Samantha sounds completely emotionless to me. I know that synthesizer intonation only approximates the change in pitch that happens as a person reads, but Samantha has one of the worst intonation models that I've ever heard. No matter if she is pausing at the end of a clause, making a statement, asking a question, or speaking with exclamation, she always speaks the same way. She starts high, slowly starts to drop in pitch, and has an abrupt drop when she reaches the end of a sentence or a clause boundary. All other modern synths, from Alex, to the old Macintalk voices, to DECtalk, to Eloquence, and even junk stuff like ESpeak can use intonation that changes a little depending on what it is reading. Samantha sounds completely flat and detached. Add to that she sounds like an annoyed person that smokes heavily, and I think she's a crap voice. It really bugs me that she is becoming the default voice for so many blind-people devices. If we had to use a Scansoft voice, Tom would be better. At least Tom modulates. A synthetic voice would be more expressive.
Bryan -----Original Message----- From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Nicolai Svendsen Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 5:41 AM To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: Where Is Samantha, on the Mac? Hi, I find Samantha a lot nicer on a computer than the iPhone. THis is in part because of the quality, but I for some reason find her a much harsher assistant on the iPhone than I do on a computer. Regards, Nic Mobile Me: nic2...@me.com Skype: Kvalme MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk AIM: cincinster yahoo Messenger: cin368 Facebook Profile My Twitter On Apr 23, 2010, at 10:33 AM, Simon Fogarty wrote: > Hell I thought she was one of the better quality voices out there. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Nicolai Svendsen > Sent: Wednesday, 21 April 2010 8:30 p.m. > To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > Subject: Re: Where Is Samantha, on the Mac? > > Hi, > > Samantha is a SAPI voice, made by Scansoft, and referred to Vocalizer > on any mobile platform from Nuance. It is the voice of the iThingies > though, but I find her harsh to listen to. > > Regards, > Nic > Mobile Me: nic2...@me.com > Skype: Kvalme > MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk > AIM: cincinster > yahoo Messenger: cin368 > Facebook Profile > My Twitter > > On Apr 21, 2010, at 8:34 AM, M. Taylor wrote: > >> Thank you for your response. >> >> But how can this be? Is she not the beloved voice of the iPhone, >> iPod Touch, and iPad? >> >> Perhaps I refer to her by the wrong name? >> >> Mark >> >> >> >> >> >> Get to know yourself as you get to know me on The Secret Life of Mark > Marcus >> Live Talk Show >> http://candleshore.com/secrets >> -----Original Message----- >> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of gkearney >> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:12 PM >> To: MacVisionaries >> Subject: Re: Where Is Samantha, on the Mac? >> >> I fear you shall not find symmetry in your world...Samantha is a >> Microsoft Windows SAPI voice and is not an option for Macintosh users. >> >> Gregory Kearney >> Manager Accessible Media >> Association for the Blind of Western Australia >> 61 Kitchener Ave >> Victoria Park, WA 6100' >> AUSTRALIA >> +61 08 9311 8246 >> >> On Apr 21, 9:20 am, "M. Taylor" <mk...@ucla.edu> wrote: >>> Hello Everyone, >>> >>> Call me slow but I only just now realized that my beloved Samantha >>> is not >> on >>> my Mac. All I have, of any quality anyway, is Alex. >>> >>> Where is she? Please tell me that I can download her to my Mac so I >>> can achieve perfect symmetry in my world. (Smile) >>> >>> Mark** >>> >>> ANNOUNCING THE SECRET LIFE OF MARK MARCUS LIVE CALL-IN TALK SHOW!!! >>> In each episode, join Mark, along with invited guests, as he >>> explores the world in which we live and the world which lives within >>> us. As you > listen >>> or participate in a family-friendly, no-holds-barred discussion, you >>> will find yourself being drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery, >>> majesty, > and >>> wonder that is The Secret Life of Mark Marcus. >>> >>> You can listen and participate via telephone, an Internet-enabled >> computer, >>> or Smartphone application. No need to sign up on a website or be > required >>> to enter any pin codes. Just join in and let your voice be heard >>> around >> the >>> world. To listen or participate via phone just dial (724-898-1193 >>> during the show's scheduled time. That's all there is to it. >>> >>> Sign Up To Receive Text-Message Alerts When The Show Is Live!! >>> >>> Can't listen live? No problem, download/listen to past episodes on >> demand, >>> at your convenience. For more information including an audio PROMO >>> for >> the >>> next scheduled episode, show times, the ability to listen or >>> participate >> via >>> computer and more, go to:http://candleshore.com/secrets Let's Make A >>> Joyful Noise, Together!!! >>> >>> "Express yourself completely, then keep quiet." >>> "He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. She who rushes ahead > doesn't >>> go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. She who defines >> herself >>> can't know who she really is. He who has power over others can't >>> empower himself. She who clings to her work will create nothing that >>> endures." >>> (Lao Tzu) >>> >>> For infinite knowledge, go to: >>> candleshoreblog.com >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group >> athttp://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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