💬 Text to Speech Converter - FREE & No Limits

Kevin Stratvert
9 Jun 202112:16

TLDRThis video, presented by Kevin, demonstrates how to convert text into speech using various tools on Windows 10. He starts with OneNote's Immersive Reader feature and moves on to recording audio using the Voice Recorder app. Kevin also explores Audacity for more control over recordings and Balabolka for exporting audio directly from text in various formats. The video aims to help viewers find easy, effective ways to generate and record text-to-speech, including methods that require no additional software installation.

Takeaways

  • 💬 TTS (Text to Speech) allows you to convert text into speech, and it can be done using free tools.
  • 😀 Windows 10 comes with built-in apps like OneNote and Voice Recorder that help you perform TTS without additional installations.
  • 🔧 OneNote has an Immersive Reader feature that helps convert text into speech, with options for voice speed and gender.
  • 🎧 You can adjust settings like text spacing, background theme, grammar preferences, and reading preferences in Immersive Reader.
  • 🎙️ Voice Recorder in Windows 10 can record system sounds, including text read by OneNote, but first you must enable 'Stereo Mix' under Sound Settings.
  • 🎶 Audacity is a free and versatile audio tool that allows you to record system sounds and export them in various formats like MP3 and WAV.
  • 📥 Audacity works well for recording any audio source on your system and offers more control over file formats than the built-in apps.
  • 🛠️ Balabolka is a freeware app that allows you to convert text into speech and export it directly as WAV or MP3, without manual recording.
  • 🌍 Balabolka also supports various online TTS services, including IBM Watson and Google, offering many different voices and languages.
  • 🗣️ You can experiment with different voices, accents, and languages using Balabolka for a more personalized TTS experience.

Q & A

  • What is TTS and why would someone want to use it?

    -TTS stands for Text-to-Speech, a feature that converts written text into spoken words. People might use it to have their computer read text aloud, such as a bedtime story, or to include audio in a video.

  • What is the first app shown for converting text to speech on Windows 10?

    -The first app shown is OneNote for Windows 10, which has an Immersive Reader feature that reads text aloud.

  • How can you install OneNote for Windows 10 if it is not already on your computer?

    -You can download OneNote for Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store by searching for it and clicking on the download button.

  • What is the purpose of the Immersive Reader in OneNote?

    -The Immersive Reader makes it easier to focus on text by adjusting formatting options like spacing, background themes, grammar options, and reading preferences. It also reads text aloud.

  • How can you adjust the voice settings in OneNote's Immersive Reader?

    -You can adjust the voice speed and choose between two voice options (male or female) in the Voice Settings menu next to the play icon in Immersive Reader.

  • What is the second tool introduced for recording text-to-speech audio in Windows 10?

    -The second tool is the Voice Recorder app, which allows you to record audio, including the system sound, after enabling the 'Stereo Mix' option in the Sound Settings.

  • What should you do if 'Stereo Mix' is not available in the Sound Settings?

    -If 'Stereo Mix' is not available, you can install third-party software like Audacity, which offers more control over audio recording.

  • What is Audacity, and how can it be used for TTS?

    -Audacity is a free audio recording and editing app that works on all platforms. It allows you to record system sound, such as TTS from OneNote, and export the audio in various formats like MP3 and WAV.

  • What is Balabolka, and how does it differ from the other tools mentioned?

    -Balabolka is a freeware app that converts text to speech and allows users to export the audio in formats like WAV or MP3. Unlike OneNote and Voice Recorder, Balabolka provides more voices and options without needing to record the playback.

  • How can you access additional voices using Balabolka?

    -You can access additional voices in Balabolka by using online TTS services like IBM Watson, Google, or Baidu, which offer a variety of accents and languages.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introduction to Text-to-Speech (TTS)

Kevin introduces the concept of converting text into speech, commonly known as TTS. He humorously explores reasons why someone might want to use TTS, such as having a computer read a bedtime story or adding a voice to a video. Kevin also mentions that viewers have commented on his voice sounding robotic, leading him to explore whether a computer can do a better job. He demonstrates this by using a fictional advertisement for 'The Kevin Cookie Company.' The goal is to compare his voice with the computer-generated voice.

05:04

📚 Using OneNote for TTS on Windows 10

Kevin shows how to use OneNote for Windows 10 to convert text into speech using the Immersive Reader feature. He explains how to access OneNote, what to do if it's not installed, and how to navigate within the app to make the computer read text aloud. He highlights the ability to adjust voice settings, such as speed and gender, but notes that the options are limited. This method is useful for listening to text, but Kevin also discusses how to record this speech using the Voice Recorder app.

10:10

🎙️ Recording TTS with Windows Voice Recorder

Kevin walks through the steps to record the system sound in Windows using the Voice Recorder app. He explains how to enable the 'Stereo Mix' option, which allows the recording of system audio. Once enabled, users can record the TTS output from OneNote. He also demonstrates basic editing features within the Voice Recorder, such as trimming the recording. However, he notes that the recording is saved in M4A format, which may not be ideal for all uses. Kevin suggests using another app for more flexibility in file formats.

