Frequently asked questions – we have the answers

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Everything you need to know

Answers to frequently asked questions about our services and working methods

We want you to feel completely at home with studio b media. That’s why we’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about our services and processes for you. From booking a project to technical requirements and processing times – here you’ll find all the important information at a glance. Learn how our audio productions work, what technology we use, and how we implement your individual wishes. If you have any further questions that are not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. Our team is always available to provide you with advice and assistance. We look forward to working with you to create great audio productions!

Radio Advertising

How does radio advertising work?

A good radio commercial is like a catchy tune that makes people want to buy something. You rent time on a frequency. You tell a story. A good one. In 20 or 30 seconds. Then you do it again. And again. And eventually your audience starts to like you – or at least buy from you. Mission accomplished.

How much does radio advertising cost?

How much does a car cost? Exactly. It depends. Do you want the 20-year-old station wagon or the new electric SUV? Radio advertising starts with a small budget – production costs start at €400. But do you want reach, great timing, and good voice actors? Then expect to pay a little more. Good marketing costs money – bad marketing costs more.

How long does it take for radio advertising to have an effect?

Radio advertising needs repetition. Three, five, seven contacts – then it slowly starts to take effect. If you think a single broadcast is enough, you will be disappointed. Advertising means being annoying. Charming, but consistent.

How many listeners does radio advertising reach?

It depends on where you broadcast – but even local radio has a profound impact. If your ad airs during rush hour, thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands of people will hear it. And usually all at once. No skip button, no ad blocker – just your ad between the weather report and “the greatest hits of the 80s, 90s, and the best of today.”

How is the success of radio advertising measured?

Success can be measured – just not with a tape measure. It's all about response: More website visits? Voucher codes redeemed? Phone ringing more often? Then it's working. Or you can check your account – sales rarely lie. And even if someone whispers to you that there are people who think your advertising is terrible...it worked.

How is a radio commercial produced?

Take: an idea, a good script, a microphone, voice artists with voices to die for, a recording studio...and someone who knows where the controls are. And that's where we come in. We write, speak, edit, mix, and get your commercial ready for broadcast. In short: you deliver the message and we make sure it sticks in people's minds.

Podcast Production

What is a podcast?

A podcast is like a conversation you can join at any time – without small talk and without having to say anything. Two (or more) people talk about a topic that interests you – whether it's true crime, technology, or animal psychology. You can listen whenever you want, as often as you want, wherever you want. And where can you find it all? On the podcast platform of your choice.

What types of podcasts are there?

There are podcasts on almost everything: interviews, reports, knowledge, entertainment, storytelling, news, niche knowledge, small talk. Some are scripted, others are completely unscripted. The only thing that matters is that they are well told – then people will enjoy listening to them.

How much does a podcast cost?

It depends on how big you want to make it. A podcast can be a microphone in your living room. If you want to make it more professional, you'll have to factor in costs for concept and editing, studio recordings, editing, music rights, speakers, hosting, and marketing. The more professional the setup, the higher the price. But: you can hear the difference – and so can your audience.

What do I need to do before publishing a podcast?

We take care of the final touches to your episode – editing, sound, volume. Your job is to listen to the finished recording and decide on the title, description, and show notes so that everything fits. If you wish, we can also take care of the publication for you. Then all you have to do is listen to the recording, and we'll take care of the rest. Alternatively, we can deliver the final file to you, and you can upload it yourself to your preferred podcast platform.

What makes a podcast truly worth listening to?

Technically clean sound is essential, and that's where we can help you. But the content is what really matters: a clear idea, a voice with personality, and exciting topics that interest your listeners. Our job is to produce your podcast professionally so that the focus is entirely on your content. Because in the end, it's the stories and conversations that stick – not just the sound.

Audiobook Production

What exactly does audiobook production involve?

You bring the book.
We turn it into an experience for the ears. For us, that means clean recording, crystal-clear sound design, and mixing at its finest – all under one studio roof.
Your text is given voice, space, and atmosphere. The end result is an audiobook that sounds professional and is ready for all platforms and your audience.

How long does it take to produce an audiobook?

That depends on whether you want to make a children's book or “War and Peace” ready for listening. But generally speaking, the recording takes several days, and the fine-tuning may take a few more. We edit, polish, level – and turn “almost good” into “absolutely wow.”
Normal production? Expect two weeks.
But if your book is complex, so will the production be. And that's a good thing.
Because a good audiobook takes time – and no shortcuts.

Can I record the audiobook myself?

