Most timing problems in a dub come from one thing: the translated line is a different length from the original. Translations are often longer or shorter than the source, but each dubbed line has to fit the same time slot as the original speech. This article shows how to spot and fix the three problems this causes.
What you notice | Why it happens | Flag in the editor |
The dubbed voice sounds rushed or too fast | The translation is longer than the original, so the voice speeds up to fit | Speedup |
Silences or pauses between lines; or the character's lips move but you hear nothing | The translation is shorter than the original, so the dubbed line ends early | Gap |
Speech starts or ends in the wrong place | Timestamps or speaker assignments are off, often after manual edits | Gap or Speedup |
Step 1. Find the lines with problems
Open your project in the editor and go to the target language. Lines with a timing problem show an icon next to the dialogue: Speedup (the line is too long) or Gap (the line is too short). A gap longer than about 0.5 seconds usually makes the dub feel out of sync.
Step 2. Fix dialogues that are too fast (Speedup)
The translation is too long for its time slot. Choose one:
Shorten the translation (best when timing must match, for example for lip sync): edit the target text to say the same thing in fewer words.
Give the line more time: if there's silence after the line and no dialogue right next to it, stretch the dialogue's timestamp on the waveform until the Speedup flag disappears.
Move some words to a nearby line that has a gap.
Step 3. Fix gaps and silent lip movements (Gap)
The translation is too short, so the dubbed line ends before the character stops talking. Choose one or more:
Lengthen the translation: rephrase it, or add natural filler words or phrases so it fills the original time slot.
Split the dialogue: if the speaker pauses mid-sentence, split the line into two so the first part ends where they pause and the second starts when they resume. You can do this in the source script (before translating) or the target script.
Slow it down: use Adjust speed to set the line slightly below 1x.
Move text from a nearby line that has a Speedup flag into this one.
Step 4. Regenerate and check
Click the ⋮ menu on the right of the dialogue and select Re-generate. When the new line fits the original timing, the Speedup or Gap flag disappears. Play it back and check the waveform to make sure there are no audible gaps.
💳 Each regeneration uses credits. Fix all the lines you can, then regenerate, rather than regenerating one change at a time. Then generate the final mix again before you download (see How to download output files).
🎬 Prefer video? Watch our video tutorial on finding and fixing gaps.
Avoid timing problems from the start
Choose "Transcript Only" or "Transcript + Translation" when you create the project, so you can review before voices are generated. See How to upload videos for dubbing.
Check the transcript: correct timestamps and speaker assignments before translating.
Aim for similar length: translations between 1x and 1.2x the length of the original fit best.
Ask for concise translations: add "Formal and concise" (or similar) in Translation instructions when you set up the project.
Still not right?
Create a ticket with the project URL and the dialogue number so we can take a look: How to report an issue, or contact us.