 423 11 62, by email at bluebox@bluebox.ch, or via the contact form. We’ll be happy to review your project and provide you with a customized quote—including multiple options if you’d like. There’s no cost to you at this stage.If everything looks good, let’s get started. No matter what it is—multilingual voice recordings, audio mastering, or a successful radio spot—we’ll discuss with you whether we should create the text concept, review an existing idea and refine it using our expertise, or if your text is already finalized. You’re also welcome to send us a video for an initial assessment.We’ll then produce the audioby your desired deadline and deliver the broadcast-ready file—at the appropriate level and in the format suitable for your specific use, depending on the project.
Yes, we’d love that. In fact, we’d prefer it if you were present during the session. Working together with our director yields wonderful results. You can join us for the recording in a relaxed atmosphere right here at our Burgdorf recording studio (20 km from Bern)—or remotely via Zoom, Teams, or phone. Whatever works best for you! If you’d like to stop by in person: We’re always happy to have visitors at the studios! Fresh coffee and tea are ready and waiting. Let’s work together to create great voice recordings for your project.
What helps us the most is:
- What for? Intended use: radio spot, promotional video, explanatory video, phone greeting, audio guide …
- Use? Is it intended for local, national, or international use?
- Advertising? Is the production being actively promoted, for example, through a TV commercial or an online ad?
- Who is it for? Your target audience and the desired tone—serious, sassy, warm, youthful?
- In which language? Swiss German with a dialect, Standard German with a Swiss twist, or multilingual?
- By when? Your preferred delivery date.
- Text and Materials: If you already have the text, may we draft or refine it? A script, outline, video, or sample—anything will help us make an initial assessment.
And don't worry if you don't have all the answers yet—we'll follow up together and figure out the rest as we talk. Just get in touch; we're looking forward to hearing about your project.
Yes—and at the very highest level. We record voice-overs in an acoustically calibrated recording booth using Neumann U87 and Brauner microphones, SSL microphone preamps, Avid hardware, Pro Tools Ultimate, and Swiss VoVox cables. For you, that means a clean, clear sound without any distracting background noise—and, if desired, ready for broadcast on radio, TV, in theaters, and online. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Yes, regularly and with great pleasure. We’re familiar with the day-to-day operations of an agency, meet deadlines and approval schedules, and deliver polished final products—whether you entrust us with the entire audio production or just a single step: mixing, mastering, casting, or flawless voice recordings. We look forward to every inquiry.
Yes—and we really love doing it. Through our network of professional voice-over artists in 55 languages, we can provide voice-overs for your project in virtually any language you need, from Switzerland’s national languages to international markets. We consistently rely on native speakers: When someone speaks in their native language, they bring the right intonation, emphasis, and natural flow—and you can hear the difference. Upon request, we can also handle the translation and localization of your text, ensuring that your message isn’t just accurately translated, but sounds just as natural and effective in the target language as it does in the original. And we’ll take care of the timing: Foreign-language versions are often longer or shorter than the original, so we’ll adjust the text and speaking pace to ensure the new version fits perfectly with your video, commercial, or existing runtime. Just let us know which languages you need—we’ll find the right voices and deliver the finished versions to you all from a single source.
Yes, we’re happy to do that. To ensure your content truly reaches everyone, we produce accessible audio versions—all from a single source. For people who are visually impaired or blind, we create audio descriptions: Our writers draft the descriptive texts that narrate the on-screen action during pauses in the dialogue, and we record them on the spot and seamlessly mix them into your project. So from the very first word to the finished audio track, we handle everything for you. For audiences with hearing impairments, we record texts clearly and in an easily understandable manner, and—upon request—convert foreign-language passages or subtitles into spoken versions.
VOICE ACTORS AND ACTRICES
The right voice for every message.
Yes, we have a vast network of professional voice actors in 55 languages. At www.sprechersuche.ch, you can preview our most-booked voices, create a watchlist or a casting list, and send it via a link—all anonymously and without having to log in.
It often happens quickly: If the voice we need is available on short notice, we can sometimes deliver the same day or within two business days. Generally, the turnaround time depends on the voice actors’ availability. Ideally, we’d like three to fourteen business days’ notice—that gives us enough time to prepare.
