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My voice vs a Computer voice for my audiobook

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:24 am
by 12padams
I am somewhat a little slow recording an audiobook version of my ebook. I have as a placeholder (Yet it will always have it available to download) added a computer voice which is automatically generated by highlighting the text I wish for it to read. It can read 1 hours worth in 1 minute so its pretty easy to make. I somewhat feel however that some people may actually prefer this American adult voice (chosen by BK) rather than my Australian 17 year old voice.

None of us are perfect and we both have our own errors (I can't say "TH" [as in thought] and "S"). But I want to see what you guys prefer... Below I have included a 1 minute sample of the same section in both my voice and the computer voice. listen to each one and honestly tell me which you prefer: (click the small triangular play button after clicking the link)

Computer voice: http://kiwi6.com/file/r9b62txp4d
My Voice (Human): http://kiwi6.com/file/1j89g41o8r

I will make record my own voice regardless since by reading the book I can correct its errors... Just interested to see if people would actually prefer the computers voice rather than my own. Comment below on your favorite.

Re: My voice vs a Computer voice for my audiobook

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:49 am
by masterg174
I like your voice better personally,
The computer voice is hard to understand at points, and can be a little boring. Your voice is much better because its easy to understand, isn't prone to simple computer errors, has difference in pitch and dynamics (As a normal voice would), articulates wording better, and pauses at the end of sentences.

I would find your voice much easier to listen to as it requires less focus.
Regardless the computer voice is good for what it is. Much better than MS Sam or whatever:P
But I still like yours better because its much clearer and more concise.

Just my opinion anyway.

Re: My voice vs a Computer voice for my audiobook

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:29 pm
by robvann
I listen to a lot of audio books. 
The narrators voice makes a BIG difference to the enjoyment and ability to comprehend the content.
One book started with the authors voice the switced to a series of computer voices for the last 1/3.
I got through it,  but definately prefer human.
I also use text to voice readers for some web site reading, and have found a few reasonably good voices lately. That technology is getting better