Voiceover Rate Guide - Canada
   ADR ADR | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
In Progress | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
We are currently investigating Canadian ADR rates | |||
Notes | |||
   Additional Chargeable Items Audio Editing | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Per hour of work performed, average rate of 3x raw audio length. | |||
Notes | |||
N/A |
   Additional Chargeable Items Studio Charge | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A | |||
Notes | |||
Some voice artists charge their home recording studio out, dependent on the job and the client. Prices are per hour. |
   Animation Major Character (over 20 lines) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A | |||
Notes | |||
Per session (up to 4 hours). |
   Animation Minor Character (under 20 lines) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A | |||
Notes | |||
Per session (up to 4 hours). Sometimes is priced episodically. |
   Audiobooks Audiobooks | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Usage included within the price. Royalty share jobs pay a portion of book sales, but that often leads to little or no pay. |
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Notes | |||
1. Per Finished Hour means per hour of playback of the edited recording 2. The PFH rate does not include a cost for you to edit the recordings 3. How long it takes you to complete one PFH depends on how well you perform as a voice artist - know your rates! |
   Cinema Cinema | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
$500 | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A | |||
Notes | |||
N/A |
   Corporate Corporate/Explainer | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Typically for one year for non-broadcast/paid internet ads. | |||
Notes | |||
   Corporate E-Learning (per finished minute) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
E-Learning does not typically pay usage/royalties, though this can be negotiated in some cases, especially where the end product is for retail. | |||
Notes | |||
The higher rate is for more technical and medical reads. 0-5 minutes: $350 6-15 minutes: $450 16-30 minutes: $550 31-45 minutes: $750 45-60 minutes: $1,000 |
   Corporate E-Learning (per word) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
E-Learning does not typically pay usage/royalties, though this can be negotiated in some cases, especially where the end product is for retail. | |||
Notes | |||
Include a session fee (generally $150 - $250 per hour). |
   Gaming Video Games/Gaming | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A | |||
Notes | |||
Price is per session - up to 4 hours. Price is for wild-recording, not Motion Capture |
   IVR Per Finished Minute | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
One year if possible, though buyouts are common in this sector. |
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Notes | |||
Add 50% if client requires dial-in or use of proprietary software that may be time consuming. Note that many VO's specify a minimum charge. |
   IVR Per Prompt | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A | |||
Notes | |||
It's also common to have IVR priced on a per prompt basis (minimum session applies). Note that many VO's specify a minimum charge. |
   IVR Per Word | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
One year if possible, though buyouts are common in this sector. |
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Notes | |||
Add 50% if client requires dial-in or use of proprietary software that may be time consuming. Note that many VO's charge a minimum fee. |
   Internet Paid usage (30 spot) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. One year buy max at these rates. |
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Notes | |||
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower 3. Premium can be charged for major brands |
   Internet Promos | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
$400 - $500 | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Per session | |||
Notes | |||
Always try to negotiate a monthly retainer. |
   Internet Unpaid usage (30 spot) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. One year buy max at these rates. |
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Notes | |||
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower 3. Premium can be charged for major brands |
   Radio Commercials - Internet Radio | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. | |||
Notes | |||
Add 25% for 60s. |
   Radio Commercials - Major Market Local (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. |
|||
Notes | |||
Add 25% for 60s. |
   Radio Commercials - National (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. | |||
Notes | |||
Add 25% for 60s. |
   Radio Commercials - Small Market Local (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. | |||
Notes | |||
Add 25% for 60s. |
   Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - Large Market | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout. |
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Notes | |||
1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible |
   Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - Medium Market | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout |
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Notes | |||
1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible |
   Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - National Radio Network | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout |
