Technically Working
5 days ago

TW131 – Fun with Voices

In this episode, Michael and Damashe dive into a grab bag of experiments, frustrations, and a few eerie surprises in the world of AI and audio.

<h4>Topics Covered</h4>

  • 🎤 Mic Talk & Audio Gear Michael tests the Shure Beta 87A and debates keeping his wireless setup, while the guys swap stories about missing adapters, mic stands, and shock mounts.

  • 🤖 AI Voices Gone Rogue Things take a weird turn when one of Michael’s AI voices starts adding its own opinions. The duo tests multiple Google Gemini TTS voices—some sound scarily real, others... develop personalities.

  • 🧠 New AI Tools: HUX, Lere, and Apple Intelligence Damashe tries out HUX (an audio summary app from former Google Notebook LM engineers) and runs into some accessibility issues. They also chat about Apple Intelligence in Lere and how AI summarization is creeping into RSS reading.

  • 🐍 Python + PySide6 on macOS 26 Michael shares how ChatGPT helped him build a Python GUI to manage Google AI Studio’s TTS system—and the quirks that come with macOS 26 compatibility.

  • 💻 macOS 26, Homebrew Fixes, and Remote Screen Sharing Damashe upgrades early to macOS 26.0.1, discovers improved screen sharing, and finds creative ways to connect remotely with Tailscale.

  • 🧩 Gravity Forms, Gravity Wiz, and Building Tools the Smart Way From API connectors to booking add-ons, the pair geek out over how Gravity Forms’ ecosystem can (almost) run an entire business website—if you can afford all the plugins.

  • 💬 Closing Thoughts & Listener Shoutouts The hosts thank their Tip Jar supporters, remind listeners not to spend money they don’t have (even if it’s tempting), and share a good laugh about accidental listener spending sprees.

<h4>Mentioned Tools & Topics</h4>
  • Shure Beta 87A, SM58, SM7B
  • Google Gemini 2.5 Pro TTS
  • PySide6 + Keyring for Python
  • HUX app (by ex-Google team)
  • Lere RSS Reader
  • Gravity Forms, Gravity Wiz, Gravity Kit
  • macOS 26 screen sharing with Tailscale
  • Bedrock Innovations IVR experiment
<h4>Episode Summary</h4>

From AI voices that argue back to macOS updates that move your Safari tabs, this episode is a mix of practical tinkering and unpredictable AI fun. Whether you're into audio gear, accessibility, or the future of digital voices, TW131 brings laughs, lessons, and a reminder: always double-check what your AI is saying.

Would you like me to add a short promotional blurb (2–3 sentences) for the podcast feed and website too?

Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working

Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co

Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/7b58f6ba-aa32-407e-9f25-bb590ba61d31

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.