Message banking solutions

[santimo]

Hi, I'm in the process of banking my voice, and had some step backs in the process in part due to not that many accessible options in my region and language. As progression seems fast I want to also do some message banking.

Is there any software that would allow me to easily record and name around 200 phrases? Ideally I can load up in advance the phrases text and the software will then name the file or the software is able to do a speech to text and automatically name the files.
If I record those phrases in my own will I be able to easily have those messages available from an app that provides an interface and some organization?

Any other tips? What are you using to bank messages outside of integrated voice.message services like Acapella

 

[Nikki J]

Have you talked to eleven labs? I don’t know if they can clone other languages than English. You don’t have to read any specific phrases. They need at least 30 minutes of recorded speech. I know someone who was able to use something recorded prediagnosis even

 

[santimo]

Hi, yes, I got a subscription from eleven labs. Its one of the things I have pending to do. The only issue is that it does not produce a voice file that I can use in any operative system or text to speach app. It can only be used in their own app or web page. My options for voice banking now are:
- aholab aholab › -> I already recorded the required sentences once and there was an error. Got to do it again but the process of si slow and I didn't receive any feedback on what went wrong.
- Eleven labs -> Still haven't tried but it had the issues mentioned above
- apple my personal voice -> just recoeded the sentences today in English, waiting for the results, not sure if the English voice profile can be used in Spanish but at least it was quite quick to do. Also my pronunciation of not very good any that might interfere with the processing.


This post was more about message banking, still trying to figure out a pipeline that will work, I would hate to record everything and later find out that it could be fine differently, either easier or more useful for certain applications.

 

[lgelb]

As you've noted, none of the voice banking solutions works with all TTS apps.

One way to look at it is to look at the app store of the device/platform you want to use, trial some of the apps, and then look at which voice options are usable.

Did you look at Proloquo?

 

[santimo]

Thank you.
I'm looking at proloquo now. It's very expensive!
Regarding voice banking In basically trying to cover myself by doing it on all the free platforms, if it doesn't work I might need to use one of the paid services.
Regarding message banking, what is the usual pipeline, do people record messages and then when the time to use it comes they load the messaged to one of the aac apps they choose?
I think I might start recording the messages now and figure out the rest later?

 

[EllieR00]

Have you tried Tobii Dynavox? They’ve got a lot of options. We were able to get funding through the Gleason foundation. Haven’t actually set it up yet (my PALS is reluctant and we’re honoring that), but have heard great things and they do both voice and message banking.

 

[santimo]

Hi, tobi dynavox is super expensive, Im looking into cheap or free options at the moment. Thanks. I'm not from the USA, so my options are much more limited in terms of foundations covered services.

 

[Nikki J]

I haven’t done it yet but bridging voice says they will help you integrate your voice into your device. Have you asked them for help? I know their free program was US only ( though non US can apply through Scott Morgan did you do that?). Is it because you have to be connected to wifi to use?

 

[santimo]

Hi nikki, yes bridging voice hooked me up with the eleven labs account through the Scott Morgan. It has the issue that the voice can only be used through their app, it can not be integrated to other apps. My plan is to still generate the voice but as it can be done using any recording, I have been postponing doing so while trying the other options that need me recording in a specific session, hope this makes sense.

My other issue is regarding message banking, I wonder how other people have done it. My plan right now is to record the sentences I would like and have them stored for when I eventually decide for any aac app that allows using my own recordings.

Sorry if it comes as that Im negated to all solutions proposed here, Ive just been researching this on my own for a lot of time and find myself kind of lost in the process.

 

[Nikki J]

I wonder if it might be worth emailing a communication clinic and asking advice? I don’t know if they would/ could help but it never hurts to ask. If you google Jay Fishman clinic childrens that should bring you to the clinic mgh uses and there is an email link you could use. I know it seems odd that the clinic is at Childrens hospital but it is dedicated to ALS

 

[lgelb]

You might also want to look at this page, though Windows has progressed since it was last revised.

You might also take a look at the Smartbox site -- they list a number of countries where they are available, with contact info, and might have other referrals within your country.

 

[santimo]

Hi, someone at the ALS subreddit suggested myMessageBanking and it seems to be exactly what I was looking for. Free, helps to organize the phrases and automatically names them. Will update later.

 

[lgelb]

Not exactly the same thing, but for those losing speech and using Android, you might check out Project Relate.