Transcribing, dubbing and subtitling services

Our translation and interpreting agency TransEurope has its own recording studio which is used for audio editing of all types of video recordings: commercials, documentaries or company videos. Some of our most popular services are transcribing, translating the transcript to and from different languages, voice-over, background music selection, sound effects, composing and recording of the soundtrack and subtitle editing.

In order to provide a client with an estimate (most clients would like to know the total price in advance), we need to have a filled in form or information covering the following points:

• Number of recordings;
• Format of recordings (AVI, MOV, etc.) Please note that downloading videos from YouTube is a different service that needs to be paid for separately. Unless YouTube recordings are uploaded in HD, we may not be able to deal with the order due to the poor quality of the video;
• The length of the recording in minutes;
• How many male/female voices are needed for each of the recordings;
• What types of voices and how many of each is required for every video: low/male/female/old/young/high/croaky, etc.
• Whether we need to keep or delete the original soundtrack (in order to have only one soundtrack with the narrator).

All of the above details will determine the final price of the project. The following are our basic prices for a 5 minute recording without translation:

1. Studio hire – between 1,000 and 2,000 per hour.
2. Work of the reader – between 2,500 and 6000 rubbles.
3. Work of the sound engineer – between 5,000 and 8,000 per 8 hours.

We can confirm the final price only after receiving detailed information covering all the points mentioned above.

We will now cover briefly different stages of audio and video production.

Dubbing

Dubbing is one of the first stages of video production. A sound track of a film consists of a few components: background music, off-screen narrator, sound effects (audio insertions that make visuals more harmonious and natural). It is essential that all these components are selected and connected to each other correctly and effectively. It is important to remember that sound elements should not dominate over the narration. Although some of the information is transmitted to the viewers through the means of visual messages, graphics, subtitles, diagrams, the role of the narrator in a traditional video remains the most important.

Narrator’s voice.

Every recording requires a special narrator suitable for this particular type of recording. For example, some of our actors are great at reading material on the subject of travel while others read technical texts professionally. Literary materials are assigned to readers-actors with a talent for narration. We are always happy to suggest readers who are native speakers of foreign languages.

Sound track.

Music is the essential component of the sound track. It can be used as a ‘decoration’ for the visuals or can become a separate main character of the story. Original music composed especially for the video is considered to be an ideal choice. Professional composers working for us in the studio will be happy to suggest several stylistically different audio versions. If you have already decided on a particular musical style, our composers will write and record a musical sound track in your chosen style. We have a vast musical library of previously composed musical themes to choose from.

Sound effects.

Every story has its natural sound effects; however very often original sound effects need ‘cleaning’ or require a partial sound rearrangement. Our vast library of sound effects will always have something that will meet your needs. Our sound engineers re-create sound effects to such a high standard that it will be impossible to tell a difference between them and original sound effects. Depending on the artistic tasks, we will emphasise important shots with the help of special effects.

Mixing and mastering.

Mixing various sound tracks into one is a very important stage in the dubbing process that requires a lot of work. At first an off-screen text is placed on the corresponding shot and then sound effects are adjusted: when the narrator is speaking, sound effects are reduced to the minimum; during pauses the volume is increased. The same work is carried out with the background music. In order to improve speech illegibility against the background music, the vocals are balanced with the help of a broadband frequency equalizer. The final soundtrack undergoes compression in order to adjust the volume. Compressed sound is easy on the ear and pleasant to listen to as the film no longer has loud or quiet fragments in the sound track. Special master-effects are added to the final mix in order to make the sound vibrant and sonorous.

Commercial dubbing services.

Commercial dubbing is an interesting but extremely difficult task. Not only you need to come up with a memorable and catchy sound track but make it fit in a very short period of time, for example, 20 seconds. The same applies to the text of the commercial that needs to be vibrant, reflect the brand of the product advertised as well as be the right length for the allocated time. You can record a few takes of the text for the commercial and if you wish, do the mixing yourself.

Video production for businesses.

As a rule, when dubbing company videos, famous actors and readers are invited. If the budget does not allow this, the work is assigned to young and equally talented actors and narrators. In our studio we will help you not only prepare an off-screen sound track, but also dub the complete film.

Film translation and dubbing.

Dubbing is a popular service nowadays. Our specialists are happy to re-dub the film in any foreign language. Besides dubbing itself, we can also carry out its translation.

As it is not always possible to separate vocals from the music in the original soundtrack, we offer other possible ways of dubbing. Traditionally, original sound track is turned down, while the Russian sound track is laid on top. There is another, more creative method which is to replace the original soundtrack completely with similar background music and reconstructed sound effects. As a result of this re-dubbing, the original text in a foreign language cannot be heard.