A corporate film or product film is often a company’s calling card: on the website, at trade fairs, in presentations and on social media. A lot of effort goes into camera, lighting and editing. Sound, on the other hand, is often considered only at the very end, and you can hear it. An echoey interview, a voice that doesn’t fit the brand or generic music can make even beautiful images feel cheap. Because the picture is seen, but the sound is felt. In this article we show what marketing teams and production companies should pay attention to when producing the audio for corporate and product films, so that the film sounds as premium as the brand behind it.
1. A script written for the ear
A text that works on paper often sounds clumsy when spoken. Good voice-over scripts use short sentences, a clear structure and not too many technical terms in a row. They give the picture room to breathe and place the key messages at the right moments in the edit. Our tip: read the script out loud against the rough cut. Wherever you stumble, your audience will struggle too.
2. The voice as part of the brand
The voice shapes how a company is perceived: competent, innovative, approachable or exclusive. That’s why it should be chosen as carefully as the visual style and colours. We put together a shortlist from our pool of professional voice actors, with samples recorded on your script if required. Companies that produce several films benefit from a signature brand voice that stays recognisable across every format.
3. Recording with voice direction
During the recording, the director shapes pace, emphasis and attitude. They make sure product names and technical terms are pronounced correctly and that the voice-over fits the edit precisely. Marketing, agency or production can attend in person or listen live remotely via SessionLink and Source-Connect and give direction in real time, so approvals happen during the session.
4. Interviews: clean on set, perfect in post
Many corporate films are built around interviews with executives, employees or customers. The foundation is laid on set: with the right microphone, a quiet location and an experienced sound recordist. Learn more on our page on-set sound. In post-production, the interviews are then cleaned up: noise, reverb and unwanted sounds are reduced, and levels and tone are matched so that every speaker sounds consistent.
5. Music that carries the story
Music gives a film direction and emotion. For corporate films there are two options: licensed library music, or an original score tailored precisely to the edit and the brand. An original composition sets your film apart and can become part of the brand’s sonic identity. Either way, the usage rights have to match the planned distribution. Learn more on our page music production.
6. Sound design that makes products tangible
In product films especially, sound design makes the difference. The satisfying click of a closure, the quiet hum of a motor, movements in an animation or interface sounds in a software film: details like these make a product feel premium and tangible, even when you can’t hold it in your hand. Sound design also connects cuts, sets accents and guides attention to where it belongs. Learn more on our page audio post-production and sound design.
7. A mix for every platform
A corporate film rarely plays in just one place. Every environment places its own demands on the mix:
- Website and social media: clear dialogue and suitable loudness, so the film sounds good on laptop and smartphone speakers.
- Trade fairs and events: a mix that stays intelligible in noisy halls, with controlled dynamics and present dialogue.
- Presentations and large venues: a full, balanced sound for projectors and PA systems.
- TV and cinema: if the film is also used as a commercial, mixed to EBU R128 for broadcast or in 5.1 for cinema.
On request, we deliver several mixes and separate stems for voice, music and effects, so later changes are always possible.
8. Language versions for international markets
Many companies use their films in several countries, and every language version should sound as good as the original. Translations are often longer or shorter than the source text; German, for example, usually runs longer than English. That’s why the script is adapted to the timing of the film for each language before recording. We cast in several languages and mix every version to match the sound of the original. If you are bringing an international film to Germany, Austria or Switzerland, we make sure the German version feels native, not translated.
Checklist: what we need for your project
- the current edit, ideally with locked picture
- the voice-over script
- notes on target audience, tone and brand
- the planned platforms: website, social media, trade fair, TV or cinema
- the language versions you need
- music preferences or references, if available
- your target completion date
Frequently asked questions about audio for corporate and product films
When should we plan the audio?
Ideally in pre-production. Thinking early about locations, interview sound and music saves time and budget later and leads to a much better result.
Can badly recorded interviews be saved?
In many cases the quality can be improved significantly in post-production, for example by reducing noise, reverb and unwanted sounds. How much is possible depends on the source material. Send us a sample and we will give you an honest assessment.
Can you handle all the audio for our film?
Yes. Voice casting, recording, voice direction, dialogue editing, sound design, music and mixing all come from a single source, with one dedicated contact from brief to delivery.
Do you work with production companies?
Yes. We work directly with companies as well as with production companies and agencies that create films for their clients. You can read how we work with agencies in our article Commercial Audio for Agencies.
Your corporate or product film in Munich
Planning a corporate film, product film or explainer video? Send us your current edit and key details, and we will get back to you quickly with a proposal for voice, schedule and production. Learn more about our commercial and film audio and our voice-over recording, or go straight to contact.
