Audio post-production is an underappreciated element in impactful storytelling. It can turn a 2D image into an immersive experience that lifts the story right out of the screen.

The reason we consider it underappreciated is that when done well, it goes unnoticed; however, when done poorly, it is something everyone notices.

From voice-overs to sound effects design, the process ensures that every sound supports the visual narrative – be it a film, an advert or a content piece, the sound and visual need to be one.

Cosher Studios offers a range of audio post-production services designed for various industries. Our expertise spans voice-over recording, sound design, editing and mixing, ensuring a professional approach to each project.

The Audio Post-Production Process, Step By Step

Step 1: Recording The Audio

Great audio production begins with the quality of the recorded audio.

If you nail the recording, it reduces the need for extensive corrections later on.

For the best results, the Recording Studios should:

• Use soft furnishings, such as carpets, curtains, and acoustic panels, to absorb sound and reduce reverb and echo.
• Invest in high-quality microphones and headphones that can best capture the audio and allow for real-time monitoring.
• Have experienced sound engineers to perform comprehensive sound checks to set input levels properly. Set it to avoid clipping but allow it to be sensitive enough to capture nuanced vocals.
• Allow a Director in the studio to assist the voice artist with script delivery. The Director can remind artists to speak clearly and maintain a steady pace to convey the script best.

Step 2: Editing & Cleaning Up The Track

Editing takes the raw recordings and cleans them into coherent and polished audio files.

Editing an audio track means:

• Removing unwanted noises from the background.
• Levelling the audio, which could either entail declipping where necessary or adjusting the volume in sections where it seems to drop off. Ideally, you want the voice track to sound the same throughout.
• Aligning (syncing) the dialogue with visuals.

Step 3: Sound Design

Sound design is where you can get creative while using your technical expertise. Here, sound design artists can transform dialogue to fit perfectly within storytelling.

Sound design involves, but is not limited to:

• Foley recording (general sounds within an environment, i.e. footsteps or wind rustling trees, etc.)
• Creating or sourcing sound effects (sounds a world of the story would make, i.e., wind blowing, trees rustling, etc.)
• Sound effects editing and creation to create custom soundscapes.
• Ensuring the sound effects and overall soundscape synchronise and add dimension to the visual content.
• Original music composition, as well as the use of stock library music.

Step 4: Mixing & Mastering All Audio Elements

Mixing brings together all audio elements—dialogue, music, and sound effects—and mastering ensures that the export meets all the necessary requirements.

Mixing and Mastering ensures that:

• Audio becomes one: dialogue with ambient sound, sound effects and music.
• The audio is mixed appropriately, levelling dialogue, sound effects, ambience, and music into one track or a left and right track.
• The audio is exported to meet the audio post-production workflow and output specifications.

Cosher Studio’s Audio Post-Production Services

“I use sounds to help create a storytelling environment in ways that words can’t tell “

– Mark Mangini

Voice-Over Services

Cosher Studios has recording studios in Cape Town, South Africa, where we rent our services to agencies. In addition to our recording space, we have a diverse repertoire of voice-over talent who can perform in various languages and accents.

Voice Over Talent:

We have a host of talent who perform local South African languages and accents (Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, South African English) and international French, Portuguese, American, and British accents.

| Find Your Voice

Sound Design and Custom Music

Sound design and music composition bring your recorded audio project to life, allowing audiences to connect with it emotionally.

1. Soundscapes and Scoring:

• Stock Music and Sound Libraries offer affordable options for smaller projects. With so many options and an experienced sound effects editor – stock libraries can do the trick.
• Sound Effects are recorded and created respectively when we can’t find the right sound.
• Original Compositions, composing custom tracks for our clients’ ads, films, and corporate videos.

| Audio Post Production Services

2. Animation and Video Production

Animation has always relied heavily on sound to communicate with its audience. It is a powerful medium that simplifies complex ideas and engages audiences through its creative use of sound effects. Some examples are:

• Brand Marketing uses unique animations to elevate brand identity, whether for a logo or a campaign mascot. Often, these videos don’t use dialogue and rely solely on music and sound effects.
• Explainer Videos break down complex topics for easy understanding. These videos typically use voice-over dialogue, music, and sound effects.
• E-Learning introduces interactive animations to make the learning experience more engaging. Similarly to explainer videos, these typically make use of voice overs, music and sound effects.

| Audio Post Production Services

3. Dubbing and ADR Services

Dubbing is an audio post-production service that replaces original audio with another version. This is typically done when a project needs to be exported in multiple languages. ADR (automated dialogue replacement) is a section of dialogue re-recorded in a studio that is to be placed in a project. This is done when the original audio has an error or if the client wants to change or add something to the original recording before mastering. The trick with dubbing and ADR is to ensure that every audio project matches the original content’s context and tone.

Dubbing is used for:

• Localising international films and TV shows.
• Translating educational videos for global reach.
• Adapting corporate presentations for multilingual audiences.

ADR is used for:

• Add new dialogue later in the production process.
• Replacement of dialogue due to a technical error (typically when recorded on set).
• Change the original dialogue slightly, often requested by a Director in post-production to better the narrative.

| Audio Post Production Services

Why Cosher Studios?

At Cosher Studios, we have always collaborated closely with our clients. In following our process, our clients have come to know that their projects are in good hands.

With Cosher Studios’ Audio Post-Production You Can Expect:

• Unique voice-over talent
• Professional-grade recording studios with in-house sound engineers that assist you with the process
• Premium-quality equipment
• Remote support to accommodate clients worldwide
• Sound designers who are experienced with custom soundscapes and music composition.
• Expert mixing and mastering for seamless integration with visual content.
• Proven track record with clients.

| Let Cosher Studios bring your story to life through our Audio Post Production services.

Reach out to us:

Book a studio session

Explore our voice-over talent

Design, edit and Master your audio project