If you love reading but you are always on the go, or simply want to give your eyes a rest, turning text into audio can be a game-changer. By converting your reading materials into audio format, you can listen to your favorite books, articles, emails, and even social media posts using your headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, or your car’s sound system. This way, you can “read” while walking, driving, cooking, or doing any other activity that requires your hands or attention.
To help you make the most out of this technology, we have put together a guide on how to convert text to audio using different tools and platforms. Whether you prefer human-like voices or natural-sounding ones, there is an option that will suit your needs and preferences.
First of all, you can use dedicated text-to-speech (TTS) software that allows you to copy and paste any text into a window or upload a file, and then generate an audio file in different formats, such as MP3, WAV, or OGG. Some popular TTS programs include Natural Reader, Balabolka, TextAloud, and Read Speaker. These tools offer a range of voices, accents, and languages, as well as customization options for pitch, speed, and volume.
Secondly, you can use online TTS services that require no download or installation, and can be accessed from any device with internet connectivity. Examples of online TTS platforms are Google Text-to-Speech, Amazon Polly, IBM Watson, and Responsive Voice. These services work by sending the text you input to a remote server, where it is processed and synthesized into an audio stream. The advantages of online TTS are that they are usually free or low-cost, don’t take up storage space, and can be integrated into other apps and websites.
Thirdly, you can use voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, to read out loud anything you want by simply asking, “Can you read this article/book/email for me?” These devices come with built-in TTS engines that can handle complex text, punctuation, and paragraph breaks, and allow you to control the reading speed, pause, rewind, and skip. Moreover, voice assistants can also read web pages, news headlines, and social media feeds, as well as answer questions, set reminders, and perform other tasks.
Whatever method you choose, we recommend that you test different voices, formats, and settings to find the one that suits you best. Also, keep in mind that while TTS technology has come a long way in terms of accuracy and naturalness, it still has some limitations, especially when it comes to pronouncing foreign words, abbreviations, or slang. Therefore, you may want to proofread the text before converting it to audio, or choose a more human-like voice that can adapt to the context.
In a nutshell, converting text to audio can enhance your reading experience, save your time and energy, and open new possibilities for multitasking and learning. So, why not give it a try? Listen up, and let your ears do the reading!
