Computer-generated Speech for Narration

[wwaag]

Does anyone use or could recommend software for speech generation from text files? I'd like to add a bit of narration to some of my video projects. Also want the narration to sound "natural" if possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

wwaag

[Soopafresh]

The only way it will sound "natural" is if you're working on the "Stephen Hawking Story"

[winifreid]

There are a bunch od speech generation programs out there. Windows comes with oen I think. But I have never really heard one that sounds natural, especially pronouncing uncommon words.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

Windows Narrator sounds anything but natural. It's good for phone pranks, though.

[bunyip]

This technology still has a long way to go, but products like the 'Natural Voice' - Professional Edition (with the AT&T Natural Voices Pack) can come close.
http://www.naturalreaders.com/ (you can listen to samples on their site).
There is still context and pronunciation problems with 'Voice' readers.
For example: in the sentence "I will read this document to you" the word "read" will be pronounced 'RED' instead of pronounced 'REED'.
You can try and teach the software but it will still get it wrong.
There is no substitute (yet) for recording someone reading the text.

[wwaag]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the answer is "no" at this point in time.

In that case, is anyone aware of any "narration services company" wherein you send them a text file and they send you back a recorded wav file. I know that there are professional studios that do this type of work, but they are quite pricey. I've done a few Google searches without any luck. Thanks again.

wwaag

[liquid217]

http://www.research.att.com/projects/tts/demo.html

This may be of some use to you.

It outputs a standard wav file, based on the text you enter.

[freestyler]

The only way it will sound "natural" is if you're working on the "Stephen Hawking Story"

lol soopa

[Soopafresh]

Thanks

[wwaag]

Tried the demo. It's pretty bad--certainly, not good enough for video narrations.

Anyone aware of any "human" narration services that will record your text file? I'd record my own except I sound like a frog. Thanks again.

wwaag

[mazinz]

hmm you could get a plug in (for voice modulation) in apps like soundforge and have it change your regular voice into a robotic one, this method might work for you

[Des]

You'd be urprised what adding a little bit of reverb can do to help anyone's voice. Maybe also a little cut in the bass. Experiment a little, you might be able to save a lot of money over highering someone.

--dES

[handyguy]

Or get a friend to read it for you.