Self-op audio is edited, de-breathed, de-essed and provided both with and without processing, with a promise of 10 minutes (or more) of completed audio within 2 hours of confirming receipt of your script. Audio from client-directed sessions remains unedited and unprocessed as it’s supplied just 10 mins after the recording session. Re-records whether due to error or last-minute script amendment, are provided free-of-charge.
Direct me from anywhere via BodalgoCall, Source-Connect, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Riverside, ipDTL, Cleanfeed, Skype, phone patch, ISDN and more, in-person at a central London studio of your choice or at my own studio facility in Beckenham. Or, to save you precious time, after 20 years directing the UK's top acting talent, I can confidently and competently self-direct, usually interpreting the brief correctly from take 1.
Audio quality exceeds the strict quality standards adopted by UK broadcasters. supplied as 32-bit, 96kHz mono WAVs with fully-produced stereo audio supplied as 32-bit, 96kHz WAVs. A custom-built voice booth provides excellent acoustics for top-tier Sennheiser MKH-416, Neumann TLM 103 and Shure SM7B mics via SSL2 and Avid MBox Studio pre-amps. An Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra with 64GB RAM, a 20-core CPU, 48-core GPU, 2TB system SSD and over 20TB total storage, powers perpetually-licensed DAWs Avid Pro Tools Studio, Steinberg Cubase and Presonus Studio One Professional for audio projects, and non-linear editor Davinci Resolve Studio 19 for video projects.
"I've worked with Dan Akers many times and he is the complete audio professional. There is nothing he can't do. He writes, produces and directs all things audible with great charm and aplomb. What's more, he's a very fast and skilful engineer whose attention to detail ensures all his productions just sound "right". But what really sets him apart is his talent as a voice artist. Not only does he have a great voice but he knows exactly how to use it. So from thin air to on-air, he can do absolutely everything. I sincerely recommend him to anyone." ★★★★★ PAUL BURKE | author, most-awarded ad creative in history, AMV/BBDO, London UK
"Dan puts the "artist" into voice artist. Lovely quality of voice, particularly if you're looking for sincerity and trust. But Dan also 'gets' a script. His breadth of experience means he can tell what you're aiming for and delivers. He hits every note and every beat. He can produce and record himself too which is handy when you need it right and you need it right now. A joy to direct and lots of variety when you're looking for options. Highly recommended." ★★★★★ KIM GALLAGHER | Bauer Media creative director, Newcastle UK
"I've never before met someone who can bring a script to life like Dan. The best producer I've ever worked with. His attention to detail is second-to-none. Versatile voiceover too with great range and a polished, prompt delivery. Couldn't recommend more highly." ★★★★★ DAN HUNT | Creative Director and CEO, Sound Ideas Creative, Devon UK
“By far the most dedicated and sincere voice actor I've worked with. Always satisfied with the result.” ★★★★★ JASON JANG | Screenwriter & Director, Los Angeles, California, USA
"Dan has an excellent voice, great to work with and much liked by our international client base. He responds to emails quickly and we usually receive his audio within 1 or 2 hours." ★★★★★ FRANK METZEL | Alpen Animation and Life Science Animation, Germany
"Dan is hugely talented at what he does. Super impressive in fact and such a pleasure to work with. I’ve undertaken multiple Radio ads with Dan, whilst at Vodafone & Screwfix, and he simply puts 200% in to every ad. So helpful and supportive. A true expert with Radiocentre Clearance matters too. The collaborative approach Dan proactively takes is what every client needs. Dan makes sure the ads are maximised from both technical and creative angles. It's always very enjoyable producing ads with Dan and I always look forward to studio time together. Dan continues to support his clients for post-production requirements and has often over delivered, against the odds, to help perfect ads. He’s helped me out with being the voiceover artist too for the main ad and/or the Ts&Cs. A genius and what he does. Best in the industry! Great guy. Highly recommended. All the best and thanks Dan. Look forward to working with you again soon." ★★★★★ SUKI RAIKHY | specialist marketing executive, London UK
“We were absolutely delighted with the voice-over service we received from Dan! He was a true professional from start to finish and we were able to wrap up the project in less than 24hrs due to his brilliant delivery! I highly recommend anyone in need of a voice for their project to look no further than Dan!" ★★★★★ TESS WHITTAKER | The Voice Distillery CEO, Edinburgh UK
Training
I learned and improved my voiceover skills purely through on-the-job experience, and have voiced many radio commercials and corporate scripts over more than 20 years. Indeed, my passion for voiceover began 40 years ago listening to The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy on BBC Radio 4, at the same time as I discovered Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, where I'd attempt to mimic the part of the Narrator played by Richard Burton. Whenever I work with an actor or a voiceover artist, I observe them closely - their technique, their approach, and learn from it. When producing, I'll also ask them to give me their own interpretation of a script, realising that good voice talent often has useful input into the production process. I absolutely love being given the opportunity to voice - not because I love the sound of my own voice (let's face it, very few of us do!) - but because I enjoy the challenge of delivering a script so it's completely on-brand and on-brief.
Experience
New "Mind the Gap" voice on London Underground's new fleet of trains, heard by over a billion passengers every year.
In addition, I have produced over 5,000 on-board passenger announcements for London Underground.
I was the Vodafone legals voice on their radio commercials for around 3 or 4 years.
Voiced or part-voiced well over a hundred ads whilst not even a full-time voiceover artist.
I was a radio presenter for (cumulatively) 10 years on radio stations across the north of England.
I've produced and presented shows for in-store and in-flight radio channels.
I've voiced training videos for corporate clients.
Recently I provided pre-recorded 'links' for a corporate awards show for the British Institute of Cleaning Science.
I have my own studio, and as a producer I can also package up any voiceover job with music, effects, etc. By default, all voiceover work would be provided with breaths taken out and with processing as required.
Specials
Audio production
VIdeo production
Showreel production
Logo design
Motion graphics
Music production
Station imaging
Automated public information systems (voice of mind the gap and producer of thousands of London Underground prompts)