ElevenLabs is the undisputed leader of the AI voice generation world. Launched in January 2023 by ex-Google employee Piotr Dąbkowski, the company has basically defined what natural-sounding AI voices should be.
The hidden secret behind the company’s success is the sophisticated level to which its text-to-speech (TTS) voices can be customized to deliver that perfect blend of natural intonation and emotional feel. Each voice has a number of settings that users can use to get the sound just right.
From pitch and speed adjustment to crisp tuning and stability, ElevenLabs offers unparalleled control over sound output. This level of customization allows creators to create voices that truly resonate with their audience, whether for audiobooks, podcasts or video narration. The technology’s ability to convey subtle emotions and maintain consistency in long-form content has set a new standard in the industry.
Let’s take a look at how you too can use this essential tool to bring your story to life for your audience.
Step 1.
First, create an account or LOGIN. Free Plan users get 10,000 credits per month, which should be good for 10 minutes of audio for personal use.
If you need commercial use, or want to clone your own voice, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan, which starts at $5 a month. This gives you 30 minutes of cloned audio.
Step 2.
Whichever plan you choose, the process is essentially the same. Choose if you are comfortable using one ElevenLabs default sound or would prefer Create a trend. The latter is a good option if you have time and money to spend on training and are not satisfied with the Library voices.
Click on Voices from the panel menu, then Add a new voice. Select Voice Library or Voice Design. The Voice Design menu allows you to choose accents, age and gender.
Step 3.
Once you’re equipped with a voice, it’s time to create the audio you want. Go to the speak option in the sidebar and or add some text in the box or upload or record the audio you want to use.
The latter is a great way to turn your voice into a different version that you prefer.
Step 4.
Press the Generate Speech button and wait while your audio is generated by AI. You can also see your credits decrease each generation, which is a fun exercise.
Step 5.
Customize your audio using advanced settings or options. Here you can change the sound settings, such as sound consistency or style exaggeration, and check the results pressing Generate again. It’s important to remember that each generation costs credits, so it’s best to try with a small amount of text to keep costs low.
Be warned, you can spend a lot of credits just auditioning and refining the voice you like. But once it’s done, you can reuse the voice as many times as you want.
Once you are satisfied with the audio being produced, you can click the Download icon at the bottom right of the screen to get a high-quality MP3 file, which you can then set as needed.
Final thoughts…
The best thing about ElevenLabs is that it’s fast, easy, and the results are incredible. It might not be the cheapest platform out there, but sometimes it’s worth paying for the best.
Although more expensive than some alternatives, the platform’s advanced algorithms produce vivid speech that justifies the cost for many users. As you explore ElevenLabs, remember that practice makes perfect. Don’t forget to fine-tune and let your creativity soar in this exciting new frontier of AI-powered sound.
ElevenLabs has set a new precedent for text-to-speech models and opened up a world of possibilities for creators. With advanced AI, you can create a radio show in minutes, turning your scripts into professional broadcasts. And for a personal touch, you can clone your own voice, allowing you to produce content that sounds authentic to you.