Yes, and more so than many people realize. Your voice plays a key role in whether your message gets across—and how your brand is perceived. A calm, clear voice carries an explanatory video; a radio spot often thrives on energy and pace; for a premium brand, a deep, warm voice has a different effect than a young, fresh one. Dialect or standard German also makes a big difference in how closely you connect with your target audience. The best thing to do is listen for yourself: At sprechersuche.ch, you’ll find the right voice for every mood—and we’d be happy to advise you on your selection.
Language fosters a sense of closeness—and a familiar dialect immediately makes the target audience perceive the speaker as “one of us.” Every 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’s crucial to choose voice actors from the relevant language region. Not only do they understand the local culture, but they also speak the language and dialect that resonate best with the local people. Whether in German-speaking Switzerland, Ticino, or French-speaking Switzerland—the right voice actors will help you present your content with the right emphasis and tone. Just tell us who you want to reach—we’ll find the voice that resonates with them.
Yes, it’s worth it for many companies. A corporate voice is a clearly defined voice that accompanies your company across all audio channels—from radio spots to explainer videos to phone greetings. The effect is the same as with a logo, only for the ear: When people hear your brand in the same voice every time, they recognize it even before the name is mentioned. This builds trust and ensures a consistent brand presence. Whether cool, serious, warm, or sassy—we’ll help you find the voice and tone that fit your brand and keep them consistent across all your productions.
You can. But let’s be honest from the start: We receive a huge number of applications from voice actors all over the world and can’t offer an evaluation, collaboration, or even any feedback at all. It’s not your fault if you don’t hear back from us—we simply can’t keep up with the volume. We’d still love to hear from you, though. Send us a few MP3 files via email and introduce yourself briefly—preferably with a variety of samples: something neutral, something promotional, and an off-voice. And let us know which native dialect you speak.
FEES & USE
Fair prices, clear rights.
Voice actor fees vary depending on the type of product and its intended use.
For an OFF commentary—such as those used in promotional videos, explanatory videos, or as a voice-over for a documentary—the fee is a flat rate based on the length of the net minutes used. The Voice-Over Artists Association recommends a net fee of CHF 292.– for up to one minute of text and CHF 467.– for up to five minutes. Additional minutes can easily be booked. In addition, there is a one-time fee for our work in the recording studio, which covers the clean recording, direction, and optional post-production (audio post-production). The use of these recordings is unlimited in time and unrestricted.
The situation is different for voice recordings for commercials. For voice-over artists who are members of the association, the fee is based, on the one hand, on the number of spots and whether they are used locally, nationally, or internationally. Commercials, reminders, cut-downs, etc., are billed separately as buyouts. This means there are separate usage fees for different media (TV, radio, online, movie theaters) and time periods. The greater the reach and the longer the usage period, the higher the fee. As an example, the Voice-Over Artists’ Association recommends a fee of CHF 525 for a single TV commercial and CHF 292 for additional online advertising (active usage period of one year).
We also have a small but excellent selection of voice actors and actresses who are not members of the association and are therefore very flexible in terms of pricing. Just ask.
Note: Well-known voice actors often charge a bit more. Depending on the voice actor, you should also budget for travel to the studio or an IP link studio. We'd be happy to provide you with a no-obligation quote.
Because with advertising, it’s not the duration of the message that counts, but its usage. A voice-over is produced once and can then be used freely—a commercial, on the other hand, is broadcast, and its value varies significantly depending on its reach and duration. That’s exactly what the fee reflects: Is it an online ad or a national TV and radio campaign with multiple spots? Is there a follow-up spot, or will the commercial run in movie theaters for several years?
Many voice actors calculate their fees based on the recommendations of the Voice Actors’ Association—but by no means all of them. Voice actors outside the association are often more flexible when it comes to fees and usage, or can be booked for flat rates. You can find the specific rates and buyout terms further up under “How much does a voice recording cost?” We’d be happy to provide you with a customized quote.
The rule of thumb: As soon as you spend money to promote it, an audio clip is considered advertising. The key factor is the purpose—any measure intended to promote sales. So if your recording is played using a budget to increase reach, brand awareness, or revenue, it counts as a commercial in this context. And separate buyout rates apply in this case (see “How much does a voice recording cost?”).
Yes. In addition to the voices from our association, we have a selection of voice talent from outside the association—with flexible pricing, including for buyouts, and still professional. For us, lower prices don’t mean lower quality—just different terms. Tell us your budget, and we’ll find the right voice for it.
