Guide to ElevenLabs text to speech with CapCut

Intuitive video-editing apps like CapCut have taken the content creation sphere by storm. However, there’s just one problem—limited audio generation options. This is where AI-powered TTS tools like ElevenLabs step in to help creators generate realistic and engaging voiceovers for their CapCut projects. 

• CapCut is a popular video editing software for beginner and intermediate content creators and editors.
• Although the software offers an array of useful editing tools, many of them free, CapCut doesn’t currently include a built-in text to speech tool.
• Learn how to combine CapCut’s editing capabilities with ElevenLabs' natural-sounding TTS to create projects that look great and sound even better.

Why narration matters

CapCut has been a lifesaver for many digital content creators, allowing them to create professional and seamless videos without spending extensive time, money, and resources doing so. 

The viral video editing app is free but includes various premium features and add-ons that can be accessed through the paid CapCut Pro plan, making it an excellent option for beginners and experienced video creators alike. 

However, like other user-friendly video editing apps, CapCut has limitations regarding audio. Although CapCut is great for visual effects and transitions, your video needs to sound just as good as it looks to stand out and gain traction.

Enter advanced text to speech tools like ElevenLabs. With the ElevenLabs TTS tool, creators can quickly turn their scripts into engaging voiceovers that sound authentic and human-like, waving goodbye to “robot voice” video narration for good.

Interested in learning more about creating exceptional audio in minutes? Find out below. 

What is text to speech? 

Text to speech, or TTS for short, is a widely used technology that transforms any written text into speech. Whether you need to get through a PDF file quickly, rest your eyes during a reading session, or even generate a compelling voiceover for a project, TTS tools can help you achieve all of the above. 

Initially created for accessibility purposes—particularly for individuals with visual impairments— TTS tools have advanced far beyond their initial requirements. Nowadays, TTS tools are used for various goals and are becoming increasingly present in our everyday lives. 

With the rise of AI-powered TTS technology, text to speech output sounds more natural and human-like than ever before, further contributing to its popularity outside accessibility spaces.

ElevenLabs text to speech 

Developed using advanced AI algorithms, the ElevenLabs TTS tool is making waves across the internet. Video creators are becoming increasingly tired of the robot voiceover that screams “AI-generated content,” so they are looking for ways to make their video narrations sound as realistic and engaging as possible. 

Enter ElevenLabs. This versatile TTS tool offers various features and pricing tiers, including a free plan. It allows users to experiment with hundreds of narrators and customizable parameters. 

In addition to regular speech synthesis, ElevenLabs offers advanced customization features like Voice Cloning and Isolation, making it ideal for individuals looking to generate high-quality audio for their videos and projects.

Combining ElevenLabs with CapCut

CapCut is a free and intuitive video editing app that allows users to create and edit videos for various platforms and goals. In addition to being an excellent tool for beginners, CapCut also offers extended features for more experienced video editors. 

The user-friendly video editor includes a simple interface, a range of pre-made templates for different video styles, text, stickers, overlays, music and sound effects, filters, and direct platform integration. 

Although CapCut comes with an array of helpful video editing tools and features, audio generation opportunities are limited. For one, CapCut doesn’t include a built-in TTS tool, meaning users must rely on third-party software. However, with intuitive and versatile TTS tools  ElevenLabs, this is not a problem. 

How to use ElevenLabs TTS with CapCut 

Combining CapCut and ElevenLabs to create engaging videos with top-tier narration is easier than you can imagine. Both tools are highly intuitive and don’t require extensive technical skills, making them popular choices for beginners and intermediate content creators. 

That said, let’s get into the step-by-step process of generating audio with ElevenLabs and uploading it to CapCut. 

Step 1: Prepare your script

Behind every professional video is an engaging, well-written script. Before converting your script into audio, ensure it sounds good and is free of grammatical or syntax errors. 

Read your script out loud to detect any awkward-sounding phrases, and consider using a tool like Grammarly (or just a regular spellchecker) to polish up your draft. 

Step 2: Open ElevenLabs

Once your script is finalized, log in to ElevenLabs and navigate to the text to speech tool. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one or just sign in with Google. Check the available plans and choose a tier that suits your needs and requirements as a creator. 

Step 3: Generate your audio

Open the TTS tool and paste the final version of your script into the Speech Synthesis text box.

ElevenLabs allows users to choose from a wide range of voices, narration styles, and customizable features to tailor their voiceovers according to their needs. 

You can choose your narrator directly from the Speech Synthesis section or the “Voices” tab on the left. This tab allows you to look into the narrator options in more detail, allowing you to choose your desired voice by clicking “Use.” 

Click “Generate” to preview your audio. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the narration aligns with the style of your video. 

Once you’re happy with the final result, hit the “Download” icon, and ElevenLabs will save a high-quality version of your audio to your device in mp3 format. 

Step 4: Upload your audio to CapCut

Open CapCut and navigate to your project, or create a new project if you don't already have one. 

Navigate to the “Media” tab and import your ElevenLabs file (it will be in your “Downloads” folder unless your device is set to download files to another location). 

Step 5: Sync the audio with your video

Once uploaded, drag the audio file to the timeline and align it with your video. 

From here, you can trim, split, or adjust the duration of the audio to match your visuals. CapCut also allows you to adjust the volume, include a fade-in/out effect, and apply other effects.

Step 6: Finalize and export 

When you’re satisfied with the final result, hit “Export” and save your final video with the voiceover ready to go. 

Final thoughts

That’s a wrap! 

We hope this tutorial was helpful for video creators looking to upgrade their voiceover and narration game. 

Apps like CapCut are certified game-changers in making video editing more accessible, yet it’s essential to recognize their limitations. Given that CapCut doesn’t offer a built-in TTS feature, we recommend users branch out and explore advanced (yet highly intuitive) text to speech tools like ElevenLabs.

With ElevenLabs, CapCut users can generate professional voiceovers for their projects in minutes and upload them directly to their projects, seamlessly aligning the audio with the visuals. The result? Videos that sound just as good as they look.