Why the Right Voice can Make or Break a video
Our voices are powerful musical instruments. We all know that they can be the defining difference when it comes to songs. While the beat and the lyrics are what are listened to, the right type of voice used by an artist can elevate the song further. If the voice isn’t right or if it is out of tune, then it can break it.
The very same can be said when it comes to videos. The right voice can have an emotional pull, as it can captivate the audience and create connections that help to convey and solidify the message that is being sent. Have you ever watched a documentary and listened to the narrator and thought they are ideal for the content that’s been produced? Maybe you’ve watched a reality TV show that has someone providing a voice over, and continue to identify that sound with the show because of how it fits? Indeed, producers of videos recognize that these things need to be right to make sure the video hits where it needs to.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that there can be drawbacks to using the wrong voice. While the right one can create a connection, a poor choice can have the opposite impact. It can turn viewers off, leave them struggling to be immersed, or even ruin the overall production quality of the video, turning what could be an exceptional piece of craftsmanship into one that is criticized because of poor voice usage choices.
Our voices are the storytelling tool
In videos, the voices used can be the most important tool of the entire production. They are the instrument that allows a message to be conveyed to the audience, tying the visuals that can be seen together and creating the story that can immerse viewers into the production and keep them engaged.
Using the right voice-over can also help to set the tone, establish the mood, and guide the audience’s perception. For example, a warm voice can be used for positive messages, as viewers may be able to connect with it and feel the warmth that is being conveyed. Alternatively, a voice that evokes fear because of its deepness or if it has a husky tone that sounds rough can also create an experience that evokes tension and suspense. However, these need to be used in the right manner.
A voice can help to make things more human and personal. In an age where AI has started to take over, many videos being created can sound robotic, thus lacking personality or character. These robotic voices can be disengaging, making content harder to watch. A human voice can make things more immersive, as it can depict various accents and sounds that can keep the audience on their toes, as they need to recognize what’s being said. At the same time, they may be more interested if they can hear that it is a real person who has lent their voice to the video, as they may appreciate the content further.
Of course, there are benefits to using AI-generated voices, especially when creating content that is of a foreign language. For example, a German-themed video can use a German Voice Over to convey its message with simplicity, but there is a fine line that needs to be managed. There is nothing wrong with using one, but just remember that the right version needs to be used of the several that can be chosen from.
What can happen if the wrong voice is used?
We’ve mentioned how the wrong voice can compromise the quality of the video, even if the content and production quality are of a high standard. If the voice doesn’t match the content that has been produced, it won’t feel as powerful with viewers as it won’t connect in the right way. It’ll feel messy and may even feel out of touch, leaving people to be critical of the video and its message, even if the right one is trying to be told.
Sometimes, audiences may disconnect with a video if the voice doesn’t suit the content because they can’t take it seriously. For instance, if a video has been created on something that is about history or an age-related thing and the voice is a lot older or younger than what’s being shown, or if it lacks authority and conviction, the video can often be discredited immediately.
Voice is everything
As highlighted, the voice is everything when it comes to making a video. It has the power to make or break one, regardless of the content that has been produced.
Videomakers need to ensure they use the right voice as this can be just as important in relaying the messages that they are trying to send. If it’s wrong, they can be discredited, which may leave them struggling if they produce more videos in the future.
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