Can't select voice for characters

The only reason you can't select a character voice is if you are playing that character. So if you are playing ROMEO, you will not be able to select a voice for ROMEO.

Make sure that you've selected the appropriate character to play. You can change your assigned character in the rehearsal settings.

Voice sounds robotic

Some voices may occasionally sound flat, unnatural, or robotic. The good news is that it's usually fixable with a few simple adjustments.

Why it happens

Voices rely on text structure, punctuation, and context to interpret how a line should be delivered. If the script lacks rhythm, or the emotional intent isn't clear, the delivery may sound too neutral or mechanical.

Common causes:

• Dialogue lines with no punctuation
• No emotional or pacing guidance
• Unclear who's speaking or what's happening

How to make it sound more natural

In Voice customization we cover the main ways to help produce natural speech:

• By adding punctuation and editing text structure
• By adding speech instructions to each line (Dramatic voices)
• By recording audio references (Consistent voices)

Different voice types respond to these techniques differently. See Understanding voice types to learn which approach works best for your setup.

Scene reader doesn't generate audio

If the Act On Cue reader highlights your lines but no sound comes out, or if the loading spinner spins indefinitely on a specific line, it is usually due to one of three reasons: content filtering, account balance, or browser audio settings.

1. Sensitive or harmful content

Some of our high-fidelity voices are powered by providers with strict safety filters. These filters automatically detect and block content that is flagged as:

• Explicit content (Nudity/Sexual topics)
• Harmful or violent language
• Hate speech

If your script contains dramatic scenes involving violence, swearing, or intimate situations, Dramatic voices may refuse to generate the audio for those specific lines.

The Fix: Switch to Consistent voices

If you are working on a gritty or mature script, we recommend switching the character's voice to a Consistent voice.

Consistent voices are designed to be more flexible. They are much less sensitive to content filtering and will generate lines that Dramatic voices might block.

How to change the voice:

1. Go to Settings -> Character Voices.
2. Tap the character that is failing to speak.
3. In the voice selection menu, filter by Consistent.
4. Select a new voice and try running the scene again.

To learn more about voice types, see Understanding voice types.

2. Pauses or delays during the "First Run"

If you are running a scene for the very first time, you might notice pauses or a delay before the reader speaks.

This is normal. The app is generating the speech for your script in real-time.

• The First Run: You may experience pauses while the system creates the audio for your lines.
• Subsequent Runs: Will be fluid and instant.

Once the lines are generated, they are saved (cached) to your device. If you restart the scene or run it again, the reader will respond instantly without any loading time. Replaying cached lines is free.

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3. Check your Account Balance

Speech generation requires server resources. If the reader has stopped generating audio entirely for all lines and all characters, you may have run out of balance.

How to check:

1. Go to your Account Settings.
2. Look for your Balance in the sidebar menu.
3. Ensure your account is in good standing and has available funds.

If you are on a free tier or have hit a monthly limit, you may need to upgrade or top up to continue generating new lines. See the pricing guide for details.

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4. Browser & Device Audio

If your balance is fine and the content is safe for work, the issue might be your device settings.

• Check the Tab Mute: Ensure the browser tab isn't muted (look for a crossed-out speaker icon on the tab itself).
• Bluetooth Hijack: If you have Bluetooth headphones connected (even if they are just sitting on the desk), the audio might be routing there instead of your speakers. Disconnect Bluetooth to test.
• Browser Autoplay: Some browsers (especially Safari) block audio from playing automatically. Click anywhere on the page to "wake up" the audio context.

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Still hearing silence?

If you have switched to a Consistent voice and confirmed you have balance, please contact support.

Scene reader speaks too fast or slow

Each voice is independent. It doesn't follow a fixed speed or volume. That means some voices may naturally speak faster or slower than others. You can still fine-tune how a line is delivered by using custom instructions or reference audio.

Adjust speaking speed

1. For Dramatic voices

You can add acting instructions directly in the script to control pacing. For example:

Learn more about this approach in Voice customization.

2. For Consistent voices

You can record your own voice reference. If you want the reader to speak faster, just speak faster in your recording. The system will try to match your pacing and delivery style.

Not sure which voice type you're using? See Understanding voice types for a breakdown.

Final tip

If a voice consistently feels too fast or too slow for your needs, consider trying a different one. Each voice has a unique natural rhythm, and sometimes a small change in tone or pace can make a big difference.

Need help?

If you're still having trouble getting the timing just right, feel free to reach out. We're happy to help.

Scene reader is slow to respond

Sometimes you want your scene to feel snappy or overlapping, like actors cutting into each other's lines. If the reader waits too long before speaking, that rhythm can feel off.

This happens because the reader is waiting for its cue, usually the moment your line ends (about 1 second). But you can tweak your script to make responses more immediate.

🛠️ Format the script for faster cues

If you're not using the teleprompter, you can simply trim the last word or two from your own lines. This signals that your line has ended slightly earlier, causing the reader to jump in faster.

Before:

After:

This small change can significantly improve pacing, especially in fast, overlapping dialogue.

Want more control over delivery? See Voice customization for tips on pacing and tone.