I know, I hate hearing my voice on the tape as well. It is like another man is talking to me - Do I really sound like that. I sound much harder and darker. It is really strange.

I too have recently been bothered by the way I sound on tape. This is probably most like what I really sound like, but I don't hear myself that way. I sound like such a loser.

As of now my machine says, "I hope that by now you understand it's after the beep and not before."

It's a question of habit. Listen to your recorded voice regularily, several times a week, and it will loose its unpleasantness. The voice will still sound strange but you will feel more comfortable about it.