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Topic 45        Mon Sep 29, 1986
TAU                          (Forwarded) 
Sub: Voice Synthesizers                     

Info about Voice Synthesizers
6 message(s) total
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Category 11,  Topic 45
Message 1         Mon Sep 29, 1986
TAU                          (Forwarded) 

Our family just adopted a 4 1/2 year old Korean boy. I am 
interested in purchasing a voice synthesizer for the
C-64. I need to get as much info from all of you that have
some experience with voice synthesizers. Which one can I coun
on to work, be easy to use, have good software support
info to convert other programs to work with it.
Need info about programs for it that teach English speech, math and
anything for pre-schoolers that's available. Which voice system would
you recommend I purchase.
Thanks,  Tim

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Category 11,  Topic 45
Message 3         Mon Sep 29, 1986
DEBS-GUEST [MIKEM]           (Forwarded) 

Tim - 
  Personally, I am only familiar with one voice 'synthesizer' type
program for the C-64.  The program is called S.A.M. (Software
Automatic Mouth), and I do believe that the company that made it
is no longer in business.  I still see it in stores though, and
it is relatively inexpensive.  More about S.A.M. in a minute....

  I'm not totally sure of what type of synthesizer you are looking
for, but the following might help:

VOTRAX Speech System (by VOTRAX) - includes over 250 programmable
frequencies for sound effects; simultaneous speech and either music
or sound effects; 16 amplitudes; 8 octave - 3 voice music;
both the serial and parallel interfaces are included; has a built-in
clock, programmable rate and inflection, large character buffer,
exceptions tables, etc.  It can be used with any computer system
and retails for about $350.

JE-520 Speech Synthesizer (by Jameco Electronics) - This one
plugs into the user port and has an over 250 word vocabulary
using National Digitalker IC chip.  Around $90

HearSay 1000 (by HearSay) - This is a voice input and output
device that is compatible with many programs for the C-64.
I guess it is similar to S.A.M., but in hardaware form.
The company also sells three special games that 'talk' for $40
each, and a terminal program that allows two-way communications
via voice *alone*  (great for the handicapped!).  Retails for
about $80.

ProVoice (Genesis Computers) - This one contains ROM based
text-to-speech conversion, additional BASIC commands, etc.
There is a screen echo-mode which will allow BASIC programs
to talk without any modification.  This unit plugs into the
expansion port, so you can also use this with a modem for
talking terminals.  Around $100.

Votalker (by Voltrax) - Another plug-in speech synthesizer
with unlimited vocabulary, text-to-speech translation, multiple
controls for pitch-speed-etc, 3 speaking modes, and includes a
trivia game for about $100.

VoiceMaster (by Covox) - This seems like an interesting one.
It digitizes your speech for later playback under your computers
control, and recognizes your spoken words as commands.  Both of the
above can be combined into one BASIC or ML program.  This thing
can even measure the fundamental speech pitch and produce music
which is locked to the singers voice.  You can store the song
after editing, and even print it out like a musical score.
Retail $89.95  ** Covox also sells a Master Demo Disk for $5 which
introduces you to speech synthesis and includes talking calculators,
keyboard programs, and a file of digitized words that you can
use in your own programs. **

Speak Again (by Sound Professionals) - This is a program aimed at
providing the handicapped with the ability to create and use a 
database of up to 700 sentences that can be spoken by a C64/synth
setup, using joystick control.  Around $50.

S.A.M. (by Tronix) - Comes with text-to-speech software, a program
to allow you to enter strings of phonetic or
English text and hear them spoken immediately, and a talking game.
Allows easy control of speed, pitch and other things like
inflections.  Many programs available in the Public Domain that
are used with S.A.M., like a poker game, a solitaire game, a
talking terminal program, etc, etc.  Around $35

Here is a list of addresses for the companies stated above:
Dont Ask Computer Software, Inc.
C/O TRONIX Publishing Inc.
8295 S. La Cienaga BLVD
Inglewood, CA 90301  (Might be out of business)

Sound Professionals
1016 Camino La Costa  Suite 905
Austin, TX  78752
512-452-5249
(Speak Again)

VOTRAX
1394 Rankin
Troy, MI  48083
(313)588-2050
(VOTRAX Speech System)

HearSay
1825 74th St.
Brooklyn, NY  11204
(716) 232-7266
(HearSay 1000)

Genesis Software
1147 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA  91205
(818) 507-0221
(ProVoice)

Jameco Electronics
1355 Shoreway Rd.
Belmont, CA  94002
(415) 592-8097
(JE-520 Speech Synthesizer)

COVOX
675 D Conger St.
Eugene, OR  97402
(503) 342-1271
(VoiceMaster)

I hope this helps enough so that you may acquire more information.
Maybe another FlagShip member has had some experience with one
or more of these, and can share some experiences.

-Mike
 *MLK*
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Category 11,  Topic 45
Message 4         Wed Oct 01, 1986
TAU                          (Forwarded) 

Thanks for the info. The problem I have seen with a lot of voice 
synthesizers is that they do infact sound like a computer. No there is no
intention of having our boy sound like a compute. We are looking for 
a system that sounds almost realistic for a fair price and also is 
supported by software put out by Commodore and other 3rd party vendors.
Thanks Mike for your help. Your information looks very good and we will
check these sources out.
Tim
/ex
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Category 11,  Topic 45
Message 5         Thu Jan 08, 1987
S.LEWIS                      at 03:06 MST

The only synthesizer that didn't sound like a computer was the one put out
by Commodore itself... but it had a *very* limited vocabulary and, as with
most of Commodore's products, was never supported by *either* Commodore
or 3rd parties...
 
I bought one and sold it a short time later.
 
Steve