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Notes | |||
National Radio Network or Streaming 1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible |
   Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - Small Market | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout. |
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Notes | |||
1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible 3. $200 minimum |
   Television Commercials - Exclusivity in Large Sector | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
$25,000 | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Per year | |||
Notes | |||
1. This includes soft drinks, cellular service providers, healthcare etc. 2. Add 25% for 60 spots 3. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower |
   Television Commercials - Exclusivity in Small Sector | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
$5,000 | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Per year | |||
Notes | |||
1. This includes local service providers, uncommon products etc. 2. Add 25% for 60 spots 3. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower |
   Television Commercials - Major Market Local (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
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Notes | |||
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
   Television Commercials - National (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
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Notes | |||
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
   Television Commercials - Regional (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
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Notes | |||
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
   Television Commercials - Small Market Local (up to 30) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
|||
Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
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Notes | |||
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
   Text To Speech / AI Voices Company TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
(Almost always) Included in fee, although some larger corporations will additionally pay for a fixed exclusivity period | |||
Notes | |||
1. Company TTS is where you are being hired to deliver the TTS voice for a specific company - you know it's end-use. You can then decide whether you wish to lend your voice to this brand or company. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on. The huge variance in the pricing structure reflects the huge variance that different TTS companies have with the amount of words they wish you to record. This can vary from 2000 words to 200,000 words. 3. Your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect) 4. Your fee should respect the fact that you will likely not be able to voice for the company's competitors for an extended period 5. Some larger companies will agree to a retainer for future work, and possibly even a lump sum exclusivity payment on top of the main batch of work. 6. This pricing structure is based on your dialogue actually being used to deliver the end-synthesis to the audience - and not TTS jobs where your voice will not be used but is just helping to train their algorithms which use a different voice to deliver the end-synthesis |
   Text To Speech / AI Voices Point-Of-Sale TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
(Almost always) Included in fee. | |||
Notes | |||
1. Point-Of-Sale TTS is where you are being hired to deliver the TTS voice for a company who is going to resell that TTS voice to anyone who is willing to buy individual/bulk lines of dialogue either on a price-per-line or a subscription basis - you do not know it's end-use. You cannot legitimately decide whether you wish to lend your voice to the end brand or company as you do not know who they are. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on. The huge variance in the pricing structure reflects the huge variance that different TTS companies have with the amount of words they wish you to record. This can vary from 2000 words to 200,000 words. 3. Your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect) 4. Your fee should respect the fact that you will likely not be able to voice for the company's competitors for an extended period. Point-Of-Sale TTS is often a worrying path as you do not know who the end company's are, and therefore which companies competitors you now may not be able to voice for. 5. Some larger companies will agree to a retainer for future work, and possibly even a lump sum exclusivity payment on top of the main batch of work. 6. This pricing structure is based on your dialogue actually being used to deliver the end-synthesis to the audience - and not TTS jobs where your voice will not be used but is just helping to train their algorithms which use a different voice to deliver the end-synthesis |
   Text To Speech / AI Voices Prospective TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
(Almost always) Included in fee | |||
Notes | |||
