What is text to speech
Text to Speech, also known as TTS, is a technology that allows the creation of a voiceover without involving professional voiceover actors. Artificial Intelligence creates a human voice, which reads the given extract out loud. While first attempts were quite "robotic", modern text-to-speech assistive technology can create voices with not only different pitches but also intonations and even accents.
Along with numerous benefits, which we are going to talk about a bit later, this technology also has a couple of drawbacks. For example, TTS may mispronounce obsolete, rarely used, or loan (foreign) words. Also, depending on the software or application you use, the "artificial reader" may have unnatural intonations and make pauses at unexpected points.
Nevertheless, there are numerous ways to avail of this technology.
How to use an AI voice in social media videos
First of all, you can use text to speech according to its main function: for creating voiceovers for videos. Not everybody feels comfortable recording their voices, also, people are prone to making mistakes: bloopers, slipups, etc. Neither everyone has sufficient equipment: external mics, professional audio editing software, and so on.
AI speakers may also act as your "interlocutors" in an interview or any other "fake" interactions. TTS can also reproduce single sounds, such as sighs, moans, etc., so the sky's the limit.
How to use text to speech in music videos
Have you always dreamt of a career in showbiz, but you are not so sure about your singing abilities? No worries, you can combine music with an AI voice and create unique compositions.
How to use text to speech for writing
TTS is a perfect tool for proofreading. While working with a text, you become less perceptive and tend to see what you know should be here instead of what you’ve written. AI instruments never get tired, they don’t have "tunnel vision" and they are perfectly nit-picky.
Also, you can use text-to-speech for reading your text out loud and checking its "sound pattern".
How to use TTS for studying
Students have an overwhelming load of materials to revise and learn. It’s not always comfortable to read, for example, while driving or commuting on public transport. Should this time be lost with no use? Of course, not. That’s where TTS technology comes in handy: you can listen to educational texts while doing something else or on the go.
When it comes to text-to-speech software for students, the market is abundant. You may also avail yourself of online or inbuilt smartphone solutions.
How to use text to speech for fun
Try inserting various collocations of letters into the tool and make the voice read them. Depending on the tool, sometimes you can also choose an intonation or an accent. Just imagine something like "ghlkmnouhhhhhaadrpcxt", being said lively and with a strong German accent!
FAQs
What is text-to-speech assistive technology?
It’s a technology for creating a voiceover without the participation of a real voice actor. Initially, such software was created for people with visual impairments, but nowadays it can be used in assistive (practical) and creative ways.
What are the standard ways of using TTS narration?
Vocalizing the text for those, who can’t read it by themselves due to various obstacles. Also, TTS technology can be used to create a cheap voiceover, add comic effects to your videos, and many other ways.
Where can text-to-speech technologies be found?
This technology is built into some programs (Word) and operating systems. Also, you can find separate TTS online tools, apps, and software.
Final thoughts
TTS is one of the technologies that have come to stay and improve our lives. We've only scratched the surface on how to use it, but there is so much more waiting to be uncovered.
