How to use SSML to generate
great voice clips
It doesn't matter if you are developing a voice chatbot or if you are using a cool text-to-speech app like Speak.ai. It's crucial that the final result does not sound like just words thrown together. Voice and tone are more important than words. Or, to put it this way, the tone, pauses, and speech tempo will help your words make an impact.
HI, you've reached (name). I'm so sorry I can't pick up the call right now because I am standing right behind you.GOTCHA. My ass and I are out for a walk. So as soon as I can get my ass back in the house, I'll give you a call. Realistic voice generator Generate realistic male and female voices on the fly. Commercial purposes Notevibes allows you to redistribute the generated audio files. Advanced editor Customize your speech with pitch and voice speed controls. Make your speech faster or slower, take control of voice volume. The voice is generated using a JavaScript port of eSpeak, a speech synthesiser library that was developed in 1995. The port was done by @kripken. So thanks to him, we are able to generate a voice file online, in your browser! ESpeak uses a method known as 'formant synthesis' to generate the sounds. You could use this website as a free voice over generator for narrating your videos in cases where don't want to use your real voice. You can also adjust the pitch of the voice to make it sound younger/older, and you can even adjust the rate/speed of the generated speech, so you can create a fast-talking high-pitched chipmunk voice if you want to.
And if we agree that not just what you say matters, but also how you say it, it's obvious why SSML has become a thing. Here's a list of 4 Markups that will help you give a human touch to your computer-generated voice. To help you better connect to the client, friend, partner, or web surfer that interacts with your work.
The power of a simple pause
We all know a great story-teller. A person that has the power to use words that simply lift us from the chair and put us into the middle of the action. A person that right before the peak of the story makes a pause that makes want to shout 'and then what happened?' Because you know that something important is about to happen.
Yes, used right, speech pauses have the power of letting you know that something important is about to be mentioned. Is very common for great public speakers and one of the most efficient ways of communicating the importance of what is going to be said next.
SSML allows us to use this technique in the computer-generated speech by using the element, that has time and strength attributes.
Here's an example:
Your browser does not support the audio element.
See more: https://www.w3.org/TR/speech-synthesis/#S3.2.3Make it tuneful
We can use technology to generate the voice, but the last thing we want is to have an impersonal result. A monotone voice will make audiences lose interest (or fall asleep) and will make no impact whatsoever. This is why we as humans, use tone, pitch, and speed to add more meaning to our words.
Ex: have you noticed how we use our voice to add questions mark? We raise the pitch toward the end of the sentence.
SSML has the element, that allows you to change the pitch, rate, and volume of the speech. Use the attributes and change the speed of speech, the importance of critical words and the tone of the voice. It adds emphasis.
Here's an example:
Cool Voice Generator App
<speak><prosody rate='slow' pitch='-2st'> Surely there never was a fight better worth making than the one in which we are in. </prosody><prosody rate='fast' pitch='high'>It little matters what befalls any one of us who for the time being stands in the forefront of the battle. </prosody><prosody rate='x-fast' pitch='x-low'> I hope we shall win, and I believe that if we can wake the people to what the fight really means we shall win. But, win or lose, we shall not falter. Whatever fate may at the moment overtake any of us, the movement itself will not stop. </prosody></speak>Your browser does not support the audio element.
See more: https://www.w3.org/TR/speech-synthesis11/#S3.2.4
P.S.: A simpler way is to use the attribute, with its 4 levels:
- none
- reduced
- moderate
- strong
See more: https://www.w3.org/TR/speech-synthesis/#S3.2.2
Say it as it sounds
If I would have to choose one SSML element to take on a remote island that would surely be . Why? Because it has the interpret-as attribute (no, that's not cheating, the attribute is part of the element) that tell the voice generator how to interpret your input. So you can enter a number and tell the generator if you want to be spoken as cardinal, ordinal or even as a telephone number. It works for date and time as well. Even for fractions. I tell you, you will love the element. And it's not difficult at all to use it.
See more: https://www.w3.org/TR/speech-synthesis/#S3.1.9
Hope this helps you recognize the power of SSML. We live in a world where machines are able to engage and talk to humans, but also in a world that has not yet lost its feelings. Using the above examples you can use a text-to-speech app or develop a chatbot and still keep the passion alive. Because in the end, this is what keeps us going.
Copy. Paste. Listen. There is no faster way to test a voice over text for timing and impact. Download the audio and use it in your video, dummy project or storyboard. Test it now. It's free.
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