[Free] Create Audiobooks! Guide to DIY Methods Using Text-to-Speech Services

I want to make my own audiobook using speech synthesis!

An audiobook is a book where the content is read aloud.

While audiobooks are also distributed for a fee, you can actually create one yourself easily and for free using speech synthesis.

To make an audiobook yourself, we recommend using a free AI reading service.

In this article, for those who want to create their own audiobooks, we will explain the flow of speech synthesis using a free AI reading service.

Recommended reading services for those who want to synthesize audio for audiobooks

There is a recommended service for those who want to create their own audiobooks by synthesizing speech.

It is the latest AI reading service, "Ondoku".

"Ondoku" is a web service that allows anyone to easily read text aloud.

Once you open the page from here, you can immediately read text aloud for free just by pasting it.

Since it is a web service used from a browser, no installation is required.

You can synthesize audiobooks with clear and easy-to-understand voices unique to the latest AI.

If you want to make an audiobook, why not start by using "Ondoku" from here?

Original audiobooks made with speech synthesis

An audiobook is a book that you "read by listening with your ears."

Actually, anyone can easily create an audiobook by using AI speech synthesis.

Features of audiobooks

An audiobook is a book read with the ears, created by reading the content of a book aloud so it can be played back as an audio file.

They have been sold in formats such as cassette tapes and CDs for a long time, but they became familiar all at once, especially after the appearance of smartphones.

While many audiobooks are sold as audio files that can be played on smartphones, there are still fewer varieties compared to paper books or e-books.

In such cases, self-making (self-scanning/digitizing) audiobooks is recommended.

In fact, anyone can easily create an audiobook using AI speech synthesis.

Scenarios where audiobooks are useful

Aren't paper books or e-books good enough?

In fact, audiobooks have several scenarios they excel in, unique to books you "read with your ears."

1. During exercise

Being able to listen to books while exercising, such as running, walking, or training at the gym, is a major advantage of audiobooks.

By synthesizing original audiobooks, you can turn your exercise time into study time.

In fact, the activity of listening to audio while doing things like exercising is attracting attention as "Mimikatsu" (listening activity).

This is a way to use audiobooks that you should definitely incorporate into your life.

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2. While driving a car

Listening to books while driving a car is also a unique way to use audiobooks.

People who commute by train can read while commuting, but you normally cannot read books when commuting by car.

With audiobooks, it is possible to read your favorite books with your ears during your commute.

3. Reading for the visually impaired

Braille books and audiobooks have been created for a long time for the visually impaired.

Until now, it was necessary for professional narrators or voice actors to read them aloud, so the types of audiobooks were limited.

By using AI speech synthesis, it is possible to greatly increase the choices of audiobooks for the visually impaired.

5 Recommended speech synthesis services/software for audiobooks

If I'm making an audiobook, what method should I use for speech synthesis?

Here are some recommended speech synthesis services and software for making audiobooks!

• Ondoku
• CeVIO
• VOICEVOX
• AquesTalkPlayer
• A.I.VOICE

1. Ondoku

"Ondoku" is an AI speech synthesis service recommended for creating audiobooks.

Since it is a web service used from a browser, you can use it immediately without installation.

Moreover, "Ondoku" allows speech synthesis for free!

You can experience realistic and easy-to-hear reading voices unique to the latest AI for free right now.

Simple and easy-to-use reading screen

Using "Ondoku" is very easy.

After opening the top page, just paste the text into the text box and press the "Read Aloud" button.

The speech synthesis is completed immediately, and you can download the MP3 file.

16 types of Japanese voices

In "Ondoku," Japanese reading is possible with 16 types of voices.

Try listening to 16 types of Ondoku text-to-speech software voices for free. Change the impression with pitch changes

Ondoku has 16 types of Japanese voices. Of course, both male and female voices are available. We have made it possible to listen to 8 commonly used Japanese voices and the voices when the pitch of each voice is adjusted.

Since there are many natural voices that are not too character-heavy, you can concentrate on the content of the book without being distracted.

You can synthesize speech with the perfect voice to match the author or the content of the book.

Speech synthesis in foreign languages is also possible

"Ondoku" supports speech synthesis in over 80 languages and dialects, including Japanese and English!

You can also use it for listening practice by reading aloud foreign language books.

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Here we will introduce the supported languages and sample voices of Ondoku.

Speech synthesis service that can be used for free

Moreover, "Ondoku" can be used for free!

You can synthesize 1,000 characters without logging in, and 5,000 characters for free when you log in, so you can easily check right away what kind of voice can be used for reading.

If you are looking for a speech synthesis method for audiobooks, why not experience "Ondoku" for free first?

2. CeVIO

CeVIO is AI speech synthesis software compatible with Windows.

