Glossary of Voice Acting Industry Words & Terms

Welcome to the Glossary of Voice Acting Industry Words & Terms! Here you will be able to access all of the pertinent words and terms that you will come across in your journey into voice acting. So let's get into it!

ADR: Automated Dialogue Replacement in a film. A process where actors replace dialogue in a film or video. ADR or automated dialog replacement is simply the recording of dialog for a previously shot scene in television or film. ADR recording generally occurs in a professional studio setting during post production. Although originally ADR referred only to post-production dialog recorded to replace original dialog in a scene, it is now widely used for all dubbing, including previously unrecorded multi-language tracks and background conversations added in post production. ADR may or may not be provided by the original actors seen in the live action images (such as when the language is replaced with a different one).

How it works: an actor, usually the original actor on set, is called to a sound studio equipped with video playback equipment and sound playback and recording equipment. The actor wears headphones and is shown the line of the film that must be replaced, and often he or she will be played the production sound recording. The film is then projected several times, and the actor attempts to re-perform the line while watching the image on the screen, while the sound engineer records the performances. Several takes are made, and based on the quality of the performance and sync, one is selected and edited by an editor for use in the film.

Ad lib: A spontaneous spoken addition or alteration to a written script. Ad lib from the Latin phrase ad libitum, meaning at one’s pleasure, is something improvised in speech, a spontaneous spoken addition or revision to the written script. Though some jobs may require improvisation at the client’s request, an unsolicited ad lib is seldom welcome.

Agent: A person or group of people who represent talent and bring them into their facility to audition, or arrange for an actor to audition for casting directors and producers.

Air or Airtime: The media time slotted for a commercial (hence "on the air").

Air check: A recorded portion of a radio program for demonstration purposes. An air check is any recording of a broadcast radio program. Air checks are generally used for archiving or as a demonstration (demo) for on-air talent.

Ambience: The continuous sound FX behind voice-over suggesting the dialogue is in a specific setting (factory, restaurant, train station, etc.).

Analog: The old way of processing and recording sound on tape. An information form that is represented by a continuous and smoothly varying amplitude or frequency changes over a certain range such as voice or music.

Announcement: A commercial or non-commercial message. Also referred to as a "spot".

Announcer: The role assigned to a voice-actor that usually has non-character copy (abbreviated as ANN or ANNC on scripts).

Articulation: Clear enunciation and pronunciation.

Attitude: How the character (voice actor) feels or comes across in general.

Audio: Transmission, reception or reproduction of sound.

Audiobook: An audio book is a recording of the contents of an entire book read aloud by a voice actor. Audio Interface: A device that connects traditional microphones to a computer. It is not required for USB microphones.

Audition: A non-paying, trial performance for voice talent where voice-over copy is read. It can also be a sample performance created by a voice actor (or other performing artist). It is utilized to demonstrate the performer’s talent and ability for the specific role. In other words, it is a "job interview" for a performer.

Availability: Literally, the time an actor is available for a session. Advertisers or producers will call an agent to find out about an actor’s availability.

Background: Known also as background noise, it’s what’s placed behind the voice-over. Mainly music or sound effects. Also known as "bed".

Balls or Ballsy: A deep, strong, resonant sound.

Bandwidth: Also seen as BPS, it is the most common measurement for data transmission. It indicates the number of bits that can be transferred to or from a communications device in one second.

Bed: The music or sound effects behind or under an announcer’s voice. Also known as "background".

Billboard: The emphasis given to a certain word or phrase in a script. Usually, a rectangle (known as a billboard) is drawn around the word or phrase.

Bleed: Noise from the headphones being picked up by the microphone, or any sound picked up by a microphone that is not the main focus of that microphone.

Board: The audio console from which the engineer operates. Also known as a "console".

Booking: A decision and commitment from a client to secure the services of a performer. For example, if you have an agent they may contact you and tell you, "You have a booking at 1PM tomorrow". Booked, Book, or Booking, are related terms applying to the status of a job. For example, "I am booked for a job next week".

