Paul wrote: "Hello there concerning the type-to-speech (or text-to-speech) programs. I recently found out that the electronic voice used on some records (most notably by Air on their new album) is a standard straight out of the box preset on an Apple computer. If I remember correctly one of the other 'preset voices' is called Ralph. Can anyone confirm this?" Apple's text to speech program works with their SimpleText and WorldText utility software programs. There are currently only two versions: English (with Americanized pronunciation) and Spanish. Adding punctuation marks causes pauses in the speech, and I have found that it is necessary to use strings of full points to create natural pauses between paragraphs or within sentences! Speed of pronunciation can also be set, though only as a pre-set global command which cannot be varied during 'playback'. I don't believe Kraftwerk were directly involved with Apple; rather it may have been a back-handed compliment by Apple programmer's. Most of the selection of available 'voices' are pretty useless, sort of novelty voices that kids might find amusing, though the one that sounds like Stephen Hawking's robo-voice is OK (maybe that's the 'Ralph' one; I can't remember and the TtS software isn't installed on my work computer, only he one at home). I notced hat the Mexican Spanish TtS has a voice named 'Carlos'. So in the same vein, I wonder if this is anything to do with Santana? ;-) -------------------------------------------------------- You too can have your own email address from Eurosport. http://www.eurosport.com
richard.marston@eurosport.com wrote:
Adding punctuation marks causes pauses in the speech, and I have found that it is necessary to use strings of full points to create natural pauses between paragraphs or within sentences!
--------------- Good observation! I'll try this on my G4. I use OS X all the time, but have never messed with the sound application. I think I may have to seperately install this from the10 boot disks, or switch to the Classic OS 9 control panel... I don't believe Kraftwerk were directly involved with
Apple; rather it may have been a back-handed compliment by Apple programmer's.
--------------- The new Tom Cruise movie "Minority Report" has holographic flat-screen panels that looked like they were designed by Apple. Check out the holographic "keyboard/dance" Tom does when editing the Precog's mind-files... One of the best movies I've ever seen! The 2.5 hours whizzed by too fast!
I notced hat the Mexican Spanish TtS has a voice named 'Carlos'. So in the same vein, I wonder if this is anything to do with Santana? ;-)
--------------- Oye Como Va. amir
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