[DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?

Carlos Fernandez cf530a at gmail.com
Tue Jan 31 19:35:29 EST 2012


This utility might help:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11231100/FileAssociate.exe

Carlos
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dectalk at aol.com 
  To: dectalk at bluegrasspals.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 6:00 PM
  Subject: Re: [DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?


  Alright, let me change the subject and question.

  I'm giving out the 4.40 Speak Window because it's public domain.  I wish I had a batch file that would associate the en files with the speak Window.  Can anyone help me?


  SNOOPI BOTTEN 

  In a message dated 1/31/2012 6:48:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mcmahan.jake at gmail.com writes:
    There is no real way to pass any commands to sapi5 unless it's xml and the program supporting the engine has to be xml.  I've worked with synths for a long time and I can see why this is.


    From: ebruckert Bruckert 
    Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 6:38 PM
    To: DECtalk Discussions 
    Subject: Re: [DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?


             you know this is the type of thing exactly what I was talking about that Dennis would never do, you basically called me a liar. 
    In all honesty there is nobody in the world that knows DECtalk better than I do Kasai was with it before day one. There is no magic code and never has been, with regard to singing, my guess is he doesn't know the sequence required necessarily to do it. And I have no idea what version he licensed from them at this point, but have the engineer call me and will get it singing.
           read the SAPI spec in order to comply and be certified with Microsoft you have to comply. And part of that specification is what commands to the synthesizer can be and which ones have to be, but no other commands are allowed.
            and I have no relationship with enable, other than as a free consult, because I do care I wanted it for myself as well as for others because I need a screen reader. I generate this text with the speech recognition system so there may be some interesting mistakes.
           The only way I know of to be able to send the phonemic commands desired is to release a DLL which has to be talk to was a program that supports the adapting interface, which isn't so awful because there are two programs that are license free and free for anyone to use that can talk to the deputy speak.exe and say.exe {four batch programs).
          if anyone knows how to pass DECtalk specific commands through a SAPI interface I'm all ears.


    On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 5:52 PM, <Dectalk at aol.com> wrote:

      You know, after thinking about it, Ed is wrong, and I want to say why because if I don't, I'm the one that looks like the one who's wrong.

      Lets talk about Dectalk Reader 1 and how people should know by the name that it can't sing.  I'm gonna bring up Ancilla, which was a voice mail program that ran in Windows 3.1.  And if you think that's too old for anyone to remember, un, I'm writing about it, so I remember.  It came with a speech engine and it happened to be Dectalk.  And the surprise feature was, it could sing.

      Does any Dectalk product mention singing?  Not that I know of, not until you install it.  So why on God's green Earth should anyone know by the name alone that Dectalk Reader 1 won't sing?  As long as it's Dectalk, I think anyone would rightfully assume that it will sing.  So I think the name misleads people.

      Now, why are you blaming Microsoft when I know for a fact that they are not to blame for why it won't sing.  And how do I know this?  There is a device company called Talking Box and they use Dectalk.  Their Dectalk won't sing and I had to know why just because I wanted to know.  I got to talk to an engineer at Talking Box and was totally fascinated with what he told me.  There is a command that they can encode that restricts the singing.  And being that I know this, I know that Talking Box could either tell you the code, or tell you who to contact to get the code.  I would help track it but um, I was fired for speaking the truth.

      And shall we bring up Stacy, the only person that you know that has the codes that you need.  The one person that had the brains enough to walk away because all you guys do is make up stories.  Actually I have no idea why she walked away, but from everything I know, I don't blame her and she actually has my respect.

      So cut the crap.  If I had the go ahead I could track down the needed codes because I know where to start looking.  And actually I think you do to but you're to worried about your pension from Fonix.  I know about the contract, I know about a lot of stuff, a lot of red tape that keeps this SAPI from being what it could be.  That's why it's garbage, because Corine Bickley signed an insane contract with Fonix and never did get what she paid for.  So you are all stuck with what you have to work with because no one has any guts.