Don’t worry—the recording won’t disappear. As long as you’re no longer actively promoting the ad, you can continue to use it for free—so you can keep it and let it sit there passively. A reuse fee will only apply again if you actively run the ad once more, and even then, only for voices from the association. If you know from the start that a spot is meant to run for a longer period, the most elegant solution is to handle it right from the beginning: with a multi-year buyout or a full buyout that covers usage permanently. That way, there won’t be any surprises later on. We’d be happy to advise you on which option is most cost-effective for your campaign.
And very importantly: This applies primarily to national productions. For local use—such as on local TV or local radio—even several years of use is usually not an issue. So the bakery around the corner won’t have to pay any recurring fees. We’d be happy to advise you on which option is most cost-effective for your campaign.
A layout is a cost-effective test recording—usually voiced by our in-house voice talent. With in-house voice talent, there’s no fee yet; you only pay for the production hours. It’s the perfect way to get an early sense of how a script or ad will sound and to get internal buy-in before making any major decisions. This allows you to compare different versions, gather feedback, and get approvals without having to invest in the final production just yet. If you like the direction, we’ll then produce the ad in final quality—with the definitive voice, licensed music, and, depending on the concept, perfect sound design.
We'll credit you for the time spent on the layout—that way, the test run won't result in any duplicate work for you.
RADIO SPOTS & ADVERTISING
From concept to finished commercial.
The production costs for a radio spot can vary widely depending on the scope of the project. Example: A local announcement spot, including two simple script options, appropriate sound effects, and a voice talent of your choice, costs CHF 590 net.
Is the spot supposed to be creative, featuring multiple voice roles and an engaging soundtrack? In that case, the production costs will be correspondingly higher than if you need a simple, short announcement without music and perhaps even provide the text ready to be read. If multiple radio ad concepts can be produced with the same voice during a single production session, the costs are reduced compared to producing them individually. We’d be happy to provide you with a no-obligation quote.
Not necessarily in production. When it comes to commercials, it’s not the length that counts, but the concept: A commercial is a commercial—whether it consists of two words or an entire 30-second dialogue. The voice-over fee is based on usage, not on seconds, and the effort involved in the studio—direction, editing, sound design, mixing—is often just as high for a snappy short spot as it is for a longer one. A short commercial isn’t automatically cheaper, then. You’re paying for the impact of your message, not its duration.
It’s different when it comes to media placement on a TV station: Here, every second counts. Stations typically bill by the advertising second. A longer commercial therefore incurs higher placement costs than a shorter one. It’s therefore worth keeping a commercial as long as necessary, but as brief as possible.
Ideally, we’d like about 14 business days’ lead time from start to finish for the production of a radio spot. A lot happens during this time: We develop script concepts, put together a suitable voice and music casting list for you, book the voice actors based on your selection, and produce the spot, including any variations and reminders. After the first round of approvals, there’s still some time left for final adjustments.
But we know that sometimes things just have to be done quickly. If you provide us with the text ready for recording and let us choose the right, available voice, we can sometimes get it done within one business day.
Yes, that’s what layouts are for. A layout is a low-cost test recording—usually voiced by our in-house voice talent. It’s perfect for getting an early sense of how a script or ad will sound and fine-tuning it internally before making any major decisions. This way, you can compare different versions, gather feedback, and get approvals without having to invest in the final production just yet. If you like the direction, we’ll then produce the ad in final quality—with the definitive voice, licensed music, and, depending on the concept, perfect sound design.
Yes, you can. This is particularly effective in the context of a so-called testimonial, in which you identify yourself as the owner or an employee (e.g., “Hello, my name is Hans Muster, owner of the company …”). With your expertise and conviction, you can promote your service in a credible and likable way—any lack of radio experience in your voice is more than made up for by your authenticity. Of course, we’ll support you during the studio recording to ensure the spot sounds professional.
You can have your radio spots aired on all private radio stations in Switzerland. The choice of radio station depends on various factors, such as the target audience, the budget, and the geographic reach. All public broadcasters are required by law to be ad-free (except for sponsorships). We’d be happy to advise you on this as well.
Not necessarily. But the right music can create a mood that matches the message of your ad and supports it beautifully. It can evoke emotions like excitement, joy, or nostalgia and really draw listeners into the ad. And a distinctive, original melody further enhances brand recognition.
No, musical works are protected by copyright. There are many pieces of music for which permission for use in advertising has already been granted and that may be used without further inquiry. However, this does not automatically mean that they are copyright-free. We would be happy to advise you on this somewhat complex topic.
