Pro Voice Over British Scottish, English, RP & Character Actor

 

How remote is your Remote Work?

So I am natively Scottish (born Dundee, lived in Fife, Orkney, Inverness then school in Glasgow), trained in Bristol, UK, lived in London, England for many years and now live in Sydney Australia.

Generally I work with clients who need a Scottish or English voice on the other side of the world from me. I wish I could offer Australian but my kangaroo accent needs much work..! We sometimes get the times right to do a remote session (which I love), but often I’m recording while my client sleeps and they get the recording their morning. It works well!

I just got thinking about how amazing our world of remote production work is. I sent off script changes for a project this morning which highlights this:

Production company in Utrecht, the Netherlands
Video is for a presentation in Sweden
Scottish voice-over in Sydney, Australia
Animator in Hyderabad, India
Audio guy from Turin, Italy

How cool is this?!

How many countries can you tick off on your next voice over or production project?? Or what’s the most you have ticked off in the past?

Hannah



 #voice  #voiceover  #VoiceOverCommunity  #remotework  #homestudio  #itsasmallworld  #community  #global  #world  #audio  #animation  #video  #production  #videoproduction

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Hannah North   Pro Voice Over British Scottish, English, RP & Character Actor

 

The elephant in the voice over room.

Singing.

I have just started lessons in singing technique again. Babies, business, life all got in the way of singing for longer than should have. But it’s so good to be going back through all my old repertoire! Building strength back I used to take for granted. Don’t Rain on My Parade!

And a major major plus seems very obvious. But it’s my speaking voice! Being reminded about proper breathing technique, performing proper daily warm ups and in general strengthening my voice has improved my tone, resonance and phrasing. My breaths are quieter and voice is more connected.

I think I’m just sharing as a reminder we can use our voices for so much more than chatting away. And learning more about our voice can help us improve in all areas.

So get singing again!

My next goal is to record a jingle demo. That’s it I have said it! Yikes!

 #voiceover  #VoiceOverCommunity  #singing  #warmup  #voice  #song  #jingle #demo  #learn

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Hannah North

Pro Voice Over British Scottish, English, RP & Character Actor

March 26, 2025

Well… thankfully not true. It is pretty much impossible to block out all sounds from the outside unless your room is within the middle of a completely silent and huge building! A bit like the panic room in the film Panic Room. And let’s all be thankful we don’t have to record for hours in there, although we would be pretty safe! More important is the quality of sound within your booth or studio. You don’t want the sound reflecting or echoing. I like to feel like my ears are going into a little bit of a sound vacum when I go into a well treated space. Even when recording in some professional studios you still must pause when a plane flies over, a huge loud truck goes by or a dreaded siren.

Thankfully my studio is in a very quiet area, or I should say our home is, and also very well sound treated. I love stepping in and feeling the warmth of no echoes and softened sound.

It can be difficult to know where to start though and what to do to sound treat your space when starting out. You are aiming to reduce reflections, echoes, and outside noise.

Here are a few ideas for you:

1. Choose the Right Space

Small, quiet rooms work best — avoid rooms with lots of hard surfaces or big windows.

Carpeted floors are a plus. If not, consider a rug.

2. Focus on Sound Treatment (Not Soundproofing)

You don’t need to make your space soundproof; you just need to control reflections.

Key areas to treat:

Behind the mic (so your voice doesn’t bounce off the wall and back into the mic)

Side walls (to reduce lateral reflections)

Ceiling above the mic (if possible)

Treatment materials:

Acoustic foam panels – for reducing high-frequency reflections

Mineral wool or fiberglass panels (like Rockwool or Owens Corning 703) – for a more professional touch, especially for mids and lows

Bass traps – for room corners to absorb low-end rumble

Heavy curtains, duvets, or moving blankets – budget-friendly and great for temporary setups

3. Reduce Floor Reflections

Use a rug or carpet under your mic stand.

Avoid bare wood or tile.

4. Control the Noise

Even if you’re treating the room, outside noise can still creep in.

Turn off fans, aircon, and electronics that hum.

