How to Control Audio Speed for Your Sessions
Learn how audio speed works in Hypnothera — from automatic optimization to full manual control. Slower audio creates deeper relaxation; faster audio works for energizing sessions.
Prerequisites
- •An existing script ready for audio export
- •Active subscription (any tier for defaults, Premium/Ultimate for manual control)
Step-by-Step Guide
Understand How Speed Affects Your Session
Audio speed controls how fast the AI voice speaks during your session. A slower speed creates longer pauses between words and a more relaxed, hypnotic pace. A faster speed produces more energetic, focused delivery. The speed you choose at generation time is baked into the final audio file — this is different from playback speed, which just plays back existing audio faster.
Know the Default Speed
Hypnothera automatically picks the best speed for your tier. Premium and Ultimate subscribers default to 0.9x (10% slower than normal) which research shows is optimal for deep relaxation and hypnotic suggestion absorption. Free and Basic users default to 1.0x (normal speaking pace), which still works well for general sessions.
Open the Voice & audio panel
In the editor, click the voice pill in the top bar (or the 'Fix Notation and Generate Audio' button). The Voice & audio panel opens on the right with voice selection, the Pace control, and duration/credit estimates all in one place.
Find the Pace control
In the panel, look for the 'Pace' slider below the voice card. Premium and Ultimate subscribers can drag it to set the speaking speed; the label shows your current selection (for example -10%) and the duration and credit estimates update in real time.
Choose your pace
Slide toward the slower end for deep relaxation and sleep (around 10-20% slower / 0.8x-0.9x), keep it at Natural (1.0x) for standard sessions, or slide faster (10-20% / 1.1x-1.2x) for energetic or morning sessions. Free and Basic users get an automatically optimized pace.
Review the Duration Impact
When you change the speed, the estimated duration and credit cost update automatically. A 10-minute script at 0.9x speed becomes about 11 minutes of audio (and costs slightly more credits). At 1.2x speed, the same script becomes about 8.3 minutes. The duration and credit estimates below the Pace slider update as you drag.
Match Speed to Session Type
For Sleep and NSDR sessions, use 0.8x or 0.9x — the slower pace helps listeners drift into deep relaxation. For Morning or Visualization sessions, try 1.0x or 1.1x for a more alert, engaged delivery. For General sessions, 0.9x is the sweet spot for most people.
Generate and Listen
After setting your pace, click 'Fix Notation and Generate Audio.' The AI voice will speak at your chosen pace throughout the entire session. Once generated, listen back to make sure the pacing feels right. If it's too fast or slow, you can regenerate at a different pace.
Tips & Best Practices
- 0.9x (10% slower) is the most popular choice — it's the default for Premium users because it creates the ideal hypnotic rhythm
- Sleep sessions benefit most from 0.8x speed — the extra-slow pace naturally guides listeners toward sleep
- Morning sessions feel more energizing at 1.1x or 1.2x speed
- Speed affects credit cost: slower = longer audio = more credits. Check the estimate before generating
- You can generate the same script at different speeds to compare and find your preference
- Audio speed is set at generation time and baked into the file — it's separate from the playback speed control in the audio player
- If you're new to hypnotherapy, start with 0.9x and adjust from there based on how the pacing feels
Troubleshooting
Problem: Speed control is grayed out or locked
Solution: Manual pace control requires a Premium or Ultimate subscription. Free and Basic users get an automatically optimized pace. Upgrade your subscription to unlock the full Pace range.
Problem: Audio sounds too fast even at normal speed
Solution: Try 0.9x or 0.8x speed. Normal (1.0x) is standard conversational pace, which can feel fast for relaxation content. Most hypnotherapy users prefer 0.9x for this reason.
Problem: Session is using more credits than expected
Solution: Slower speeds increase audio duration, which increases credit cost. A 10-minute script at 0.8x speed produces ~12.5 minutes of audio. Check the duration/credit estimate in the Voice & audio panel before generating.
Problem: Difference between generation speed and playback speed
Solution: Generation speed controls how the AI voice speaks during creation — it affects pronunciation, pausing, and natural rhythm. Playback speed (in the audio player) just plays existing audio faster or slower without the natural pacing benefits. For best results, set the right speed at generation time.
Problem: Want to change speed after audio is already generated
Solution: Audio speed is set at generation time and can't be changed afterward. You'll need to regenerate the audio with your preferred speed. You can use the playback speed control as a temporary workaround while listening.
Related Tutorials
How to Generate Audio from Your Script
Learn how to transform your written hypnosis script into high-quality audio with natural-sounding AI voices.
How to Listen to Your Generated Audio
Master the audio player features and learn how to listen to, manage, and download your generated hypnosis sessions.
How to Create Your Hypnosis Session
Learn how to create a personalized hypnosis script with the guided creator. A few quick choices and a short brief turn into a full, editable session.