Q: How does this work? 1. You may ask for an email and send me a sample of the material to be recorded before we get down to specifics.
2. I send you a bid, often a sample, based on what you sent and how fast you want the work done. The bid will stipulate that I may make on-the-fly changes to awkward or unworkable scripts.
3. You sign and email or fax back the bid once it's correct. (Your confirmation is given in writing. The bid may stipulate a retainer or advance payment if you are a new client).
4. I deliver the sound file(s), often by placing the material in a password-protected folder for download, and send you an invoice or receipt.
-- In general, I bid on voice recording jobs after I have seen a representative sample and have a clear idea of the delivery deadline. You are welcome to write extra instructions; just remember that extra stuff costs extra.
Q: What do you charge? A: Send me a sample and let me know your expectations, your deadline, how promptly you intend to pay me (if you are asking for credit) and I'll send you a bid. If your file is large I'll send you an appropriate email address to use. I do not publish a price list, nor do I bid on material sight unseen.
Q: Is translation from audio more expensive?A: I often charge less because it is faster for me, as an interpreter, to do the first draft directly from sound using dictation software hooked up to recording equipment. Skipping the transcription is always less work.
Q: I have had an English script translated into Portuguese and want it recorded with absolutely no changes, OK? Maybe. Ask your translator: "When was the last time you personally read this aloud with someone else listening?" If their answer is "never," then that is also the answer you're likely to get from me. Lots of material that looks OK on paper is stilted and awkward when interpreted into speech. This is especially true when the translation mimics the syntax of the original or adds 20% more syllables to a lungful of air. Unnatural speech is unconvincing at best, and irritating at worst.
Q: Do you work on weekends? A: Yes. There are fewer interruptions then.
Q: Do you record European or Angolan Portuguese? A: No. I record Brazilian Portuguese and English.
Q: I need a script translated and recorded in different voices. A: We can produce a male and female voice in Portuguese,and a male voice in English.
Q: Can you work with translation memory? A: Most kinds. I use LogiTerm, MemoQ, Omega-T and Olifant. In-house we also have other tools for conversions.
Q: Are you available to travel? A: Yes, but I usually record in my office, and there is a professional sound studio a few blocks from here. Those are the most cost-effective venues.
Q: Do you have a language degree? A: Yes, a Bachelor's in Portuguese/Spanish. To see the diploma click credentials on the main page, then click the thumbnail for a larger diploma image. Before that I majored briefly in Engineering & Mathematics, as set forth on my talking bilingual CV.
Q: How long have you been in business? A: Since 1987; formally--with a registered dba--since April of 1990.
Q: Do you accept credit cards? A: Yes, most major cards. I send you a PayPal invoice for secure online payment.
Q: Are you hiring voice talent? A: If you convince me you are good at what I do I will pay you to help me when I need extra voices. I do not offer to do work in languages or areas I do not understand. I am willing to look at a SMALL sample of your work, say, a few minutes in Portuguese. Otherwise we can have a bilingual phone conversation.
Q: More questions? A: Ask and I'll answer them.

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