Of course. You can narrate your audiobook yourself – this increases authenticity...and you can also save on the narrator's fee. In return, we provide you with the appropriate technology, a quiet environment, and professional support in our studio to ensure that the recording runs smoothly and relaxed.
Alternatively, you can bring your own narrator – as long as their voice fits the story.
But of course, we are happy to help you select and cast professional narrators. This way, your audiobook will have exactly the sound that best suits your project.

How much does it cost to produce an audiobook?

The honest answer: it depends.
How long is your book? Who is speaking? How many “ums” need to be removed?
How much does good sound quality cost? Less than you think – but more than an iPhone recording.
A fully produced audio hour usually costs from €500 upwards. And, of course, the narrators have to be paid too.
But we'll discuss everything in advance. Transparent. Fair. No surprises – except when it comes to the result.

What is the production process?

Easy. You get in touch – we listen.
Then we plan, calculate and get started. First, we sit down with you, listen to your project and make you an offer that suits you, your book and your budget – clear, transparent, no frills. Then it's off to the studio: you read yourself or bring your own narrator – we take care of the technology, the quiet environment and the perfect sound. After that, we edit, master, and polish – until every word is just right. And when everything is perfect, we make your audiobook available, publish it on the desired platforms, and sit back and relax. And yes, we can also publish the work on CD. The applause? That's all yours.

Telephone Announcements/On-hold Messages

What types of telephone announcements are there?

Telephone announcements are like your company's doormen – they tell the caller what's going on. There are five types:
• Answering machine message: “Hello. No one is available right now. Please leave a message.”
• On-hold message: Elevator music plus motivational phrases. (Technically: “music-on-hold.”)
• IVR message: “Press 1 for service, 2 for sales, 3 for complete confusion.”
• Welcome message: “Welcome to Company XY” – plays before anyone even picks up.
• Music only: No voice, just background music. The silent attempt to keep you happy.
Whether you want to sell, put someone off, or just be nice – there's a message for everything.

Why are telephone queues used?

Because hanging up is the saddest form of customer retention.
On-hold messages are the band-aid for the “please wait” problem. They prevent callers from hanging up in frustration – and use the opportunity for advertising, information, or pleasant background music. How does it work? Give our head office a call and ask to be connected internally...have fun!

What is the maximum acceptable length of time for a telephone queue?

The principle here is: wait, but please don't wait forever.
Three to four minutes is the maximum before “patience” turns into “annoyance.”
So: provide information. Entertain. But please do so in small bites, not in audiobook length. And no endless loops – that doesn't come across as professional, but rather rude. Want an example? Give our head office a call and ask to be connected internally...have fun!

How much does a telephone announcement cost?

The prices? They depend on the scope of your audio presentation – text length, locations, music. But don't worry: top quality doesn't have to break your budget.
For less than €600, we'll provide you with an announcement for one location, with crisp text up to one minute long, GEMA-free music if necessary, and advice on top of that. Pay once, sound good forever – sounds fair, right?

Are usage rights for telephone announcements unlimited in time?

Yes. Period.
The voice announcement and GEMA-free music are yours – for an unlimited period of time, often even for multiple locations. No hidden traps. No license time bombs.
Once purchased, secured forever. Like a good jingle in your head.

How much does music subject to GEMA fees cost?

Music has its value – quality has its price. Licensed music – from ABBA to Zucchero – can be used for as little as €200.30 per year. That is the base price. The more locations and branches you have, the higher the license fees. But you also have the advantage of widely recognized music.

Film Soundtracks

What does professional film dubbing involve?

In short: everything that makes a film a multisensory experience.

First, there's the dialogue – clear, understandable, cleanly recorded. No echo, no noise, no “Huh?”.
Then there's the music: sometimes subtle in the background, sometimes coming out with full force in the foreground. It guides the emotions without shouting.
Sound effects turn a simple image into a scene: footsteps on gravel, the click of a gun, a dull thud.
Add to that the ambient sounds – wind, rain, city noise – everything that makes the film world believable.
And sometimes it's not the sound, but the silence that carries the moment.

Voice-overs or narrators come into play when your film needs a voice – explanatory, narrative, emotional.

Finally, it's time for mixing: setting levels, shifting frequencies, removing noise, adding atmosphere. The result is a well-rounded, balanced sound – simply cinematic.

Conclusion: good film soundtracks go unnoticed. Bad ones don't.

What does the soundtrack of an image film consist of?

Soundtracks are not just audio accompaniment to images – they are the soundtrack to your brand.
They are what give your image film its “image” – not just pretty, but audibly powerful.
What goes into it?
- The right music – it conveys emotion, attitude, and your brand DNA.
Sounds – from mouse clicks to gusts of wind in the forest: sound details make images even more vivid and authentic.
- The right voice – whether off-screen or on-screen: the right voice carries your message.
- The right sound design – the mix. The moment when everything comes together – and sounds like cinema instead of PowerPoint.
Good sound design brings your film to life. And when it's done right, no one notices it's there – only that it works damn well.

