Emotion tags are short cues in square brackets, such as [happy] or [nervous], that tell the voice how to deliver a line. This guide shows how to use them and how to pick the right strength of emotion.

Emotion tags are built for MARS8-Instruct. Before you add tags, check that the language uses MARS8-Instruct: in a project, open Settings (gear icon) → Project Model. Video Narration uses MARS8-Instruct by default. See Which speech model should I choose?

ℹ️ The voice's texture changes when you switch between models (for example from MARS8-Pro or MARS8.1-Beta to MARS8-Instruct), so regenerate and listen to a few lines after switching.

1. Click the dialogue (or line) you want to change.

2. Type the tag at the start of the text, for example [angry] Who stole my cash!

3. Re-generate the dialogue (Ctrl + Shift + V) and listen. See How to re-generate dialogues.

Besides emotions, you can add sounds such as [laughing] or [sighing]. Tags also work in Text-to-Speech when you use MARS8-Instruct. For the full list of supported tags, see the link Best practice for MARS-Instruct in the project's Settings panel.

Read each tag list from left to right.

Left side means more balanced, subtle, or restrained output.

Right side means more extreme, forceful, or obvious output.
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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.

Examples of use

[angry] Who stole my cash!

[trembling] I don't know who did it...

[relieved] Thank goodness, it's over.

Tag Ladders

Balanced -> Extreme

Nervousness: `[uneasy]` -> `[nervous]` -> `[anxious]` -> `[trembling]`

Fear: `[fearful]` -> `[scared]` -> `[terrified]` -> `[panicked]`

Anger: `[irritated]` -> `[angry]` -> `[furious]` -> `[enraged]`

Sadness: `[down]` -> `[sad]` -> `[melancholic]` -> `[depressed]`

Joy: `[cheerful]` -> `[happy]` -> `[joyful]` -> `[delighted]`

Excitement: `[energetic]` -> `[excited]` -> `[thrilled]` -> `[hyped]`

Calmness: `[relaxed]` -> `[calm]` -> `[peaceful]` -> `[serene]`

Confidence: `[assured]` -> `[confident]` -> `[certain]` -> `[bold]`

Doubt: `[uncertain]` -> `[doubtful]` -> `[hesitant]` -> `[skeptical]`

Surprise: `[surprised]` -> `[startled]` -> `[shocked]` -> `[astonished]`

Disgust: `[grossed_out]` -> `[disgusted]` -> `[repulsed]` -> `[revolted]`

Pride: `[satisfied]` -> `[accomplished]` -> `[proud]` -> `[fulfilled]`

Shame: `[embarrassed]` -> `[guilty]` -> `[ashamed]` -> `[humiliated]`

Love: `[warm]` -> `[affectionate]` -> `[loving]` -> `[tender]`

Flirtation: `[charming]` -> `[playful]` -> `[flirty]` -> `[teasing]`

Sarcasm: `[dry]` -> `[ironic]` -> `[sarcastic]` -> `[mocking]`

Determination: `[focused]` -> `[determined]` -> `[driven]` -> `[resolute]`

Frustration: `[annoyed]` -> `[irritated]` -> `[frustrated]` -> `[exasperated]`

Relief: `[calmed]` -> `[reassured]` -> `[relieved]` -> `[grateful]`

Curiosity: `[interested]` -> `[curious]` -> `[inquiring]` -> `[intrigued]`

Boredom: `[dull]` -> `[uninterested]` -> `[bored]` -> `[apathetic]`

Awe: `[inspired]` -> `[amazed]` -> `[awed]` -> `[wonderstruck]`

Suspicion: `[wary]` -> `[suspicious]` -> `[guarded]` -> `[distrustful]`

Urgency: `[urgent]` -> `[rushed]` -> `[intense]` -> `[pressured]`

Authority: `[firm]` -> `[authoritative]` -> `[directive]` -> `[commanding]`

Politeness: `[polite]` -> `[courteous]` -> `[respectful]` -> `[formal]`

Gratitude: `[appreciative]` -> `[thankful]` -> `[grateful]` -> `[warm]`

Confusion: `[uncertain]` -> `[puzzled]` -> `[confused]` -> `[lost]`

Hopelessness: `[resigned]` -> `[defeated]` -> `[hopeless]` -> `[despairing]`

Playfulness: `[lighthearted]` -> `[playful]` -> `[fun]` -> `[silly]`

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

Nervousness, subtle: `[uneasy]`

Nervousness, clear: `[anxious]`

Nervousness, strongest: `[trembling]`
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How To Generalize This To New Emotions

This same principle generalizes well 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 with the same instruction.

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.