How to use ElevenLabs v4 for voiceovers

Start with a short audition before generating an entire video or chapter. ElevenLabs positions Eleven v4 for expressive recorded content and Eleven v4 Turbo for low-latency applications such as live agents. For a voiceover you will edit and export, start with Eleven v4. This walkthrough uses ElevenLabs’ documentation and includes a script you can use for your own audition.

1. Prepare a short script

Choose 20 to 30 seconds from the actual project. Include one proper noun, a number, and a shift in tone. For example: “The first train leaves Lagos at 7:45. If you’re running late, take a breath. There’s another one in twenty minutes.” This gives you three things to judge: how the voice says Lagos, whether the departure time is clear, and whether the final line sounds reassuring.

2. Choose a voice and generate two takes

Keep the voice and spoken words the same. Generate one plain take, then add a short direction before the second sentence, such as [calm and reassuring]. ElevenLabs describes inline delivery tags and provides public audio examples in its Eleven v4 launch notes. Developers can use the eleven_v4 model through the Text to Dialogue API, as described in the official changelog.

3. Compare what you hear

Play both takes at the same volume. Listen first for dropped words and changed numbers, then for pronunciation, pauses, and tone. If a number sounds ambiguous, write it the way it should be spoken. If the tone is inconsistent, simplify the direction and regenerate the affected passage. Change one thing at a time so you can hear what made the difference.

4. Assemble and check the final track

For a longer video or audiobook, work in sections and keep a record of the voice, model, and directions. Listen across each edit for abrupt changes in pace or volume. Preview the voiceover with the actual video or music bed and verify the applicable usage rights before commercial release. Affiliate disclosure: CortexHub may earn a commission if you sign up or make a purchase through our ElevenLabs affiliate link. Try ElevenLabs for your next voiceover.