Here's my take on it. Regardless of how good a new synth is it takes
time to get used to it. I agree with Brice in that a short demo can
sound good, but it really says nothing about practical every day usage.
The problem is that we get tuned into a specific synth voice, especially
if we've been using it for years and seldom if ever switched synths.
This is what I experienced after using a DecTalk Express for 20 years
and finally decided to try some of the new software synths that are
unarguably much more human sounding. I like Vocalizer Expressive,
although I wish GW went with Ivona, simply because I like those voices
more. I have the SAPI versions but of course using SAPI is a performance
hit compared to Window-Eyes directly accessing a synth via its own
driver. But that's another story.
My point is that when I started using Vocalizer Expressive and Ivona
they were both very difficult to get used to simply because they were
different and my brain was tuned into the DecTalk Express voice. Even
though they sounded much better I was frustrated and constantly
switching back and forth because I could run DecTalk considerably faster
and never have to stop and rewind so to speak. But eventually, after
being wrapped up in such a wrestling match until I was sick of it I
realized that the only way to make another synth work was to stop using
my old DecTalk as a crutch and force myself to stick with the new voice.
I don't remember now how long it took, and it was frustrating, but
eventually my brain got tuned into the new voice and it sounds fine now.
And I never look back. My old DecTalk is hibernating in a closet
somewhere now.
So the moral of the story is that patience is indeed a virtue. We are
all creatures of habit and hate change, even if that change is for the
better. But of course this is no guaranty that any particular voice is
going to be the one that works for you. Case in point. Many folks like
Vocalizer Expressive Tom. Personally I hate it. For some inexplicable
reason it's extremely annoying to me. So I think, what a shame they
wasted such a good name on a useless synth. grin.
Just my 22 cents worth.
Tom
On 4/13/2015 11:28 AM, Brice Mijares via Talk wrote:
I listened to a short demo which sounded okay, So I purchased it. After
further review, I went back to deck access. So I basically threw away
the purchase price! That's my personal perspective.
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