Convert a text to an audio message

Have a synthetic voice read out a text and save it as an audio message, in the language and voice of your choice.

At a glance

How it works

An audio message starts as a record with a name. Speech synthesis fills it, just like recording by phone or importing a file: the three paths produce the same object, which you then use in a dial plan.

The voice catalog is sorted by language. Each voice shows its flag, name, language and gender, and a search field lets you find one without scrolling the whole list.

Generate produces a preview, which you listen to in the window's player. Nothing is installed at this stage. Save redoes the synthesis and installs the file on the telephony server, after converting it to the telephone voice format.

The text and voice are kept on the message. Reopening Text message months later brings them back exactly as they were used, which lets you redo the same sound with one word changed instead of rewriting it from memory.

Steps

1. Open Audio messages from the menu.
2. If the message doesn't exist yet, click Add a message, give it a clear name, then Save.
3. On the message's row, click the Text message button. The Convert a text to a message window opens.
4. Click the Voice selector. Type a language or a name in Search for a voice..., then choose.
5. Write your Text in the input area.
6. Click Generate. The player appears below the text area: listen.
7. Correct the text or change voice, and regenerate as many times as needed.
8. Click Save once the preview suits you.
9. Check: on the message's row, click the playback button to hear the file actually installed.

If it doesn't work

The Save button stays inactive. You need to have clicked Generate at least once. Until there's a preview, there's nothing to save.

The Generate button stays inactive. The text or the voice is missing. Both are required.

"Error while processing the file (3)". The synthesis didn't complete. Try again: if the message comes back, the synthesis service is temporarily unavailable, and your text isn't at fault.

I want to redo a sound made months ago. Reopen Text message on this message: the text and voice are recalled exactly as they were used. Change what needs changing, generate, save.

My imported file is rejected. Import accepts wav, mp3, ogg, flac, aiff, au and gsm. Any other format returns "File type not supported". Convert the file before sending it again.