Boom: An overhead mic stand where a secondary angled portion of a stand is attached to the upright portion.

Booth: An enclosed, soundproofed room where voice talent usually works.

Branching: Recording one part of an entire sentence with variables that constitute some form of customization or emphasis.

Break up: When vocal audio becomes distorted and unstable, usually caused by equipment problems or other interference.

Broadcast or Broadcasting: Is the distribution of audio and/or video signals, which transmit content to an audience.

Bump or Bumper: Short pieces of music, spoken words, or a combination of the two, usually lasting no longer than fifteen seconds. They are and are used during intros, outros, and transitions in audio and video productions. Also known as a "stinger".

Butt or Butt-cut: When sound files are placed together tightly.

Buy-out: A one-time fee paid for a performance, usually in non-union situations.

Byte: A unit of measurement of information storage, most often consisting of eight bits. In computer hard drive it is a unit of memory addressing.

Cadence: How breaks, pauses or spaces are utilized or created between words. Basically the "pace" at which someone speaks

Call-back: A second shot at an audition. One step closer to getting the job.

Call time: The time scheduled for an audition.

Cans: Another word for headphones, earphones, ear buds, etc. Worn during the session to hear your own voice as well as cues and directions from the engineer or producer.

Casting: Casting (or casting call) is a vital pre-production process for selecting actors for a recorded performance. It sometimes involves a series of auditions before a casting panel, composed of individuals such as the producer and director.

Cattle call: An audition where hundreds of people try out for a part on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Character: The person an actor is cast as in a performance.

Cold read: An audition where an actor is given little or no time to rehearse.

Color: Subtle speech nuances that makes the audio performance engaging, interesting and meaningful.

Commercial: Also referred to as a "spot", it is a pre-recorded message which advertises a product or service.

Compression: Reduces the dynamic range of an audio recording. Engineers can apply compression to a voice to cut through background music and sound effects.

Console: A large desk-like piece of equipment where the audio engineer monitors, records, edits and mixes a recording session.

Control room: Where the engineer and producer (and many times, the client) are located. This is usually a separate room from the booth.

Copy: Also known as the "script". It’s the text for a recording.

Creative Director: The person responsible for the work or project.

Cross talk: When copy spoken into one actor’s microphone is picked up by another mic. The sound is said to spill over or bleed into the other actor’s mic.

Cue: An electronic or physical signal given to an actor to begin performing.

Cue up: Matching to time and speed, lining up an actor’s voice to the visuals or music.

Custom Demo: It is a personalized demo created using a specific script that allow the person who requested it hear something in particular that facilitates the decision of choosing the most appropriate voice for a project.

Cut: A specific segment of the voice-over recording, usually referred to during editing.

Cut and paste: The act of assembling different takes into a complete edited whole.

Cutting through: When a voice slices through, or doesn’t get drowned out by music and sound effects.

Dead air: When a voice actor pause (usually referring to when the pause is too long).

Decibel: A unit for measuring the intensity of sound (sound level).

De-esser: Audio gear used to remove excess or unnatural "s" sounds in a voice actor's speech.

Demo: A demonstration of an actor’s voice talent. A format used to present an idea to a producer, director, casting agent, client, etc. Demos are usually not paid. They are usually not used for broadcast (the final product), but if they are accepted as is, the demo is upgraded to a paid performance.

Demographics: The components that describe the target audience. This is done by age, sex, income, education, etc.

Dialogue: A script calling for two people talking to each other.

Digital recording: A process where sound is converted into numbers and stored on a digital audio tape or computer hard drive.

Director: The person responsible for giving performers direction during audio or video recording.

Distortion: Unwanted fuzziness, buzzing, crackling, etc. in the sound quality of a recorded piece.

Drop Off or Dropping Off: Not ending strong at the end of a word or phrase.

Drop out: A minute moment of silence or missing audio within a recorded word or phrase.

