Raw text is fine, but optimized text is magical.
Pro Tip: Eric’s full potential shines when you write for the ear, not the eye. Avoid abbreviations (write "Mister" not "Mr.") and use periods to force short breaks.
Some older software still holds perpetual licenses for the original Ivona engine. Examples include:
Ivona Eric is a legend in the TTS community. While you cannot legally download the "full" standalone version anymore, his legacy lives on in modern neural voices. If you are a nostalgia seeker, track down an old Android tablet with the Ivona app. If you are a content creator, use Polly's Matthew—it is the same DNA, just smarter.
Do you remember listening to Eric on YouTube? Let me know in the comments below.
Ivona Eric (formerly known as "John") was officially retired in early 2017 after Amazon's acquisition of Ivona Software, you can still access this specific voice through several third-party platforms and legacy software resellers. Ways to Access the Full Ivona Eric Voice : Offers an online Eric Voice Text to Speech
tool. You can select "English - American" and then "Eric" to generate and download audio files directly. Harpo Software : Continues to sell the Eric IVONA Voice
for Windows. This is the full version compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10, often bundled with the "Speech2Go" or "MiniSpeech" players. NextUp.com : Sells Ivona voices specifically for use with their TextAloud 4 text to speech eric ivona full
software. Note that these are for personal use on a PC and generally do not allow commercial distribution without additional licensing. Vyond (formerly GoAnimate)
: Historically, Eric was a default voice on this platform. Users can still access similar legacy voices within the Vyond dialogue panel under "Text to Speech" settings. Fish Audio : Provides an Eric (GoAnimate) AI Voice Generator that mimics the specific 2016 Ivona 2 version of the voice. Key Considerations Retirement & Replacement : Most Ivona voices were transitioned into Amazon Polly , but Eric was one of the few English voices incorporated into that service. Mobile Availability
: The official IVONA TTS HQ app was removed from the Google Play Store years ago. While some users sideload legacy APK and OBB files, this method is no longer officially supported. licensing terms for commercial use between these different providers? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Ivona™ Text to Speech Voices - NextUp.com
The Ivona™ voices we sell are only for use in TextAloud 4. * Listen on your computer or create audio files for portable devices. *
Ivona Eric is widely considered one of the most natural-sounding male American English voices ever developed in the history of text-to-speech (TTS) technology. Originally created by the Polish company Ivona Software, Eric became a cultural icon in the 2010s as a staple for content creators on platforms like GoAnimate (now Vyond). The Evolution of the Eric Voice
Launched in October 2008, Eric was designed with a "CNN-style" delivery, intended to sound like a professional news anchor or documentary narrator. In 2013, Amazon acquired Ivona Software to power its Amazon Polly service and Kindle devices.
While Amazon eventually replaced the original Ivona engine with newer Polly models, the legacy of Eric persists through various online wrappers and desktop software. Key Characteristics of Ivona Eric Raw text is fine, but optimized text is magical
Professional Tone: Characterized as clear and authoritative, making it ideal for corporate training videos and news summaries.
High Versatility: In the GoAnimate community, Eric was famously used for various character roles, ranging from father figures to teachers.
SAPI5 Compatibility: As a Windows-compatible voice, Eric can be integrated into offline readers like Balabolka, providing a private, uninterrupted workflow. How to Access and Use Ivona Eric Today
Although the original Ivona site is no longer active, you can still find and use the "full" Eric voice through several channels: 1. Desktop Readers for Windows
For offline use, specialized vendors still offer the high-quality Eric voice for Windows systems.
Harpo Software: You can purchase or test a 30-day trial of the Eric Voice which includes a simple converter.
NextUp (TextAloud): This software utilizes Ivona voices to convert text into audio files for personal use. 2. Online AI Generators Prosody (Pitch & Rate):
Several cloud-based tools host the Eric voice for quick audio generation without local installation.
Narakeet: Offers a direct Eric Text to Speech tool where users can paste scripts and download MP3s.
Fish Audio: Provides an AI generator specifically mimicking the 2016 Ivona 2 version of Eric.
SpeechGen.io: Allows users to select Eric, adjust pitch and speed, and generate high-fidelity speech files. 3. Legacy and Archive Sites Ivona™ Text to Speech Voices - NextUp.com
Non-native speakers love Eric because he enunciates American English perfectly without mumbling. He is vastly superior to robotic TTS for pronunciation drills.
Founded in Gdansk, Poland, Ivona Software was a speech synthesis company that revolutionized TTS. Unlike the robotic, choppy voices of the early 2000s (think Microsoft Sam), Ivona used unit selection synthesis—a process that concatenated tiny fragments of a real human voice actor’s speech.
The result? Voices that could pronounce words naturally, emphasize emotion, and breathe life into text.