Self-training WaveNet for text-to-speech

A method of self-training WaveNet includes receiving a plurality of recorded speech samples and training a first autoregressive neural network using the plurality of recorded speech samples. The trained first autoregressive neural network is configured to output synthetic speech as an audible representations of a text input. The method further includes generating a plurality of synthetic speech samples using the trained first autoregressive neural network. The method additionally includes training a second autoregressive neural network using the plurality of synthetic speech samples from the trained first autoregressive neural network and distilling the trained second autoregressive neural network into a feedforward neural network.