From Scratchy to Natural! Adding VTML Magic to Text-to-Speech Narration

DR. POOJA JAISINGH MAANASA SRINIVASULUADOBE SYSTEMS

From Scratchy to Natural! Adding VTML Magic to

Text-to-Speech Narration

Agenda

Add slide notesConvert slide notes to Text to SpeechManage/modify text to speech for the entire

projectAdd text to speech audio as object audioReuse text to speech in a different projectUse VTML tags to make the voice sound

natural

VTML Tags

<vtml_break><vtml_partofsp><vtml_pause><vtml_pitch><vtml_sayas><vtml_speed><vtml_sub>

<vtml_break>

Description: Sets the Break Indices between words.

Syntax: <vtml_break level="0" | "1" | "2" | "3"/>

Attribute: Level: It sets Break Indices. Required (0= read continuously, 1= read

with minor break, 2= read with major break, 3=sentence separation)

Example: Picture this! <vtml_break level="1"/>Lisa is a new joinee in the Adobe Captivate support team. She has just finished learning how to use Adobe Captivate <vtml_break level="2"/>and has also cleared the ACE Exam for Adobe Captivate. She is all set <vtml_break level="1"/>to support the customers.

<vtml_partofsp>

Description: Designates a word class of the word surrounded with tags.

Syntax: <vtml_partofsp part="unknown" | "noun" | "verb" | "modifier" | "function" | "interjection"> text </vtml_partofsp>

Attribute: part: Part of speech.

Example: Did you <vtml_partofsp part="verb">record</vtml_partofsp> that <vtml_partofsp part="noun">record</vtml_partofsp>?

<vtml_pause>

Description: Sets a pause to be inserted in the synthesized voice.

Syntax: <vtml_pause time="msec"/>

Attribute: time: Pause length. The unit is millisecond and it has the value

between 0 to 65535.

Example: Lisa is really excited <vtml_pause time="500"/>but a bit anxious to answer the first call. She has requested you, <vtml_pause time="1000"/>as an experienced customer support representative, to help her while she takes her first call.

<vtml_pitch>

Description: It sets the pitch of the text surrounded by this tag.

Syntax: <vtml_pitch value="pitch"> child elements </vtml_pitch>

Attribute: value: The level of pitch ranging between 50~200%.

Example: <vtml_pitch value="150">Not a big problem? What do you mean? </vtml_pitch> <vtml_pitch value="200">My course delivery is stalled because of quality issues. And if you keep getting such complaints from the customers, why don’t you think of resolving it?</vtml_pitch>

<vtml_sayas>

Description: It sets the format of text surrounded with this tag.

Syntax: <vtml_sayas interpret-as=“construct_type” format=“string” detail=“string”> text </vtml_sayas>

Attribute: Interpret-as (Required): It tells what the text should be

interpreted as – date, time and the like Format (optional): The format in accordance with the type

of the text Detail(optional): Additional information on reading in

accordance with the format of the text

<vtml_sayas> examples

I am busy and cannot make it for lunch at <vtml_sayas interpret-as="ssml:time" format="hm12"> 1:30 </vtml_sayas> <vtml_break level="0"/> today. Why don't we meet on <vtml_sayas interpret-as="ssml:date" format="md"> 10/25 </vtml_sayas>

You still owe me <vtml_sayas interpret-as="vxml:currency">USD30.10 </vtml_sayas>

I will give you <vtml_sayas interpret-as=“sapi:number” format=“fraction”> 3/4 </vtml_sayas> of my share.

<vtml_speed>

Description: It sets the speed of text surrounded with this tag.

Syntax: <vtml_speed value="speed"> child elements </vtml_speed>

Attribute: speed: It sets the utterance speed with 50~400(%) value.

Example: <vtml_speed value="250">Not a big problem? </vtml_speed><vtml_speed value="200">What do you mean? </vtml_speed>My course delivery is stalled because of quality issues. And if you keep getting such complaints from the customers, why don’t you think of resolving it?

<vtml_sub>

Description: Reads text by replacing text surrounded with tags with the alias value

Syntax: <vtml_sub alias="string"> text </vtml_sub>

Attribute: alias: It replaces the value surrounded with tags

Example: You can create cool interactive eBooks using Adobe <vtml_sub alias=“Digital Publishing Suite"> DPS </vtml_sub>

Remember

VTML tags are for NeoSpeech voices onlyDo not copy paste the tags from the web Adobe Captivate only recognizes voices with

the speech API and picks them upMore about VTML tags -

https://ondemand.neospeech.com/vt_eng-Engine-VTML-v3.9.0-3.pdf

Contact Details

Dr. Pooja JaisinghAdobe eLearning Evangelist

[email protected]@poojajaisingh

Maanasa SrinivasuluComputer Scientist

[email protected]