Some Text to Voice (NeoSpeech) Tips in CP 2017

Report · May 25, 2017

Here are a few things that I found via trial and error while trying to make the Text to Speech sound more natural and not so automated. Hope this helps a few people out there. VTML code is similar to HTML. Its not too difficult once you get the basics down.

At the very top of the text file, the first line of text, when you are typing what you want your narrator to say, use;<vtml_pitch value="100"><vtml_speed value="100"> in the first line of the text file. This sets all the default values to be at 100%. If you change the numbers in these top lines, it will adjust pitch and speed for the entire file if thats what you wish to do.
When typing in your text, use commas where you feel natural pauses should be. It makes a HUGE improvement to the way the speech compiling tool reads the text and converts it to speech and often sounds way more natural.
A few common VTML commands you could use:
1. <vtml_pitch value="100"> You would use this when you want to raise or lower the pitch of a word. The "100" here represents a percentage of the current value.. like right now the pitch is at 100%. If you wanted to lower or raise the pitch of a word that is spoken, you would change the number as you type the code AROUND the text. You need the code at the front and back of the word(s) you want to change or it will not work properly. ALSO, make sure you dont forget ANY of the < or > or " or = or any other part of the code or it wont work.
  e.g. <vtml_pitch value="90">WORD(s) GOES HERE</vtml_pitch> <-- Would drop the voice pitch 10% (100 - 10 = 90)
2. <vtml_speed value="100"> Same goes here except we are changing the speed that the word(s) is spoken instead of the pitch.
3. <vtml_partofsp part="noun | verb | interjection"> WORD(s) GO HERE </vtml_partofsp>
  This is useful when it wont say a word properly like a verb or interjection for things like "Great! You've completed the course!" The word "great" here is an interjection but Captivate wont say it like that unless you add the correct VTML code. HOWEVER, this one is tricky because to get it to work correctly, it must be inside (closest to the word you are changing) the 'Parent' tags of <vtml_pitch>, <vtml_speed> or <vtml_volume> and all other tags (like <vtml_partofsp...> must be outside (farthest away) from the word or it wont work either.
  1. e.g. <vtml_pitch value="80"><vtml_partofsp part="noun">Hello!</vtml_partofsp></vtml_pitch> <-- Ensures the program speaks word as noun, not whatever it decides and lowers the pitch to 80%.

There was a lot of frustration, expletives and grey hair before I finally figured this all out and got this all to work properly so hopefully this will save you from the same fate .

For those that want to delve further into the word of VTML coding, click here for NeoSpeech's VTML User Guide.

Report · May 25, 2017

This is really useful. Thanks!

Report · May 25, 2017

CORRECTION:

The previous post had an error.

<vtml_pitch value="80"><vtml_partofsp part="noun">Hello!</vtml_partofsp></vtml_pitch>

Notice the parent tags or code (vtml_pitch) is farthest from the 'child' code which is closest to the word you are modifying as shown above. The line of VTML shown above will decrease the pitch of the word "Hello!" by 20% AND tell Captivate to read it as a noun.

As you can see, code can be nested as well.

Report · May 25, 2017

Thank you! That is some very useful advice!!

I'm so happy to have the link for the Neospeech guide, and I had not realized so many features were available.

My dream? To get "James" to say the words " good job!" energetically and sincerely! I'll use the insights you've posted!

Report · Jun 09, 2017

Hello,

This could be achieved like this:

<vtml_pitch value="110"><vtml_partofsp part="interjection">good job!</vtml_partofsp></vtml_pitch>

This 'code' will increase the volume level of "James" by 10% and force Captivate's speech generator to say "good job" as an interjection and not a default regular word.

Hope this helps you.