Dubbing Services

Dubbing in foreign languages

Dubbing is the audiovisual service that replaces the speech in audiovisual content with its translation into another language.

Dubbing ensures a highly effective professional solution for overcoming language barriers. It enables films, videos and documentaries whose distribution would otherwise remain restricted to a local audience can be enjoyed internationally. More and more companies are choosing to launch themselves on international markets via video. This is in particular due to the importance assigned to video content by search engines.

SMG Languages provides a finished audiovisual product, taking care of all sound, direction and post-production operations, such as voiceover recording, synchronisation and mixing. We are right by your side for the whole journey!

Here are our services:

• Translation and Dubbing

Includes script translation, voice acting and recording, as well as synchronisation and mixing, which are performed by the sound engineer.

• Dubbing-only service

In the event that the client already has a translation, we can provide the dubbing-only service, with adaptation of the texts, where required.

The dubbing process

• Translation

Dubbing begins with the translation of the original speech, which the translator receives in the form of text; this source text may already be available in written form – such as a film script – or it has to be transcribed from the audio recording. SMGs dubbing translators have specific expertise in the translation of audiovisual content, since the rhythm, length and flow of audio content intended for the big and small screen are different from what we are used to consuming by reading. The translation must convey the message with immediacy, brevity and absolute clarity. It must accurately reflect the mood of the original. Above all, it must be structured to follow as closely as possible the pauses and movements of speech.

Our translators are already conscious of the next step as they work, which is to insert the voice of the voice actor into the film. Quality dubbing requires more than just the translated text accurately representing the content of the original; it must also comply with precise formal rules. For example, it must respect the length of the source text for a question of consistency with the image, i.e. the lip-sync and gestures of the speaker. This will not only make the voice actor’s job easier, it will also help to create effective and engaging speech.

• Adaptation

The translation is then revised with the video ahead of an editing stage known as adaptation, when it is further edited and revised in order to achieve satisfactory synchronisation.

• Creating the loops

Once the translation is complete, work begins on the film to be dubbed: the script is divided into short, manageable portions, called takes or loops.

• Recording the voices

The next stage is recording the voice actors on one or more soundtracks. This is done inside a recording room, i.e. a soundproof and suitably equipped place, with the assistance of the sound technicians.

• Synchronisation

With the help of electronic and digital equipment, the synchroniser matches the audio (recorded voices) with the video (on-screen lip movement). This can include shortening or lengthening pauses and even moving sentences or entire pieces of dialogue with respect to the visual.

• Mixing

Finally, the dialogue, images, music and sound effects recorded separately are integrated, blended or overlaid to create a single medium.

How to request our dubbing services

To request a dubbing service, you are asked to provide the following information:

• Your details: name, business name, e-mail and phone number.
• If you also need a translation, indicate the source language, the target language, the topic and the number of minutes of audio to be translated.
• Voice of the voice actor: male or female, young or older.
• Type of dubbing: synchronised or oversound.
• Number of minutes of audio recording to be dubbed.
• The format of the audio file to be processed.
• Quality of service: you can choose your preferred quality level:
  • Standard: professional service at low cost, performed by native speaker interpreters using a digital voice recorder at low frequencies;
  • Top: service at higher cost, carried out in a studio with a wide range of frequencies, with professional voice actors (national voices).
• Date and time within which you would like to receive the quote.