In this episode, we explore ElevenLabs’ new Actor Mode feature, which enables users to direct AI-generated voices using their own vocal performance patterns. This innovative approach allows for precise control over pacing, emphasis, and emotional inflection in AI voice outputs – a significant advancement for creating more natural-sounding content. We demonstrate the feature by applying different performance styles (anxious/urgent, casual/”bro” style, and conversational) to both a professional voice clone and ElevenLabs’ pre-built voices. The episode highlights how Actor Mode bridges a gap in AI voice technology by allowing users to maintain the consistency of AI voices while adding the nuanced delivery that typically requires human performance, making it particularly valuable for marketing content that requires specific emotional tones.
Keywords
- ElevenLabs
- Actor Mode
- AI Voice
- Voice Directing
- Voice Cloning
- Performance Control
- Voice Inflection
- Content Creation
- Professional Voice Clone
- Speech Cadence
- Tone Control
- Emotional Delivery
- Marketing Assets
- Audio Production
- Voice Editing
- Pacing Control
- Speech Emphasis
- Natural Voice AI
- Presentation Assets
- Voice Performance
Key Takeaways
Core Functionality
- Directs AI-generated voices using human performance patterns
- Maintains the voice characteristics while adopting user’s pacing and emphasis
- Works with both custom voice clones and pre-built ElevenLabs voices
- Simple interface with microphone button for recording direction
- Requires reading the script with desired tone and inflection
- Captures pauses, emphasis, speed variations, and emotional qualities
- Available in the Creator tier ($22/month)
- Can upload audio files or record directly in the interface
Practical Applications
- Creating more natural-sounding marketing narration
- Developing consistent presentations with varied emotional delivery
- Producing advertisements with precise tonal control
- Recording product demos with specific pacing requirements
- Generating content that requires emotional nuance
- Maintaining brand voice while adapting delivery style
- Creating one-off content pieces that need specific performance qualities
- Developing educational content with appropriate emphasis on key point
Demonstration Results
- Successfully transferred urgent/anxious pacing to AI voice
- Applied casual “bro” style to professional voice clone
- Transformed neutral pre-built voice (Charlie) to match fast-paced delivery
- Maintained word accuracy while altering delivery style
- Preserved voice characteristics while adopting performance patterns
- Demonstrated significant difference between directed and undirected outputs
- Showed flexibility across different performance styles
User Experience Considerations
- Requires user involvement in the creation process
- Trade-off between automation and performance control
- More suitable for important one-off content than large-scale production
- Simple interface with clear feedback on performance capture
- Complements rather than replaces professional voice cloning
- Creates middle ground between robotic AI and human recording
- Allows multiple attempts and practice without public exposure
- Intuitive for users already comfortable with vocal expression
Practical Applications
- Marketing narration with precise emotional delivery
- Sales presentations requiring specific tonal qualities
- Educational content with deliberate pacing for comprehension
- Product demonstrations with enthusiasm or authority
- Brand videos with consistent voice but varied delivery
- Podcast intros/outros with particular cadence requirements
- Interactive voice responses with appropriate emotional context
- Multi-character content with distinctive performance styles
Links
https://elevenlabs.io/app/home
https://x.com/elevenlabsio/status/1905653402429723110
