Description
Project Hydrus is a scripted and conversational audio data collection project. We're looking for native-level speakers who can deliver natural, everyday-sounding speech , recordings that hold up whether you're reading a script or speaking spontaneously.
You will participate in two supervised sessions of approximately 4 hours each, guided in real time by a Session Director on a separate recording platform. You will record scripted material in a natural, conversational tone , faithfully, without a polished, performed, or “announcer” delivery. You will also record unscripted, spontaneous speech on a given topic, matching the same warmth and pace as your scripted takes.
Responsibilities:
- Set up and manage your own recording space and equipment for session recording.
- Deliver all recordings entirely in the required language (with specific dialect), without code-switching into other languages or dialects.
Requirements:
- Experience as a voice actor, actor, or theater performer, or a comparable performance background.
- Native or native-equivalent fluency in the required language (with specific dialect).
- Access to a quiet recording space, free of echo and background noise (acoustically treated for session recording, if selected).
- Owns or will acquire a dedicated, professional-grade microphone for the audition (e.g. RODE NT-USB Mini, Blue Yeti), upgrading to a qualifying USB condenser or XLR mic + audio interface for session recording if selected.
- Owns closed-back monitoring headphones (required for session recording if selected).
- Comfortable both self-directing for the audition and taking live direction from a Session Director in guided sessions.
Preferred:
- Professional voice-over experience (dubbing/ADR, audiobook, podcasting) in a conversational rather than commercial/announcer register.
- Baseline audio hygiene: comfortable setting mic distance and catching noise, clipping, or distortion yourself.
- An existing home recording setup already treated for sound.
Commitment & Compensation:
- Estimated time: Approximately 8 hours calibration, plus supervision across two recording sessions of ~4 hours each per participant.
- Freelance Remote.
- Rate: $20.00 USD per hour.