3

As I said in my previous question, I want to use an excerpt of a text-to-speech voice in a song. Where can I find a free or cheap service that'll let me do this without breaking their terms of use?

3
  • The Mac speech voices have already been ruled out.
    – Tuesday
    Mar 11, 2012 at 18:15
  • Googling "text to speech conversion online" gives a lot of interesting links, did you try that already?
    – nohillside
    Mar 11, 2012 at 19:00
  • 1
    Yes. The only one I've found that doesn't say it's for non-commercial use is festvox.org/voicedemos.html but it also doesn't say that it is.
    – Tuesday
    Mar 11, 2012 at 19:17

2 Answers 2

3

eSpeak is a brilliant opensource text to speech project. It's the default TTS software on many Linux distributations, but there's a Mac version available and it works great. There is also a project based on eSpeak called Mbrola which adds "singing" functionality.

Fwiw, I really don't see Apple suing you if you use the built-in TTS they provide.

2

Dunno if this is exactly what you want, but GarageBand has options for vocal tracks (Mouse Voice, Deeper Voice, Helium Breath, etc.) so you could speak the text yourself and then alter it. It is then usable commercially, as the GarageBand software license agreement says:

GarageBand Software. You may use the Apple and third party audio loop content (Audio Content), contained in or otherwise included with the Apple Software, on a royalty-free basis, to create your own original music compositions or audio projects. You may broadcast and/or distribute your own music compositions or audio projects that were created using the Audio Content, however, individual audio loops may not be commercially or otherwise distributed on a standalone basis, nor may they be repackaged in whole or in part as audio samples, sound effects or music beds.

1
  • I want something that sounds like it is TTS, i.e. somewhat computer-y. I could try to do it with my voice, but it wouldn't be as authentic.
    – Tuesday
    May 22, 2012 at 19:21

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .