AI TTS Voices

PL
PL Member Posts: 2,158 ✭✭✭
edited December 2024 in English Feedback

I've been playing with (and using) the AI TTS voices and features of apps such as Speechify, Peech, Natural Reader, etc.

These high-quality, natural human-sounding, non-robotic voices have made my reading (listening) so much more productive. Some of the features (such as tracking-highlight during read-aloud, option to skip references within parentheses) are functions I've been requesting and hoping Logos would one day have.

Could you please make such AI TTS voices and features available to Logos on Windows and iOS (and other platforms)? Please?

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59 votes

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Comments

  • Kyle Wright
    Kyle Wright Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2024
    I use the "read aloud" feature a lot, and follow along with the narrator. The current program is very electronic and at times choppy when reading. The "Wall Street Journal" has a read aloud tool which is far better in both reading, smoothness, and word pronunciation. I suggest Logos research this program or others like it to greatly improve the "read aloud" feature.
  • Peter Li
    Peter Li Member Posts: 24 ✭✭
    Yes, yes, please PLEASE improve the Read Aloud feature!! In addition to the above, please:
    - Allow more speed options (e.g. speed slider)
    - Make it more reliable, better tested (e.g. don't pause at awkward places, don't stop suddenly)
    - Make "Show word by word indicator" (aka "Karaoke dancing dot") work for human narrator as well as system narrator, PLEASE!!
  • there should be the option to select specific any macOS system voices (like the Siri voice) which are MUCH better than the one Logos uses... Also, the voices should be different depending on the resource language (I use resources in English and Spanish, but there should also be options for other languages along Greek and Hebrew)
  • I'm in complete agreement! More "system narrator" voice options would be greatly appreciated.
  • Etienne van Heerden
    Etienne van Heerden Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2024
    Good day Logos,

    Please consider adding AI Text to Voice functionality or allowing third-party AI Voice generators like Natural Reader access to the Logos platform. It will exponentially increase research speed and assist non-English speaking users with their research.

    Please!!!
  • Pastor Loren
    Pastor Loren Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    @Etienne van Heerden  - Logos will already read resources to you, using text-to-speech technology (https://support.logos.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021891851-Read-Aloud). It uses the default system voice, so if you can add third-party voices to your system, they'll be used by the app.
  • Michael Skinner
    Michael Skinner Member Posts: 18 ✭✭
    edited November 2024
    Could we see an improvement in the Read Aloud voice? I have used similar features on Google, Word, etc. The voice seems a little cookie cutter and not fluid, but choppy in reading. I would love to hear something more human and less robotic.
  • Jeremy Lyerla
    Jeremy Lyerla Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
    PLEASE!!!
  • Jonathan Brown
    Jonathan Brown Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
    With Logos 10, mobile users can now select multiple different enhanced and premium voices. On Windows 11, there are now natural voices available. We should be able to utilize them instead of the in-built "system narrator." 
  • Palenshus
    Palenshus Member Posts: 28 ✭✭
    @Jonathan Brown  Totally agree with Jonathan. Logos, please make this update. I guess since you enhanced this feature for mobile I would have totally assumed you would have made this improvement on the desktop version, too.
  • G. Kraft
    G. Kraft Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November 2024
    There are fantastic narration voices with application available, far beyond the simplistic Microsoft narrator. It would be very helpful indeed if Logos used a number of different voices beyond the small number available, but more importantly, it would be immensely helpful to have natural-sounding narrators. It is evident in some audio books that some narrators should have chosen a different line of work. So it is with text to speech narration, it often sounds stilted, lacks emotion and natural cadence and one can hardly stomach it for long periods of time. What with all the books available on Logos, why not spend the time/resources to make the best narration engines this era has to offer? It will pay for itself with many happy Bible scholars.
  • Michael John Nisbett
    Michael John Nisbett Member Posts: 27 ✭✭
    edited November 2024
    There are so many better text-to-speech voices out there. Why does Logos still have this unnatural drab voice as the only one available?
  • Genghis
    Genghis Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    Currently Logos uses the old TTS technology from Control Panel.  Windows uses a different TTS technology now.  Please update Logos to use the latest Windows Narrator technology.
  • Genghis
    Genghis Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    Currently Logos uses the old TTS technology from Control Panel.  Windows uses a different TTS technology now.  Please update Logos to use the latest Windows Narrator technology.
  • Paul Bock
    Paul Bock Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November 2024
    The text to voice is not terrible, but robotic. Speechify is an incredibly powerful and well done speech to text platform with multiple voices to choose from. They have made it easy to integrate into platforms with only 5 lines of code. This would be an absolute game changer for Logos desktop and mobile which I and am sure many others would constantly use.
  • Jonathan Brown
    Jonathan Brown Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
    edited December 2024
    The natural voices on iOS are still not great or very natural. While better than they used to be, they are still nowhere near comparable to something like Speechify. With my daily commute, I have far more time for audio than I do for print reading. I would love to utilize Logos for that, but the read aloud is too wooden still. Plus, it often jumps and skips sections or stops and restarts.