1. Prospective TTS is where you are being hired to deliver the TTS voice for a company who is going to resell that TTS voice to a different, often multiple companies - you do not know it's end-use. You cannot legitimately decide whether you wish to lend your voice to the end brand or company as you do not know who they are. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on. The huge variance in the pricing structure reflects the huge variance that different TTS companies have with the amount of words they wish you to record. This can vary from 2000 words to 200,000 words. 3. Your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect) 4. Your fee should respect the fact that you will likely not be able to voice for the company's competitors for an extended period. Prospective TTS is often a worrying path as you do not know who the end company's are, and therefore which companies competitors you now may not be able to voice for. 5. Some larger companies will agree to a retainer for future work, and possibly even a lump sum exclusivity payment on top of the main batch of work. 6. This pricing structure is based on your dialogue actually being used to deliver the end-synthesis to the audience - and not TTS jobs where your voice will not be used but is just helping to train their algorithms which use a different voice to deliver the end-synthesis |
   Text To Speech / AI Voices TTS Algorithm Training (Voice Not Used) | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
N/A - Your voice is not used in the end product | |||
Notes | |||
NB, unlike the other TTS categories, Training Algorithm work is done usually by the hour, and is stated here as such 1. TTS Algorithm Training is where you are being hired to record dialogue samples which are used to assist in training the AI Synthesis Model, with the aim of being to improve or help manipulate the end dialogue that is delivered to the audience. Crucially, your voice is not the voice that delivers the end dialogue which is voiced by another artist. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price by the hour (but sometimes for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on.) 3. If the requirement is not paid by the hour and is per word, your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect). That said, with TTS Algorithm Training, quality standards may not be as high as with the main voice recording if, for example, they are only using your prosody patterns (the frequency curve) to help train their models, and in such cases you may achieve a higher hourly word-rate. 4. Training Algorithm work is rarely a worrying option for your future for you personally as your voice is not used as the end product. 5. Very few companies will agree to a retainer for future work with Algorithm Training. |
   Voice of God / Live Announcer Live Announce - In-Person/On-Site | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Per day. Price does include usage, but does not include Commercial usage. | |||
Notes | |||
"Name" and celebrity voices can command significantly more. Many voices also have travel and accommodation provided on top of the fee. |
   Voice of God / Live Announcer Live Announce - Pre Record | |||
Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | |||
N/A | |||
Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | |||
|
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Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | |||
Price does include usage, but does not include Commercial usage. | |||
Notes | |||
Price is per session, usually under one hour. It's possible to negotiate higher for bigger scripts. |
Radio | ||||||
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Actra Agreed Minimum Rates* | Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved) | Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure | Notes | |||
Typical Lower | Typical Average | Typical Upper | ||||
ADR | In Progress | In Progress |
In Progress |
In Progress | We are currently investigating Canadian ADR rates | |
Audio Editing | N/A | $20 |
$30 |
$50 | Per hour of work performed, average rate of 3x raw audio length. | N/A |
Audiobooks | N/A | $100 per finished hour |
$250 per finished hour |
$400 per finished hour | Usage included within the price. Royalty share jobs pay a portion of book sales, but that often leads to little or no pay. |
1. Per Finished Hour means per hour of playback of the edited recording 2. The PFH rate does not include a cost for you to edit the recordings 3. How long it takes you to complete one PFH depends on how well you perform as a voice artist - know your rates! |
Cinema | $500 | N/A |
N/A |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Commercials - Exclusivity in Large Sector | $25,000 | N/A |
N/A |
N/A | Per year | 1. This includes soft drinks, cellular service providers, healthcare etc. 2. Add 25% for 60 spots 3. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower |
Commercials - Exclusivity in Small Sector | $5,000 | N/A |
N/A |
N/A | Per year | 1. This includes local service providers, uncommon products etc. 2. Add 25% for 60 spots 3. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower |
Commercials - Internet Radio | N/A | $200 |
$400 |
$600 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. | Add 25% for 60s. |
Commercials - Major Market Local (up to 30) | N/A | $300 |
$500 |
$750 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
Commercials - Major Market Local (up to 30) | N/A | $300 |
$400 |
$750 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. |
Add 25% for 60s. |
Commercials - National (up to 30) | N/A | $600 |
$750 |
$1,000 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
Commercials - National (up to 30) | N/A | $450 |
$750 |
$1,000 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. | Add 25% for 60s. |
Commercials - Regional (up to 30) | N/A | $300 |
$500 |
$750 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
Commercials - Small Market Local (up to 30) | N/A | $250 |
$400 |
