Voice Cloning: Information and Instructions

Why Clone your voice?

People with ALS/MND (pALS) may experience changes in their speech due to dysarthria (i.e. weakness or spasticity of the muscles required to produce speech). As speech becomes difficult or impossible to understand, many turn to text-to-speech (TTS) apps or speech-generating devices (SGDs) to maintain communication. Voice cloning allows you to retain your unique vocal identity even when using these technologies.

What Is a Cloned Voice?

A cloned voice is an ultra-realistic, AI-generated voice that sounds like you. It’s created from recordings of your speech and then used to speak new messages you type (or input using an alternative access method such as eye tracking), as well as pre-stored phrases on your SGD or TTS app.

An AI company called Eleven Labs offers free professional voice cloning services to individuals diagnosed with ALS or other conditions affecting speech, through partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

Voice Cloning vs. Voice Banking

Unlike voice banking, which is another process for creating a voice that approximates your own, voice cloning captures your natural prosody (the variations in pitch, pace, loudness, and pauses) that make your voice uniquely yours. This means a cloned voice can more accurately reflect your speaking style and personality and impart emotional content into your message.

How to Create Your Own Cloned Voice

Step 1: Capture Your Voice

You can create a cloned voice by either:

Recording your current speech, or
Harvesting previous recordings of your speech.

Watch my video, “How to Capture Your Voice for Voice Cloning,” for step-by-step directions for both of these processes. The video also features narration by my own cloned voice to provide you with an example of the realism of a cloned voice.

Step 2: Obtain a Code Entitling You to Free Voice Cloning at Eleven Labs

To access Eleven Labs’ voice cloning services at no cost:

Contact a nonprofit partner of Eleven Labs, such as Bridging Voice, which supports individuals with ALS/MND.
Fill out the request form and provide a letter from your ALS clinic or physician verifying your diagnosis.
You’ll typically receive an email with your promo code within a week.

If your condition affects your speech but isn’t listed on the Eleven Labs site, you can write directly to Eleven Labs, explain your situation, and request access by providing medical documentation.

Set Up a Free Professional Subscription

Once you have your promo code, follow these steps:

Visit the Eleven Labs website
Click “Go to App” or “Login”
Create an account using your email and a password (store your password carefully as you will need it to complete the process)
Verify your email address via the confirmation email
Log in and go to My Account > Subscription
Choose the “Pro” level and click Subscribe/Upgrade
On the checkout page, select “Add Promo Code”, paste your code, and click Apply
Add a payment method (you will not be charged)
Click Subscribe. You should now see confirmation that you’ve been upgraded to Pro Level subscription
Assistance Editing Your Recordings (Optional)

If you’ve recorded at least 10 minutes of speech, you can submit your recordings to the Eleven Labs Impact Voice Lab for optional cleanup by trained volunteers.

Upload Your Recordings

Log in at Eleven Labs
Go to Voices > Add a New Voice
Choose “Professional Voice Clone”
Complete the form and upload your recordings
Verify your identity:

- If your speech still sounds like your recordings, use the standard verification (read sentences on-screen).
- If your speech has changed, use manual verification.
  → Click here for instructions from Bridging Voice