Don’t know how to dub a YouTube video? You can do it yourself or hire a voice actor. Read on to learn more.

How to dub a YouTube video for better engagement

If you’re reading this article, you’ve likely created some YouTube videos before. Maybe you even used voice overs to make your content suitable for a particular audience. But how can you make your videos accessible to even more viewers? Well, one option is to translate your video into another language. That’s when dubbing YouTube videos come into play. This article shares the ins and outs of how to dub a video and which tools you can use as a beginner. But first, let’s talk about the basics of dubbing.

Understanding the basics of dubbing and video editing

In simple terms, dubbing is the process of replacing the original audio of a video with a newly recorded version in a different language. This allows viewers who do not understand the original language to follow along and enjoy the content on their favorite YouTube channel. Dubbing involves carefully syncing the new audio with the on-screen actions and lip movements of the actors. It requires skillful voice actors, precise timing, and a keen attention to detail in order to create a seamless viewing experience. But why do we dub YouTube videos? Well, dubbing YouTube videos, or as some might say, "getting the dub," opens up a whole new world of content for viewers who may not understand the original language. It allows for cross-cultural exchange and enables creators to reach a wider audience. Imagine being able to watch your favorite videos with a captivating intro in your native language, understanding every word and nuance! When it comes to dubbing, it's not just about translating the words. It's about capturing the essence of the original performance and conveying it in a way that resonates with the target audience. Voice actors must not only match the lip movements of the actors on screen but also deliver the lines with the appropriate emotions and intonations. The process of dubbing starts with the translation of the original script. Translators must carefully adapt the dialogue to ensure that it not only makes sense in the target language but also fits the lip movements of the actors. This requires a deep understanding of both languages and cultures involved. Once the translation is complete, the voice actors step in. They bring the characters to life, using their voices to convey the emotions and personalities of the original actors. It's a challenging task that requires talent, versatility, and the ability to match the timing and rhythm of the original performance. After the voice recording is done, the audio is mixed with the video, making sure that the new audio seamlessly integrates with the visuals. This is where the technical expertise of a video editor comes into play, as they must ensure that the sound levels are balanced, the dialogue is clear, and the overall audio quality is top-notch. Additionally, the thumbnail and intro are crucial elements that need to be aligned with the dubbed content to ensure consistency and viewer engagement. Once the dubbing process is complete, the video is ready to be enjoyed by a whole new audience. Viewers who may have previously been excluded due to language barriers can now fully immerse themselves in the content, understanding every word and appreciating the performances.

Why dub a YouTube video?

There’s a long debate about whether it’s best to add subtitles to videos, use voiceovers or to dub them. With dubbing, you synchronize the new soundtrack completely with the original dialogue, so it makes it possible to enjoy the video without having to look at the screen the entire time. With subtitles, you make the original content understood by viewers by providing them with a text translation at the bottom of the screen. However, subtitles come with many disadvantages. For example, they make the video unsuitable for children or the elderly who have trouble reading or for people with reading disabilities like dyslexia. There are numerous benefits of dubbing, including the following:

Accuracy

When you dub a video file, you also highlight the nuances of the speech and its meaning. The person can understand the puns and jokes that may otherwise be missed. You can dub educational videos, audio-visual content, or any other video content to make it more accessible.

Censorship aid

Different countries have different regulations regarding censorship. Sometimes, it’s better to dub the original version to translate the meaning of the sequence and eliminate potentially controversial words and phrases.

Easy to follow

Dubbing doesn’t impose any reading challenges as opposed to subtitles. You can pick between different dubbing types to help the viewer focus their attention in the most productive way possible.

Creating a YouTube video dub – The four key steps

1. Translate your script

You want to start by translating or localizing the script you’ll use to dub videos into a foreign language. You should convey the original video's character, tone, and dialogue, so it makes sense to viewers who speak a different language. It’s not always easy to translate the original audio script into another language. The cultural references and humor are easy to get lost in the process. That’s when you want to stick to localization. Localization is when you adapt the message to the language or culture of the intended audience instead of opting for word-for-word translation. In case you re-create the script by yourself, you can rewrite the parts that suit your target audience. As a result, the dubbing will be more appealing and authentic to the foreign audience.