    With the way AI has made improvements in the last couple years, this shouldn't be an impossible task, and is certainly a feature I would pay an upgrade price for. (Bonus points if I can choose a voice that sounds like NT Wright)
  • There is an app on iOS called "Matter" which is very similar to "aggregation and consumption" apps like Pocket , Instapaper , etc.  But there's one major difference -- Matter has implemented AI for its text-to-speech feature, and it makes all the difference in the world.  Having experienced Matter's AI-enhanced text to speech, I can't stand to listen to Logos' text to speech , even using enhanced voices.  The difference is stark, and the AI voice nearly sounds like a human reader -- all the right pauses and intonations , with very few mistakes.  It would truly be a game-changer to see this get implemented in Logos.
  • PL
    PL Member Posts: 2,158 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2024
    I've been playing with (and using) the AI TTS voices and features of apps such as Speechify, Peech, Natural Reader, etc.

    These high-quality, natural human-sounding, non-robotic voices have made my reading (listening) so much more productive. Some of the features (such as tracking-highlight during read-aloud, option to skip references within parentheses) are functions I've been requesting and hoping Logos would one day have.

    Could you please make such AI TTS voices and features available to Logos on Windows and iOS (and other platforms)? Please?
  • Jannik Scholler
    Jannik Scholler Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
    edited December 2024
    Amesome feature that you lauched with L10, but please improve the quality via integration with Speechify or comparable!
  • @Mark Barnes (Faithlife)  That's true, Mark, but the default system voice, which is built on clunky, outdated technology, significantly hinders listening comprehension.  It is not natural or smooth, which is why Etienne suggested this update and why I am voting for it.  Using AI text-to-speech, like the kind used by Speechify.com, would greatly increase the software value by transforming our libraries into viable sources of true audiobooks, which is not presently the case.
  • Yes, please!
  •  T h e   c u r r e n t   " R e a d   A l o u d "   f e a t u r e   i s   n o t   n a t u r a l   o r   s m o o t h . & n b s p ;   U s i n g   A I   t e x t - t o - s p e e c h ,   l i k e   t h e   k i n d   u s e d   b y   & n b s p ; S p e e c h i f y . c o m ,   w o u l d   g r e a t l y   i n c r e a s e   t h e   s o f t w a r e   v a l u e   b y   t r a n s f o r m i n g   o u r   l i b r a r i e s   i n t o   v i a b l e   s o u r c e s   o f   a u d i o b o o k s ,   w h i c h   i s   n o t   p r e s e n t l y   t h e   c a s e .     I   c a n n o t   t e l l   y o u   t h e   n u m b e r   o f   t i m e s   I   h a v e   d r i v e n   i n   m y   c a r   a n d   w i s h e d   I   c o u l d   l i s t e n   t o   o n e   o f   m y   L o g o s   b o o k s   b u t   d o n ' t   b e c a u s e   t h e   c u r r e n t   t e c h n o l o g y   e f f e c t i v e l y   p r e c l u d e s   a n y   t r u e   l i s t e n i n g   c o m p r e h e n s i o n . 
  • Etienne van Heerden
    Etienne van Heerden Member Posts: 2
    @A.J. Coukos , I support your comment. AI and all its benefits will rapidly be integrated into the most useful software. Microsoft has quickly realised that AI needs to be integrated into their MS package with Copilot, which greatly advances its use and application. However, AI should not only be integrated as a text reader but also as a search and document assistant like ChatPDF and others. Generative AI can greatly increase the speed and efficiency of document and book searches in Logos, equivalent to tools like Scite, Humata, Sourcely, Consensus, Elicit, and Semantic Scholar. I really hope that Logos will rapidly integrate these tools. I will gladly upgrade when this is available. 
  • Unknown
    edited December 2024
    I would be happy if Google read-aloud could be used on Android and iOS.
  • Aaron Engel
    Aaron Engel Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November 2024
    It's nice that books in Logos can be read by the audio narrator present on the computer... but the voice is very robotic, can you guys incorporate some sort of narrator that uses a better sounding voice?
  • Aaron Engel
    Aaron Engel Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    Yes, please make it sound better than the robotic voice that comes with Windows
  • Terry Barnes
    Terry Barnes Member Posts: 7 ✭✭
    edited November 2024
    The pace of life can be pretty busy. However, we know as Christians the importance of growing in understanding. Logos is a tremendous resource to that end. I would like to propose an update on the audible reader in Logos. When we’re on the run, it would be nice to listen to content we’ve purchased with a voice that sounds natural. Thank you, Logos.
  • Mike Weimer
    Mike Weimer Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2024
    Currently Logos uses standard text to speech voices to read material aloud. A huge improvement would be a feature that made use of the Amazon Polly Neural voices or similar AI Neural voices from other sources (even if this came with a small subscription to cover the added cost of the Neural voice access), which sound way more natural than the current ones Logos uses. This would make listening to material in Logos a lot more tolerable and be a huge benefit.
  • Rodrigo Moura De Azevedo
    Rodrigo Moura De Azevedo Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2024
    Enhance Logos' text-to-speech functionality by incorporating recent AI advancements in natural language processing.
  • Voice garnet 
  • Tyler Lukkasson
    Tyler Lukkasson Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2024
    Logos should purchase an AI voice software so users can listen to audio versions of any book in their library.
  • I agree with improving the TTS feature. Here's what I initial emailed in this regard. I post here to echo my sentiment. I appreciate having the read aloud feature on Logos , but it is insufficient for my needs. I use a program called Speechify , and I know there are others. Is there any work being done that might give better , more intuitive text-to-speech on the program? If not , could this be addressed? 
  • David J
    David J Member Posts: 2
    big yes please.  a more natural voice/natural reading style. independent control of text/scrolling. with the integration of AI in LOGOS, a more user friendly/useful feature I would think would logically follow.  
  • Please integrate Speechify as Logos books reader.
  • Anderson Abreu
    Anderson Abreu Member Posts: 559 ✭✭✭
    Yes!

