Program to Customize TTS Voices

Thanks for all your hard work creating this program. I used it to increase the voice volume, and also bumped-up Jill's voice rate a little bit so she doesn't sound like she is on cough medicine.

Thanks again!

You can change any phrase or word to whatever, you want. I recommend that you include commas or periods, just as you normally would. It makes the phrase more normal, since subtle pauses will be included into the phrase..

I also strongly recommend that you make a copy of the original voice file, just in case you totally mess it up.

Don't make the phrase overly long. ten or fifteen words is sufficient.

If you change the file on your pc and then download a modified file, it "MUST" have the same file name as it originally had.

Have fun.

www.nsaspook.com/web.wmv

I use: OK, your way.

Fred

Latest update includes support for newer voices Jack&Jill for the Nuvi 265/255 gps.

Wow, this is a long thread. Does anyone know if this app will work with a Garmin Nuvi 780?

Short answer - YES

Long answer - It will work as long as you modify only TTS (Text to speech) voice files on your compatible Garmin unit. Failure to perform the needed steps to preserve your input file integrity is the sole response of the user as the software provider makes no warranty as to the effectiveness or use of the program.

Thanks turboccc.Made changes to Samantha and Jack with no problems.Back in business now after the Garmin voice update.

The 265 and 255 have the other speech engine. It is treated differently than other Nuvi voice. The change I made for this voice type should make Jack&Samantha work forever and all other English voices for these GPS models as well.

Thanks again.Had bad thought that Garmin fixed it so we would have to live with the standard voice instructions.Once you get use to your program allowing us to customize the instructions it is hard to go back.

great program...thanks!

Say what figures did you use for voice rate and volume changes???

works good I wen do mine in Hawaiian Pidgin. words such as pau and da kine ono.

Anyone else have any suggestions on rate changes???

I've used a rate value of 50 (default is 45) because of the original stuttering issue on the 7x0 series. I seldom got the stuttering but tweaked the rate up by 5 anyways since this seemed to totally clear it up with others that had more frequent stuttering. The slight rate increase also allows the command to finish a bit quicker and sounds perfectly fine to me.

Used TTSVE V2.75 (thanks for ALL the work Turbo!) to presumably modify several words/phrases in British Daniel's latest voice file. I wanted him to say 'ramp' instead of the new 'slip road', so I changed all slip roads to ramp and wrote over the original vpm file (same exact name as original, with correct extension). Made several other changes to phrases. During use, he still says "slip road" even though a re-look at the vpm file shows 'ramp' in the text (no slip roads to be found). Interestingly, Daniel correctly uses several of the other changes that I made, but not the slip road --> ramp change. Any thoughts? I'll retry on my end to eliminate user error....thanks!

HI schmidwr,

I ran into this problem with someone else. It seems Garmin added code to replace any "ramp" into slip road. This is done after the phrase you changed. This is why what you do has not effect.

We did 1 or 2 things to correct the problem. Here's the first thing you should try because it is the simplest.

Go back in TTSVoiceEditor and change the word "ramp" to "rampp". By modifying slightly the word "ramp" it should prevent its replacement to "slip road".

If this does not work, I'll give you another option.

Turbo

I used TurboCCC to turn up Jill's volume to 95 and that completely solved my low volume issue.

The I added "please" in front of the "turn right" and "turn left" phrases. So now Jill sounds very sweet and polite while giving directions. But you had better not miss your turn because she gets quite perturbed with you. You see, I changed "recalculating" to "You missed the damn turn, pay closer attention next time".

It's hysterical to watch friends in the car to marvel at how polite she is, and then when I miss a turn to hear turn snake on me! They say, "did she just say what I think she said!?!" I say "yes, you don't want to tick her off. She has a real mean streak to her."

I miss turns on purpose just to see their reaction.

I downloaded the program quite some time ago, but haven't yet tried it. I have seen a lot of good feedback here about it. Have to make some time to do it, I think it could be both usefull and fun.

Definitely give it a try. It's a real hoot! This has changed our GPS to so much more than just a tool. Jill is now a member of the family. I am always thinking of new things she could say. And you can change them any time you want, which almost makes her "alive".

Appreciate the quick response. I'll try 'rampp' and see if I can find any to test out...will report back.

Thanks!

Program works perfectly and is simple to use

Turbo,

He probably did it but for future reference you might mention that there are four places in the file that has slip and all of them have to be changed to rampp. If you just change the first one it won't work. That was someones problem on your wiki space that I helped.

Take care,
Frank

Hi Frank,

Yes, I know. The first 2 instances are words associations which change ramp to slip road. The last 2 instances are the ones that can be modified by TTSVoiceEditor.

I still think that changing ramp to rampp should work using TTSVoiceEditor. No way rampp should trig an association if the words are not matching, but Garmin may simply ignore the phrases and call directly the "slip road" associations.

If this first step does not work, I will have to make an update to TTS_Speech_Doctor to change the first 2 instances. Not everybody can use an Hex editor. It is nothing really to do for me, but I will wait for his feedback before moving forward.

Turbo

Will try this on 265WT.

Changed all 4 instances of 'slip road' to 'rampp' and went out to test it...

