Text to speech (TTS) is a technology that converts written text into spoken words. TTS has been around for several decades and has evolved significantly over the years, with recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) leading to substantial improvements in the accuracy and naturalness of synthesized speech.
The basic concept of TTS involves taking written text and using a computer program to analyze and generate speech based on the text's linguistic structure. Traditional TTS systems used a rule-based approach, where human programmers would create a set of rules that govern how the text is translated into speech. This method worked reasonably well for simple sentences and phrases, but it struggled with more complex sentences or idiomatic expressions.
More recent advancements in TTS have relied on deep learning techniques, which use artificial neural networks to analyze and synthesize speech. These systems are often based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) or Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) that have been trained on large datasets of human speech to learn the patterns and nuances of natural speech.
One significant advancement in TTS is the ability to create realistic-sounding voices that are almost indistinguishable from human speech. These systems rely on deep learning models that are trained to learn the characteristics of specific speakers' voices, such as tone, intonation, and pacing. These models can then be used to synthesize speech that sounds like the original speaker, creating a more personalized and natural experience for users.
Another recent development in TTS is the ability to customize the synthesized speech to match the context and tone of the written text. For example, a TTS system can adjust the pacing and intonation of the speech to convey emotions such as sarcasm or excitement, making the speech sound more expressive and engaging.
TTS is now more widely available than ever before, thanks to cloud-based APIs and software development kits (SDKs) that enable developers to integrate TTS into their applications with ease. As a result, TTS is increasingly being used in a wide range of applications, including assistive technologies for people with disabilities, virtual assistants, e-learning platforms, and even in-car navigation systems.
TTS has come a long way in recent years, with significant advancements in deep learning and natural language processing leading to more realistic and personalized synthesized speech. With the continued development of AI and ML, it's likely that TTS will continue to evolve and become even more advanced in the future.
Here are some free TTS software and websites.
- Balabolka A free TTS program for Windows that can convert text files to speech.
- Natural Reader A free TTS software that offers a variety of voices and languages, available for Windows, Mac, and web.
- Google Text-to-Speech A free TTS service that is integrated into Android devices and offers multiple languages and voices.
- Amazon Polly A cloud-based TTS service that offers a free tier for up to 5 million characters per month, with multiple languages and voices available.
- From Text To Speech A free online TTS tool that can convert text to speech in multiple languages and voices.
- Text to Speech Robot A free online TTS tool that can convert text to speech in multiple languages and voices, with adjustable speech rate and pitch.
- ReadSpeaker A free online TTS tool that can convert text to speech in multiple languages and voices, with an option to download the speech as an audio file.
- Oddcast Text to Speech A free online TTS tool that can convert text to speech in multiple languages and voices, with customizable pronunciation and intonation.