Equipment And Gadgets for Professional Voice Over Translation

Updated October 6, 2023
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In the globalized world we all live in, communication has never been more important. International business across language barriers can be a bit tricky and full of secret traps that Google Translate just won’t be able to tackle like a pro. Misunderstanding can be very costly, and it’s essential to make sure that your translation is top quality.

How can you do that? You need legitimate and reliable translators – there are actual living people that do this, and they put your content in context – much better than AI or a dictionary. Companies like  Lighthouse Translation are able to translate live during a meeting – just like you see in big UN conferences or international events. Keep in mind that it’s much better to hire professionals, rather than trying to translate something by yourself. Imagine if they relied on Google Translate at a European Union meeting! Things would go downhill fairly quickly.

Secondly, make sure that your voice over translation equipment is high-quality. And if you’re not sure what kind of gear you should get, below you’ll find more information. Of course, most translating companies can help you out with this selection or will have their own equipment available.

Here are the essential equipment, and a few useful gadgets for professional voice-over translation. But before we get to that, let’s talk about the basics first.

Studio Space

You should keep one thing in mind. No matter how much money you spend on your equipment, it will be worthless if your studio space is inefficient. That’s why setting up a studio is the first thing you should do.

But what is a perfect studio space? There are a few essential aspects you need to consider when setting up one.

Firstly, you need to make sure that it’s sound-proof. If you let any external sound in, it’s going to ruin your transcript.

The second thing you need to remember is that you create a stable environment. Doing that will ensure that your voice sounds the same every time you say something.

Fortunately, if you think that it’s too much work, you can always buy a custom booth. Most translators prefer them, as they usually have perfect acoustic.

Microphone

Now that you know what you should start with, we can get to the main part of the article, which is essential translation equipment for professional voice-over translation. The first piece of equipment on the list is probably the most obvious, and yet the most crucial one.

Investing in a high-quality microphone is a must if you want to make an efficient and reliable translation. The wrong microphone can make a voice sound terrible or obscure. And that is the worst thing that can happen in voice-over translation.

Also, there are a few different microphone types, so make sure you do your research to buy or rent the one that suits your needs. There are condenser, dynamic, and USB microphones.

Headphones

Now, when it comes to headphones, forget about using your ordinary telephone headphones. Also, don’t use in-ear headphones and earbuds as they don’t give you the accurate bass representation.

When recording a translation, you should always use specific translation headphones. The best choice for translators is closed-back headphones.

They give you the best and clearest sound representation, which is the exact thing you should demand from them.

Accessories

Microphone and headphones are the basic, and most important two pieces of equipment you need for voice-over translation. But many other accessories can improve translation and work quality.

Getting the right cables, mic stand, lights and stand, can save you a lot of trouble and ensure that your translation is top-quality.

When it comes to the cables, you can choose between digital and analogue cables. The first one transmits information via binary code, and the second uses electricity to carry them,

Mic stands will stabilize your microphones. That ensures that a voice stays the same and that there are no unwanted microphone vibrations. There are a few different types of mic stands. There are floor, desk, and shock mounts.

You should also make sure that the lighting in your studio is top-notch. Translators need to be able to read their scripts easily and feel comfortable at the same time.

Also, the good idea is to invest in utility shelves and water stands.

Software

Efficient translation is not enough. You also need to be able to edit it so that it becomes perfect. That’s why reliable software is a must. It can make a voice sound much clearer and improve its overall quality.

There are plenty of different software providers to choose from. Some of them are more multi-functional, and others are specifically audio oriented. That’s why, to choose what’s going to suit your needs, you should do thorough research.

Look at such aspects as price, functionality, user-friendliness, and system compatibility. Some of them have free trials that will allow you to compare them more easily.

Summary

The efficient translation is essential for every business that wants to go global successfully. Recent studies have shown that customers are more likely to buy a product if the information about it is given in their language.

That proves just how important translation is, and how can it be a decisive factor in the potential foreign success of the company. So, to make sure that your voice over translation is perfect, you should make sure that the equipment you use is top-quality.

Also, keep in mind that you should leave it all to professionals. Many reliable companies offer translation services and will make sure that your global campaign will be successful.

The translation is a key that will open the door to global expansion for your business.

Author: Albert Konik

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