Selecting the Ideal AI Voice for My Cologne Commercial

Last week marked an intensive collaboration with ChatGPT as I diligently worked on crafting my cologne commercial script. After investing time and effort, I ultimately perfected the script, drawing inspiration from the narration style of the Dior Sauvage commercial featuring Johnny Depp, but with my unique twist. Initially, I planned to keep the script under wraps until the video release. However, as I delved into the process of selecting an AI voice actor that seamlessly fit the narration, I realized the significance of documenting this substantial aspect of the project.

As detailed in my previous blog on script creation, I'm developing a satirical cologne commercial steeped in mystery and allure. The objective for this film was to fashion a narration so nonsensical that it made typical cologne commercial scripts seemingly coherent. Simultaneously, I wanted to stay true to the essence of my fragrance – a scentless cologne worn for the idea and "aura" it imparts to its wearers, embodying consumerism at its finest.

The final narration, which encapsulates this vision, reads as follows:

“My entire life, I've been missing something. A yearning, a whisper in the wind. An absence I couldn't quite grasp. In search of answers, I delve into the enigma that is life. The spaces in between, the moments untouched. As I stand on the precipice of the unseen, I realize, perhaps, it's not about finding; it's about embracing the mystery. Inodore. The new eau de parfum by Dior. Embody the undetectable allure." 

Having predetermined my choice to utilize ElevenLabs' AI speech synthesis tool due to its user-friendly interface and high-quality output, I visited the website to explore its 26 premade male voices. Five voices – Callum, Clyde, Giovanni, Josh, and Thomas – stood out as potential candidates for my project.

Callum – American, Hoarse, Video Games

This voice possessed the perfect depth and mystery required for my commercial narration. Its sultry, hoarse tone added intrigue, and even the French pronunciation of "inodore" and "eau de parfum" enhanced its allure. Callum's voice scored high in my evaluation.

Clyde – American, War Veteran, Video Games

While having a deep tone, Clyde's voice was overly breathy and enunciated words peculiarly. Described as a "war veteran," it seemed more fitting for a different context, lacking the mystery required for my fragrance commercial.

Giovanni – English-Italian, Foreigner, Audiobook

Despite the allure of an Italian accent, Giovanni's voice lacked the smooth English pronunciation essential for commercials. The imperfections in pronunciation detracted from its suitability.

Josh – American, Deep, Narration

Josh's voice boasted excellent pronunciation but lacked the mysterious quality I sought. Its straightforward and proper tone fell short of capturing the desired intrigue.

Thomas – American, Calm, Meditation

Thomas's voice, while gentle, bordered on being overly delicate for a cologne commercial. The whispering aspect was appealing, but the overall tone did not align with the desired atmosphere.

After careful consideration, I opted for Callum's voice. It exuded the mystery and sultriness crucial for creating the desired tone in the commercial. I'm thrilled that ElevenLabs introduced several new voices in recent months, as none of the previous options would have been as fitting as Callum's for this particular project.