💬 Text to Speech Converter - FREE & No Limits

Kevin Stratvert
9 Jun 202112:16

TLDRIn this video, Kevin demonstrates how to convert text to speech using various tools and applications. He starts with OneNote for Windows 10, showcasing its text-to-speech capabilities and voice customization options. Then, he uses the Voice Recorder app to capture system audio, and Audacity for more advanced recording and exporting options. Lastly, he introduces Balabolka, a freeware that allows exporting text-to-speech as audio files with access to numerous online TTS services and voices. Kevin invites viewers to share their thoughts on which voice sounds more robotic.

Takeaways

  • 💬 Text-to-speech (TTS) technology can be used for various purposes, such as having a computer read a bedtime story or adding voiceovers to videos.
  • 🎤 Kevin, the speaker, explores whether a computer-generated voice might sound better than his own in a video context.
  • 📝 To use TTS without additional software, Windows 10's built-in OneNote app can read text aloud using the Immersive Reader feature.
  • 🔊 The Voice Settings in OneNote allow users to adjust voice speed and choose between male or female computer voices.
  • 🎚️ To record computer-generated speech, Windows 10's Sound Settings can be adjusted to enable 'Stereo Mix' for system audio recording.
  • 🎵 The Voice Recorder app on Windows 10 can be used to capture and save system audio as an m4a file.
  • ✂️ Audacity is a free, cross-platform audio recording and editing software that can capture system sound and export it in various formats like MP3 and WAV.
  • 🗣️ Balabolka is a freeware TTS app that can convert text to speech and export the audio directly in formats such as WAV or MP3.
  • 🌐 Balabolka offers integration with online TTS services, providing access to a wide range of voices and languages, including UK and US English accents.
  • 🔧 The script provides a comprehensive guide on how to use different tools for text-to-speech conversion and recording on Windows 10.

Q & A

  • What is TTS and what does it stand for?

    -TTS stands for Text-to-Speech, which is a technology that converts written text into audible speech.

  • Why might someone want to use text-to-speech technology?

    -People might use text-to-speech for various reasons such as having a computer read a bedtime story, adding voiceovers to videos, or for accessibility purposes.

  • What is the Kevin Cookie Company mentioned in the script?

    -The Kevin Cookie Company is an example used in the script to demonstrate how text-to-speech technology can be used to read a commercial script.

  • How can one use the text-to-speech feature in OneNote for Windows 10?

    -In OneNote for Windows 10, you can use the Immersive Reader feature by clicking on the 'View' tab and then selecting 'Immersive Reader'. From there, you can click the play icon to have the text read aloud.

  • What is the process to record computer-generated speech using the Voice Recorder app in Windows 10?

    -To record computer-generated speech, you need to enable 'Stereo Mix' in Sound Settings as an input device, then use the Voice Recorder app to capture the system sound playing in OneNote.

  • How can you adjust the voice settings in OneNote's Immersive Reader?

    -In the Immersive Reader, you can adjust voice settings such as voice speed and choose between a male or female voice by clicking on the 'Voice Settings' next to the play icon.

  • What is the role of Audacity in the text-to-speech process as described in the script?

    -Audacity is an audio recording and editing software that can be used to record system sound, allowing users to capture the computer-generated speech and save it in various formats like MP3 or WAV.

  • How does Balabolka differ from the other text-to-speech methods mentioned in the script?

    -Balabolka is a standalone application that allows users to upload text and convert it directly into speech, then export it as an audio file without the need to record the speech playback.

  • What additional feature does Balabolka offer that the built-in Windows 10 text-to-speech does not?

    -Balabolka offers the ability to access and use a variety of online text-to-speech services and voices, providing more options for different accents and languages.

  • How can you get more control over the text-to-speech process beyond the basic Windows 10 tools?

    -For more control, you can use third-party applications like Audacity or Balabolka, which provide advanced features such as editing capabilities and access to a wider range of voices and languages.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Text-to-Speech Introduction

Kevin introduces the concept of text-to-speech (TTS) and explores various reasons one might want to use this technology, such as having a computer read a bedtime story or adding a voiceover to a video. He addresses feedback about his robotic voice and sets out to test if computer-generated speech can sound more natural. He then presents a sample text from a fictional 'Kevin Cookie Company' commercial and asks viewers to compare the naturalness of his voice versus the computer's TTS.

05:04

💻 Using Windows 10 for TTS

Kevin demonstrates how to use the OneNote app, which comes pre-installed with Windows 10, to convert text into speech. He guides viewers through accessing the Immersive Reader feature in OneNote, adjusting text preferences, and using the play icon to have the computer read the text aloud. He also shows how to change voice settings, including speed and gender. To record the computer's speech, Kevin uses the Voice Recorder app and guides viewers on how to enable 'Stereo Mix' in Sound Settings to record system audio. He then records the OneNote reading, trims the recording, and saves the audio file, which can be used in video editing or for listening purposes.

