Serious question, has anyone else paid for a custom AI voice clone?

I spent about $200 on a service to clone my voice for reading my lesson plans aloud, thinking it would save me time. The result sounded like a robot with a bad cold, and I can't get a refund. What's a better way to get a decent AI voice without wasting money?

3 comments

3 Comments

bennett.nora1mo ago

My own voice clone attempt sounded like a robot who smoked a pack a day. Free text to speech online has gotten way better in my experience. I just use those now and save the cash.

keithbutler1mo ago

Okay but that "robot who smoked a pack a day" voice clone you made, @bennett.nora, is kind of a vibe though. Free TTS is fine for basic stuff, but it never sounds like YOU. A good clone can read an audiobook for your grandma or leave a custom voicemail greeting. Those free voices always have that same weird cadence, like a slightly bored news reporter. I'd rather have a janky version of my own voice than a smooth generic one.

robertb4724d ago

Got a buddy who spent $300 on the same thing and his clone sounded like he was talking through a pillow. I think people are jumping on this tech too fast without realizing it's still half baked. There's a bigger pattern here with how we trust new gadgets and services just because they look polished on a website. Everyone wants shortcuts but the good stuff still takes time and trial and error. You're better off messing around with free open source stuff for a few weekends before handing over cash.