Dubbing studios in Madrid: directory and how to work in them

Madrid is, without any doubt, the capital of Spanish-language dubbing in Spain. Most of the country's dubbing output is concentrated here: from the big Netflix and HBO series to Hollywood blockbusters, including Japanese anime and triple-A video games. If you want to make a professional career in dubbing, sooner or later you will have to pass through Madrid.

The dubbing ecosystem in Madrid

The dubbing sector in Madrid moves tens of millions of euros a year. The city is home to more than twenty specialised studios of different sizes, working continuously for the main streaming platforms, television networks and film distributors. This ecosystem works thanks to a network of professional actors, dubbing directors, translators and sound technicians who have spent decades perfecting a very particular model.

Madrid's dubbing industry has unique features: a deeply rooted artisan tradition, a recognisable voice in the Spanish-speaking market and a demand that has not stopped growing with the proliferation of content platforms.

Main dubbing studios in Madrid

Tecnison

One of the most veteran and prestigious studios in the sector. Tecnison has dubbed landmark series and films for decades. It works regularly with major networks and international platforms, and its roster of regular actors includes some of the most recognised names in Spanish dubbing.

SDI Media España

The Spanish subsidiary of one of the largest localisation services companies in the world. SDI Media has one of its most active production centres for the Spanish-speaking market in Madrid. Its projects range from dubbing animated series to major film productions.

Soundtrack

A benchmark studio especially known for its work on animated series and children's content. It also produces dubbing for documentaries and educational content. It is one of the studios where many dubbing actors have taken their first professional steps.

Deluxe Spain

Part of the global Deluxe Entertainment group, this studio is one of the largest in terms of infrastructure in Madrid. It has the capacity to produce large volumes of dubbing simultaneously, which makes it a preferred partner of Hollywood distributors for their releases in Spain.

Other relevant studios

In addition to the above, Madrid has studios such as Cinearte, Estudios Blaqq, VOX Estudios and several more specialising in advertising, video games or corporate content. The offering is broad and constantly shifting.

How to land work in a dubbing studio

This is the question most often asked by actors who want to break into the world of dubbing, and the honest answer is that there is no single or easy path. The dubbing sector in Madrid is notoriously closed to newcomers, and most of the work is shared among trusted actors who already know the dubbing directors.

The usual process to enter the profession includes the following steps:

1. Specific dubbing training: Before knocking on any door, you need to train. Dubbing courses will teach you microphone technique, lip sync, script reading and the conventions of the sector.
2. Preparing a demo: Once trained, you should record a voice demo that shows your range, your sync ability and the variety of characters you can play.
3. Contacting dubbing directors: Dubbing directors are the true gatekeepers of the sector. They are the ones who choose the actors for each project. Landing an audition with a director is the real goal.
4. Persistence and patience: Access to the sector can take years. Many actors start out with small roles —minor characters, background voices— before landing leading parts.

The importance of accredited dubbing courses

In Madrid there are dozens of academies and dubbing courses, but not all of them carry the same recognition in the industry. The courses that open the most doors are those taught by working dubbing directors or actors, who have real contacts with the studios.

Look for courses where the teachers are recognisable professionals in the sector and where the practical work includes real time in recording studios. A quality course will give you not only technique, but also your first network of contacts in the industry.

Differences between dubbing for series, film, advertising and video games

Not all dubbing is the same. Each format has its own technical demands and its own production circuits:

• TV and streaming series: These represent the largest volume of work. Production paces are intense and deadlines very tight. Speed and consistency are valued.
• Film: Requires more careful work with more time. Film projects allow for a higher level of artistic craftsmanship.
• Advertising: Fees are higher but projects are short. You work under a lot of pressure and with clients who constantly change their minds. English and other languages are a plus.
• Video games: A market expanding enormously. Sessions can be long and repetitive, and require a voice that can withstand hours of recording. Fees vary depending on the game's budget.

Approximate fees in the sector

Dubbing fees are regulated by collective bargaining agreement and vary according to the format and the type of role. As a general reference, a day of dubbing for an actor on a series can range between 200 and 400 euros for supporting roles, and significantly more for leads or high-end projects. In advertising, fees are higher but contracts include broadcasting rights that are limited in time.

The role of unions in dubbing

The Unión de Actores y Actrices is the main union that protects the rights of dubbing actors in Spain. The dubbing collective bargaining agreement, negotiated between the unions and the production companies, sets the minimum wages, working conditions and rights of actors. Joining the union is not mandatory, but it does give you access to legal advice, information about agreements and support in the event of labour disputes.

For actors who already work regularly in the sector, union membership is a very valuable protection tool. For those who are just starting out, it can be a good first contact with the working reality of the sector.