Read-back software - Page 2

avantman42 · 02-14-2013, 05:47 PM

On Linux, festival includes text2wave, which will convert a text file to a wav file, which can then be converted to MP3 or whatever.

I don't know if it's available for Windows or Mac.

gmw · 02-14-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Bleach

Do any members know of read-back software with the function to save it as an MP3 or equivalent, so I can play it back on an iPod. Thanks.

I use Windows. I ended up purchasing a license for TextAloud, from NextUp. This software can save to MP3 and other formats. The software itself is not expensive (US$29.95), but extra voices cost money. I went with this over other free options because it had a wide range of voices to choose from, including some that I thought were much better than I'd found elsewhere.

I haven't used it all that much yet, but what I have done confirms it as much more agreeable than listening to Microsoft Anna. Less mistakes, and smoother. The interface to the main part of the software is not very pretty, but functional and has many options and controls. It does have mouse and clipboard monitoring features for integration with other software, but so far these haven't impressed me, maybe I just need to spend more time with it.

James_Wilde · 02-16-2013, 10:40 AM

I've never thought of TTS as being something to use for editing your work. To be sure, if you're listening hard, and don't get distracted by the tv or something, you might pick up on that 'Paris in the the spring' mistake, but in the film world many scriptwriters use it more for checking on their dialogue - does it sound right or does it sound forced? I can see a use for TTS in this respect in novel writing, too.

VydorScope · 02-16-2013, 04:00 PM

I used it yesterday for the first time using the "high quality" voices that you can download from Apple for the Mac OS X Lion and newer. Used it on a non-fiction article I was writing. It helped me quite a bit. "quite" vs "quiet" and "singing" vs "signing" are two examples of things I missed in my editing that it helped me find. It is also good for exposing repetitive word / phrase use, at least in short works.

gmw · 02-16-2013, 07:06 PM

I don't generally try to edit while the TV's going, James.

I'm trialling it as a supplement to my existing editing more than anything else. I find that if I slow the voice down a little it forces me to concentrate on the words as they're being read, rather than skipping ahead; it forces a consistency in the review that I find difficult to maintain on my own. And yes, I'm also hoping it will highlight awkward sentences. Having a selection of voices I think might also be a help, something to stop you getting too mesmerized by a constant drone. It will be a while before I work out how effective it's been.

I am concerned that this process might slow down my normal reading speed, I guess I'll find out.

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02-14-2013, 05:47 PM	#16
avantman42 Wizard Posts: 1,090 Karma: 6058305 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite	On Linux, festival includes text2wave, which will convert a text file to a wav file, which can then be converted to MP3 or whatever. I don't know if it's available for Windows or Mac.

02-16-2013, 10:40 AM	#18
James_Wilde Guru Posts: 802 Karma: 4727110 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Iriver Story	I've never thought of TTS as being something to use for editing your work. To be sure, if you're listening hard, and don't get distracted by the tv or something, you might pick up on that 'Paris in the the spring' mistake, but in the film world many scriptwriters use it more for checking on their dialogue - does it sound right or does it sound forced? I can see a use for TTS in this respect in novel writing, too.

02-16-2013, 04:00 PM	#19
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	I used it yesterday for the first time using the "high quality" voices that you can download from Apple for the Mac OS X Lion and newer. Used it on a non-fiction article I was writing. It helped me quite a bit. "quite" vs "quiet" and "singing" vs "signing" are two examples of things I missed in my editing that it helped me find. It is also good for exposing repetitive word / phrase use, at least in short works.

02-16-2013, 07:06 PM	#20
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	I don't generally try to edit while the TV's going, James. I'm trialling it as a supplement to my existing editing more than anything else. I find that if I slow the voice down a little it forces me to concentrate on the words as they're being read, rather than skipping ahead; it forces a consistency in the review that I find difficult to maintain on my own. And yes, I'm also hoping it will highlight awkward sentences. Having a selection of voices I think might also be a help, something to stop you getting too mesmerized by a constant drone. It will be a while before I work out how effective it's been. I am concerned that this process might slow down my normal reading speed, I guess I'll find out.

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