Text-To-Speech Optimisation

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Text-To-Speech Optimisation

 

Text-To-Speech (TTS) software has come a long way in a few short years, and it is likely to become ever more popular in the years to come. It is already used extensively for narration of many YouTube videos. It is also utilised by some e-readers to turn e-books into ‘ersatz’ audiobooks.

More importantly, it may serve as an accessibility aid in the future for those who have difficulty reading.

There is a problem with TTS software at the moment however. It does not always work as well as it should. The technology is still developing, and some of the kinks have yet to be straightened out.

If you have heard current Text-To-Speech narration, you have no doubt cringed at the inconsistent speed, uncomfortable pauses and pronunciation errors that plagues it.

However, there is a solution, this being Text-To-Speech Optimisation, or TTSO. This involves the human touch to tweak the text into something the narration software can more easily understand.

This is where I come in. I have used Text-To-Speech software extensively over the last few years, and have become adept at getting the most from it.

The following sentences contain a sample of the words current TTS software struggles with. Listen to the un-optimised audio first to hear these errors, then the optimised version to hear narration that is now error free, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

“The virus had a zombifying effect on the pseudo chimera in Pripyat. Traumatic weapons such as tasers and primitive weapons such as Bows were ineffective against it. SOPs therefore were to use shotguns with lead buckshot at close range, or thermobaric weapons at a distance. For the sake of infection control, care must be taken to disembowel the carcass.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“The sorcerer was skilled in pyrokinesis, telekinesis, psy magic and other psychic powers.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“Grunge was a popular genre in the 1990s, and shared traits with britpop.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“The Ceramic pots were dated in situ to 1000 years BC.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“The urbanite businessman staunchly believed caffeine was the key ingredient in a good breakfast.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“The best monoculars feature built in rangefinders.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“Thirdly Damocles was naïve to sit under that sword in the first place.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“Sub-zero temperatures can wind up causing frostbite.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“The podded accessory measured the minute energy in joules.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“Meanwhile canine species remained up wind of their prey.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

“Einstein felt that unchecked egos were dangerous to peoples lives.”

Un-optimised audio narration.

Optimised audio narration.

You might be wondering how many pages of text can be optimised at any one time. It appears the only limit is the time it takes to optimise it!

To give you an example, the Text-To-Speech narration audiobook version of my up coming novel is currently twelve hours long!

You can find samples here:  https://www.nomadsreviews.co.uk/trlzsg

If you have text that you need optimised for Text-To-Speech software, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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