Dry mouth: A condition where your mouth has little or no saliva.

Dubbing: is the process of recording or replacing voices, traditionally for a motion picture (movie), TV show, etc.. The term is most commonly refers to voices recorded after the filming/video recording process. In other words, what you hear when watching the movie or TV show is not the original sound of the actors voices during filming/video recording. Dubbing can also refer to the process of dialogue replacement into another language, as in dubbing a French voice into English.

Earphones: Also known as cans, headphones, headsets, ear buds, etc. Worn during the session to hear your own voice as well as cues and directions from the engineer or producer.

Echo: A repetition of sound. This can be desired for effect or unwanted.

Editing: The removal, addition or re-arrangement of recorded material. Voice elements can be spread apart, slowed down, speeded up, clipped, eliminated, etc. to achieve the final take.

EFX: Effects. Another term for SFX (sound effects).

Engineer: The person who operates the audio equipment during a recording session.

Equalization: Also known as EQ, it is used to adjust certain frequencies that alter sound.

FTP: "File Transfer Protocol". A method (protocol) by which data is sent to a folder on the cloud that can be accessed by computers via the Internet.

Fade: To gradually increase or decrease the volume of sound.

Feedback: A distorted, high pitched sound, usually emanating from headphones or speakers into a microphone. Feedback occurs whenever the sound entering a microphone is reproduced by a speaker or headphones, which is then picked up again by the microphone, over and over again, thus creating the unwanted sound.

Fluctuation: How often a voice goes up or down, also known as inflection.

Gain: The intensity of audio being recorded. It can also refer to a fader or knob on a recording studio console or audio interface.

Gig: A job.

Good pipes: Description of a talent with vocal strength, authority and resonance.

Headset: A set of headphones, cans, earphone, ear buds, etc.

Highs: The high frequency sound of a voice.

Home recording: Means recording at home rather than in a professional studio.

Home Studio: A personal recording studio within someone's home or on their property.

Hot: Term used to describe a mic that is on. It can also refer to a voice recording level being too strong.

In-house: A production produced for the client in the client’s own facilities.

Intro: The "introduction" or "beginning" of something.

inflection: The raising or lowering of voice pitch, a way of reinforcing the meaning of a word by changing the way it is said. Also known as "fluctuation".

ISDN: ‘ISDN’ is an acronym for ‘Integrated Services Digital Network’. Integrated Services Digital Network is a telephone system network. It is rarely utilized anymore, but if you'd like to learn more about it, just Google it.

Jack: Socket connector made for the insertion of a plug, commonly used for audio devices, such as, connecting your headphones to your audio equipment or plugging a microphone into a mixing console or audio interface.

Jingle: A musical commercial. Jump Cut: A video editing technique (but can also be used in audio editing, although not as effective with just audio) that breaks a single continuous sequential recording of a subject into multiple parts. This is accomplished by removing sections of the footage (or audio) to create the effect of jumping forward in time, giving the recording a slightly staggered effect.

KBPS: aka. kilobit (or byte) per second (kbps) is a unit of data transfer rate equal to 1,000 bits per second.

LAN: Local area network, computer network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings e.g. a school. The defining characteristics of LANs include their much higher data-transfer rates, smaller geographic range, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines.

Level: To set a voice at the optimal point. When the engineer says, Let’s get a level, the actor will start reading the copy at the level they’ll be speaking throughout the spot.

Lines: The copy that’s read by the voice talent. To "run lines" is to rehearse a dialogue with another actor.

Line level: Term used to denote the strength of an audio signal used to transmit analog sound information between audio components.

Line reading: When a producer or creative executive explain to a voice talent how they want something read by reading it themselves.

Live mic: The mic is on and can pick up everything said in the booth. That means everyone in the control room (also "hot" mic).

Lows: The low frequency of a voice.

Marking copy: Placing different marks above, below, around, in between and circling words on a script. Usually done in pencil, because direction or emphasis may change.

