How to Record Your Own Sound for an Interval Timer

I prefer voice cues over beeps when I want hands‑free training. A short phrase like “Switch to lunges” or “Rest now” removes guesswork. In this guide, I’ll show you how I record my own voice inside Go Exercise Timer, how I set up distinct cues for set ends vs exercise ends, and how I make sure the alerts finish cleanly during rests.

Why custom sounds make exercise easier

I like clarity more than loudness. Custom sounds, especially voice, keep me honest without cranking volume.

Fewer clock checks: I listen for a cue instead of watching seconds crawl.
Better form: I stay in the movement instead of peeking at the screen.
Faster onboarding: If I’m teaching someone else, voice cues explain the next step plainly.
Consistent pacing: A firm “Stop and breathe” prevents the extra reps that ruin the next round.

If you searched for an interval timer with customized voice sound, you probably want something simple: speak, save, and go. That’s exactly what I do here—no accounts, no uploads to a server, and no plugins.

How to use Advanced Sound Settings

I separate two types of alerts:

Set End (short): a quick, subtle ping for routine set changes and rests.
Exercise End (distinct): a clearer bell or voice cue for final phases or big transitions.

To open the panel:

Go to the Setup page: /tools/timer.
Toggle Sound on.
Click “Advanced Sound Settings.”
You’ll see two sections: Set End Sound and Exercise End Sound.
Pick a preset tone or choose to record your own.

I keep Set End short and unobtrusive. I make Exercise End unmistakable so I never overshoot the finish.

Recording and saving your voice alerts

Recording takes about ten seconds.

Click “Record your own” under Set End Sound or Exercise End Sound.
Speak a short, clear phrase (2–3 seconds). Examples:
- “Switch to squats.”
- “Rest—breathe through your nose.”
- “Session complete—nice work.”
Click “Stop & Save.”
Click “Save” at the bottom of the panel.

Tips that help:

Keep it short. Short cues finish cleanly and won’t collide with the next phase.
Use consistent language. I don’t change phrasing every week; repetition builds habits.
Record in a quiet room. A phone mic is fine; I just avoid fans and outdoor wind.

Rest length matters for voice. If a recording is longer than your current Rest, Go Exercise Timer suggests increasing Rest so the alert can finish. I accept the suggestion or shorten the recording. Either way, I want clean edges between phases.

When I’m happy with the setup, I click “Add to My Lists” in the Setup page so I can reuse the exact sounds tomorrow. My Lists live in my browser—no login, no tracking.

Practical setups I use

Here are three patterns that work across strength, cardio, and rehab.

1) Minimal cues (beep + short voice)

Set End: short “ping” preset.
Exercise End: a 2–3 second voice cue like “Stop—breathe.”

I use this when I don’t want chatter but I still want a firm stop at the end.

2) Voice‑only pacing

Set End: voice “Switch to …”
Exercise End: voice “Session complete.”

This is ideal for outdoor walks or treadmill sessions when I keep the phone face down.

3) Rehab clarity

Set End: quiet beep.
Exercise End: voice “Rest now. Focus on posture.”

If I’m recovering or doing technique drills, this combo keeps me calm and consistent.

Troubleshooting

My voice doesn’t play on mobile.
Make sure your phone isn’t on silent or vibrate. Most mobile browsers require one interaction before audio can play; pressing Start satisfies that.

My alert cuts off early.
Increase Rest or re‑record a shorter cue. The panel will warn you when your recording exceeds Rest.

The volume is too low/high.
Re‑record closer/farther from the mic. I also prefer pitch differences over loud volume for neighbors and shared spaces.

Can I mix presets and voice?
Yes. I use a subtle preset for Set End and a voice cue for Exercise End.

Will my recordings be uploaded?
No. The app stores your settings locally in your browser. When you share a routine link, recordings are not included.

Start with a quick test

Open the Setup page, record one Set End cue, and run a 2‑minute test (two short work blocks with a 15–30 second rest). If it feels right, save it to My List and use it in your next workout.

👉 Try Go Exercise Timer — Free online interval timer with customized voice alerts: /tools/timer