The ultimate guide to IBM Watson Text to Speech

Text to speech (TTS) is a highly effective assistive technology. It helps you learn faster and alleviate various reading disabilities, such as dyslexia and ADHD. You can try many TTS platforms, including IBM Watson Text to Speech.

What is IBM Watson Text to Speech?

IBM Watson Text to Speech, commonly referred to as Watson TTS, is a cloud-based solution developed by IBM that leverages artificial intelligence to convert written text into spoken word. This advanced system allows businesses and developers to infuse their applications, products, or services with automation capabilities for voice interactions. Through the use of its text to speech API, users can seamlessly transform any textual content into human-like audio, enhancing user experiences. Furthermore, IBM Text to Speech can be integrated with Watson Assistant, allowing for more dynamic and interactive voice-based customer service or applications.

It is important to note that IBM Watson Text to Speech is not open source. It is a proprietary service offered by IBM as part of their Watson Cloud Services. Users typically have to pay for usage based on the volume of text being converted to speech or other related features. However, IBM does offer SDKs (Software Development Kits) for various programming languages to facilitate integration with Watson services, and some of these SDKs are open source, but the core technology behind Watson Text to Speech itself is proprietary.

IBM Watson Text to Speech pricing

You can use the Lite version for free, up to 10,000 characters per month. Additionally, the Standard version costs as low as 2 cents per thousand characters. Premium and developer access requires custom pricing plans that you will need to contact IBM directly to learn more about.

How to install IBM Watson Text to Speech

Before installing this TTS platform on your computer, iOS device, or Android, you’ll need to prepare a specific configuration called a cluster. You need to install the program itself on your cluster. The same goes for IBM Watson Speech to Text.

Additionally, you need to create your IBM Cloud account. The registration process is straightforward since it only requires you to enter your email and password.

Setting up an account is the easy part. The rest of the installation is much more complicated.

To complete the process, you must be the administrator of the (namespace) project where you’re deploying your TTS. Your device must also meet various system requirements.

For instance, you can only run IBM’s cloud services for Cloud Pak on X86-64 architecture. Your CPU must be compatible with Advanced Vector Extensions 2. Finally, you’ll need to obtain several permissions on your cluster and install IBM Cloud Pak for Data.

Preparing your cluster and completing the installation includes the following steps:

1. Set up your cluster for the TTS platform—If you’re looking to install the TTS service on Cloud Pak for DATA, your cluster administrator must provide a proper cluster for the software.
2. Create a suitable override file for the service—This step allows you to determine how the device installs your TTS platform. You can adjust your installation preferences by customizing your YAML file (speech-override.yaml). You can then designate the file as your installation parameter.
3. Finish the installation—Your project administrator installs the service on Cloud Pak for Data.

The installation can be overwhelming, so the software is primarily designed for tech-savvy users. Plus, the process is time-consuming and requires a lot of space on your device.

The pros and cons of IBM Watson Text to Speech

You’re now familiar with the installation process of IBM Watson TTS, but how does the platform work? Let’s check out some of its most important features.

Pros

• Customizable built-in tools: Watson TTS offers more than basic transcription due to its IBM tools and API integration.
• Integration with Watson Assistant: It can be used for customer service, processing language questions, or answering client queries by phone.
• Multilingual: Offers live audio in 11 languages.
• Wide format compatibility: Can import speech from a diverse range of formats.
• Real-time diagnostics: Provides feedback during streaming for optimal audio quality.
• Speaker diarization: Differentiates between multiple speakers in discussions.
• Reliable algorithms: Performs well in processing human speech, even in challenging environments.
• AI-based features: Recognizes famous speeches effectively in supported languages.
• Comprehensive customer service: Has a resourceful help center, access to SDKs and APIs on GitHub, and direct support.
• Service level uptime agreement (SLA): Available for premium package users.
• Accuracy: Makes a mistake only once every 150 words on average.

Cons

• Issues with speaker diarization: Sometimes mislabels voices as separate speakers.
• No traditional interface: Accessed through code and APIs rather than a conventional interface.
• Complexity: Requires a significant learning curve and involves a complex installation process.

Speechify—The number one text to speech app

IBM Watson Text to Speech can work great in some cases, but you’re probably looking for a more accessible TTS platform. You don’t need software that requires Python-level programming and installation. If that’s the case, consider Speechify.

Speechify is widely regarded as the best text to speech service on the market. Anyone can use it to read content from Excel, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and any other source. The platform produces top-quality natural-sounding speech in different audio file formats, including mp3 and WAV.

These machine-learning-based features help you create stunning recordings and synthesize speech with lifelike text to speech voices. The app also has natural language processing in multiple dialects, like British and US English. You can even choose from a wide range of female voices, such as Gwyneth Paltrow.

Speechify has countless use cases, whether you install it on your PC, Android, iPhone, or other Apple devices.

Check out its custom voices and convenient interface for free.

FAQ

Is IBM Watson text to speech free?

You can use 10,000 characters per month for free with IBM Watson.

What is Watson text to speech?

Watson text to speech software is an assistive speech synthesis technology that reads text aloud.

What languages does IBM Watson text to speech support?

IBM Watson TTS supports 11 languages, including English, German, and French.

Which platforms support IBM Watson text to speech?

You can use IBM Watson TTS on computers and smartphones when narrating tutorials and other types of content.

What is speech to text?

Speech to text is a transcription technology that turns speech into text.

What are the best text to speech apps?

Many people consider Speechify to be the best text to speech app, but there are others out there like IBM Watson Text to Speech, Microsoft Azure Text to Speech, and Amazon Polly.