Master: The original recording that all copies are made from. Mastering: The final step of audio post-production. The purpose of mastering is to balance the sonic elements (usually of a stereo mix) and optimize playback across all systems and media formats (home stereo, iPod, MP3 player, car stereo, headphones, earbuds, etc.). Traditionally, mastering is done using tools like equalization, compression, limiting and stereo enhancement, among others. Mastering can be a tedious time-consuming process.

Mic: A common form of the word microphone. Years back it used to be "mike",. but that was just silly and that term has pretty much disappeared.

Microphone Preamp: "Microphone pre-amplifier" is device used to amplify the voltage taken from a microphone to a higher, more usable level. Many microphones must be used in conjunction with a microphone preamp to function properly. USB mics do not require this. On audio interfaces you will see a "48v" button, which is used for certain mics (usually condenser mics).

Mix: The blending of voice, sound effects, music, etc. The finished product is referred to as the "final mix".

Mixing Board: An electronic device for combining (“mixing”) and manipulating the dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer. The mixed and modified signals are combined as a final stereo output (and occasionally mono output in special instances).

Modulation: The change from one tonality to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in pitch Modulations articulate or create the structure or form within pieces of a sound clip or mix, as well as adding a form of interest within the sound.

Monitors: The loudspeakers in the control room that engineers use for listening to playbacks. Monitors can also be used by musicians or voice actors to hear other instruments or sounds going on as they record within headphones.

Monologue: One-person copy. Also referred to as a single.

Mouth noise: The clicks and pops a microphone picks up from a dry mouth. Such sounds are undesirable to say the least, but they can usually be edited out during the mix if not noticed and redone during recording.

Multiple: Refers to script with three or more characters in it.

Multitrack: A machine capable of recording and replaying multiple recorded tracks at the same time. This is the crux of the mixing process.

Music bed: The soundtrack that will be mixed in with the voice work.

Non-union: A voice-over job that is not through an actors union. A non-union job is one that is not staffed with voice talent that are members of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Hollywood productions are mostly staffed with SAG-AFTRA members, however, the vast majority of voice actors outside of that are freelance non-SAG-AFTRA talent.

Off-camera: A part where an actor supplies only their voice to a job.

Outtake: A previous take that hasn’t been approved and is removed. Many times there will be multiple takes of the same recording, so that the best version can be selected at editing time. All of the versions that don't make the final mix are outtakes. Outro: The "leaving" or "ending" of something.

Overlapping: When an actor starts his or her line a moment before another actor finishes theirs.

Over scale: Any amount paid over the minimum wage set by SAG-AFTRA. Most freelance work is over scale, which has always created friction between union and non-union talent.

Over-the-top: Direction intended to make the copy sound larger than life, requiring the actor to overact.

Pace: The speed in which an actor reads copy.

Paper noise: Sound that the mic picks up if your script gets moved during recording. Therefore, scripts are almost always placed on sheet music stands and if sheets need to be changed or rearranged due to the length of the reading, then this is usually done while you are not recording your voice. The engineer is happy to accommodate you if needed, as they don’t want to have to edit out paper noise later on. Phasing: When sound reflects or bounces of certain surfaces and causes a weird, disjointed effect in the sound of the recording. This rarely occurs with one mic and is most common when more than one mic is utilized in a recording situation. This is very commonly seen with drums, due to the multiple microphones located in different places around the drum kit or room.

Phones: A short word for headphones, ear[phones, ear buds, cans, etc.

Pitch: The vocal level at which a person speaks.

Playback: Listening to what has just been recorded.

Plosive: Any consonant or combination of consonants that causes an unwanted "popping" sound, which sounds more like a small (or large) "explosion" type of sound. This will almost always be cause for a do-over, but if missed, they can most times be softened, or completely reduced, during mixing. Generally, pop filters, wind screens, or a combination of both are used with mics when recording to prevent this.