$500 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates. |
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower. |
Commercials - Small Market Local (up to 30) | N/A | $150 |
$350 |
$450 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. | Add 25% for 60s. |
Company TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used) | N/A | $12000 |
$20000 |
100k+ by Negotation | (Almost always) Included in fee, although some larger corporations will additionally pay for a fixed exclusivity period | 1. Company TTS is where you are being hired to deliver the TTS voice for a specific company - you know it's end-use. You can then decide whether you wish to lend your voice to this brand or company. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on. The huge variance in the pricing structure reflects the huge variance that different TTS companies have with the amount of words they wish you to record. This can vary from 2000 words to 200,000 words. 3. Your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect) 4. Your fee should respect the fact that you will likely not be able to voice for the company's competitors for an extended period 5. Some larger companies will agree to a retainer for future work, and possibly even a lump sum exclusivity payment on top of the main batch of work. 6. This pricing structure is based on your dialogue actually being used to deliver the end-synthesis to the audience - and not TTS jobs where your voice will not be used but is just helping to train their algorithms which use a different voice to deliver the end-synthesis |
Corporate/Explainer | N/A | $250 |
$350 |
$450 | Typically for one year for non-broadcast/paid internet ads. | |
E-Learning (per finished minute) | N/A | $15 pfm |
$25 pfm |
$35 pfm | E-Learning does not typically pay usage/royalties, though this can be negotiated in some cases, especially where the end product is for retail. | The higher rate is for more technical and medical reads. 0-5 minutes: $350 6-15 minutes: $450 16-30 minutes: $550 31-45 minutes: $750 45-60 minutes: $1,000 |
E-Learning (per word) | N/A | $0.15 per word |
$0.25 per word |
$0.35 per word | E-Learning does not typically pay usage/royalties, though this can be negotiated in some cases, especially where the end product is for retail. | Include a session fee (generally $150 - $250 per hour). |
Imaging & TV Affiliate - Large Market | N/A | $150 per page |
$250 per page |
$350 per page | Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout. |
1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible |
Imaging & TV Affiliate - Medium Market | N/A | $100 per page |
$150 per page |
$200 per page | Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout |
1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible |
Imaging & TV Affiliate - National Radio Network | N/A | $200 per page |
$300 per page |
$400 per page | Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout |
National Radio Network or Streaming 1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible |
Imaging & TV Affiliate - Small Market | N/A | $50 per page |
$75 per page |
$125 per page | Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout. |
1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly 2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible 3. $200 minimum |
Live Announce - In-Person/On-Site | N/A | $500 |
$1000 |
$1500 | Per day. Price does include usage, but does not include Commercial usage. | "Name" and celebrity voices can command significantly more. Many voices also have travel and accommodation provided on top of the fee. |
Live Announce - Pre Record | N/A | $300 |
$400 |
$500 | Price does include usage, but does not include Commercial usage. | Price is per session, usually under one hour. It's possible to negotiate higher for bigger scripts. |
Major Character (over 20 lines) | N/A | N/A |
$500 |
N/A | N/A | Per session (up to 4 hours). |
Minor Character (under 20 lines) | N/A | $250 |
$350 |
£500 | N/A | Per session (up to 4 hours). Sometimes is priced episodically. |
Paid usage (30 spot) | N/A | $500 |
$750 |
$1,000 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. One year buy max at these rates. |
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower 3. Premium can be charged for major brands |
Per Finished Minute | N/A | $15 |
$35 |
$50 | One year if possible, though buyouts are common in this sector. |
Add 50% if client requires dial-in or use of proprietary software that may be time consuming. Note that many VO's specify a minimum charge. |
Per Prompt | N/A | $7.50 |
$10 |
$15 | N/A | It's also common to have IVR priced on a per prompt basis (minimum session applies). Note that many VO's specify a minimum charge. |
Per Word | N/A | $10 |
$20 |
$30 | One year if possible, though buyouts are common in this sector. |
Add 50% if client requires dial-in or use of proprietary software that may be time consuming. Note that many VO's charge a minimum fee. |
Point-Of-Sale TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used) | N/A | $3000 |
$13000 |