The art of a good radio commercial lies in getting the most important points across in the most concise and entertaining way possible. It sounds simple, but it takes courage to make that decision: A straightforward 10- to 15-second announcement spot has room for one main message and a call to action. If you’d like to make the spot more unique—for example, with distinctive sound effects, impactful music, and witty dialogue—we’ll quickly move into the 20- to 30-second range. Here, too, it’s helpful if you’ve decided on a main message and a call to action, so that the creative elements can really shine and aren’t lost in a (too) fast-paced, breathlessly spoken radio spot.
You’re more than welcome to submit your own concepts, ideas, and text proposals, and we’ll assess their feasibility. This means we’ll check whether the core message is clear and understandable, whether the concept is tailored to the target audience, and whether the amount of information and the length of the text are compatible with the desired duration of the radio spot. We’ll work with you to identify ways to optimize the campaign so that, in the end, we can create a successful campaign that both you and we are completely satisfied with.
To estimate the length of a radio commercial, we've found that two simple methods work well for us:
Measure the length of the text in a Word document. With standard page margins and the Arial font in size 14, one line of text corresponds to approximately 4 seconds of spoken text. Make sure that numbers are spelled out in words, otherwise not enough time will be allotted for them. In addition, any sounds should be noted and added to the effective spot length. For example: ((Intro music: fanfare, 2 sec.))
It’s even easier if you record the text aloud and clearly—without rushing—using a stopwatch and timing how long it takes. Any sounds or music should be spoken as onomatopoeia or added as extra seconds. This is because sound effects are played back separately in the commercial and aren’t mixed in behind the speaking voice.
Yes, the entire process of acoustic branding—from analysis, design, and production to the implementation of your sound logo. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
A reminder spot is a short, concise radio spot designed to follow up on a main radio spot. First, a detailed main spot is aired, which contains the full message and all important information. The reminder spot is aired after a few other commercials in the same commercial break or in a later commercial break to remind the audience of the main spot. Since reminder spots are shorter and therefore more cost-effective, they can be aired more frequently to maximize the impact of the advertising message.
Radio spots produced for broadcast on one to three local radio stations may be used for several years. This is not an issue on local radio.
For spots that we have produced for broadcast on multiple stations (three or more) or for national campaigns, the usage period is limited to one year from the initial broadcast. However, licenses for additional years can be obtained easily and affordably.
Yes and no. As producers, we don’t hold any additional rights to the radio spot. However, some professional voice actors receive a fee for reuse in another medium (online | TV) (depending on the voice you’ve booked). You should also clarify in each case whether the music in the spot is licensed solely for use on the radio. It’s best to contact us.
There's no difference. A radio commercial, radio spot, or radio advertisement are simply different terms for the same thing.
Text & Script
Formatting:
The text should be written for the speaker in Arial, 14 pt, and ideally with 1.5 line spacing. The larger line spacing allows room for handwritten notes and text revisions. Each page must be numbered. A continuous passage of text should not be split across page breaks but should be completed on a single page
Language and Style:
• Use simple and clear language → short sentences, simple words
• Use active voice instead of passive voice → “The teacher explains the material” instead of “The material is explained by the teacher”
• Define technical terms → if necessary, the first time they appear
• Minimize filler words → get straight to the point
Structure and Organization:
• Clear organization → with paragraphs and subheadings
• Introduction – Main Body – Conclusion → clearly identifiable structure
• Common thread → logical sequence of content
• Highlight important terms → e.g., by using bold type
Readability:
• Short paragraphs → 4–5 lines maximum
• Lists or bullet points → instead of long blocks of text
• Generous line spacing and sufficient margins
Tailored to the target audience:
• Adapt to the language and knowledge level of the target audience → for children: simple language, examples from their world → for a specialized audience: more precise, technical language
Creating the Perfect Script for Narrators
Voice actors read exactly what’s written. That’s why your script must be free of grammatical errors. Typos can trip up the voice actor, but they can usually be corrected without needing clarification. Incomplete or garbled sentences, on the other hand, require the voice actor’s intuition to “self-correct” them.
To the point—and the comma
Writeshort, clear sentences. Use commas correctly; the narrator will thank you for it. Use exclamation marks and question marks thoughtfully and correctly; the voice-over will follow your lead!
