What are Voice Tags? SSML vs Prompt Tags
Voice tags are small instructions inside a script that tell an AI voice how to say a line: pause here, whisper this, laugh there.
The Simple Definition
Voice tags are markup or short instructions placed in a text to speech script to control delivery: pauses, emphasis, speed, emotion and non-verbal sounds. Older TTS systems use SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language), an XML format. Modern AI voices also understand plain-language tags like [excited] or <laugh>, which are easier to write and can describe emotion SSML never could.
SSML: The Older Standard
SSML wraps text in XML elements such as <break time="500ms"/>, <emphasis> and <prosody rate="slow">. It is precise about timing and speed, but verbose, and it has no real way to say "sound sarcastic" or "barely holding back tears".
Prompt Tags: How Modern AI Voices Are Directed
SSML vs Prompt Tags at a Glance
The same line, two ways
SSML: <speak>I can't believe it. <break time="700ms"/> <prosody rate="slow">We actually won.</prosody></speak> Prompt tags (ZenMic): Maya: [stunned] I can't believe it. <long pause> [slowly, joyful] We actually won.
Prompt tags describe the performance; the voice works out the timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SSML?
SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) is an XML standard for controlling text to speech: pauses, emphasis, pitch and speed.
Does ZenMic support SSML?
ZenMic uses natural-language prompt tags instead: [excited], <laugh>, <short pause> and similar. They are easier to write and control emotion better.
Should tags be in English for other languages?
Yes. Keep tags like [whispering] in English even when the script is in German, Spanish or Japanese.
Will the voice read the tags aloud?
No. Tags are performed, not spoken. Only the words outside the tags are read.