      And no, I never met Dennis Klatt, I never said I did.  But I know him through his work which was a head of it's time.  I'm not the only one that sings with Dectalk.  If you search on youtube, you will find a number of people who sang the National Anthem among other things.,  Dennis Klatt made that happen.  Dennis had the desire to give the possibility of singing never knowing how far it could go.  Still, he put out that possibility.  And yeah, I'm the most known synthetic singer, but I'm not the only synthetic singer.  And it shouldn't have to end over a source code.  Dennis wanted to give everyone the option to sing, so he made it part of Dectalk. 

      So by releasing a version that can't sing, you are giving up on every person that wants to sing.  Is that really what Dennis Klatt would do?  A guy that made his own Daughter smile by having Dectalk sing to her on her birthday?  You can actually live with not having this sing?

      That's why I say and repeat, Dennis would roll over in his grave.  This is not what Dennis would do.  His work speaks for him.


      SNOOPI BOTTEN 

      In a message dated 1/30/2012 1:53:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, beroberts at hughes.net writes:
        I agree that the product is releaseable and a dictionary should be included. The samples definitely sound better now. I can understand 85-90 percent of the words.
        Blake



------------------------------------------------------------------------
        From: dectalk-bounces at bluegrasspals.com [mailto:dectalk-bounces at bluegrasspals.com] On Behalf Of Dectalk at aol.com
        Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 1:39 PM
        To: dectalk at bluegrasspals.com
        Subject: Re: [DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?


        Still, there should be a dictionary included to change how words are pronounced.


        SNOOPI BOTTEN 

        In a message dated 1/30/2012 1:31:24 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, bmisch2002 at gmail.com writes:
          i heard these samples on klango a month ago and they sounded better than that DECtalk sample that was out early last year.  


          On Jan 30, 2012, at 12:28 PM, Dectalk at aol.com wrote:


            After posting the link I tried it myself.  I think these files were updated because I'm now understanding them at 100 percent.  However, "New" still sounds like "Moo", but this is releasable.  I actually like it now.  Wow!  I never thought you guys would pull it off!  I hope you fix "New", and the "H" in "Hurricane" is too long, but this is damn good now.


            SNOOPI BOTTEN 

            In a message dated 1/30/2012 12:15:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Dectalk at aol.com writes:
              Let me share the link to the unreleased demos that I'm talking about.  And actually the word "New" sounds like "Moo".

              To hear samples of all the voices, just change the name at the end of the link.
              http://davesvideoservicesco.startlogic.com/dennis/



              SNOOPI BOTTEN 

              In a message dated 1/30/2012 11:49:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, bmisch2002 at gmail.com writes:
                that ductal demo sounds like 4.61 or something close to it.  


                On Jan 30, 2012, at 11:08 AM, Dectalk at aol.com wrote:


                  Fine, release it, whatever.  The latest MP3 recordings of Dectalk Reader 1 have pops in most of the voices, and the weather report in the demo is only like 80 percent understandable.   So fine, I'll say it's the best thing I ever heard in my life if that's what you want.  It's a lie, but gm starting to feel like the truth doesn't exist any more.

                  "Four score and 7 years ago our Father's brought forth a new nation", or whatever that line is.  The word "New" is annoyingly pronounced.  I have no clue what is wrong with it, it sounds like [nuwuwuw], rather than [nuw].  I'm not sure, it's just annoying.  My point is, if you are not offering an online demo, or anything that people can't try, and if those two demos are the only thing that people hear, and if it won't even have a dictionary that people can edit how it says words, then, then, then.   Oh good grief. 


                  SNOOPI BOTTEN 

                  In a message dated 1/30/2012 10:31:01 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, edbruckert at gmail.com writes:
                              additional information, I forgot to mention that sometime in the late 80s when Dennis added a female data set to DECtalk the sex option change from a scaling function to simply selecting a male or female phonetic base, but in no way can I remember when that occurred. 
                            As a general comment I alone did the four point X versions of DECtalk as Dennis was born at that point, so I know them intimately, but even years ago people would prefer different versions and trying to make one sound exactly like the other was exceedingly difficult and a lot of it occurred because of changes in the overall coding that were done not because we wanted to but because we had to meet evolving programming standards to keep it running on various tools because if we didn't sell DECtalk we simply went home and unfortunately economics force the focus away from the screen reader environment.  I did not like this change but DECtalk more than once was in survival mode, I am using the latest version and to say it's on understandable is an exaggeration,
                    preferring a different version is very understandable. I have no problems with people saying what I want but understand this is anything but easy with limited funds, I donate my time but other people cannot and the fact that I'm going blind and I am not a Windows or SAPI programmer there are limits to what can be done. But I think junk is an unfair exaggeration.


