START HERE
Judge fit from the generated audio duration, not a character-count promise. New projects default to 1× synthesis; timeline adaptation has limits. If speech still exceeds its slot, review a more concise translation or adjust the edit rather than cutting off the ending.
Separate three different durations
The source slot is the time available in the picture. Generated duration is the measured length of the speech file. Timeline adaptation determines how that file is played. A 1× synthesis rate does not make two languages equally long.
For example, five seconds of speech in a four-second slot would require roughly 1.25× playback speed. That is a ratio, not a promise that the current settings permit it, the voice will sound natural or a provider will generate an exact duration.
Shorten phrasing without removing meaning
Preserve terminology, model names, negation, conditions and numbers. Remove unnecessary repetition and choose natural spoken phrasing before comparing every claim with the source. Dropping ‘may’, ‘at least’ or ‘no more than’ changes the meaning.
Review dubbing-refinement proposals for the cues that exceed their slots. A person still needs to accept the text and confirm processing costs. Character budgets help constrain wording but do not replace measurement of the actual synthesized result.
Match the voice to the language
Choose a voice with explicit support for the target language and the requested rate. Speech types differ in rate support; a multilingual-looking name alone is not evidence that a particular language is supported.
Preview a sentence containing terminology, abbreviations and numbers before committing to the full video. Existing projects may retain explicit rate and voice choices; an application update does not turn them into new-project defaults.
Treat mixing and recovery separately
When lowering original speech and raising translation, listen through headphones and ordinary speakers. Avoid clipping or background music masking the voice. Review long-to-short cue transitions in timeline order, regardless of which synthesis request completed first.
If one request times out, retain completed audio and operation records and check the result first. An unknown response does not establish that no work or cost occurred. Confirm the scope and cost of any new synthesis instead of repeating the whole video for one missing cue.
A practical comparison
| Symptom | Evidence | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Speech too long | Measured audio versus slot | Bounded fit, then reviewed shortening |
| Unnatural delivery | Pauses, terms and tone | Revise wording or supported voice |
| Original masks translation | Real stereo monitoring | Adjust and listen again |
| Unknown cue result | Original operation and saved audio | Check before new processing |
Before you sign off
- Listen to long and short cues, their order and complete endings.
- Do not label an estimate as measured duration.
- Check numbers, terms, negation and conditions after shortening.
- Listen to the entire exported audio track before delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Can any translation fit the original slot without compromise?
No guarantee is possible. Language length, tone, pauses and voice affect duration. Excessive speed harms listening; wording or the edit may need revision.
Does a timeout mean no charge?
A timeout alone does not establish that. Check operation and account records and preserve existing results. Any new synthesis needs an explicit scope and cost decision.
Scope and related product information
Scope: current Wali desktop clients for Windows and macOS. Video subtitle production requires administrator enablement and configured recognition, dedicated translation and speech resources. Availability depends on the account and version. A mobile browser is not the local video export workspace.
Examples in this guide illustrate a review method, not a customer case or a performance result. Product availability changes with version and account configuration.
Video subtitle production and translated dubbing | Wali desktop →Current clients and installation guidance →