Pop: When voice sounds are registering too hard into the mic. Usually caused by plosives. Again, pop filters, wind screens, or a combination of both are used with mics when recording to prevent this.

Pop filter: A noise protection mechanism for microphones, typically used in a recording studio. It serves to reduce or eliminate popping sounds caused by the mechanical impact of fast-moving air on the microphone, usually from plosives during recorded speech and singing. Pop filters can also keep saliva off the microphone during recording. A typical pop filter is composed of one or more layers of acoustically semi-transparent material, such as woven nylon, stretched over a circular frame, that is attached to the mic stand by a mounting clamp and a flexible tube (known as a "gooseneck").  It works much like a windscreen, and many times the two are used together.

Post-production: Also known simply as "post". The work done after the voice-talent has finished recording the session. This includes mixing in special effects music, or other audio of some sort. Post-production is the general term for all stages of production (video or audio recording) occurring after the actual end of shooting and/or recording the completed work. Typically, the post-production phase takes much longer than the actual shooting or recording.

Preamplifier: Also referred to as a pre-amp, this device is an electronic amplifier which precedes the main amplifier to better prepare an electronic signal. The preamplifier circuitry may or may not be housed as a separate component from the main amplifier.

Producer: The person in charge of a recording session. Many times the producer is also the director when it comes to voice acting, where as with movies or TV shows they are most commonly two different people.

Promo: A promotional commercial spot used by TV and Radio stations specifically to increase audience awareness of upcoming programming.

PSA: Public Service Announcement. Commercials produced to raise awareness of current issues, such as smoking, drug abuse, pollution, illness, etc.

Punch: Reading a word or line with more intensity.

Punch in: Sometimes referred to as a "pick-up". This is the rejoining or continuation of a piece of copy, most times as part of doing something over (a "re-do"). The engineer will activate recording (known as a "punch in" or "punching in") at a certain point in the recording timeline. This makes editing much easier later on, as opposed to recording "fix clips" at the end that then need to be placed in the appropriate place in the timeline by the editor.

Read: The style of reading an actor presents as a voice talent. Also referred to as your performance, as in the producer telling you, "That was a good read".

Real-time: An event that takes as long as it actually takes, as opposed to high-speed, or adjusted speed..

Residuals: Continuing payments an actor may receive in certain time increments as their spot airs over time within a given cycle or "shelf life".

Resonance: The full quality of a voice created by vibrations in resonating chambers, such as the mouth and sinus areas and how those sounds are captured.

Re-use: A "re-use fee" is what actors are paid when their spot is re-run after the original contracted time frame expires. It is usually the same amount they received for the first run cycle.

Reverb: A variation of echo. It’s an effect added to your voice in post-production.

Room tone: The sound a room makes without anyone in it.

Rough mix: The step before the final mix. This is when the producer and engineer get a decent basic mix of everything that has been recorded for a job before they fine-tune the dynamics and levels of everything in the final mix and mastering.

Run-through: Rehearsing the copy before recording. Like a dress rehearsal.

SAG-AFTRA: Screen Actors’ Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The union mainly for movie and television actors and performers.

SFX: Shorthand for sound effects. Also seen as EFX ("effects).

Scale: The minimum, established wages set by SAG-AFTRA for working talent. Double scale or triple scale refers to these wages times 2 or 3.

Scale plus 10: Refers to the extra 10% paid to an actor’s agent on a job.

Scratch track: A rough audio or video track that a production company may put together for an actor to read to.

Session: The event where a talent performs a script for recording purposes.

Shave: To shorten your read, as in, "Can you shave three seconds off that read?"

Sibilance: The technical term for a drawn out or excessive “S” sound during speech. Some sibilance is joined with a whistle, which is a very annoying sound. This can be mitigated with a sound tool called a "de-esser".

Signature: The specific quality of a voice that makes it unique, such as someone telling you, "You have a signature sound." Examples of signature sound voices are Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pesci, Christopher Walken, etc.

Slate: Slating is simply saying your name at the beginning of an audition recording. There are different ways you can slate, however, the basic slate is simply stating your name at the beginning of the file, and usually pairing it with the character or role you're playing. The slate helps a director identify and keep track of the actors and the various takes.

Sound Effects: Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media.

Spokesperson: Also referred to as a "spokes". A voice actor who is hired on a repeat contractual basis to represent a product or company.

Spot: It mainly refers to the role assigned to a voice actor to be recorded. However, it can also refer to a commercial or announcement. It is a somewhat antiquated term that originated from the days when all radio commercials were performed live in between songs. The performers were "on the spot.”

Stair stepping: Having the pitch progressively rise up or down as a means of defining phrases. This technique is especially effective when reading laundry lists.

Station I.D.: Also known as an "ident". A short sound bite where the call letters of a radio station are announced or sung.

Steps: Increasing the energy on a long list of adjectives or superlatives.

Storyboard: The creative director’s, copywriter’s, or producer's conception of what is to be filmed or recorded for a client by the voice talent

Studio: "Recording studio". The facility where all recording and mixing for audio recording takes place. This can be a commercial, private, or home studio location.

Sync: Matching a voice from a previous recording, or matching voice to video, such as doing voice-overs for a cartoon. It also refers to aligning multiple recorded tracks to start and end together perfectly.

Take: The recording of one specific piece of voice acting copy. All takes are numbered consecutively, and are usually slated by the engineer.

Talent: An actor, broadcast performer, entertainer or voice acting artist.

Talkback: Refers to the button connected to the microphone in the engineer’s console. It allows the engineer or director to talk to the talent in the booth.

Tease: The introductory line used to promote interest. Promos are sometimes referred to as teasers.

Tempo: The speed at which copy is delivered and recorded.

Tight: Not a lot of time to read, or referring to a script that has a lot of words and not much time to say them in, such as someone telling you, "This section is really tight, it's a lot to say in 15 seconds, so no hesitations."

Time: Literally, the length of a spot. Most radio and TV spots have 15, 30 or 60-second time increments.

Time code: A digital read-out on the engineer’s console referring to positions within the video or audio timelines. This is very important in movie or television show dubbing.

Tone: A specific sound or attitude.

Track: This can refer to either the act of recording or the actual recorded piece, as in, "We’re ready to track", "We're ready to start tracking", or "Let's listen to this track".

Trailer: This most commonly refers to a commercial that promotes the release of a movie. Transition: The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. This could be any variety of instances, such as a scene changing from one location to another, or going from one example to another.

Use fee: An additional fee that can be negotiated and paid to a performer when their spot is actually aired.

Voice-over, voice over or voiceover: (see my article regarding which version is acceptable). It’s the act of providing a voice to a media project (what the voice actor is actually recording). It can also be abbreviated as VO or V-O. And it can also be seen as AVO (announcer voice-over). Unlike "voice acting", which is the art of using one's voice to bring written words to life.

Voice Talent: A person who sells his or her voice as a product to be used with other forms of media A voice talent may also be referred to as a voice over talent, voice-over talent, voiceover talent, talent, voice talent, voice actor or voice artist.

VU meter: A meter on the engineer’s console that indicates the level of sound passing through a channel on the board (mixing console).

Watermark: A means to render an audio file unusable. For audio files watermarks will be tones or other background sound mixed into the finished audition file that basically ruins any usability of the file.

Wet: A voice or sound with reverb added to it, such as, "We're going for a more wet sound on this one".

Windscreen:  It serves to reduce or eliminate popping sounds caused by the mechanical impact of fast-moving air on the microphone, usually from plosives during recorded speech and singing. It works much like a pop filter, and many times the two are used together. A windscreen is most commonly a hollow foam hood that slides over a microphone, although they can be made from other materials such as fur or fuzz.

Wrap: The end, as in, "That’s a wrap" (meaning, "we're finished!"

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