                    On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 9:14 PM, Jake McMahan <mcmahan.jake at gmail.com> wrote:

                           I have to say, I love the sound of dectalk reader one.  I really want this version badly.  I don't care if it will sing, and I don't care about anything else.  I love it the way it is.  To me, it's not garbage, it's a version of dectalk that I personally like.  I want this version, again.


                      From: Dectalk at aol.com 
                      Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 9:09 PM
                      To: dectalk at bluegrasspals.com 
                      Subject: Re: [DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?


                      Um, Ed, excuse me but Blake and I both heard the latest MP3 samples of Dectalk Reader 1.  The speech is not understandable.


                      SNOOPI BOTTEN 

                      In a message dated 1/29/2012 8:59:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, musicalman1 at comcast.net writes:
                        Well, I've stated this opinion time and time again, and every time I do, people seem to think I'm nuts or that I'm too conservative.
                        First off, people are nnot stupid. If they call it Dectalk Reader, then who in their right mind will think snoopi's instructions on making it sing, will work with a reader of all things?
                        And, the Dectalk that Enable has, isn't unusable. there are some on this list that like it for what it is. I myself do not, but that's my opinion. One man's garbage is another man's treasure...
                        This isn't the first time someone released a Dectalk that wasn't a thing like what we all know. Force did it, Fonix did it. But everyone still stuckw ith Dectalk 4.3 and 4.4. So I don't see why Enable is going to just ruin everything. If people don't like it, they will simply not use it just like they did with everything else. I do not agree with Enable's motives, but I will never tell them their product is garbage. Let's say I tell someone on this list their production is garbage. they worked for hours on it. They will most likely be glad to have received the high complement? Even if it's the worst piece of garbage you ever heard. It's simply not anything close to constructive to say it that way. So now Enable just releases what they have because some people use it and they've fired those who told them off. It's sad but true. They have their faults, we have ours. If we don't like them, that's how it is. But I was seriously hoping the Enable business was over with. They'd either fix it or they wouldn't. *sigh*
                        I continue to hope that Dennis will like what eventually becomes of Dectalk. Maybe enable will do something for the better, or someone else will. But we have no hopeful dectalk future, which is sad. I believe all of us, that being Enable and those of us who were very harsh on them, had a part in that. I am so fed up with this argument between us and Enable! Let's just not post anything else degrading about them. Please? we've done that enough!

                        ----- Original Message ----- 
                          From: ebruckert Bruckert 
                          To: DECtalk Discussions 
                          Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 9:30 AM
                          Subject: Re: [DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?


                                I want to clarify some things and some things that make me quite upset. Making statements like Dennis would roll over in his grave when you never even knew Dennis I find disrespectful. Dennis was a person I always looked up to and tried to emulate in my life. And he would never denigrate people the way you seem inclined to do, especially when in plain English you don't know what the hell you're talking about!! the issue of singing in the SAPI version has nothing to do with DECtalk if you want to get mad at somebody get mad at Microsoft for creating a specification that doesn't allow for commands to be passed to a synthesizer. The DECtalk created could sing if you get get the damn commands to it.  In plain English I'm thoroughly disgusted with your rants. 
                              The sex command was created for the original DECtalk because we only had one acoustic database so Dennis did the best he could trying to develop an algorithm to scale performance between a male and a female which works to some extent but can't be perfect due to the complexities involved in that it's not linear.
                               





