Voice speaking software???

Hi guys.

I'm creating an online learning package and would like to record my voice to run through the tutorials. The trouble is, I don't get very good sound quality.

A friend told me that there is software out there which allows you to type in the words, and a 'computerized' (but human-sounding) voice will speak it out.

Does anything like this exist???

Thanks.

If you have windows xp then you allready have the software

If you mean 'Microsoft Sam' he does sound very much like a computer - not human like at-all.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've dicovered a few options on downloads.com - but nothing comes close to being good enough to represent a human voice. You're right about 'Microsoft Sam' - it's really bad.

I think my best option is to try and find a good way of recording my own voice - withouth spending £200 on a new sound card!!

I appreciate your comments.

You can get great audio quality but you'll pay for it in file size. The way I'd go about it is:

- record all the voice audio

- change it to 22050 Khz, 16 bit, mono.

- convert it to mp3.

- load it on the web page with flash.

What seems to be the problem with the sound quality that you are recording at the moment? And what kind of microphone are you using - that could be cheaper solution than a new sound card.

Used correctly a generic sound card and a $5 mic will give reasonable results. Describing the exact problem you're having may lead to a solution. You could have your recording level to high (causing distortion) or too low (causing unwanted noise). There could be other problems too.

Thanks for your reply. I take on board the comment about the mic. I think I may need a new one.

...my voice sounds reasonable but the background isn't completley silent-there's a slight hazy interference. I'm using a program called GoldWave which has too many settings on it which I don't understand.

I guess I'll have to play about with it.

Thanks guys.

Maybe just put a bit of sponge over the mike to cut down background noise?

You could also try upping the recording level and/or using the noise gate feature in GoldWave. A quiet room helps too.

That sounds like a nifty trick. Thinking of that, I seem to recall someone on a website saying to cover the mic with a pair of tights.

I'll try both.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks wdn. I'll try that too.

Hehe - hope it works