Ya know, back in the old days, I used to use Victoria on the mac, before they brought out Alex. Victoria IIRC didn't have any naturalism to her voice, but I never heard her mispronounce much, and she does have a nice English accent imho. YMMV. I'll have to try her out again, been using alex so long I've sort of forgot how she sounded.
On Apr 24, 2010, at 3:41 AM, marie Howarth wrote: > I have to say I like Samantha better than the British voice on the iPhone who > cannot say E or R at the speed I have it. I much prefer her to eloquence > though any day. And after trying Samantha, I think the british one is called > Cathy and Karen, the Australian one, i have to say I revert back to good old > Sam. I'm not sure I'd like her on the mac but for the iPhone she works great. > Am I right in thinking there are other voices for the iPod shuffle? Wonder if > there is if there's any plans to export those voices to the iPhone and iPad. > :) > > On 24 Apr 2010, at 07:11, ch...@q.com wrote: > >> Brian: >> I'm curious: Isn't Samantha also synthetic? What about Alex? >> I kind of think she has a little smile in her voice, but I honestly find >> Eloquence th e easiest to understand. The old voice that used to be in the >> dectalk was pretty good, and I don't think anyone's using that except NOAA >> all hazards radio. >> I din't think the macbook pro even has Samantha on it as an option. >> Anyhow, interesting topic to me. Thanks >> Carolyn >> On Apr 23, 2010, at 7:13 PM, Bryan Smart wrote: >> >>> 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. >>> 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. > Egun On, Lagunak! (Basque for G'day, Mates) Pete Nalda http://www.myspace.com/musikonalda http://www.facebook.com/lpnalda -- 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.
