Description
eSpeak is a powerful and compact open source software speech synthesizer that is designed to help users listen to long text articles with ease. This productivity software is suitable for English and other languages, thanks to its clear articulation and good intonation. With eSpeak, you can easily convert text files into speech, making it an ideal tool for people who prefer listening over reading.
One of the key features of eSpeak is its ability to operate as a "talker" within the KDE TTS system and with a Gnome Speech driver. This makes it an excellent alternative to Festival or other similar programs that are commonly used for speech synthesis. Whether you're using Linux or Windows, eSpeak can be easily integrated into your existing workflow.
The software's user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone to use, regardless of their technical expertise. You can simply type in the text you want to convert into speech or load a file from your computer. Once you've done this, eSpeak will automatically generate high-quality audio output that sounds natural and easy on the ears.
Another great feature of eSpeak is its support for multiple languages. In addition to English, this software also supports several other languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian and many more. This means that users from different parts of the world can benefit from this powerful tool without any language barriers.
eSpeak also offers several customization options that allow users to fine-tune their audio output according to their preferences. For instance, you can adjust the speed at which the text is read out loud or change the pitch of the voice if needed.
Overall, eSpeak is an excellent productivity software that offers a wide range of features designed specifically for people who prefer listening over reading long articles or documents. Its compact size and open-source nature make it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a reliable speech synthesizer without breaking their budget.
If you're looking for a powerful yet easy-to-use speech synthesizer that supports multiple languages and comes with plenty of customization options then look no further than eSpeak!
Review
eSpeak is a nifty speech-to-text program that will perfectly enunciate anything you type. It rarely trips over any words -- even incredibly complicated ones -- and recognizes punctuation and advanced sentence structures. Though it could use some improvements, in terms of speakers, it leaves Microsoft's built-in speech-to-text options in the dust.
By default, eSpeak supports only four different language styles and allows you to alter their pace, timing, and volume. However, most of the default speakers sound very close to each other and there aren't many accents -- just an American and British English speaker. However, the speakers are able to pronounce plenty of different languages. If you go through the Readme file that comes with this app, you'll find codes for additional voice variants, effects, and different synthesizer methods. If you've already installed the program with its default settings, you will need to run the installer all over again and specify the additional voice variants, which you want to use. The application sports an XP-era layout, but that makes it very light on your processor, especially if you have an older computer. We were able to copy/paste any amount of text and the app turned it into speech with just the click of a button. We tested the app for a couple of different languages, as well, and the app did not fail to deliver. The only downside to eSpeak are its highly-computerized speakers, which, after some time, might give you a headache.
Overall, eSpeak is a useful tool for those who need it and a fun toy to play with for those who don't. It's miles ahead of Microsoft's built-in accessibility options and most third-party downloads, as well.
Full spec
| Publisher | Free Software Foundation |
| Publisher site | http://www.fsf.org/ |
| Release date | 2013-05-10 |
| Date added | 2013-05-10 |
| Category | Productivity Software |
| Sub category | Text-to-Speech Software |
| Version | 1.47.11 |
| Os requirements | Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Windows, Windows 7, Windows XP |
| Requirements | None |
| Price | Free |
| Downloads per week | 24 |
| Total downloads | 106946 |
Comments:
I've been using eSpeak for a while now, and I must say it's a fantastic text-to-speech software. It's been really helpful for me in increasing my productivity.
I completely agree, David! eSpeak has been a game-changer for me as well. The clarity and accuracy of the speech output are impressive.
I tried eSpeak recently, and although it does the job, I found the user interface to be a bit outdated. It would be great to see some improvements in that aspect.
Valid point, Michael. User interface updates can greatly enhance the overall user experience and attract more users.
I appreciate the simplicity of eSpeak. It doesn't overwhelm me with unnecessary features and gets the job done efficiently.
Agreed, Sarah. Sometimes simplicity is key, especially when it comes to productivity software.
I've been trying out eSpeak, and the quality of the voices available is quite impressive. It's great to have different options to suit personal preferences.
Absolutely, Jennifer. The ability to choose from multiple voices is a feature that sets eSpeak apart from other text-to-speech software.
Does anyone know if eSpeak supports multiple languages? I need a text-to-speech software that can handle different languages.
