Emotional Voice Control

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Hear the Examples

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MARS 8.1 Beta Text Controls

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Pronunciation Control (English)

response = client.text_to_speech.tts(
    text="Please [W AY1 N D] the clock before the strong [W IH1 N D] starts.",
    voice_id=147320,
    language="en-us",
    speech_model="mars-8.1-flash-beta",
    output_configuration=StreamTtsOutputConfiguration(format="wav")
)

const response = await client.textToSpeech.tts({
  text: 'He plays the [B EY1 S] guitar while catching a [B AE1 S] fish.',
  voice_id: 147320,
  language: 'en-us',
  speech_model: 'mars-8.1-flash-beta',
  output_configuration: { format: 'wav' }
});

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Non-verbal Symbols

response = client.text_to_speech.tts(
    text="[laughter] You really got me. I didn't see that coming at all.",
    voice_id=147320,
    language="en-us",
    speech_model="mars-8.1-flash-beta",
    output_configuration=StreamTtsOutputConfiguration(format="wav")
)

const response = await client.textToSpeech.tts({
  text: '[laughter] You really got me. I didn\'t see that coming at all.',
  voice_id: 147320,
  language: 'en-us',
  speech_model: 'mars-8.1-flash-beta',
  output_configuration: { format: 'wav' }
});

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Supported tags for mars 8.1 :

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Emotion Tags for Mars 8 Instruct:

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Emotion Tone Tags

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Sound Effect Tags

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user_instructions

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Delivery Tags

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Emotion Tag Gradation Guide

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How To Use This

• Read each tag list from left to right.
• Left side means more balanced, subtle, or restrained.
• Right side means more extreme, forceful, or obvious.
• If you want the strongest controllable result, start from the rightmost tag.
• If you want a more natural or less exaggerated result, move one or two steps left.

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Examples Of Use

1. [angry] Who stole my cash!
2. [trembling] I don't know who did it...
3. [cheerful] Welcome back. I saved you a seat.
4. [commanding] Stop right there and listen carefully.

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Tag Ladders

1. Nervousness: [uneasy] -> [nervous] -> [anxious] -> [trembling]
2. Fear: [fearful] -> [scared] -> [terrified] -> [panicked]
3. Anger: [irritated] -> [angry] -> [furious] -> [enraged]
4. Sadness: [down] -> [sad] -> [melancholic] -> [depressed]
5. Joy: [cheerful] -> [happy] -> [joyful] -> [delighted]
6. Excitement: [energetic] -> [excited] -> [thrilled] -> [hyped]
7. Calmness: [relaxed] -> [calm] -> [peaceful] -> [serene]
8. Confidence: [assured] -> [confident] -> [certain] -> [bold]
9. Doubt: [uncertain] -> [doubtful] -> [hesitant] -> [skeptical]
10. Surprise: [surprised] -> [startled] -> [shocked] -> [astonished]
11. Disgust: [grossed_out] -> [disgusted] -> [repulsed] -> [revolted]
12. Pride: [satisfied] -> [accomplished] -> [proud] -> [fulfilled]
13. Shame: [embarrassed] -> [guilty] -> [ashamed] -> [humiliated]
14. Love: [warm] -> [affectionate] -> [loving] -> [tender]
15. Flirtation: [charming] -> [playful] -> [flirty] -> [teasing]
16. Sarcasm: [dry] -> [ironic] -> [sarcastic] -> [mocking]
17. Determination: [focused] -> [determined] -> [driven] -> [resolute]
18. Frustration: [annoyed] -> [irritated] -> [frustrated] -> [exasperated]
19. Relief: [calmed] -> [reassured] -> [relieved] -> [grateful]
20. Curiosity: [interested] -> [curious] -> [inquiring] -> [intrigued]
21. Boredom: [dull] -> [uninterested] -> [bored] -> [apathetic]
22. Awe: [inspired] -> [amazed] -> [awed] -> [wonderstruck]
23. Suspicion: [wary] -> [suspicious] -> [guarded] -> [distrustful]
24. Urgency: [urgent] -> [rushed] -> [intense] -> [pressured]
25. Authority: [firm] -> [authoritative] -> [directive] -> [commanding]
26. Politeness: [polite] -> [courteous] -> [respectful] -> [formal]
27. Gratitude: [appreciative] -> [thankful] -> [grateful] -> [warm]
28. Confusion: [uncertain] -> [puzzled] -> [confused] -> [lost]
29. Hopelessness: [resigned] -> [defeated] -> [hopeless] -> [despairing]
30. Playfulness: [lighthearted] -> [playful] -> [fun] -> [silly]

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Practical Rule Of Thumb

• Use the leftmost tag when you want the emotion to be present but not overpower the sentence.
• Use the middle tags when you want clear emotional color without sounding theatrical.
• Use the rightmost tag when you need the emotion to come through strongly and consistently.

• Nervousness, subtle: [uneasy]
• Nervousness, clear: [anxious]
• Nervousness, strongest: [trembling]

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How To Generalize This To New Emotions

• Start with 3 to 4 tags for the same emotional family.
• Arrange them from balanced to extreme.
• Test them on the same sentence.
• Keep the tag that gives the clearest emotional control without distorting the sentence too much.
• When in doubt, the most extreme tag often gives the strongest controllability.

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Combining Tags

response = client.text_to_speech.tts(
    text="[sighing, secretive] I have a secret to tell you... [happy, excited] We're going to Paris!",
    voice_id=147320,
    language="en-us",
    speech_model="mars-instruct",
    user_instructions="emotional shifts from sad to excited",
    output_configuration=StreamTtsOutputConfiguration(format="wav")
)

const response = await client.textToSpeech.tts({
  text: '[sighing, secretive] I have a secret to tell you... [happy, excited] We\'re going to Paris!',
  voice_id: 147320,
  language: 'en-us',
  speech_model: 'mars-instruct',
  user_instructions: 'emotional shifts from sad to excited',
  output_configuration: { format: 'wav' }
});

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Pauses

You... must... understand... this. <break time='600ms'/> The future begins NOW.

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Best Practices

1. Use specific tags - Place concise delivery tags near the sentence they should affect
2. Match content to emotion - Text and punctuation should reflect the emotional tone
3. Place sound effects naturally - Tags like [laughing], [sighing] work best within sentences
4. Choose the right control - Use inline tags for sentence-level emotion, or user_instructions for the overall speaking style
5. Add pauses - Use <break time='600ms'/> for dramatic effect

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Next Steps