How does sound design influence the effect of images?

It's simple: without sound, the image is missing half the story.

Sound design is the emotional navigation system of your story – it tells viewers how to feel even before they realize it themselves. Whether it's goosebumps, suspense, or tears: the right sound is like an energy drink for the soul.

Atmosphere? It doesn't come from the image alone. Rustling leaves, creaking floorboards, distant thunder – all of these things make a scene feel real. And when it's done really well, no one notices that someone has helped along.

Sound can also say what the image doesn't reveal: an impending danger, a silent break, a hidden clue – all without words.

In short: without good sound design, the image remains just an image. With sound, it becomes an experience.

What are the responsibilities of a sound designer?

A sound designer is a storyteller for the ears. They create footsteps, creaks, thunderstorms, and emotion – everything fits, everything sounds right.
Sounds, music, dialogue, atmosphere: they build a world out of silence where you immediately know where you are.

What is a voice-over artist?

The voice-over artist is the voice from nowhere—but with everything in it.
He speaks without being seen. He explains, comments, narrates.
He is the inner monologue of the film, the narrator of the story, the voice of your brand.

How do I find the right voice?

The right voice doesn't just convey words – it carries the story.

Whether it's a commercial, documentary, or image film: voice is mood. And it should suit the target audience. Young, old, serious, charming, loud, quiet – everything has its own sound.

What helps: check audio samples, trust your gut feeling, and don't fall for the first bass you hear. Our large database already contains many talented professionals, but platforms and agencies also have exciting newcomers in their phone books if necessary.

We do the casting together. You tell us what you have in mind – we listen to what fits. This ranges from dubbing actors from popular series or movie stars to unheard-of talents from next door.

How does a voice casting work?

Film needs a voice that makes an impact. Not one that simply reads out text, but one that has character. That's why every voice casting starts with demo tapes.

We listen, you listen. Who sounds exciting? Who fits the story, the brand, the feeling?

If it's a good fit, it's off to the studio. Professional recording, direction, fine-tuning – until every word is just right and every syllable sounds as if it were made for the job.

Whether online or live in the studio: the goal remains the same.
We give your actions a voice.

What is ADR?

ADR stands for “Automated Dialogue Replacement” – but it has little to do with automation. It means that the actors return to the studio after filming and re-record their scenes. Why? Because the original audio is rubbish. Wind, street noise, cell phones ringing, someone in the team had hiccups – there's always something.

Or because it simply sounds better: clearer pronunciation, clearer emotion, more punch.

And to ensure that the sound assistant doesn't get “red ears” when the film is first broadcast, we replace the damaged sound frame by frame...and, thanks to different microphones, with exactly the same sound as in the original shoot.

ADR also comes into play for foreign-language versions. Then it's all about lip reading and lip-syncing so that Spanish doesn't look like Klingon.

In short: ADR saves scenes, enhances quality – and makes sure you enjoy listening.

Sound Branding

What is a sound logo?

A sound logo is like your company logo – only for the ears. Two to five seconds of sound that immediately say, “This is you.” It conveys attitude and recognition – all in a small sound package that sticks like a good slogan.

What is the difference between a sound logo and a jingle?

The sound logo is short and snappy – the acoustic signature of your brand.
A jingle, on the other hand, is a piece of music, often with a melody, perhaps even vocals. A catchy tune with an announcement.

Why do I need a sound logo?

Because images make an impact in a fraction of a second – but sounds are even faster. A good sound logo makes your brand audible, recognizable, and above all, memorable. Whether on the radio, on Instagram, or on the phone, your customers will immediately know: “Ah, that's you!” And that's worth its weight in gold.

Who benefits from a sound logo?

Not just for the big players. Small and medium-sized companies in particular benefit from a distinctive sound profile: it demonstrates professionalism, sets you apart from the competition, and sticks in the mind long after others have faded away.
In short: even without a huge budget, you can sound like you've been in the spotlight for years.

How is a sound logo created?

First, we listen to you – so that we can strike the right note later on. Who are you? What do you stand for? How should your brand sound? Based on this, we work with you to develop initial ideas and demos, refining them until your sound logo sounds just like you. Not a random product, not off the rack, but a tailor-made suit for the ear.

Where can I use a sound logo?

Wherever sound is used: radio commercials, image films, telephone announcements, social media, podcasts, presentations.
Your sound logo is like an acoustic company stamp – once heard, never forgotten.