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Voice over glossary

The short answer

This glossary defines the terms buyers meet when they commission a voice over, in plain words. Terms with a guide link to it.

1 min readBy World Voiceovers

01The terms

TermWhat it means
ADRReplacing the dialogue of a film or video in a studio, timed to the picture.
Lip syncMatching a recorded voice to the speaker's mouth movements.
Scratch trackA provisional recording used to build the edit before the final voice.
TakeOne recorded attempt at a line.
Pick-upA line re-recorded after the main session to fix or change it.
StemsSeparate audio groups, such as voice, music and effects, delivered apart so they can be remixed.
MixThe balanced combination of voice, music and effects.
AlternateA second version of a line or a section, recorded to choose from.
Voice overA voice heard over the picture, not from a speaker on screen.
DubbingReplacing the original voices with voices in another language.
Audio descriptionA narrated track that describes what is on screen for people who cannot see it.
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Questions

Is this list complete?

It covers the terms that appear in briefs and delivery notes, and grows as questions arrive.

Where do I learn when to use each?

In the guides, linked from this list.

Can I ask about a term that is missing?

Yes, in the brief form. Questions we hear often are added.