Use a dynamic mic if your space isn’t super quiet — they can pick up less ambient noise.

Close windows and doors, and consider door seals or draft stoppers.

5. Mic Placement Matters

Keep the mic away from walls or corners.

Use the 45 degree rule and thumb to pinky.

Use a reflection filter behind the mic if needed.

Always use a pop filter to reduce plosives.

6. Test and Adjust

Record some dry voice tests and listen with good headphones.

Clap in the room: if you hear a harsh echo, you need more treatment.

Use free software like Room EQ Wizard (REW) to see your room’s frequency response if you want to get nerdy.

So get back into your booth or studio and test out that sound! And remember, try not to record inside a plane as it’s never going to be under -60 dB!

Hannah

If you would like a free sample of your script from my soft, sound treated studio then please send me your script and I will have it back with you asap, possibly within the hour!

For more samples visit www.HannahNorthVO.com

#warm #uk #british #professional #clear #english #voiceover #actor #sound

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When a voice-over brief asks for a natural or conversational tone, it usually means the client wants the read to sound like you’re talking to a friend, not performing or announcing something. Think of how you’d speak if you were casually explaining something to someone over coffee—not overly polished, not robotic, and definitely not pushy or like you are trying to sell something. 

Here are a couple of helpful, & of course natural, hints: 

Relaxed pacing – Not too fast or overly enunciated.

Everyday delivery – Like how you’d actually say the words in real life.

Varying rhythm and tone – Just like in a real conversation, your voice goes up and down naturally.

Warmth and authenticity – The listener should feel like you mean what you’re saying.

Light imperfection – Tiny pauses or breath sounds can help it feel real (within reason).

If you imagine reading the script as if you’re giving advice, telling a story, or sharing info with someone you know, that usually gets you in the right zone.

If you have a script which you would like to hear read very naturally and conversationally then get in touch. I can send you a short sample of your script usually within the hour. Email your script to hannah@hannahnorthVO.com

Or to listen to a few samples click www.HannahNorthVO.com

If you need help relaxing so you can find that perfect conversational tone try ideas from this blog post here: https://hannahnorthvo.com/how-do-i-relax/

#neutral #upbeat #natural #conversational #british #uk #english #scottish #commercial #tv #radio 

The post 🚨 I need to sound “natural” and “conversational” in the next few minutes! Help me quick! 🚨 appeared first on Hannah North VO.

Hannah North

Pro Voice Over British Scottish, English, RP & Character Actor

March 24, 2025

Good question! And one we are all wondering at the moment. The AI voices out there are steadily improving but there is still a way to go. I personally still just cannot fully connect with an AI voice.

My husband recently had a long e-learning training to watch and listen to for his work and he came to me complaining how difficult it was to concentrate and keep focus on the topic. As an renewable energy engineer he has many technical topics to learn about and respond to regularly and he found this very difficult with the AI alternative his company had chosen.

Below are a list of reasons why finding a human to voice your narration, e-learning, explainer will help not only your company and brand but also you employees. They will retain and truly learn from the information you are taking time to write and produce for them!

1. Emotional Connection Humans convey subtle emotions, nuance, and authenticity that AI still struggles to replicate. Whether it’s warmth, urgency, humour, or sincerity, a human voice builds trust and connection — key for keeping audiences engaged and invested.

2. Brand Personality Your brand has a unique tone, and a real voice actor can tailor delivery to match your brand identity — be it friendly, authoritative, quirky, or caring. AI often sounds generic, making it harder to stand out.

3. Contextual Intelligence Humans instinctively understand context — sarcasm, emphasis, pacing, and even how to subtly adjust tone based on the script’s meaning or audience. AI often gets tripped up by homonyms, complex phrasing, or shifts in mood.

4. Audience Perception Listeners can tell the difference. Even the best AI voices can feel “off” — slightly robotic or emotionally flat. If your audience perceives your content as low-effort or inauthentic, it can harm your credibility.

