Voice banking

[Guest]

I used Model Talker to bank my voice last November. You need a head microphone , internet connection and a decent computer. Model talker is American and it didn't always like my accent! It uses 1600 sentences and phonemes to record your voice. It is not perfect but I am so glad I did it when I was able as my voice is getting weaker now.....

[Terry]

Hi Rose;

I'm please to hear it has worked for you as well as others, what device and application are you using with it and what are your thoughts?

Did your hip repair OK?

Love Terry

[JAY TEE]

Hello Rose I never got round to storing my voice. I have downloaded verbally.com and Speak It of the Internet. I find Speak it quiet handy and have it on my iPhone which I find handy. I stored a number of regular things likely to be needed when out and about especially a ��Please. My carer struggling to understand me but my grandkids don't have problem.��

[FlyingSoupDragon]

Voices - Multi platform for computers + Android tablet and phone, not iPad.

Alternative, high quality voices.

https://www.cereproc.com/en/android_tts_voices

It's a personal choice, I get the impression that most want their own voice reflected through their devices. I lost mine, I grunt and push out short responses but communication needs a device and an app.. I use the built-in voice - voice banking is a fag that needs hours to set up. In addition to that I don't think it matters what you sound like beyond being gender correct. What's needed by your listener beyond all else is information - your thoughts, fears and needs. In some ways sounding like Steven Hawking is cool, almost a badge of honour that your loved ones understand.

Just a a personal view of course.

[Barry52]

Hi Norman,

I agree that recording ones voice is a chore but if health professionals highlight speech as a probable issue at the time of diagnosis then patients can make a choice. Our voice is part of our personality and I don't believe Stephen Hawking is typical example of MND, albeit he has a high profile.

Thank you for highlighting the alternative voices for the various devices.

I'm pleased I recorded my voice and it is understandable. I Just want to balance the debate for our readers.

Barry

[Terry]

Like Norman, I use a generated voice and find it OK and funny at times with the different accents and ways it says things.

Having a likeness to old voice must be nice and I would suggest that if people have the time and energy to do it they do. It's probably more suitable for those with PLS or a slower form of Mnd but you never know how long your live for with any of the types.

I can't remember what I spoke like now.

Love Terry

PS:- A Yorkshire voice is never understandable Barry

[Dvd]

Thanks for sharing the info FlyingSoupDragon ... Norman
My friend uses the built in male UK voice Oliver by Svox as his speech was gone before he could bank it, but he probably would not have had the patience to do it anyway and is happy with the voice he uses. As he says it's being understood that is more important to him regardless of who the voice is . Again it's a personal preference to bank or not.
Have screen shot a section from www.cereproc.com that some people might be interested in.
IMG_20160705_110747.jpg
Dvd

[john]

Terry,
Nowt wrong with Yorkshire!
Presumably you sounded like one of the Wurzels with lots of oh ah, oh ahs in your conversations.
Quite often children sound like parents so maybe recording their voices would give a similar likeness to the lost voice. Kids might be glad of the chance to contribute.

John

[Barry52]

Like Norman, I use a generated voice and find it OK and funny at times with the different accents and ways it says things.

Having a likeness to old voice must be nice and I would suggest that if people have the time and energy to do it they do. It's probably more suitable for those with PLS or a slower form of Mnd but you never know how long your live for with any of the types.

I can't remember what I spoke like now.

Love Terry

PS:- A Yorkshire voice is never understandable Barry

Hey Terry. Where did Yorkshire accent spring from. I'm a Geordie lad.

[FlyingSoupDragon]

Hi Norman,

.... patients can make a choice. .....I don't believe Stephen Hawking is typical example of

Barry

Hi Barry,

i did did say these things are personal: what matters to one doesn't to another.
Steven H has MND/ALS but I didn't say he was typical, just a cool dude.

[JRCat]

We are now using Rose's voice as she can no longer talk. So worthwhile that we did a video for other people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-P6qGIeedE

[Terry]

Hello JRCat from TCat;

Great video, well done.

Love Terry

[Onein300]

I wrote an idiots guide to using modeltalker. If interested it's on my blog here as part of a blog post

https://onein400.com/2015/10/02/even-if-you-dont-have-a-voice-like-the-great-richard-burton-voice-bank-it-asap/

Or go directly to the guide without my weekly story telling.

https://onein400.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/voicebankingmarch2015-a4-v11.pdf

Lee

[Terry]

Thanks Lee;

Idiots guides are what most of us need. It is so hard writing instructions for things.

Love Terry

[njm]

Lee:
thank you for this excellent guide. I too have banked Modeltalker. I too encourage anyone who can talk to get onto it asap. You guide is a superb tool.

charles