> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://api-docs.voicecheap.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How VoiceCheap works

> Learn the end-to-end VoiceCheap workflow and how it differs from the standalone tools.

# How VoiceCheap works

VoiceCheap keeps transcription, translation, voice generation, SmartSync timing, delivery settings, exports, and publishing in one workflow. You do not need to move between separate subtitle, dubbing, and publishing tools to finish a multilingual project.

## Two main ways to work in VoiceCheap

| Path                 | Best when                                                                           | What it includes                                                                                                   |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Full dubbing project | You need translation, voice generation, review, exports, or publishing in one place | Import, transcription, translation, SmartSync, dubbing, subtitles, optional lip sync, downloads, and Smart Publish |
| Standalone tool      | You only need one focused output                                                    | Speech to text, text to speech, Video to SRT, or Add subtitles                                                     |

The rest of this page focuses on the full dubbing project flow.

## Full dubbing project workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Import media">
    Start with a local video or audio file, or import supported content from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X/Twitter, Google Drive, or another
    public link when that source is available in your workflow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the project context">
    Choose a target language, optionally confirm the original language, name the project, and tell VoiceCheap how many speakers are present if
    you want better speaker diarization. You can also use your saved brand vocabulary or provide an existing SRT file at this stage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Transcribe the source">
    VoiceCheap starts transcription first. If the primary provider fails, the workflow can fall back between supported transcription providers before the project moves on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the source project">
    After transcription, the project page becomes the main place to check speaker segmentation, confirm the source text, and prepare dubbing
    settings, voices, and instructions before you launch the translated output. VoiceCheap may also highlight original segments that look
    suspicious so you can review likely transcription issues first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Translate and generate audio">
    The source transcript is translated into the target language, then VoiceCheap creates dubbed audio using the voice strategy you selected. SmartSync is part of this step, so the translated speech is adjusted to fit the original timing more naturally.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Refine timing and delivery">
    Review the translated result, compare source and target segments, use project actions such as replace-all or translation time skip, decide
    whether subtitles are needed, and enable optional lip sync if the voice and timing already sound right.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review, export, or publish">
    Download the original or translated assets, export subtitles or JSON, copy hosted output links, create dynamic subtitles, or publish through
    Smart Publish when connected channels are configured.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Where you work after transcription

| Area                | What you do there                                                                                         |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Project dashboard   | Review the source transcript, open dubbing settings, use project actions, and monitor processing progress |
| Translation results | Compare the source and translated content, review synchronized output, and download deliverables          |

## What is always part of a dubbing project vs optional

| Feature                   | How it behaves                                                       |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Transcription             | Core project step                                                    |
| Translation and SmartSync | Core project step for dubbed output                                  |
| Voice choice              | Core project choice when you generate dubbed audio                   |
| Subtitles                 | Optional delivery layer                                              |
| Lip sync                  | Optional enhancement after the translated voice already sounds right |
| Smart Publish             | Optional connected publishing step                                   |
| Dynamic subtitles         | Optional creator-style export after translation finishes             |

## Recommended next steps

* Read [Create a project](/docs/dubbing/create-a-project) for the initial setup fields.
* Read [Customize translation projects](/docs/dubbing/customize-a-project) and [Dubbing settings](/docs/dubbing/dubbing-settings) for the settings that shape the final delivery.
* Read [Voice overview](/docs/voice/overview) and [Lip sync overview](/docs/lip-sync/overview) for output-specific options.
* Read [Tools overview](/docs/tools/tools-overview) if you only need one focused output instead of a full dubbing project.