🎧 Advanced Audio Recording with Audacity

Kevin introduces Audacity, a free and versatile audio recording and editing app. He shows how to use Audacity to record system sound, such as the TTS output from OneNote, by selecting the appropriate settings. Audacity allows users to export recordings in various formats like MP3 or WAV, providing more control than the default Windows tools. Kevin briefly mentions that Audacity can be used for more than just recording TTS, making it a powerful tool for any audio-related tasks.

💻 Exporting TTS with Balabolka

Kevin introduces Balabolka, a freeware TTS application that allows users to convert text into speech and export the audio directly as a WAV or MP3 file without needing to record it in real-time. He explains the basic interface, how to adjust voice settings like speed and pitch, and how to choose between different voices. Balabolka also offers the option to use online TTS services, such as IBM Watson, for even more voice choices. Kevin demonstrates exporting a TTS audio file and highlights Balabolka as a convenient option for those looking for a dedicated TTS tool.

🤖 Comparing Human and Computer Voices

Kevin wraps up the video by asking viewers to compare the human voice with the computer-generated voice in the TTS examples provided throughout the video. He encourages feedback on which voice sounded more robotic, humorously stating that viewers' opinions won't hurt his feelings. Kevin also invites viewers to subscribe for more content and ends the video on a light note.

Mindmap

Keywords

Text to Speech (TTS)

Text to Speech (TTS) refers to the technology that converts written text into spoken words. In the video, the presenter explains how this process works using tools that come pre-installed on Windows 10, such as OneNote's Immersive Reader. The concept is central to the video's theme, which is about transforming text into audio for various purposes.

Windows 10

Windows 10 is the operating system that the presenter uses throughout the tutorial. It is the platform on which tools like OneNote and Voice Recorder are demonstrated to convert text into speech. The presenter highlights the built-in functionalities of Windows 10 to show that no additional software is needed for basic TTS tasks.

OneNote

OneNote is a note-taking application within Windows 10 that the presenter uses to demonstrate how to convert text into speech. The tool’s 'Immersive Reader' feature is specifically showcased as a way to have the computer read text aloud. OneNote plays a key role in the video as a simple, built-in solution for TTS.

Immersive Reader

The Immersive Reader is a feature in OneNote that enhances the readability of text and converts it into speech. It allows users to customize text appearance and even adjust voice settings, such as speed and gender. In the video, the Immersive Reader is used to demonstrate how to listen to text, making it an important tool for the TTS process.

Voice Recorder

Voice Recorder is an application that comes with Windows 10 and is used to record audio. The presenter uses it to record the system sound produced by OneNote reading text aloud. This allows users to save the TTS output for later use, such as overlaying on videos.

Stereo Mix

Stereo Mix is a setting in the Windows 10 sound options that allows users to record system sound rather than just microphone input. The presenter enables this feature to capture audio from OneNote when recording with Voice Recorder. It is a crucial setting for users who want to record TTS output.

Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording and editing software that the presenter introduces as an alternative to Windows Voice Recorder. Audacity provides more flexibility, allowing users to export audio in different formats such as MP3 and WAV. In the video, Audacity is recommended for users who need more control over their recordings.

Balabolka

Balabolka is another freeware TTS application that the presenter mentions. Unlike the other tools, Balabolka allows users to directly export the generated speech as an audio file, without the need for recording. The presenter highlights it as a more advanced TTS solution that supports various online TTS services.

IBM Watson

IBM Watson is an example of an online TTS service that the presenter demonstrates within the Balabolka application. It offers multiple voice options, including different accents and languages, to generate more natural-sounding speech. The presenter uses Watson to show how users can access higher-quality voices for TTS.

Kevin Cookie Company

The Kevin Cookie Company is a fictional brand that the presenter uses as an example in the video. It serves as the content for the text being converted into speech. By referencing this company, the presenter adds a fun, relatable element to the tutorial, demonstrating how TTS can be applied to various contexts, like creating ads or announcements.

Highlights

Introduction to text-to-speech (TTS) or text to speech and why it might be useful.

Showing how to convert text into speech using Windows 10 built-in apps.

Accessing OneNote for Windows 10 to turn text into speech.

Using the Immersive Reader feature in OneNote to focus on reading and convert text to speech.

Adjusting text preferences, grammar options, and reading preferences in OneNote.

Demonstrating how to adjust voice speed and gender in OneNote's text-to-speech settings.

Explaining how to record text-to-speech using the Windows Voice Recorder app.

Making necessary system sound settings adjustments for recording.

Discussing the limitations of OneNote's recording options and introducing Audacity.

Recording system sound using Audacity, a free audio recording and editing tool.

Exporting audio in various formats like MP3 and WAV using Audacity.

Introducing Balabolka as a text-to-speech tool that can export directly as WAV or MP3.

Using online TTS services like Google, Baidu, and IBM Watson with Balabolka.

Demonstrating how to select different voices, including accents, using IBM Watson.

Final summary comparing the methods and tools for text-to-speech conversion.