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How to generate AI voiceover from text in DaVinci Resolve 21 with the Speech Generator

DaVinci Resolve 21 AI Speech Generator creates voiceover from text using Blackmagic voice models or a 10-second voice sample. This guide covers setup, voice cloning, and integration with pre-edited timelines.

How does the AI Speech Generator work in DaVinci Resolve 21?

DaVinci Resolve 21 AI Speech Generator creates natural-sounding voiceover from written text using Blackmagic's built-in voice models or a custom voice trained from as little as a 10-second audio sample. You can adjust speed, pitch, and inflection to create multiple performances for voiceovers, narration, and ADR without booking a studio or hiring a voice actor.

The Speech Generator uses DaVinci Resolve's Neural Engine to analyze voice characteristics and generate synthetic speech that matches the target voice. It is available in the Fairlight page and integrates directly into the timeline as an audio clip. This makes it a practical tool for documentary filmmakers who need to record pick-up narration, video editors who need to replace a single word in a voiceover, or content creators who want to add narration to explainer videos without recording it live.

For more DaVinci Resolve tips, read our guide on DaVinci Resolve AI Tools for Colorists and Editors.

Improve your audio workflow with How to adjust clip level, pan, and pitch in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.

How do you generate AI speech in DaVinci Resolve 21?

Open the Fairlight page and navigate to the Effects panel. Locate the "DaVinci AI Speech Generator" in the Fairlight Audio FX list. Create an audio track for the generated speech and apply the effect to an empty clip on that track. The Speech Generator controls appear in the Effects panel on the right.

The controls are divided into two modes. In Standard mode, you select one of Blackmagic's pre-built voice models. These include male and female voices in multiple languages and accents. You type or paste the text you want generated, adjust the speed and pitch sliders, and click Generate. Resolve renders the speech as an audio clip on your timeline.

In Custom Voice mode, you provide a sample of the target voice. Drag a 10-second or longer audio clip of the speaker — ideally clean audio with minimal background noise — onto the voice sample field. The Neural Engine analyzes the clip and creates a unique voice model. You can then type any text and have it generated in that voice, with adjustable speed, pitch, and inflection parameters that mimic the original speaker's delivery style.

How do you use the Speech Generator for ADR and dialog replacement?

The Speech Generator is particularly powerful for ADR and dialog replacement in post-production. When a line of dialog in your footage is unusable due to background noise, interference, or a performance issue, you can replace it with AI-generated speech that matches the original actor's voice.

The workflow starts in the Edit page. Identify the clip with the problematic dialog. Use the Blade tool to isolate the section that needs replacement. Switch to the Fairlight page, create a new audio track, and apply the Speech Generator with a Custom Voice model trained on the actor's voice from a clean section of the same recording. Type the replacement dialog, generate it, and position it on the timeline to match the original performance's timing.

For the best results, provide a voice sample that matches the emotional tone of the replacement dialog. A sample taken from a calm conversation will not generate convincing dialog for a shouting scene. Keep multiple voice samples from different parts of the performance to match different emotional states.

Why should you pre-edit your timeline before generating voiceover?

The Speech Generator processes each generation request individually. If you are generating voiceover for a long-form video, generating speech for the entire script before tightening the edit means you will waste time regenerating sections that get cut.

A more efficient approach is to pre-edit your footage first. Upload raw footage to Cutsio, remove silence and retakes using the Silent Slicer, and highlight the sections that will make the final cut. Export an EDL or XML and import the timeline into DaVinci Resolve 21. With the timeline already tightened, you can identify exactly where voiceover or ADR is needed and generate speech only for those specific sections.

This approach also helps with lip-sync accuracy for ADR. With a pre-edited timeline, you know the exact duration of each gap that needs to be filled, and you can generate speech that matches the required timing precisely.

How do you adjust Speech Generator performance for different content types?

| Content type | Recommended voice source | Speed setting | Pitch setting |

|---|---|---|---|

| Documentary narration | Pre-built voice model | 0.9x - 1.0x | 0% |

| ADR replacement | Custom voice from same actor | Match original performance | Match original |

| Explainer video | Pre-built or custom | 1.0x - 1.1x | +5% for energy |

| Podcast filler | Custom voice from host | 1.0x | 0% |

| Character voice | Custom voice with inflection | Varies by character | Varies by role |

The inflection control is the most important parameter for natural-sounding speech. Higher inflection values add more variation in pitch and delivery, making the speech sound more natural for conversational content. Lower inflection values produce a more monotone delivery suitable for technical narration or corporate voiceover.

Does the Speech Generator support multiple languages?

Yes. The pre-built voice models include support for multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese. The language options match the languages supported by DaVinci Resolve's transcription engine.

Custom Voice mode works with any language. The Neural Engine analyzes the voice characteristics regardless of the language being spoken in the sample. You can generate speech in any language using a custom voice model, but the quality of the pronunciation depends on the language support in the underlying text-to-speech engine.

FAQ

How long does the Speech Generator take to process?

Generation time depends on the length of the text. A 30-second voiceover typically processes in 10-20 seconds on a system with GPU acceleration.

Does the Speech Generator require an internet connection?

No. The Speech Generator runs locally on your system using the DaVinci Neural Engine. No internet connection is required for voice generation.

Can I use the Speech Generator for music or singing?

No. The Speech Generator is designed for spoken voice. It does not support singing, rapping, or musical applications.

Is the Speech Generator available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve 21?

No. The Speech Generator requires DaVinci Resolve 21 Studio. It is not available in the free version.

Can I save custom voice models for future projects?

Yes. Custom voice models are saved in your Resolve user preferences and are available across all projects on the same system.