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I'm currently using Microsoft Windows XP which comes bundled with the Microsoft Sam Voice.

I want to add more voices as Sam is not very good to work with.

Many dictionary software's that i use take the default Microsoft voice for pronouncing and demonstrating new words and sentences.

Are there any voices (ideally free, but no limitations can be paid too) available that will add-on directly to the default windows text to speech engine ?

Can I set one of those voices as a default instead of Sam? I don't need a text to speech reader software so i need only the voices, not bundled with any software.

Also please suggest voices which are natural.

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"I want to add more voices as Sam is not very good to work with." Bad Sam, bad Sam. :) –  Isxek Aug 13 '09 at 16:57

2 Answers 2

up vote 4 down vote accepted

Microsoft TTS for supports 2 other english voices, Mike and Mary, MSM files downloadable here and a slew of foreign language voices as well.

For convenience, I wrapped it in an MSI (drag and drop w/ VS.NET) downloadable here. The process for that is detailed here: http://blogs.msdn.com/robertbrown/archive/2005/04/21/410561.aspx.

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Downloaded and installed these but Microsoft Sam is still the only option when i go to control panel- speech and try to change the voice.. can't change the default voice inspite of the installation –  rzlines Aug 13 '09 at 17:01
Tsk, I apologize Rogue, shame on me for not verifying. This is an unzips an MSM file to your temp directory which requires you to build an MSI -> blogs.msdn.com/robertbrown/archive/2005/04/21/410561.aspx, and then run it. It used to be so much simpler, I remember grabbing a bunch of them quickly. –  hyperslug Aug 13 '09 at 17:52
damn.. didn't think Microsoft would make it that inconvenient.. i mean c'mon build an msi just to install free voices.. geez.. its not shame on u hyperslug you're the good guy, it's shame on Microsoft for making it so stupidly inconvenient when a better voice (or rather these voices) could have been bundled in windows in the first place –  rzlines Aug 13 '09 at 18:16
Rogue, I made an MSI for you hyperslug.com/tts/xptts.msi. Post here and let me know if it worked. Just run it. –  hyperslug Aug 13 '09 at 18:18
Thanks! Works like a charm! –  rzlines Aug 13 '09 at 18:37

You have to get them from third parties.

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protected by Diago Nov 9 '10 at 6:46


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