Radio Imaging Sound Effects
But music is just one of the elements used in sonic branding.
Most stations have a suite of different sound effects. The main ones are as below:
Intros/Outros
Every radio program begins with a short segment introducing or signing off from the show. These are often handled live by the DJ, but can also be pre-recorded so that listeners become accustomed to how different shows start and finish.
Jingles
Radio jingles are short, simple slogans typically set to a catchy melody and stressing the station’s tagline or particular brand information.
Promos
Promos are clear, concise audio clips promoting a specific show that encourage listeners to tune in to that program. They’re generally not longer than 30 seconds.
Radio Sweeps
These are sound effects used as a way to transition between different radio segments. They may include the radio’s tagline or ID (i.e. the broadcaster’s unique call letters.)
Bumpers
These short voiceovers are used between shows or commercial breaks to act as a transition. They’re usually 5-1o seconds long.
Stingers/drops
A short sound effect that might be a word, cultural soundbite, or piece of music, stingers are usually used to emphasize something the DJ has said.
Reading this list, you might think it’ll be pretty easy to come up with this unique form of audio on your own.
But the fact is, to create memorable sonic branding that’ll make your radio station rise above the competition, you’re always better off turning to professional voice artists.
That’s because, top talent, such as those signed with Voice Crafters, understand how to interpret and bring together a radio broadcaster’s brand identity, target audience, and overall imaging strategy.
They know they have to do this to create a consistent sonic brand, whether they’re recording commercial bumpers or promos for the station’s flagship show.
What to Expect in Voice Overs for Radio Imaging
An expert voice actor brings specific characteristics to the table (or, more accurately, to the recording studio!) these include:
Tone
Whether they have to sound energetic, friendly, or serious, great voice talent will always be able to match their tone of voice with a radio station’s brand identity.
This helps create an overall “vibe” that’ll leave listeners in no doubt as to the kind of music, chat, and other content they can expect from this station.
Clarity
It doesn’t matter whether a voice artist is delivering explosive stingers or cheerful jingles, their voice should still be clear and coherent.
Half-heard words and muffled sentences can create poor listening experiences—and that’s the last thing you want on radio!
More than that, if your radio imaging includes elements such as station IDs, call letters, and taglines, then the more clearly they’re delivered, the stronger your brand recognition will be.
Timing
The best VO actors know how to control timing and pacing so that intros, outros, and everything in between are expressed with the right rhythm and perfect impact. After all, words alone can’t convey a particular mood or tone. It takes specific vocal speeds and energy to signal whether what you’re saying is fun and exciting, or should be taken more seriously.
Creativity
Expert VO artists don’t shy away from trying something new.
In the US alone, 93% of the adult population tunes into radio every week, while on 90% consume TV during the same period.
While this bodes well for your ability to grow your listenership, it also means you’ll have tough competition doing so.
That’s why using professional voice actors who are both competent and confident enough to suggest fresh ideas and try different creative approaches to developing a unique radio imaging for you is essential.
Find the Perfect Voice Over for Radio Imaging at Voice Crafters
Luckily, at Voice Crafters, we can help by introducing you to some of the best voice artists working in radio imaging today.
Our experts are all pre-screened, which means they go through a rigorous selection process to ensure they’ll meet the needs of our clients.
Furthermore, we offer studio-quality voiceovers in over 80 languages.
This gives you the unique opportunity to create sonic branding that fully engages with different communities tuning into your shows and others you’re hoping to reach.
Our simple three-step process also means you can find the perfect voice artists for your radio imaging project sooner rather than later.
