Creating custom character voices with AI

The use of AI in voice generation is rapidly changing how we interact with technology and consume content. From video games and animated films to audiobooks and virtual assistants, AI-generated voices are becoming increasingly prevalent. One of the most exciting applications of this technology is in the creation of custom character voices. This allows developers and creators to imbue their characters with unique and engaging personalities, enhancing the overall user experience. This article delves into the best ways to create custom character voices using AI, exploring the various technologies, platforms, and customization options available.

Companies and platforms for AI-powered custom character voice creation

Several companies and platforms specialize in AI-powered custom character voice creation. Each offers a unique set of features, customization options, and pricing plans. Here's a closer look at some of the leading providers in the field, categorized by their primary focus:

Voice cloning and customization:

• Resemble AI: This platform excels in voice cloning and offers a comprehensive suite of tools for creating and customizing AI voices. Users can modify pitch, tone, and cadence to match their character's personality. Resemble AI also allows for the creation of multilingual IVR flows, enabling businesses to provide interactive voice responses in various languages.

Text-to-speech with advanced features:

• ElevenLabs: Known for its extensive library of voices and advanced text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities. ElevenLabs offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to fine-tune voice tone, accent, and emotion via text prompts. ElevenLabs also offers an API for integrating AI voices into various applications.

• WellSaid: This platform focuses on providing users with word-by-word control over the generated speech, allowing for precise adjustments and fine-tuning of the voice output.

• Murf: Murf allows for emphasis control in the generated speech, enabling users to highlight specific words or phrases to adjust pronunciation to convey meaning and emotion effectively.

Versatility and multilingual capabilities:

• Play.ht: This platform offers both instant voice cloning and a library of pre-built voices. It's a versatile platform suitable for various applications, including creating conversational AI characters.

• Speechify: Speechify provides human-like cadence and supports over 200 voices in over 60 languages, making it a versatile option for creating diverse characters.

• Narakeet: Narakeet boasts an impressive library of over 700 AI voices in 90 languages, catering to a wide range of character creation needs and multilingual projects.

Unique and specialized features:

• Altered AI: This platform provides a voice content creation platform with speech-to-speech voice morphing and AI voice cleaning capabilities.

• Writesonic: Writesonic offers a variety of voices with adjustable emotional tones, optimized for applications like marketing and sales.

• Voice.ai: This platform provides real-time voice changing with several AI voices, allowing for dynamic voice modification during live streams or online interactions, aimed at gamers using voicechat.

• Uberduck: Uberduck specializes in text-to-speech that creates synthetic vocals for musicians and creators.

• Magicvox: Magicvox offers real-time voice changing capabilities that allow users to sound like various cartoon characters.

• Veed: Veed offers several AI voice profiles in multiple languages, with male and female options, providing a diverse selection of AI avatars, video editing, and creative tools.

• Hume AI: Hume AI currently offers EVI 2, a foundational voice AI model designed for speech-to-speech interaction in real-time applications. Using Hume's Voice Control tool, based on novel AI research, developers can create custom voices for specific characters. 

Other uses for custom AI voice creation

Beyond entertainment and content creation, AI voice technology has found applications in various fields:

Medical simulations

AI voices are being used in medical simulations to enhance the realism and effectiveness of training scenarios. For instance, in pediatric cases, the voice of an adult clinical instructor can be transformed into that of a child to help learners better simulate interactions with young patients.

Personalized content

AI voice cloning has been used to create personalized Mother's Day video messages from Bollywood celebrities, showcasing the potential of this technology for delivering unique and engaging content.

Technology used for custom AI voice creation

AI voice creation relies on several cutting-edge technologies:

Text-to-speech (TTS)

This technology converts written text into spoken words. Advanced TTS engines use deep learning models to analyze the context and emotion behind words, generating speech with authentic intonation and inflection.

Voice cloning

This technology allows users to create a synthetic copy of a human voice. AI models analyze the unique auditory characteristics of a source voice to generate a realistic replica. This technology can be used for various purposes, including patching up bad voice acting or creating entirely new dialogues for characters. AI voice cloning can significantly reduce production time and costs compared to traditional voice acting, as it eliminates the need for extensive recording sessions and voice actor fees. Voice cloning also has the potential to improve accessibility for individuals with speech impairments, providing them with tools to communicate more effectively.

Speech-to-speech

This technology transforms one voice into another in real-time, enabling dynamic voice modification and personalized audio experiences.

Deep learning

Deep learning models are used to train AI algorithms on vast amounts of voice data, enabling them to generate realistic and expressive speech.

Level of customization

The level of customization offered by AI voice creation platforms varies. Some platforms provide basic controls over pitch, speed, and tone, while others offer more advanced options, such as:

Emotional tone

Adjusting the emotional tone of the voice to convey different moods or expressions.

Accent and language

Modifying the accent and language of the voice to create diverse characters. Some platforms even allow you to make your characters speak natively in any language and accent while retaining their unique voice.

Speaking style

Adjusting the speaking style to match the character's personality, such as making the voice sound more conversational or professional.

Voice age

Modifying the perceived age of the voice to create characters of different ages.

Brand voice

AI voice generation can be used to create a consistent brand voice across different content formats, ensuring that your brand's personality and messaging are conveyed consistently in all your audio and video content.

Pricing and limitations

Pricing models for AI voice creation platforms vary. Some platforms offer free plans with limited features, while others use a pay-as-you-go model or monthly subscriptions with different tiers. Common limitations include restrictions on the number of characters, voice clones, or audio output per month.

It's important to consider the cost-effectiveness of using AI for voice generation compared to hiring voice actors. While AI voice generation can be more affordable in the long run, especially for projects with a large number of characters or frequent updates, the initial investment and potential limitations should be carefully evaluated.

Hume AI's OCTAVE and the future of AI voice creation

Hume AI has recently introduced OCTAVE, a next-generation speech-language model. OCTAVE combines the capabilities of Hume AI's EVI 2 speech-language model – a speech-to-speech model that can converse fluently, expressively, and naturally with users – with advanced language understanding, emotion, and cloning functionality.

OCTAVE can generate any voice and personality from a prompt or brief recording, emulating gender, age, accent, vocal register, emotional intonation, and speaking styles. It can also generate multiple, interacting AI personalities and voices within a real-time response.

With its ability to create realistic and expressive voices with minimal latency, OCTAVE has the potential to revolutionize AI voice creation. It can be used to power AI systems that communicate richly with humans, opening up new possibilities for interactive storytelling, virtual assistants, and other applications.

Conclusion

AI is transforming the way we create and interact with voices. With the advancements in TTS, voice cloning, and deep learning, developers and creators now have powerful tools to craft unique and engaging character voices. Whether you're working on a video game, animated film, or audiobook, AI voice creation platforms offer a range of options to bring your characters to life.

However, it's crucial to consider the ethical implications of this technology. The potential for misuse, such as creating deepfakes or impersonating individuals, raises concerns about authenticity and trust. Developers and users must prioritize responsible use and ensure that AI voices are used ethically and transparently.

The choice of AI voice creation method depends on various factors, including project requirements, budget, desired level of customization, and ethical considerations. Open-source tools offer flexibility and control, while commercial platforms provide user-friendly interfaces and advanced features.

As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more realistic, expressive, and customizable AI voices in the future, further blurring the lines between human and synthetic speech. This will have a profound impact on various industries, from entertainment and education to customer service and healthcare, transforming how we interact with technology and consume content.