5. Flexibility & Direction Working with a human means you can give real-time feedback: “Can you make that line sound more empathetic?” or “Try a slower pace here.” With AI, revisions often require re-generating the whole piece and still might not get it right.

6. Cultural Sensitivity Human narrators understand nuance in local accents, dialects, slang, and cultural references. This helps avoid awkward phrasing or tone-deaf delivery that might alienate audiences.

7. Legal & Ethical Considerations Using a human voice ensures you’re not unknowingly using cloned voices or AI tools with unclear licensing or usage rights — a growing legal grey area.

Have a think about how you engage with naturally spoken podcasts, talk radio (my fave is BBC Radio 4) and face to face conversations. If you are a Voice Over keep your reads natural & engaging. For companies keep searching for real (human!) voice over actors to bring life and vitality to your projects!

Now get back into your studio and record your next script like the natural human wonder you are! Hannah

Fancy a human sample read of your script? Email it to me and I will send it back asap – hannah@hannahnorthvo.com

Some prerecorded voice over samples? www.HannahNorthVO.com

Hannah North

Pro Voice Over British Scottish, English, RP & Character Actor

The post Why would I choose a human voice over an (often) cheaper AI alternative? appeared first on Hannah North VO.

Click here to watch more…

#voiceover #warm#deep #dark #rich #Scottish #whisky

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Hannah North

Pro Voice Over British Scottish, English, RP & Character Actor

March 17, 2025

Preparation – Preparing a script.

Do we need to? To some extent yes! This obviously depends on the genre your script is from. An Audiobook is going to need a lot of preparation and even more depending on how many characters are in the story. You might be highlighting 20 different characters and perfecting 20 different voices. However, a “Bumper” or “Tag Line” for a commercial may only be 6 words long. Therefor you might only need or want to read the words a couple of times as often magically your second read is the best and used by the producer or client.

Below are some general hints and tips so you can enter a session positively and confidently. Whether this is by yourself or with a producer, and maybe client, in a directed session. It is important to feel happy you have done any work needed beforehand, so you can spend time taking direction and listening to ideas or needs from the client.

1.        Choose the Right Script Format

– Use a Large, Clear Font (12-14 pt, Arial or Times New Roman)

– Double-space or 1.5 spacing for easy reading

– Break up long sentences into shorter, natural phrases

– Use bold or italics to indicate emphasis

– Include pronunciation guides for tricky words

2. Mark Up the Script for Performance

– Add pauses (e.g., [pause] or “…”)

– Note any tone or mood shifts (e.g., [excited], [serious])

– If needed, indicate pace (e.g., [slowly], [fast and energetic])

– If doing multiple takes, highlight key variations you want to try

3. Time Your Script

– Standard pace: 130-160 words per minute

– Read it aloud and adjust for natural pacing

– Ensure it fits within any required time constraints

4. Print or Use a Tablet for Recording

– If using paper, print in large font and avoid glossy paper (reduces noise)

– If using a tablet, turn off notifications and use a scroll-friendly format

5. Warm Up & Rehearse Before Recording

– You might want to read my post on Warming up!

– Read the script a few times to find the right flow

– Practice difficult words or unfamiliar phrasing

– Experiment with tone and delivery to ensure it sounds natural

6. Keep a Clean Copy for Editing

– If making notes during the session, use a separate copy

– Avoid excessive markings that could distract you while reading

Hope these ideas can be of help when you next have an audition script, a book to read or a directed session!

Now get back into your booth and press record!

Hannah

How to Warm Up Your Voice post: https://hannahnorthvo.com/how-do-i-warm-my-voice-up/

www.HannahNorthVO.com

Warm, clear & professional voice overs

British English, Soft Scottish

Send me your script and I will send you back a short sample free of charge. If you need help with the writing or to brain storm I am here for you!

hannah@hannahnorthvo.com

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1.  The Role of Emotion in Character Voice Acting

At the heart of great character voice acting is emotion. A character’s voice should reflect their personality, motivations, and inner world. The actor’s ability to convey these emotions through vocal tone, pitch, and pacing is crucial.