                          On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 8:45 AM, <Dectalk at aol.com> wrote:

                            Thank you!  I knew it was possible but I never totally knew how.  I am trying to jump start my business called "THE FLAME OF HOPE".  As most of you know I have over 1200 songs, and right now I'm trying to put as many of them as I can to music.  Some I flat out can't because when I first started I made really bad errors such as not doing the entire song.  Part of it was I started with easy sheet music which often only has one verse.  But I'm doing new songs as well.

                            The reason is, people now have avatars and easy to use animation software.  So I'm marketing the free 4.40 Speak Window which is free for the asking, then I'm selling my instructions on how to create voices and make them sing.  

                            I bring this up because I have a question for all of you.  Enable Rehab is getting ready to release "DECTALK READER 1", and there might be an Earthquake on that day because Dennis Klatt might roll over in his grave.  This thing as far as I know won't sing.  The voices from the latest I have heard are still bad quality because the voices pop in the MP3 recordings that I have heart.  I don't think it will come with a dictionary so people can edit how words are said.  And in my opinion, this thing is still garbage!  I got fired for saying that but big deal, I'm only saying the truth!

                            Anyway, Enable Rehab won't take "Dectalk" out of the name because they feel the name is a marketing tool.  I personally think it's fraud because it will be so different from the Dectalk that we all know and love that it really isn't Dectalk.  They're calling it "Reader 1" so people will know by the title that it will only read.  (Sick)

                            Anyway, I'm upset because thanks to both E voice and now the internet, I think I'm as associated with Dectalk as much as Dennis Klatt.  This upcoming release is making me sick because I'm afraid people might buy this Dectalk SAPI garbage and think my instructions will work with it.  So I'm very upset that they are calling it Dectalk anything.  They really need to remove "Dectalk" from the title because I view it as a deception of the worse kind!

                            Here is my question.  I think a petition should be started because this is just wrong!  BUT, I don't know if the petition should be to just drop "Dectalk" from the name, OR, to just scrap this garbage.  And, I don't want to be the one to start the petition because I don't know how.  But if a petition does get started, it needs to go all over the internet and get back to Enable Rehab.

                            I just feel that by marking this garbage under "Dectalk", they are taking advantage of both the blind and the disabled communities because they know "Dectalk" will bring in sales just because of the name.  And because my name is known with Dectalk, I feel this soon to be released garbage will effect my image and my business.


                            SNOOPI BOTTEN 

                            In a message dated 1/28/2012 9:49:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, beroberts at hughes.net writes:
                              Thanks Alex. That syntax works in both DT 4.4 and 4.3. I did a quick test
                              with both versions.  Note to Snoopi: the female versions of Frank and Dennis
                              sound odd. I think breathiness will need to be changed with the br command
                              for best results.
                              Blake

                              -----Original Message-----
                              From: dectalk-bounces at bluegrasspals.com
                              [mailto:dectalk-bounces at bluegrasspals.com] On Behalf Of Alex H.
                              Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 9:06 PM
                              To: DECtalk Discussions
                              Subject: Re: [DECtalk] how to do gender change in Dectalk?

                              sorry, [:nf][:dv sx 0] should do it.

                              On 1/28/12, Alex H. <linuxx64.bashsh at gmail.com> wrote:
                              > [:sx 0]
                              >
                              > On 1/28/12, Blake Roberts <beroberts at hughes.net> wrote:
                              >> Hi all,
                              >> Snoopi asked me to pose a question to the listserv. He knows about 
                              >> the gender change command, sx. Does it work in DT 4.4? If so, what is 
                              >> the correct syntax?
                              >> Snoopi wants to program the song Emotion by The Bee Gees using a 
                              >> breathy female Frank or Dennis. I know that may sound funny, but it 
                              >> is a serious thing. If anyone knows how to change Frank or Dennis to 
                              >> female, please share. I figure someone on here probably does. 
                              >> Alternatively, if anyone else wants to program a female Frank or 
                              >> Dennis version of the song, Snoopi is willing to do the mixing with 
                              >> music after fixing any phoneems that may be incorrect. He is waiting 
                              >> for his communication device to be repaired, so Snoopi will not be 
                              >> able to program the song for about a month.
                              >> Blake
                              >> Blake
                              >>
                              >
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