In a world where technology seems to be evolving at the speed of light, one of the most exciting advances is the ability to clone your voice. One such innovative tool making significant strides in this field is Overdub.

In this extensive piece, we will take a closer look at Overdub. What’s more, we will take you on an adventurous journey to create your own voice clone with this amazing tool. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

A deep-dive into Overdub

Overdub is a unique tool brought to you by Descript, a renowned video editing software. It’s akin to a virtual vocal doppelganger, creating high-quality voiceovers by transforming the text you type into your own voice. The magic behind this is a technological marvel known as generative adversarial networks (GANs).

This tool has opened up a myriad of possibilities for content creators, making the once tedious process of voice-over creation as simple as typing out a text message. Overdub can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Correcting audio recordings without having to re-record.
• Creating voiceovers for videos or podcasts.
• Generating audio content from scratch.

But Overdub isn’t the only tool making waves in 2023. While you’re at it, check out FakeYou.

Let’s unpack the process of crafting your custom artificial intelligence (AI) Overdub voice for a voice sample, step by step. As a quick disclaimer, Overdub currently only supports English and permits cloning of your voice only.

Prerequisites for creating an Overdub voice

To start, you need to provide the following:

• At least 10-180 minutes of recorded speech for optimal results.
• A Voice ID that is basically the consent statement of the individual whose voice is being used for training. In this case, that will be you.

Method 1: Creating a voice clone from Drive View

• Log in to your account to access the Drive View.
• From the Drive View interface, click on the “Voices” tab located on the left-hand side.
• Click “+ Create new voice” in the Overdub voices window.
• Name the voice and click “Confirm.”
• Add a minimum of 10 minutes of sample audio to the training session’s composition in one of the following ways:
  • Upload an existing recording by dragging and dropping a file from your computer onto the “Script Editor.”
  • Record directly into Descript to provide an audio sample using a sample script if you don’t have reference material.
  • Copy and paste the script content from an existing Descript project.
• Click “Submit training data” in the top right corner of the editor after adding your training audio.
• Record your Voice ID by pressing record and reading the consent statement. Ensure the quality of the sample audio and Voice ID are similar; otherwise, your Overdub submission may be rejected.
• Stop the recording and click “Submit.”
• Your Overdub voice will be sent for processing, and an email will be sent to you once it’s prepared. Please note that this training process could take up to 24 hours.

While Overdub helps you transform your text into speech, FreeSubtitles.Ai does the opposite and helps you transcribe your audio into text.

Method 2: Creating a voice clone from an existing Descript project

• Open a project and find a composition with at least 10 minutes of sample audio of your voice.
• Click on the speaker label, scroll to the bottom of the list, and select “New voice.”
• Name the Overdub voice and click “Next.”
• Select the input device from the dropdown menu.
• Press the red “Record” button and read the consent statement. Ensure the quality of the sample audio and Voice ID are similar; otherwise, your Overdub submission may be rejected.
• Stop the recording and click “Submit.”
• Your Overdub voice will be sent for processing, and an email will be sent to you once it’s prepared. Please note that this training process could take up to 24 hours.

Using your Overdub voice in scripts/compositions

Once your Overdub voice is ready, you can use it in your script or composition by following these steps:

• Navigate to “Recent Projects” in the Descript Drive View.
• Select your Overdub voice by clicking on “Speaker Label.”
• Begin scripting in the Descript editor window, or upload an existing script from your computer.
• Allow the Descript AI software a bit of time to create your Overdub voice.

Unlock the power of AI-generated speech with a diverse list of cutting-edge text-to-speech (TTS) tools, allowing you to transform text into realistic human-like voices seamlessly.

Expert tips for recording your voice 

Improving the quality of your voice and keep it as realistic as possible in a recording requires attention to several factors:

• Environment: Choose a quiet location to minimize background noise and if possible, use a room with sound-absorbing materials such as curtains or carpets to reduce echo.
• Equipment: Invest in a high-quality microphone, use a pop filter to eliminate popping sounds from your speech, and ensure the microphone is positioned slightly to the side of your mouth, not directly in front of it.
• Vocal technique: Prior to recording, perform vocal warm-ups, maintain an upright posture to support your diaphragm for clear voice projection, and keep yourself hydrated to prevent your voice from sounding dry or scratchy.
• Post-production: Utilize audio editing software to clean up your recording, apply equalization to balance your voice’s frequencies, and use compression to maintain consistent volume, but be careful not to overuse audio effects like reverb or delay.

Alternatively, you can use these free tools to restore your audio.

Final words

In conclusion, Overdub is an innovative technology enabling users to clone their voices for various applications, from podcasts to audiobooks. While the process may seem complex, creating a voice clone is straightforward. With this guide by your side, you’re ready to step into this adventure. So what are you waiting for? Give Overdub a try today!