Yes, Michael. eSpeak supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and many more. It's quite versatile.
That's great to hear, Emily! I work with clients from various countries, so having multilingual support is essential for me.
eSpeak has improved my reading comprehension significantly. Being able to listen to texts while following along has been a game-changer for me.
I can relate, Sarah. eSpeak has helped me absorb information faster and more effectively.
One suggestion I have for eSpeak is to include a hotkey feature for quick access. It would be convenient for frequent users.
I agree, David. Assigning hotkeys to commonly used functions would be a time-saving addition.
I haven't had any issues with eSpeak so far, but I would love to see more customization options in the future updates. It's always nice to have control over the output.
Absolutely, Emily. Customization features can greatly enhance the user experience and make eSpeak more appealing to a wider audience.
Has anyone encountered any compatibility issues with specific applications while using eSpeak? I'm curious to know if it works seamlessly across different software.
I've been using eSpeak with various software applications, and it has worked flawlessly for me. No compatibility issues so far.
Same here, David. eSpeak has integrated smoothly with all the applications I use on a daily basis.
I appreciate the regular updates provided by the eSpeak development team. It shows their commitment to improving the software and addressing user feedback.
Indeed, Michael. It's reassuring to see a software that's actively maintained and updated.
eSpeak has become an essential tool for me. The ability to convert text to speech with ease has made my work much more efficient.
I can relate, John. eSpeak has significantly improved my productivity and made tasks like proofreading and content creation much easier.
For those who prefer command-line tools, eSpeak offers a command-line interface as well. It's great for automation and advanced usage.
That's good to know, David. Having a command-line interface adds flexibility to the software and extends its usability.
I have had some minor issues with eSpeak crashing on my system. Are there any troubleshooting steps or known fixes for such occurrences?
Michael, make sure you have the latest version installed. Also, check if any conflicting software or drivers might be causing the crashes. Updating them might resolve the issue.
In case you still experience crashes, Michael, you can reach out to the eSpeak support team. They should be able to assist you further.
I wasn't aware of eSpeak until I read about it here. I'm glad I came across this software. It seems like a valuable addition to my productivity toolbox.
Welcome to the eSpeak community, Sarah! I'm sure you'll find it as useful as we do.
The open-source nature of eSpeak is a big plus for me. It allows for transparency and community contribution, resulting in a more refined software.
Absolutely, Jennifer. The contributions from the community enhance the quality of eSpeak and make it better with each iteration.
I appreciate the low system resource usage of eSpeak. It's lightweight and doesn't slow down my computer, even when running in the background.
That's a great advantage, Michael. It ensures that eSpeak seamlessly integrates into the user's workflow without causing any performance issues.
The download and installation process for eSpeak were straightforward and hassle-free. Kudos to the developers for making it user-friendly.
I agree, Sarah. A smooth installation process is crucial for ensuring a positive user experience right from the start.
I find the pronunciation customization options in eSpeak to be quite useful. It allows adjusting speech output to match specific requirements and preferences.
Yes, Jennifer. The ability to fine-tune the pronunciation gives eSpeak an edge over other text-to-speech software.
The speed control feature in eSpeak is handy. It lets me adjust the speech rate according to my needs, making it easier to follow along.
I agree, Michael. The speed control feature adds flexibility to the reading experience and accommodates different reading speeds.
I haven't come across any software limitations with eSpeak so far. It seems to handle various text formats without any issues.
That's been my experience as well, Sarah. eSpeak handles different text formats smoothly, making it a versatile software.
I must say, eSpeak has been a game-changer for individuals with visual impairments. It facilitates access to text content in an audible form.
Indeed, John. eSpeak's text-to-speech capabilities greatly benefit and empower visually impaired users.
I appreciate the continuous development efforts to enhance eSpeak. It shows that the developers are committed to delivering an excellent product.
Absolutely, Michael. Continuous improvement is essential to stay ahead of the competition and provide users with the best experience.
I recommend eSpeak to anyone looking for an efficient and reliable text-to-speech software. Give it a try, and you won't be disappointed.
Thanks for the recommendation, David. I'll definitely give eSpeak a try based on all the positive feedback here.
You're welcome, Sarah. I'm sure you'll find eSpeak to be a valuable addition to your productivity toolkit.