Pronunciation and stress 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 out in English, pronounced ‘Oh Keh’ in German] appears on your screen, press the key combination Control Alt Delete [idem].” So, place pronunciation instructions in square brackets. Indicate stress in italics: “You may only upload one file.” For foreign words and technical terms whose pronunciation is ambiguous or known only to experts, you must specify the pronunciation: “Aedificium [Ädifikium]” or “Aedificium [Ädifizium].”
Abbreviations and expressions in parentheses are unsuitable for spoken language. Or how would this sentence sound: “The BDP (Civic Democratic Party) actually emerged from the SVP (Swiss People’s Party).” If abbreviations are necessary, specify their pronunciation—whether spelled out or as an acronym—for example: “The major Swiss bank UBS [spell the English abbreviation ‘Juu Bii Ess’] doubled the RAM [acronym ‘Rämm,’ with an American-style rolled ‘R’] on all its PCs [spell the German abbreviation with a voiced plural ‘S’—‘PeeCees’] today.” You can be creative with the phonetic transcription; it doesn’t matter whether you write “Juu Bii Ess” or “Juh Bih Ess.”
Voice-over for videos
Make sure the moving images match what the voice-over is saying. People are not capable of processing two different sources of information with conflicting content at the same time. If keyword-style text is displayed on screen during the video, the voice-over script must use precisely the same terms. If text appears in the video in complete sentences, the voice-over must read the same sentences; otherwise, the audience will experience what is known as “split attention.” Exceptions are subtitles, which may differ from the spoken text due to space constraints.
In longer, educational videos, redundancy in the form of repetitions and summaries is usually beneficial.
About 120–130 words correspond to roughly one minute of spoken language.
To estimate the duration of an advertising script, two simple methods have proven effective for us.
The first: Measure the length of the text in a Word document. With standard page indentation and the Arial font in 14-point size, one line corresponds to approximately four seconds of spoken text. Make sure numbers are spelled out in words, otherwise too little time will be allotted to them. You should also factor in any standalone sound effects, for example: (bang / siren 2 sec.).
The second method is even simpler: Read the text aloud with a stopwatch—clearly and without rushing—and time how long it takes. Add any sounds and music as seconds. This is because, depending on the concept, effective sounds are placed so they’re clearly audible and not mixed behind the voice.
Sound Design, Music & Technology
We have been testing various AI voices and AI platforms for some time now, but the results currently do not yet meet our quality standards. The voices often sound too lifeless, the stress is frequently placed in the wrong spots, and the emotional tone or pronunciation of company names is 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 custom soundscapes that perfectly complement your visuals and your story—from subtle background sounds to epic surround-sound experiences. For simple animations or explainer videos, we can create a cohesive sound design in 1–2 hours. For more complex projects, we record our own foley sounds or design immersive surround experiences for movie theaters, events, and social media. We’d be happy to advise you on the scope of work, style, and budget—and deliver the perfect audio track.
Yes, the entire process of audio branding. For any type of audio branding—from analysis, concept development, and production to the implementation of your sound logo. Just feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
Yes, every platform has its own audio specifications—from volume to format to dynamics. A commercial submitted at a volume that’s too loud or too soft will be automatically adjusted—which reduces its impact and visibility. We’re familiar with the technical requirements of all social media channels and ensure that your audio sounds its best on every platform—whether it’s a YouTube ad, Instagram Reel, TikTok clip, or Spotify spot.
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 restoring them to the best possible quality using state-of-the-art technology (AI). Give us a try.
No, musical works are generally protected by copyright. However, there are countless pieces of music that have already been pre-cleared for use in advertising and may be used without further inquiry. This does not automatically mean, however, that they are copyright-free and that you won’t still receive a bill from a collecting society like SUISA after submitting your ad. We know which music is 100% SUISA-free and would be happy to advise you on this somewhat complex topic.
You’ll receive your audio ready for broadcast and in the correct format for the specific medium—compliant with industry standards for radio (mp3) and TV (wav R128 -23 LUFS), online and social media(wav -14 LUFS) , for phone systems (IVR), or for movie theaters in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. (-82 dB LEQ). Just let us know how it will be used, and we’ll deliver the appropriate audio format.
That’s part of our commitment to excellent service: We archive all projects free of charge—and permanently. Seriously: We can even access every single track from our very first projects back in 1996 within seconds. For you, this means: If you need a minor text change later on, a new spot length, or your file in a different format, we never start from scratch—we simply go back to the existing project. This saves you time and money—even years down the line.