    ____________

    "... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Ne 8.10)

  • Yes please!
  • Mike RJ Miller
    Mike RJ Miller Member Posts: 3

    I echo this. As a recent Speechify convert, it is a game changer. Logos read aloud is pulling in the text to speech ability of the Operating System. It is not smart enough to make reading my logos library aloud useful. With Dyslexia and ADHD Speechify has changed everything for me. Except my daily use of Logos.

  • Vlad K
    Vlad K Member Posts: 8 ✭✭

    Dear Logos Team,

    I believe there is an opportunity to take Logos to the next level and significantly enhance the user experience while attracting new customers.

    Many users, including myself, find the current text-to-speech voices within Logos difficult to engage with due to their computerized tone and lack of natural expression. With the rapid advancements in AI technology, implementing natural and expressive AI voices to read books from your library could transform the way users interact with your platform.

    Services like Speechify have set a benchmark by offering a wide variety of human-like voices that make listening to audiobooks and study materials enjoyable and accessible. Logos could benefit greatly from incorporating similar technology. By providing users with high-quality AI narration, Logos could:

    1. Expand Accessibility: Many users prefer or require audio options, whether for multitasking, commuting, or accommodating visual impairments. A seamless, natural-sounding narration feature would make Logos an even more inclusive tool.
    2. Enhance User Engagement: With expressive AI voices, users are more likely to immerse themselves in the material, increasing both learning retention and overall satisfaction.
    3. Boost Sales and Retention: Adding a robust AI narration feature could attract new users who prioritize audio content and retain current users who are seeking a more dynamic study experience.
    4. Stay Competitive: As AI narration becomes a standard in digital content platforms, Logos risks losing users to competitors offering more engaging audio options. Incorporating this feature now would demonstrate Logos' commitment to innovation and user-centric development.

    I am confident that this enhancement could skyrocket Logos' appeal and sales. Please let us know if there is already a conversation around this feature, as many of us in the community would be thrilled to see Logos adopt state-of-the-art AI narration.

    Thank you for your continued dedication to equipping us for study and ministry.

    Sincerely,
    Vlad

  • Vlad K
    Vlad K Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
    edited December 2024

    Please let us know, if there is a conversation on this topic within your teams.

  • Tony Eldridge
    Tony Eldridge Member Posts: 3 ✭✭

    With the move to a subscription model that leverages AI, I would like to see Logos upgrade the voice narration quality to allow real sounding voices to read our resources. This can enhance how we use Logos by making it easier to listen to our resources while on the go.

  • Lynden O. Williams
    Lynden O. Williams MVP Posts: 9,012
    edited December 2024

    Like the idea.

    Mission: To serve God as He desires.

  • Scott Kardash
    Scott Kardash Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited December 2024

    Adding AI-powered text-to-speech with natural, lifelike voices would really enhance Logos. Natural-sounding voices would make Logos resources more engaging and accessible, especially for people who prefer listening or have visual impairments.

  • Dave Keene
    Dave Keene Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited December 2024

    Great idea! I love listening to my resources via audio. Yet, it seems to lose its place if I go too long without accessing it again. Is that my problem, or do you folks have the same problem?

  • EDUARDO JIMENEZ
    EDUARDO JIMENEZ Member Posts: 435 ✭✭
    edited December 2024

    Because of my low vision, this is one of the main uses I give it.

  • Tony Eldridge
    Tony Eldridge Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
    edited December 2024

    Losing my place is common on many platforms, but Amazon's Audible shows that the technology exists to allow listeners to pick up where they left off, regardless of what platform they are listening on. I'm sure Logos could plan this into any role out they might plan for realistic AI voice narration.

  • Alex Wilgus
    Alex Wilgus Unconfirmed, Member Posts: 1

    +1. As a working pastor often on the road, it will help immensely, especially for patristic texts I want to be constantly marinating in.

  • PL
    PL Member Posts: 2,158 ✭✭✭

    Yes please!!!

    I'm so glad AI TTS is finally getting some love and attention from the user community!

  • JJ Pen
    JJ Pen Member Posts: 1 ✭✭

    Try exploring third party voices imported into the windows default TTS?

      https://github.com/gexgd0419/NaturalVoiceSAPIAdapter