Artificial intelligence voice: 6 free neural networks for audio generation

Wide range of voice synthesiser capabilities

Most modern systems based on Text-to-Speech (TTS) neural network technology are capable of:

• Voicing any digital content: audiobooks, videos, podcasts, films, etc.
• Flexibly adjust voice parameters: tone, timbre, speed, pitch to better suit your needs.
• Create very natural, emotional voices with variable intonations.
• Support dozens of languages and even different accents for a single language.
• Export created content as audio files in various formats, as well as automatically import it into third-party systems.
• Integrate with other services such as chatbots, learning apps, audiobooks, videos, marketing campaigns, navigation systems, etc.

In addition, many AI tools for converting text to audio are available on various devices and platforms (PCs, mobile phones, web applications, embedded systems, etc.).

Top 6 platforms for text-to-speech

Now we invite you to explore the capabilities of the 6 most popular neural networks for audio generation.

ElevenLabs

This speech synthesiser uses a deep learning model and combines voice cloning and generative AI functions. Most of the voices created using this service sound quite natural.

ElevenLabs supports over 70 languages, including Ukrainian. The service's library has about 40+ ready-made voices that convey different intonations and emotions. There are also different English accents to choose from: Australian, American, African, British, and Indian.

The AI voice cloning feature is available to service users: all you need is a sample of the original voice, which the neural network will use to train itself to create new sounds. There is also a voice modification feature: it can be used to change one voice to another (for example, a deeper male voice or a higher female voice), provided that the input and output languages are the same.

The free ElevenLabs plan only offers 10 minutes of text-to-speech conversion per month and voice generation support in 32 languages. To expand your capabilities, you need to purchase one of three paid plans.

LOVO

This neural network is primarily aimed at professionals, as it offers only premium voices created by AI. It is suitable for developing virtual assistants, producing podcasts, and other video production tasks.

The LOVO catalogue has over 600 voices of different ages and genders in 100+ languages, expressing about 30 emotions, from which you can choose the ones that are suitable for any field: education, media, banking, entertainment, and others. There are also various thematic scenarios (advertising, games, training) and characters (informative, cheerful, trustworthy) to choose from.

The powerful LOVO audio editor allows you to adjust speech parameters such as pronunciation, accent, speed, delivery and others, while the built-in video editor allows you to edit videos in parallel with the voiceover.

You can record your own voice and ask the service to create a cloned sound. The online platform allows you to create an unlimited number of cloned voices, from which you can then create your own library for easy access.

LOVO offers a free plan and three paid plans with different amounts of speech generation hours. The free plan also provides a 14-day free trial of the Pro plan.

Voicemaker

This platform allows you to mix different languages in one audio file, making it an excellent tool for creators of multilingual content. This option is also the best for creating professional voiceovers for YouTube channels.

Voicemaker can voice texts in 120 languages, including simple tasks for generating audio in Ukrainian. The Voicemaker library has several hundred voices that can be customized to your needs: change the volume and speech tempo, add pauses, and give a certain intonation. The finished material can be downloaded in MP3, WAV, OGG, AAC or OPUS formats.

The platform has a free version with certain limitations: a limit of 250 characters per request, and audio can only be used for personal needs. Extended functionality and commercial use are only available in paid plans

NaturalReader

This is a neural network audio synthesiser that supports more than 50 languages. It allows you to voice text with dozens of different voices that vary in accent, emotion, age and gender.

NaturalReader can convert text to audio from various formats (web pages, DOCx and PDF files). It is worth noting that the application occasionally encounters errors such as skipping lines in PDF files.

In addition to the desktop version of NaturalReader (for Windows and macOS), there is a mobile application (for Android and iOS) that allows you to easily read texts anywhere. And thanks to the page scanning feature, you can simply take a photo of printed text, and the programme will read it aloud. This makes the app convenient for students, people with visual impairments or dyslexia, and those who enjoy listening to books on the go.

The free version is limited in terms of the range of voices and can only be used as an audio file player. To download materials and get more options, you need to subscribe.

Speechify

This text-to-audio converter is powered by the AI Voice Studio module. It allows you to convert various types of text content (Word documents, PDF files, online publications, etc.) into audio files in MP3, WAV, or OGG formats.

The Speechify library contains over 120 AI-generated voices in 60+ languages with different accents. Users can customize the speed, delivery, tone and other speech characteristics.

The programme has an intuitive web interface. It is available via a desktop version for macOS, extensions for Google Chrome and Safari browsers, and a mobile app (for Android and iOS). The Voice Cloning feature allows you to generate high-quality human voices in seconds, while AI Dubbing automatically translates and dubs videos in more than 30 languages.

The service also has a built-in tool for processing screenshots with text and converting them into audio. And the AI-based Video Generator automates and speeds up the video production process.

Speechify offers a free plan that provides 10 minutes of speech generation and 10 minutes of transcription without the ability to download. More extensive features are available in two paid plans.

Narakeet

This easy-to-use TTS neural network allows you to convert text into natural-sounding audio and PowerPoint presentations into video tutorials. It is particularly suitable for creating marketing content, demonstration videos, and documentary videos.

The Narakeet database contains over 800 voices that support more than 100 languages. In particular, there are 41 Ukrainian female and male voices.

The service can create audio in various formats (MP3, M4A, WAV, and IVR WAV). It supports real-time streaming, allowing users to preview the audio file before it is fully created.

The free version of Narakeet allows you to upload up to 20 files without registration.

Features of AI-based services for audio generation

How to choose the right AI audio content generator

To avoid mistakes when choosing from popular neural networks for text-to-speech, start with a preliminary analysis of each option:

1. Check the list of languages supported by the platform and make sure it includes the ones you need.
2. Find out the size of the content library offered by the service. The optimal minimum is 100 voices with customisation functionality.
3. Find out the cost of using the platform: what pricing plans and services are offered, and whether there is a free plan or trial period.

Do you have experience using TTS neural networks? If so, which ones? We look forward to your responses in the comments.