10:10

🎙️ Advanced TTS with Audacity and Balabolka

Kevin introduces Audacity, a free audio recording and editing software, and shows how to record system sound using it. He details the process of selecting the appropriate microphone and recording settings to capture the OneNote TTS. After recording, he demonstrates how to export the audio in various formats. Lastly, he presents Balabolka, a freeware app that allows users to upload text and convert it directly into speech, which can be downloaded in different formats without the need for recording. He also highlights Balabolka's ability to access online TTS services for a wider range of voices and languages, showcasing the use of IBM Watson for a UK-accented voiceover.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Text to Speech (TTS)

Text to Speech, or TTS, is a technology that converts written text into audible speech. In the video, TTS is the central theme, as the host, Kevin, explores various methods to implement this technology. He demonstrates how to use TTS for different purposes, such as having a computer read a bedtime story or adding a voiceover to a video. The script mentions TTS as a way to potentially improve the voice quality in videos, suggesting that sometimes a computer-generated voice might sound better than a human one.

💡OneNote

OneNote is a digital note-taking app developed by Microsoft. In the context of the video, Kevin uses OneNote for Windows 10 to demonstrate how to convert text into speech. He utilizes the 'Immersive Reader' feature within OneNote, which not only reads the text aloud but also allows users to adjust voice settings such as speed and voice type. This example shows OneNote's capabilities beyond note-taking, highlighting its text-to-speech functionality.

💡Immersive Reader

The Immersive Reader is a feature within OneNote that helps users focus on the text by providing options to adjust spacing, background themes, and reading preferences. As explained in the video, it also includes a text-to-speech function. Kevin uses this feature to have the computer read a script from the Kevin Cookie Company, showcasing how Immersive Reader can be used for accessibility purposes or simply for convenience.

💡Voice Settings

Voice Settings refer to the options available for customizing the speech output in text-to-speech applications. In the video, Kevin accesses the voice settings within OneNote's Immersive Reader to adjust the speed of the speech and select between a male or female voice. This demonstrates how users can tailor the text-to-speech experience to their preferences, which can be particularly useful for accessibility or for creating content with a specific voice style.

💡Voice Recorder

The Voice Recorder is an app that comes pre-installed with Windows 10, used for recording audio. In the video, Kevin guides viewers on how to use Voice Recorder to capture the computer's speech output from OneNote. This is a practical step for those who want to save the computer-generated speech for later use, such as adding it to a video project or listening to it without the need for an internet connection.

💡Stereo Mix

Stereo Mix is a feature within Windows' sound settings that allows users to record system sounds. In the script, Kevin explains how to enable Stereo Mix to record the computer's speech from OneNote using the Voice Recorder app. This is a crucial step for capturing the text-to-speech output, as standard microphone inputs would only record external sounds and not the system audio.

💡Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording and editing software. In the video, Kevin introduces Audacity as an alternative to the Voice Recorder app, providing more control and flexibility. He demonstrates how to use Audacity to record system sound, which can be useful for high-quality audio projects where more advanced editing features are needed.

💡Balabolka

Balabolka is a freeware text-to-speech application that can convert text into speech and save it as an audio file. Unlike the methods demonstrated using OneNote and Audacity, which require recording the computer's speech, Balabolka allows direct export of the speech as a file. In the video, Kevin shows how to use Balabolka with its built-in voices and also how to access additional online TTS services for a wider range of voice options.

💡Online TTS Services

Online TTS Services refer to web-based platforms that convert text into speech. In the video, Kevin uses Balabolka to access various online TTS services like Google, Baidu, and IBM Watson. These services offer a multitude of voices and languages, providing users with extensive options for customizing the speech output. This feature is highlighted as a way to add diverse accents and languages to the text-to-speech output.

💡WAV

WAV, short for Waveform Audio File Format, is an audio file format commonly used for storing an audio bitstream on PCs. In the video, Kevin mentions WAV as one of the file formats that can be exported using Audacity and Balabolka. WAV files are preferred for their uncompressed audio quality, making them suitable for professional audio work and applications where high fidelity is required.

Highlights

Introduction to Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology

Potential uses of TTS: reading bedtime stories or adding voiceovers to videos

Feedback on the presenter's robotic voice and the quest for improvement

Kevin Cookie Company's delicious cookies introduction

Comparison of the presenter's voice to computer-generated speech

Using OneNote for Windows 10 for text-to-speech without additional software

Accessing and utilizing the Immersive Reader feature in OneNote

Adjusting text preferences and reading options in Immersive Reader

Recording system sound using the Voice Recorder app in Windows 10

Enabling Stereo Mix to capture system audio for recording

Editing and saving recordings with the Voice Recorder

Using Audacity for advanced audio recording and editing

Recording system sound with Audacity and exporting to different formats

Introducing Balabolka, a freeware app for text-to-speech conversion

Customizing voice attributes like rate, pitch, and volume in Balabolka

Accessing online TTS services within Balabolka for diverse voice options

Downloading and using various voices from services like IBM Watson

Directly exporting audio files from Balabolka without recording

Invitation for feedback on the presenter's vs. computer's voice