Adding spoken word option

[mouser]

I was talking to app about features to add.  One idea that would be really easy to add is to have an option where the program can speak what's shown, so if kid types B and it shows "B is for Bees" with a photo of a bee, then it would speak the words "B is for Bees".

I dont think the text-to-speech is good enough, so i'd like to use recorded mp3 files of a real person speaking.

The files should be named word_1.mp3 so for example "bee_1.mp3", etc for all the words found in the default VpMedia directory. the # is so that it can support different alternative voices.

I will add the feature if someone volunteers to record the 50-60 mp3 spoken word files that would be needed to accompany the initial image set.  Any volunteers?

[Renegade]

I was talking to app about features to add.  One idea that would be really easy to add is to have an option where the program can speak what's shown, so if kid types B and it shows "B is for Bees" with a photo of a bee, then it would speak the words "B is for Bees".

I dont think the text-to-speech is good enough, so i'd like to use recorded mp3 files of a real person speaking.

The files should be named word_1.mp3 so for example "bee_1.mp3", etc for all the words found in the default VpMedia directory. the # is so that it can support different alternative voices.

I will add the feature if someone volunteers to record the 50-60 mp3 spoken word files that would be needed to accompany the initial image set.  Any volunteers?

-mouser (May 25, 2011, 04:14 AM)

Does anyone have one of those sexy, deep radio voices?

I'd volunteer as I need to do some setup testing, and will be doing a bunch of that kind of stuff anyways.

Check out my voice at http://www.dotnetpreacher.com/ to see if it would be ok. I do NOT have a super-sexy-swinging voice though.

If you need recommendations for professional voice actors, I know a few that I could/would recommend.

But let me know if my voice will work ok. Don't be afraid to say no though -- I know my voice isn't movie preview material.

[mouser]

Your voice would be just fine. 

[Ath]

I dont think the text-to-speech is good enough,

-mouser (May 25, 2011, 04:14 AM)

I'd surely have a good look at Windows supplied TTS (if I had a project for that). Current TTS for Windows is quite impressive, IMHO, and it's quite easy to select another voice, or switch from male to female, etc.

[Renegade]

Your voice would be just fine. 

-mouser (May 25, 2011, 04:40 AM)

If you decide against the Windows voices, I've emailed you. Just get back to me there. (Or let me know if a spam filter killed my email.)

[mouser]

The TTS (text to speech) has gotten a *LOT* better, and for many applications it would be fine.
This however is a perfect case where recorded human voice is superior, since it's of a relatively limited scope of predefined words, and it's nice to let people customize it with their own voice if they want.

[Renegade]

The TTS (text to speech) has gotten a *LOT* better, and for many applications it would be fine.
This however is a perfect case where recorded human voice is superior, since it's of a relatively limited scope of predefined words, and it's nice to let people customize it with their own voice if they want.

-mouser (May 25, 2011, 06:44 AM)

I just thought... I have a Canadian accent, which is similar to North Dakota (I think). The accent issue is still there. It should be fine for most purposes though.

[Ath]

This however is a perfect case where recorded human voice is superior,

-mouser (May 25, 2011, 06:44 AM)

Ok, I understand the reasoning , then you'd have to find a female beside Renegade, to supply those samples, too (and a config option to select them). An extra request might be needed for that voice, I guess

[mouser]

I have completed the version that will speak words, and I have uploaded it as the new version.

BUT there are *no* speech files present, so nothing new for the end user.

But for anyone who wants to add speech files, just add them under any subdirectory (new or existing) of the VpMedia directory; they should be of the form word.mp3 or word.wav or word_1.mp3, word_2.mp3, etc.

And again, feel free to add your own word images and sounds of things around your house, etc.

[Renegade]

I'll be setting up my equipment this weekend, and will do the recording then.

[Renegade]

I've sent the last files, including a super-awesome BONUS TRACK~! (That can never ever ever ever make it into children's software... )

[mouser]

Thanks to Renegade a new version (1.35) is now available with speech option, and includes over 100 speech audio files, one for every image.
Users can also of course add their own custom images and audio files.
See main forum post for more info.

[Deozaan]

I remember hearing Zaine's voice on the DC Podcast(s) back in the day. I thought he had a great voice for this kind of thing. IIRC, he does have a bit of a southern accent (which I only mention because Renegade mentioned having a Canadian accent), but I still thought Zaine has a great "radio" voice.

[app103]

I remember hearing Zaine's voice on the DC Podcast(s) back in the day. I thought he had a great voice for this kind of thing. IIRC, he does have a bit of a southern accent (which I only mention because Renegade mentioned having a Canadian accent), but I still thought Zaine has a great "radio" voice.

-Deozaan (May 31, 2011, 02:08 AM)

Skwire also has a great voice. We all thought that back when we were chatting on Mumble. He sounds like a professional voiceover announcer.

[Renegade]

I wish I had one of those voices.

A fellow I know in Seoul is a voice actor with one of those voices. Deep, smooth.

It would make a great audio effect to take your voice and turn it into that.

Women are different. There seems to be a wider range of voices that fit the "radio" model.

I suppose that I can at least say that I don't have a face for radio~!