–  Understanding the Character : Before jumping into the booth, a voice actor must fully understand the character. This involves studying the character’s backstory, goals, relationships, and flaws. The more you understand your character, the more real they will feel to the audience.

–  Emotional Range : Great voice actors can express a wide range of emotions—happiness, fear, anger, excitement, sadness—using just their voice. Vocal techniques like altering pitch or pacing can be used to convey these emotions effectively. For instance, a higher pitch might convey excitement, while a slower pace with a deeper tone might suggest sadness or contemplation.

–  Authenticity : The key to an authentic character voice is consistency. Whether the character is in a calm or high-stakes situation, the actor’s voice must stay true to the essence of that character. The best character voice actors make their performances feel natural, even if the character is extraordinary or fantastical.

2.  Finding the Right Voice: Techniques for Creating Distinctive Characters

One of the challenges in character voice acting is creating a voice that stands out and feels distinctive, even if it’s an exaggerated or fantastical creation.

–  Vocal Variety : Changing the pitch, speed, or texture of your voice can help craft unique characters. For example, a deep, gravelly voice can evoke strength or villainy, while a high-pitched, rapid-fire delivery can convey energy or anxiety.

–  Character Archetypes and Tropes : Often, characters are based on familiar archetypes (the hero, the villain, the sidekick, etc.), but it’s the voice actor’s job to put their own unique twist on it. For instance, a “wise old sage” might have a slow, measured tone, but adding a quirky, unpredictable delivery can make it more memorable.

–  Physicality and Movement : Though voice acting is done without a physical presence, how you move your body can influence the voice you create. Experimenting with different stances or gestures can help you find the right voice that fits the character’s personality and behavior. This method is often used by professionals to enhance the vocal delivery and make it more believable.

3.  The Art of Impressions and Accents

Many character voice actors excel at impressions and accents, which can add depth and authenticity to their characters.

–  Impressions : Recreating famous voices or celebrities can be part of voiceover work, especially in comedic roles. However, successful impressionists don’t just mimic sounds—they study the nuances, inflections, and emotional depth of the person’s speech patterns.

–  Accents and Dialects : Playing characters with regional or international accents requires both vocal control and cultural sensitivity. It’s important to get the accent right without resorting to stereotypes, and to respect the authenticity of the character’s background.

4.  Voice Acting in Different Mediums: Animation, Video Games, and Audiobooks

While the basic principles of character voice acting apply across mediums, each field has its own set of challenges and techniques.

–  Animation : Animated characters often have exaggerated expressions and personalities, so the voice needs to match that energy. Animation voice actors may also need to sync their performance to the character’s movements, adding another layer of complexity. This requires a great deal of timing and precision.

–  Video Games : Voice acting in video games involves a unique level of interaction, where characters may be responding to player actions or living in dynamic, non-linear worlds. The voice actor must remain consistent through various choices and outcomes, and their performance often includes a range of vocal reactions—combat shouts, battle cries, emotional moments, etc.

–  Audiobooks : Audiobook narration requires voice actors to not only bring individual characters to life but also maintain a consistent voice throughout the entire story. The challenge here is to balance character distinction with narrative flow. The narrator must use subtle shifts in tone, pacing, and volume to keep listeners engaged over the course of several hours.

5.  Final Thoughts: The Future of Character Voice Acting

As technology advances, voice actors are embracing new tools and techniques to push the boundaries of their craft. Artificial intelligence is becoming more prevalent in generating voices for digital avatars and characters, but there will always be a need for human actors (thank goodness!) to provide the emotional depth and nuance that machines cannot replicate. The future of character voice acting lies in versatility—being able to transition from animated characters to serious video game roles to narrating audiobooks with ease.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, embracing the art of character voice acting means constantly experimenting with your vocal abilities, understanding the depth of your characters, and delivering performances that make the audience feel like they are truly living in the world you’ve created.

If you have any of your own tips on creating truthful character voices we would all love to hear them!

Now get back into your studio and record some voices of people, animals or characters you wouldn’t usually! And, of course, have fun!

Hannah

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