Text to Speech (TTS)
Text to Speech Technology with Compass Languages
Text-to-Speech, as a technology, is quickly evolving. The gold standard of voice actors recording scripts in professional studios is being challenged by synthetic voices utilizing software and incorporating sophisticated natural language improvements. The traditional studio-recorded voice-over artist still provides the most robust voice option, but TTS platforms are generating better and better voice content with a growing line of options per language. Compass Languages has vast experience in both voice options, but our engineering process for enhancing TTS output is second to none.
As a matter of fact, our Chief Technology Officer has led many global conversations on this important topic and the dynamics to consider.
A Growing Demand for Text-to-Speech (TTS) Technology Applications
Impressive improvements have been made in the last 12-18 months with Amazon Polly, Microsoft Azure, and Google GCP for generating natural-sounding computer-generated voices. There are several advantages to using these software systems that make them competitive for several forms of content, even when the human voice sounds more robust and energetic. Contact Compass Languages for a thorough explanation of the advantages/disadvantages of Text to Speech (TTS) versus human voice actor recordings.
If you are considering TTS, we suggest starting with a few simple questions:
- Will all computer voices sound like Siri or Alexa?
- Will I have a single voice choice in each language, or are there multiple voice options?
- Why is there a significant long-term cost-benefit for TTS recordings in my presentation?
- How does Compass Languages correct the annunciation errors from software voices?
- Is there a cost and schedule benefit to TTS?
Voice Artists
Most of our voice projects involve the localization of audio/video/animation into another language. Since our highest objective is to make our client’s experience hassle-free, we normally perform all the tasks leading up to the voice recording as well: transcribe the audio component in the source language, perform a detailed time-stamp of the transcript, translate the script into the new language, and then plan the new recording files for efficient integration into the authoring tool or video format.
Our signature service is a studio-recorded human voice. These recordings are from professional voice talents, recorded in appropriate studios, distortion-free, and with very high standards of voice clarity.