100k+ by Negotation | (Almost always) Included in fee. | 1. Point-Of-Sale TTS is where you are being hired to deliver the TTS voice for a company who is going to resell that TTS voice to anyone who is willing to buy individual/bulk lines of dialogue either on a price-per-line or a subscription basis - you do not know it's end-use. You cannot legitimately decide whether you wish to lend your voice to the end brand or company as you do not know who they are. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on. The huge variance in the pricing structure reflects the huge variance that different TTS companies have with the amount of words they wish you to record. This can vary from 2000 words to 200,000 words. 3. Your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect) 4. Your fee should respect the fact that you will likely not be able to voice for the company's competitors for an extended period. Point-Of-Sale TTS is often a worrying path as you do not know who the end company's are, and therefore which companies competitors you now may not be able to voice for. 5. Some larger companies will agree to a retainer for future work, and possibly even a lump sum exclusivity payment on top of the main batch of work. 6. This pricing structure is based on your dialogue actually being used to deliver the end-synthesis to the audience - and not TTS jobs where your voice will not be used but is just helping to train their algorithms which use a different voice to deliver the end-synthesis |
Promos | $400 - $500 | N/A |
N/A |
N/A | Per session | Always try to negotiate a monthly retainer. |
Prospective TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used) | N/A | $3000 |
$13000 |
100k+ by Negotation | (Almost always) Included in fee | 1. Prospective TTS is where you are being hired to deliver the TTS voice for a company who is going to resell that TTS voice to a different, often multiple companies - you do not know it's end-use. You cannot legitimately decide whether you wish to lend your voice to the end brand or company as you do not know who they are. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on. The huge variance in the pricing structure reflects the huge variance that different TTS companies have with the amount of words they wish you to record. This can vary from 2000 words to 200,000 words. 3. Your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect) 4. Your fee should respect the fact that you will likely not be able to voice for the company's competitors for an extended period. Prospective TTS is often a worrying path as you do not know who the end company's are, and therefore which companies competitors you now may not be able to voice for. 5. Some larger companies will agree to a retainer for future work, and possibly even a lump sum exclusivity payment on top of the main batch of work. 6. This pricing structure is based on your dialogue actually being used to deliver the end-synthesis to the audience - and not TTS jobs where your voice will not be used but is just helping to train their algorithms which use a different voice to deliver the end-synthesis |
Studio Charge | N/A | $50 |
$100 |
$150 | N/A | Some voice artists charge their home recording studio out, dependent on the job and the client. Prices are per hour. |
TTS Algorithm Training (Voice Not Used) | N/A | $300 |
$400 |
$500 | N/A - Your voice is not used in the end product | NB, unlike the other TTS categories, Training Algorithm work is done usually by the hour, and is stated here as such 1. TTS Algorithm Training is where you are being hired to record dialogue samples which are used to assist in training the AI Synthesis Model, with the aim of being to improve or help manipulate the end dialogue that is delivered to the audience. Crucially, your voice is not the voice that delivers the end dialogue which is voiced by another artist. 2. The fee stated is usually an all-inclusive buyout price by the hour (but sometimes for a specific amount of words, including usage. You should also quote a day-rate for pickups and additional dialogue once the project has finished as there are often further requirements later on.) 3. If the requirement is not paid by the hour and is per word, your fee should reflect the fact that the time taken to deliver TTS dialogue is much more than standard dialogue - you might expect to deliver 500 words per hour for example. This is due to the stringent quality requirements and the much higher rejection rate of dialogue compared to normal (as this dialogue is used to train the AI synthesis models and so must be perfect). That said, with TTS Algorithm Training, quality standards may not be as high as with the main voice recording if, for example, they are only using your prosody patterns (the frequency curve) to help train their models, and in such cases you may achieve a higher hourly word-rate. 4. Training Algorithm work is rarely a worrying option for your future for you personally as your voice is not used as the end product. 5. Very few companies will agree to a retainer for future work with Algorithm Training. |
Unpaid usage (30 spot) | N/A | $250 |
$350 |
$500 | Ideally per 13 week cycle. One year buy max at these rates. |
1. Add 25% for 60 spots 2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower 3. Premium can be charged for major brands |
Video Games/Gaming | N/A | $250 |
$300 |
$400 | N/A | Price is per session - up to 4 hours. Price is for wild-recording, not Motion Capture |
A Note from GFTB on Rates: Please note that this rate guide is intended to be a guide for current industry rates charged in general by Canadian voice artists, and is not intended to imply that these rates are fixed, or set - they are not. As a voice artist you must make your choice as to what you charge (unless you are a member of the ACTRA union and then please refer to their policies), but please do be aware that what you charge as a voice artist also affects other voice artists in the industry. If you as a voice artist want to charge much more, or much less than these rates you are freely within your rights to do so.
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