How do I add more voices to TTS?


https://forum.reallusion.com/Topic154797.aspx
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By Veridico - 11 Years Ago
My CTA Pro only came with two voices; female ones (One for SAPI 4 and one for SAPI 5)
The documentation for adding more voices is confusing; it sends me to other web sites with no guidance.

Can I get more voices for the Microsoft TTS engine for free?
...or do I have to pay for all voices beyond the two that came with the package?
And how do I add more voices; I need step by step instructions. I am new to this and have no idea how to navigate around third-party voice sites.

Please help.

Thanks.
By planetstardragon - 11 Years Ago
Hi Veridico,

Welcome to the forum. Microsoft only has a limited selection of tts voices, there are maybe 3 more you can add that are free, but they pretty much sound like more of the same thing. For the better quality you will have to buy them from 3rd party developers - but also be warned they charge an arm and a leg for public performance of their voices, it's been a big topic on the forum actually.

If by chance you have access to a mac, they have some good tts voices that come default with the apple os software - but I don't know about adding more voices to mac. For the most part the best voices in TTS cost money, first to purchase, 2nd on royalty, leaving the best (affordable ) option to simply record your own voice and alter it with software.

Cheers.
By EvilGenius - 11 Years Ago
TTS voices are not usually free. They are used by a lot of different programs and CTA is only one of them.

Some of my favorite are made by a company called IVONA.

http://www.ivona.com/us/

Neospeech also has a good selection.

http://www.neospeech.com/
By woodie50 - 9 Years Ago
I have been searching the forums on this topic for ages without success until now. The originator asked for specific instructions on how to add further voices but none appear in any of the comments to date. I only have MS Anna appearing in TTS box.
I have other quality voices on my system but can find no way to link these voices to Crazy Talk A. through Preferences or any other method.
Please don't worry about settings for any of these voices or the vendors name, just please tell me:-
How do you create a link between the voices and CTA 2.
Thanks for your help.
I certainly hope somebody stumbles accross this post.
By Cricky - 9 Years Ago
woodie50 (1/7/2015)
I have been searching the forums on this topic for ages without success until now. The originator asked for specific instructions on how to add further voices but none appear in any of the comments to date. I only have MS Anna appearing in TTS box.
I have other quality voices on my system but can find no way to link these voices to Crazy Talk A. through Preferences or any other method.
Please don't worry about settings for any of these voices or the vendors name, just please tell me:-
How do you create a link between the voices and CTA 2.
Thanks for your help.
I certainly hope somebody stumbles accross this post.


Have you looked at this? http://tts.reallusion.com/

Personally I have no need for it, but for people who choose TTS or need it, it is an option. It also says it works for CTA2, so it is your choice I'd say.

By fblawat - 8 Years Ago
Hi Woodie50,


I also have been having the same issues as you.  Doing a Search, I came across these links that were created by Reallusion, but not sure why no one has mentioned these before:

Some info on TTS for CT6 & CT7

http://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk7/crazytalk_faq_tts.asp


Download link for the MSTTS file that seems hard to find on Reallusion's site

Main Page:
http://download.reallusion.com/mstts

http://cdn2.reallusion.com/MSTTS_All.exe


A Tutorial on how to load up TTS for CT5. I'm sure this is still somewhat valid, but with Microsoft changing things who know.

http://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk7/CT5_TTS_tutorial.pdf



Converting Text to Speech

http://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk/Animator/help/animator/Std/08_Animation/Add_Voice/Converting_Text_to_Speech.htm



Those are the links I could find regarding TTS on CTA.

Here is one Free program I found from a reference on Reallusion called Balabolka.  Go to this link  http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm


Good Luck.

By planetstardragon - 8 Years Ago
the original post is 3 years old,  and some of the services that have come up since are relatively new ....including the base software.

maybe the forum needs a feature to lock old threads ?
By wendyluvscatz - 8 Years Ago
Fblawat
I used TTS in my videos for years and everyone hates it.
The Microsoft SAPI5 voices are a tad better and free with the SDK and I occasionally use them with Balabolka but quite frankly voice changing software and live actors are far far better and more accepted.
Try something like Screaming Bee/ Morphvox or even a free iPad or Android app it is a lot easier than typing too.
By fblawat - 8 Years Ago
planetstardragon,

While the thread may be old, I was referring to a specific user who was asking questions about links or how to's.  From what I can see, this woodie50 user posted a question last year on this forum.

https://forum.reallusion.com/uploads/images/28991896-b859-472d-8e18-fb94.png


Thanks.
By fblawat - 8 Years Ago
Hi Wendy,

Thanks for the info.  I think for users who are looking for Anonymity using TTS is a better choice especially if they make political references or cartoons. In this day and age of our own Government watching everyone, being safer than sorry is better. BUT for my use, I will take a look at your suggestion of a voice-changer.

I will try that out that Screaming Bee/ Morphvox program to see how they work.

Thanks!
By rampart - 8 Years Ago
Don't think you can change your male voice to a female with screaming bee/morphvox.  I tried everyway possible. The developer refunded my money.
You can do as good or better with "audacity" and it is free.
I rarely buy female or children characters, because I can't do the voices well enough.

This would be a good additional sub-forum for RL. 
A forum where members exchange voice overs among themselves.

I have some sources for voice overs among women and children, but the quality can vary dependent upon the equipment they use.
My microphones and audio equipment are good, but I have to do the voice over recordings of my helping friends - myself.
Some people will participate, if you can make it very easy for them.
It is my understanding there are some sites where people are willing to make voice overs with good equipment --- cheap.
Forget about good actors when you go cheap, unless you have some talented family members willing to help out.

I bought the TTS voice pak off RL couple years back, and I have had some luck running those voice files through audacity.
Somewhat extreme in some instances, but passable.
You can tweak synthesized voices. There are some tricks you will learn with experience that make them better for listeners.

When people complain about the voices my response is simple.   I say, :"you are watching a not for real animation video, does it make sense to have real voices?"
Disney and all the movie makers use real actors because they sell the actors with their productions.  People recognize the actor voices and it has more appeal to viewers.

Good luck


By Alien Maniac - 8 Years Ago
TRY VOXAL
http://www.nchsoftware.com/voicechanger/index.html?gclid=CMWy9qj3ic0CFQIfhgodCaQN7A
It is
Voxal Voice Changer Plus - Commercial License
Unlimited license for a user anywhere more info...
$30$19.99*
.
By Alien Maniac - 8 Years Ago
Almost forgot
I have a post here for human voice volunteers.....ask them.
https://forum.reallusion.com/285562/Voice-over-needed