2. Hire a voice actor or do it yourself

The second step is finding a voice talent familiar with the cultural nuances of the dialect or language for which you’re writing a script. You can have professional voice actors audition for the project. In this case, you’ll need to write a robust job description with as many details as possible. Include the name of the language, its dialect, and similar specificities. Also, mention the voice acting qualities you expect from the actor. This way, the person can understand their role better. A detailed description will also lower the risk of miscommunication during the project. You can research dubbing studios or look for talent online. However, this can be time-consuming, and if you don’t have enough time, you can take the job into your own hands. If you’re familiar with the target foreign language or want to dub a video in your native language, you can do the reading yourself. After all, you made the original video and are the person most familiar with the project. You can use online tutorials for advice on how to do this part flawlessly.

3. Record voice for your script as an audio file

The next step is recording the script and getting an audio file you can insert into the video clip later. The voice actor will make sure the performance matches the original video. They may use lip-sync movement method, where they match the lip movement of the original voice speaker. For example, a person can speak Spanish, Hindi, English, Portuguese, or any other language in the original. The lip-sync method works with the voice actor mimicking the original speaker’s lip movements and adjusting them to the new project. As a project director, you should ensure the translated script is convincing enough. You want the translation to sound authentic and natural.

4. Sync the dubbed audio to your video

The last step is syncing the dubbed material with the video. This step is also the hardest one. The task requires ensuring the voice over syncs perfectly with the mouth movements of the original character. Here is where you assemble and synchronize the audio to match the original. The process used for this part is called Audio Dialogue Replacement or ADR. For this, you can use Adobe Premiere Pro (a full video toolset for editing, transcribing, and more). There are plenty of YouTube tutorials to help you in the process. It’s important to hear the whole audio and remove any extra words to make your video stand out. This can be time-consuming, but it certainly pays off, especially if you plan on getting monetized.

Quality checking your dubbed video

Before sharing your masterpiece with the world, it's crucial to review and check for any errors. Take the time to watch the entire video and listen carefully to the audio. Look out for any sync issues, glitches, or subpar audio quality. Make the necessary adjustments until you're satisfied with the end result. During the quality checking process, it's essential to pay attention to the synchronization between the dubbed audio and the video. Ensure that the lip movements of the characters align with the dubbed dialogue. If there are any discrepancies, you may need to make further adjustments to achieve a seamless integration. Glitches can be a nuisance, but luckily, with the right video editor tools, they can be fixed. If you notice any visual glitches, such as flickering or artifacts, you can use the software's stabilization features to smooth out the footage. Similarly, if you encounter audio glitches like pops or clicks, you can employ noise reduction techniques to eliminate them. Lastly, don't forget about the overall audio quality. Listen carefully for any distortions, muffled sounds, or imbalances in volume. You want your dubbed video to sound professional and immersive, so take the time to fine-tune the audio until it meets your standards. Remember, the editing and finalizing phase is your opportunity to polish your dubbed video and make it truly shine. So, don't rush through it. Take the time to explore the capabilities of your editing software and make the necessary adjustments to create a high-quality end product.

Speechify – create dubs automatically using text to speech

As you can see, the answer to “How to dub a video” is a complicated one. But what if there was an easy way to create simple dubs? Fortunately, Speechify is just the tool you need for that. This text to speech software and voice over tool lets you create a spoken version of a written text. This can be a digital, Dropbox, Google Docs, or any other text file and format. The app is easy to use, intuitive, and allows you to download the audio file in mp3 and WAV formats. Simply upload those in your video and enjoy an easy dubbing solution. You can try the free Speechify version starting today.

FAQ

Is dubbing allowed on YouTube?

Yes, you can dub a video on YouTube, but it has to be yours. Otherwise, the platform won't monetize it.

What is the best way to dub a YouTube video?

You can use video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Movavi, Filmora, and others.

Can I dub a YouTube video without permission?

If the YouTube video you want to dub isn’t yours, you can’t. You need permission from the video owner to make any changes to it.

Does dubbing a YouTube video make it sound better?

Dubbing a video makes it more authentic and accessible to viewers who speak other languages than the original audio file.