ElevenLabs AI voice cloning is the hottest topic right now. But is it any good?”
Most “voice cloning” tools promise the world but deliver a robotic, glitchy mess that sounds nothing like you.
When ElevenLabs announced their AI Voice Cloning feature, I was skeptical. Can an AI really capture my accent, intonation, and emotional range from just 60 seconds of audio?
I decided to test it. I upgraded to the paid plan, recorded my own voice, and cloned it.
The results were shocking.
In this review, I will show you the exact process, let you listen to the original vs. cloned audio, and answer the big question: Is it worth the upgrade?
The Cost: Is Voice Cloning Free?
Let’s get this out of the way first. Instant Voice Cloning is NOT available on the free plan.
To clone your voice, you need the Starter Plan.
- Cost: It usually starts at $5/month (often discounted to $1 for the first month).
- What you get: Instant Voice Cloning (up to 10 voices) and Commercial Rights.
Is it worth the price of a coffee? Let’s look at the results.
The Test: Original vs. AI Clone
I recorded a simple script using my microphone. Then, I fed that audio into the ElevenLabs AI voice cloning engine.
Here is the unedited comparison.
1. My Real Voice (The Source)
This is the original recording I uploaded to train the AI.
2. The ElevenLabs Clone (The Result)
I typed the exact same text into ElevenLabs and asked my AI clone to read it. I did not edit this audio.
My Verdict
As you can hear, the AI didn’t just copy the “pitch” of my voice. It captured:
- My pacing.
- My specific accent quirks.
- The “breathiness” of the voice.
It is about 90-95% accurate. For a YouTube video, podcast intro, or social media content, it is indistinguishable from the real thing to the average listener.
Pro Tip: The longer the sample, the better the result. I uploaded an audio file that was about one minute long. Below is a sample generated from just 15 seconds of audio. It sounds much worse.
How to Use ElevenLabs AI Voice Cloning (Step-by-Step)
If you want to achieve the same result, here is the exact workflow I used. It takes about 2 minutes.
Step 1: Get the Starter Plan
You cannot do this on the free tier. Log in and upgrade.
Step 2: Go to VoiceLab
Navigate to the “Voices” tab and click the “Create or Clone a Voice”.
Step 3: Choose “Instant Voice Cloning”
Select Instant Voice Cloning.
- Note: There is also “Professional Voice Cloning” (requires more data and time), but for most creators, “Instant” is enough.
Step 4: Upload Your Sample
This is the most critical step.
- Upload: A clean MP3/WAV file of your voice (1-3 minutes is perfect).
- Tip: Speak clearly, naturally, and avoid background noise. The AI is only as good as the sample you give it.
Step 5: Generate
Name your voice (e.g., “My Digital Twin”), confirm that you have the rights to the voice, and click “Next”. It’s ready instantly. You can now use it in the Speech Synthesis tab.
Step 6: Save Voice
Select the language you are speaking and click “Save Voice”.
Now click ‘Generate Speech’ and listen to your digital twin.
Best Use Cases for ElevenLabs AI Voice Cloning
Why would you pay for this? Here is how creators are making money with this feature:
- Fixing Audio Mistakes: Did you mispronounce a word in your YouTube video? Instead of re-recording the whole scene, just type the correct word and generate it with your cloned voice. Patch it in.
- Scaling Content: You can write scripts and have “You” narrate them while you sleep.
- Personalized Messages: Send hundreds of “personal” audio messages to your clients or community without speaking a word.
- Preserving Voices: Some users clone the voices of loved ones (ethically) to preserve their memories.
- Stream Alerts: You can clone a funny voice (or your own) and use it to read donations live. Here is exactly how to set up Text to Speech for Twitch.
- Faceless Channel: you can use your cloned voice to narrate videos while you sleep. Here is a step-by-step guide on starting a Faceless Channel
ElevenLabs AI Voice Cloning Pros & Cons
Pros
- Speed: It takes seconds to create a clone.
- Accuracy: Captures nuance and emotion better than any competitor (like Murf or Descript).
- Multilingual: Once cloned, your AI voice can speak 29 languages. You can make yourself speak fluent Spanish or German instantly. The ElevenLabs AI voice cloning feature is amazing.
Cons
- Requires Clean Audio: If your microphone hisses, your AI clone will hiss too.
- Ethics: You must confirm you own the voice. Cloning celebrities without permission violates their ToS.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
If you are a content creator, the ElevenLabs AI voice cloning feature is the best $5 investment you can make.
The ability to generate voiceovers in your own voice without recording is a massive time-saver. The quality is currently unmatched in the market.
Don’t rely on generic robot voices. Build your personal brand with your own AI clone.
If you don’t have a professional microphone to create a high-quality clone, it might be better to stick to pre-made viral voices. Check out my guide on how to get the ElevenLabs Adam Voice.
FAQ
Q: Can I clone a celebrity voice? A: ElevenLabs terms of service prohibit cloning voices without consent. You should only clone your own voice or voices you have rights to.
Q: Does it work with accents? A: Yes. ElevenLabs AI voice cloning is excellent at preserving accents. If you have a British or Australian accent, the clone will keep it.
Q: Can I cancel after one month? A: Yes, you can cancel the subscription at any time and keep the audio files you generated.
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