> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.descript.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Convert AI Speech to a Standard Audio Layer

> Unlock timeline-style editing for AI speech by converting it to a standard audio layer.

AI speech behaves differently from recorded audio until you convert it. Turn it into a standard audio layer to edit it the normal way.

<Warning>
  **Conversion is permanent**

  Once you convert AI speech to audio, you can't edit the underlying text or regenerate from the script. To change what the voice says, delete the converted audio and [generate new AI speech](/ai-speech/tts) from the script.
</Warning>

## Why convert AI speech

AI voice clips behave differently from recorded audio. Until you convert, you can't:

* Adjust [word boundaries](/script-editing/the-wordbar)
* Edit the clip directly in the [timeline](/timeline/timeline-tools)
* Apply trims, fades, or crossfades
* Get precise control over playback and alignment

Converting turns AI speech into a standard audio layer so all of those tools work on it.

## Convert AI speech

You can convert AI speech from the script or from the timeline. Both produce the same result.

### From the script

1. Select the AI speech text in your script.
2. Click the ellipsis (**…**) icon in the hover menu.
3. Select **Convert to audio**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/descript-5bf56f3f/NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP/images/external/descript-45509432515213-422c66e987.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP&q=85&s=13720f309c6f73dc8612ed64505b26e1" alt="Convert to audio option in the script hover menu" width="1920" height="928" data-path="images/external/descript-45509432515213-422c66e987.png" />

### From the timeline

1. Hover over the AI voice clip in the timeline.
2. Click **Convert to audio**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/descript-5bf56f3f/x_o3AVZ-HKjw1TIM/images/external/descript-35690638381581-a421f8a7f8.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=x_o3AVZ-HKjw1TIM&q=85&s=99d8151ff841669f2e81587a15d068c2" alt="Convert to audio option on a clip in the timeline" width="1470" height="824" data-path="images/external/descript-35690638381581-a421f8a7f8.png" />

## What changes after you convert

Once converted, the clip behaves like any other recorded audio layer. A few things to know:

* **The text stays in your script** as a transcript of the converted audio. Editing it won't change the audio — you'd need to delete the converted clip and generate new AI speech instead.
* **AI Speaker controls disappear** for the converted clip. You can't change the voice, regenerate, or [direct delivery with tone tags](/ai-speech/tts#direct-ai-voice-performance-with-tone-tags).
* **Existing tone tags become regular** **[inline notes](/getting-started/edit-like-a-doc).** Any parenthesized tags in your script (like `(serious)` or `(sigh)`) stop directing AI delivery and become plain text annotations. They're safe to delete without affecting the converted audio.

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I undo the conversion?">
    Yes, immediately after converting — use `Cmd + Z` (Mac) or `Ctrl + Z` (Windows), or restore from [version history](/working-in-projects/version-history). Once you've moved on, conversion is effectively permanent. To change what the voice says, delete the converted audio and generate new AI speech from the script.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I convert just part of a paragraph?">
    Yes. Select only the text you want to convert, then use the ellipsis menu to convert. The rest of the paragraph stays as AI speech.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I see the convert to audio option?">
    The clip may already be a standard audio layer, or you may not have selected AI speech text. Confirm the text is highlighted and assigned to an AI Speaker before opening the hover menu.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>