It uses original AI developed by a venture company from the Nagoya Institute of Technology, and among paid software, it allows for particularly natural and easy-to-hear speech synthesis.

Package versions and download versions are available.

Because it excels at emotionally rich reading, it is recommended for those who want to synthesize speech for novels to make audiobooks.

3. VOICEVOX

VOICEVOX is speech synthesis software compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

You download and use it from the official website.

It is famous as software that can read aloud in character voices such as Zundamon, Kasukabe Tsumugi, and Shikoku Metan, but it can also be used for audiobook speech synthesis.

For neutral voices suitable for audiobooks,

• Shikoku Metan
• Meimei Himari

are recommended.

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4. AquesTalkPlayer

AquesTalkPlayer is speech synthesis software for Windows provided by Aquest Co., Ltd., which is also known as the developer of the so-called "Yukkuri Voice."

Many voices besides Yukkuri Voice are available, and it can read aloud in voices that are not very character-heavy and are easy to use for audiobooks.

While not as realistic compared to the latest AI speech synthesis, the trade-off is that operation is lightweight.

This speech synthesis software is recommended if you don't care much about realism and just want the content of the book to be read aloud.

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5. A.I.VOICE

A.I.VOICE is paid speech synthesis software that can read aloud in realistic and easy-to-hear character voices.

It is compatible with Windows and Mac, and is available in package and download versions.

The lineup includes characters that were also developed in the "VOICEROID" series, such as Yuzuki Yukari, Kizuna Akari, and Kotonoha Akane/Aoi.

It is also possible to read aloud in voices that do not show too much character, making them easy to use for reading audiobooks.

How to synthesize speech for audiobooks with reading services

How do you make an audiobook?

We will explain the process of creating an audiobook for free using the reading service "Ondoku"!

1. Prepare the original text

First, prepare the text that will be the basis for the audiobook.

This time, as an example, we will use text from "Aozora Bunko," a website that publishes copyright-free writing.

(The method for removing ruby characters from Aozora Bunko text is explained here)

2. Open the "Ondoku" page

Open the "Ondoku" top page from here.

3. Paste the text

Paste the text into the text box.

4. Set voice type and speed

Adjust the voice type and reading speed.

5. Press the "Read Aloud" button to start speech synthesis

When preparations are complete, press the "Read Aloud" button.

"Loading" will be displayed, and speech synthesis will start.

6. Speech synthesis complete

"Ondoku's" speech synthesis is completed immediately.

When the speech synthesis is finished, the screen automatically switches and the audio is played back on the browser.

Example: It takes only a few seconds to read 1,000 characters.

7. Download the file

When speech synthesis is complete, the "Download" button is displayed.

When you press the "Download" button, the synthesized file is downloaded in MP3 format.

This completes the flow of synthesizing your own audiobook using "Ondoku."

Tips useful for making audiobooks with speech synthesis

Here is some useful information when self-making (self-scanning) audiobooks with speech synthesis.

Be careful about copyright

When making an audiobook with speech synthesis, caution regarding copyright is necessary.

There is no problem if the read-aloud audio is listened to by yourself personally, but you cannot sell it or distribute it for free.

Be especially careful when basing it on text for which copyright has not expired, such as books digitized with OCR.

When the source is copyright-free text like "Aozora Bunko," you can create audiobooks without copyright issues.

How to remove ruby characters from Aozora Bunko text?

Texts in Aozora Bunko have ruby (furigana/readings) attached, as in this image (Natsume Soseki's "Botchan").

If ruby characters are present, they will be read aloud along with the main text, so when making an audiobook from Aozora Bunko, it is recommended to remove the ruby characters in advance using a tool.

Tools for removing ruby characters

• Aozora Bunko Ruby Removal Tool: Long text compatible version
• RubyMate

Example of removing ruby characters

When using the "Aozora Bunko Ruby Removal Tool: Long text compatible version," paste the URL and press "Send."

Then, the reading parts are removed like this, and it becomes the correct text.

Guidelines for the number of characters for making an audiobook

The number of characters that can be synthesized for free with "Ondoku" is:

• Without logging in: 1,000 characters
• With logging in: 5,000 characters

In the case of paperbacks or new books, the number of characters per page is around 600.

"Ondoku" can synthesize and read aloud about 8 to 9 pages of content for free.

Since the number of characters per book is often about 80,000 to 120,000 for paperbacks and new books, we recommend subscribing to a paid plan if you are making an audiobook by synthesizing an entire book.

"Ondoku's" paid plans are as follows:

With the Value Plan, you can make 4 original audiobooks every month, and with the Premium Plan, you can make as many as 10 original audiobooks every month!

It is much more economical than purchasing paid software, so if you are undecided about a speech synthesis method for audiobooks, "Ondoku" is recommended.