This time Daniel says "ramp" stutters a bit then follows with "slip road" - so he's saying both.

Can you explain what's happening here? Thanks!

You got me, that one I've never heard of. Hopefully Turbo has a answer for it.

That's right, School, let 'em have it...lol. I'm with you, sweetcheeks. How dare they?

Hi schmidwr,

BTW, no reason to "get out". You can just put your GPS in simulation mode and do this from the comfort of your home.

Daniel says both? That is just weird. I have no explanation for this. I do not understand Garmin anymore.

You should try to replace "ramp" by something slightly (or clearly) different. I know it may not sound the same, but why not try:

"rammp"
"remp"

? Just make sure you do not have "r-a-m-p" in that order.

If you still hear both or "slip road", we'll go to the next level by removing all the "slip road" in the VPM.

I should also ask you these questions:

1- GPS model?
2- GPS software version?
3- Daniel's version?

Regards,

Turbo

I was running errands this morning, so it was an excuse to get out! Unfortunately, I didn't have a particular (known) slip road/ramp that I'd be near - often it's just a 'turn right...', so I was just trying my luck locally and happened to find one.

I will try 'rammp' and report back - but didn't I remove all 'slip road' in the vpm by replacing the 4 instances?

GPS is a nuvi 360 with SW version 5.00. I'm not sure which Daniel version I have but very recently updated it - so it should be a later version (is there a quick way to check?)

thanks for the interest and help!
schmidwr

TTSVoiceEditor will display the version of the voice. Just load the VPM.

Sorry! My mistake. TTSVoiceEditor gives you access to 4 instances (not 2). There are another 2 instances elsewhere in the file. This should be a job for TTS_Speech_Doctor. If "rammp", does not sound good, I'll make a patch.

We'll see tomorrow.

Turbo

Thanks! I'll give that a try along with the volume figure someone else posted too.

Daniel's version is 1.60 (didn't ever notice that feature in TTS-Editor). I changed all 4 lines containing 'slip road' to 'rammp' and ran a simulated drive. Daniel said "ramp" with no conflicts - although the simulated drive contains only one instance of a ramp. I'll keep 'exploring' and report back.

Can you expand a bit on why 'r-a-m-p' sets off the slip road conflict?

thanks again, and again and again....

schmidwr

When does yours say "Ready to Navigate". My 885T shows it on the top banner but never says it. Do I need to adjust something? Mine never, verbally says 'ready to navigate'.

Mine never says it either including lots of other prompts. I guess there should be a table somewhere to enable/disable each prompts.

Interesting. I should have a look at this...

Gave it a few days testing and seems that all systems are go for changing 'slip road' to 'ram-m-p'

just an update!

Hi schmidwr,

Thanks for the update. How does "rammp" sounds? Nearly like "ramp" or the double 'm' makes it sound weird?

Sweet! Gunna give this a go!

What are the instruction on changing the voice pharse.. I know the voice files are in my GPS. But what do you do to change the Phrase that is being use. Where do you go.

Hi rthibodaux,

Read this:

http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/TTSVoiceEditor#toc4

There is also a guide here on POI-Factory, but I not not remember where it is. Make a search for TTSVoiceEditor.

I saw the Garmin Garage and the voices. How about vehicles with matching voices? Santa Claus? Politicians? Musicians? How about different Rock Bands? More ideas?

Really clever themes could sell well. It would make the GPS more fun too. Garmin, go for it!

Thanks for the post. What a great way to customize the Nuvi even more....

I just released an update for TTS VE. Nothing new, really except an uplifting on the esthetic side. Let me know how you like it (or not).

Thanks!

I had read the various post about it, but never tried it out. My B-in-law has complained that the volume was not loud enough in his Corvette (1992 model - lots of road noise).

I went in and changed his Karen volume to the max and he is thrilled.

Now that I've broken the ice, I'll likely make some changes to my voice files. Many great suggestions in the thread.

Lot's if THANKS to turbocc for his great work.

Based on reports from other users I tried something with the voices on my 885. I slowed them down just slightly and they are much more easily understood. So besides increasing volume, trying bumping the speed down a point or two - you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

I am glad you are using the program to increase the volume on your gps, but do not be shy about changing the voice prompts. It has no other side effects (compared to changing the volume) other than making the people around you stunted. You'll have fun just by looking at their face when they hear the gps talking to them or saying odd things. It's a blast.

Turbo

I'll give that a try too. What numbers are you using?

Yea, me too!

I'm somewhat confused between the README that comes with the download versus some things you say on your discussion group versus what really happened when I used TTSVoice Editor.

I copy/renamed a voice file on the Garmin itself to backup the file. I changed the filename slightly, not the extension (i.e. left as vpm). Then I directly edited the orig. file on the Garmin, changing the screen name, the speed, and a few words, and saved the file back as the original name.

When I disconnected the GPS from the computer and tried a few things (so far just simulating driving in the house), I hear the speed-up but don't see the changed words such as from "Acquiring Satellites" to "Satellites, are you up there".

I went back into TTSVoiceEditor and changed screen name again but it didn't change anything that I can see. I haven't powered off GPS with all of this.

Bernie