How to Use Emotion Cues Effectively
Learn where to place Fish emotion, tone, and expression cues in hypnosis scripts so the generated voice sounds natural and intentional.
Prerequisites
- •Basic understanding of the script editor
- •An existing or new script to edit
- •A selected voice if you want to preview the result
Step-by-Step Guide
Understand What Emotion Cues Do
Emotion cues are bracketed instructions that guide how Fish Audio should deliver nearby text. Examples include [calm], [relaxed], [empathetic], [confident], [hopeful], [soft tone], and [whispering]. They are not spoken as words when formatted correctly; they shape delivery.
Put the Cue Before the Text It Should Affect
Place sentence-level emotion cues at the beginning of the sentence or phrase you want to change. Good: [calm] Take a slow breath in. Avoid placing the cue after the sentence, because the model has already received the sentence without that emotional direction.
Keep Cues on the Same Line as the Sentence
The clearest pattern is to put the cue directly before the sentence it controls, on the same line. A cue on its own line is harder to review and may not attach clearly to the next spoken sentence. Use [empathetic] You can let this be easy now. rather than putting [empathetic] alone above the sentence.
Use One Primary Emotion per Sentence
For most hypnosis scripts, one primary emotion cue per sentence is enough. Use [calm] for induction, [relaxed] for deepening, [empathetic] for reassurance, [confident] for suggestions, and [hopeful] for future pacing. Too many emotional changes in short text can make the voice sound unstable.
Use Section-Level Cues Sparingly
If a whole section should share one mood, place a cue at the start of the first sentence in that section. Repeat it only when the section is long, after a major transition, or when the delivery starts to drift. Do not add [calm] before every line unless every line truly needs a reset.
Change Emotion When the Script Intention Changes
Emotion cues work best when they follow the emotional arc of the script. Example: [calm] Notice your breathing. [long-break] [empathetic] And if your mind wanders, that is completely okay. [long-break] [confident] Each time you return, this calm becomes easier.
Combine Tone Cues Carefully
You can combine a primary emotion with a tone cue when the combination is natural. Examples: [empathetic][soft tone] You are safe here. or [calm][whispering] Let the body become still. Avoid conflicting combinations like [relaxed][shouting] unless the script intentionally needs that contrast.
Use Effects Like [sighing] as Moments, Not Styles
Effects such as [sighing], [laughing], or [whispering] are stronger than general emotions. Use them for specific moments and give the model matching text. For example: [sighing] And with that breath, you can release the day. Avoid repeating effects throughout a whole section.
Pair Emotion Cues with Pauses
Put pause cues after completed phrases and emotion cues before the next phrase that should change. Example: You have done enough for today. [long-break] [soft tone] Now let the nervous system settle. This keeps timing and delivery instructions clear.
Preview Before Exporting Full Audio
Different voices respond to emotion cues with different levels of intensity. Use section previews to compare subtle options before generating a full session. If a cue sounds too strong, switch to a softer cue such as [soft tone], [relaxed], or [slightly calm].
Tips & Best Practices
- Put emotion cues before the sentence or phrase they should affect
- Use the same line as the spoken text for the clearest behavior
- Use one primary emotion per sentence in most cases
- Use section-level cues at the start of a section, then repeat only when the mood changes or needs reinforcement
- Use [soft tone] for gentle delivery and [whispering] only for intentionally quiet moments
- Combine at most two or three cues per sentence, and only when the combination is natural
- Place [break] and [long-break] after phrases; place emotion cues before the next phrase
- Preview short sections to hear how a specific voice handles your cue choices
Troubleshooting
Problem: The emotion is not noticeable enough
Solution: Move the cue to the beginning of the sentence it should affect. Try a clearer or slightly stronger cue such as [very calm], [empathetic], or [confident]. Preview with another voice if the effect is still subtle.
Problem: The voice sounds too dramatic or unnatural
Solution: Use fewer cues, switch to a softer cue such as [relaxed] or [soft tone], and avoid changing emotions every sentence unless the script truly needs that arc.
Problem: The emotion seems to affect the wrong line
Solution: Place the cue directly before the exact sentence or phrase you want it to control. Keep it on the same line as that sentence and put pause cues before the emotion cue when changing mood after a pause.
Problem: The cue is spoken aloud in the audio
Solution: Check the syntax. Fish S2 cues must use square brackets, like [calm] or [soft tone]. Avoid missing brackets, extra punctuation inside the cue, or old provider-specific syntax.
Problem: I am not sure whether to cue every line or only once
Solution: Start with one cue at the beginning of a section or sentence group. Add another cue only when the intended delivery changes, after a long section, or when preview audio shows the style has drifted.
Related Tutorials
How to Add Pauses to Your Script
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How to Preview a Single Section
Learn how to generate and listen to an audio preview for individual script sections before exporting the full session.
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 Use Magic Enhance
Discover how to use the Magic Enhance feature to improve and refine your hypnosis script sections with AI assistance.