GND-1T Speech chip synthesizer Tutorials 4 Keyboard patches & basic editing and expression mapping

video upload by GND-1

"Available directly from https://richardvanhoesel.com/gnd1t

In this installation of my GND-1T tutorials I illustrate how the usual loop based mechanism in this synth can also be used to create patches intended for more conventional melodic expression, such as with a musical keyboard, simply by setting the loop length very short. It also serves as an introduction into parameter editing and expression mapping.

For owners of the 1T, a new bank of factory sounds is available for download on the website. It focuses specifically on 'keyboard patches', in contrast to the more loop & drum factory sounds that the 1T ships with.

As always, everything you hear in these demos is a direct stereo stream recorded from the GND-1T, without any additional processing or effects."

See the GND-1 label below for more.

HAL9000 on an emulated IMSAI8080 "War Games" computer, with 80s speech synth

video upload by df9999999999

"I connected a serial port on my IMSAI8080 replica (the computer from the movie "War Games") and wrote a simple BASIC program in XYBASIC to read a text file from disc and output it a character at a time to the SIO Z80 port connected to the physical serial port. The speech synth then speaks the conversation HAL has with Dave Bowman while playing chess, just before he goes off the rails, from the film '2001: A Space Odyssey'.

After each character, I check for an 'XOFF' character, indicating the speech synth's buffer is full and to hold off sending more data. This accounts for the breaks in the text flow on the screen. The synth sends an "XON" character when it is ready to process more text. The program loops waiting for an XON after receiving the XOFF.

To add some visual bling, I also write each character to the Z80 port 0xFF, which is connected to the 8 'Programmed Output' LEDs on the front panel. The LEDs flash with the complement of the ASCII character code when data is sent to the synth."

30 July 2024

video upload by Cray

"mutable instruments patch"

GND-1T Speech Chip Synthesizer Tutorials 3. Speech Sounds and Circuit Bending Basics

video upload by GND-1

GND-1T instructional demos | All GND-1T posts

"This is #3 in my series of short instructional demos of the GND-1T speech chip synthesizer. This installment provides an introduction to creating speech sounds and applying classic (and new) circuit bends to them. There's a huge number of additional parameters that can be applied to modify the words / loops, including e.g. stereo circuit bends that essentially run twin circuit bending engines. But I wanted to start off more simply.

As always, everything you hear is taken directly from the GND-1T stereo output, without any additional processing or effects. For more information (and to download the user manual), see https://richardvanhoesel.com/gnd1t"

Let's Make 80s Computers Talk | 1980s Commodore Speech Synthesizer

video upload by Kari

"Today, I take a non-technical look at a couple of speech synthesisers from my collection on my C64 from the 80s. Specifically, the Commodore Magic Voice and Currah Speech 64."

You can find additional posts featuring the Currah speech synthesis here.

Dalek Voice Tutorial

video upload by Alex Ball

"How to do the Dalek voice with a ring modulator."

With an ARP 2600 & KORG MS50.

Sampling the Intellivoice Voice Synthesis Module (Intellivision Chiptune) | Simon Hutchinson

video upload by Simon Hutchinson

"By request, I’m posting a free sample pack of recordings from the Intellivoice Voice Synthesis Module, including a simple Kontakt instrument that plays back these files.

Years ago, I made a synth using an arduino and a chip from an Intellivoice. Recently, I went into the closet and dug it out, and, following a couple repairs, recorded some samples for folks that are interested.

Get the sample pack: https://simonhutchinson.com/2023/12/1...

The original Intellivoice Synth Video:"

Mattel Intellivoice Synth | Simon Hutchinson
video upload by Simon Hutchinson

"Demonstrating a synthesizer built from a chip from an old Intellivoice module (and played back inside the original case), MIDI-controlled through a keyboard or DAW.

Why? Games and gaming hardware are mass-produced devices with planned obsolescence and few serviceable parts. By "hacking" and customizing gaming hardware we regain personal ownership of these devices, and we can turn obsolete equipment into performable, expressive instruments."

1980s Echo text-to-speech synthesizer on the IMSAI 8080

video upload by df9999999999

"I recently was given a 1980s-era Echo PC voice synthesizer box with serial port interface. You simply send text to the both over the serial port and it speaks it. It uses the same chip as the old 1970s Texas Instruments speak and spell.

I figured out how to access TTY2 on the back of my newly completed IMSAI 8080 kit. Using XYBASIC, I wrote a program to speak various well known phrases from misbehaving computers featured in several scifi movies, including War Games, of course.

Accessing the TTY2 serial port on the back of the replica must be done by outputting a byte at a time to port 34. The default TTY2 baud rate was already 9600, matching that of the Echo PC. There is no handshaking. All must be coded manually. The Echo box has a very small character buffer and sends an XOFF command when the buffer fills and a XON when it clears. I check for those conditions in the BASIC program with some simple loops. Hardware handshaking on port 35 could be done, but the flag bit definitions are not well documented.

I set the cadence, pitch and inflection lower than default with a flat inflection that enhances understandability.

I also read the front panel switches to trigger the various phrases."

"Do you want to play a game?"

via Wikipedia
"The IMSAI 8080 was an early microcomputer released in late 1975, based on the Intel 8080 and later 8085 and S-100 bus.[1] It was a clone of its main competitor, the earlier MITS Altair 8800. The IMSAI is largely regarded as the first 'clone' microcomputer. The IMSAI machine ran a highly modified version of the CP/M operating system called IMDOS. It was developed, manufactured and sold by IMS Associates, Inc. (later renamed IMSAI Manufacturing Corp). In total, between 17,000 and 20,000 units were produced from 1975 to 1978."

Midi Narrator: A DIY midi controller Speech Synthesizer

video upload by Dbug's stuff

"I actually did film the construction of the device, but there were problems with the camera and the editing, so I decided to not publish the footage.

Here you can see the result of using the device 'stand alone', I did not manage to get it working reliably using the midi port, but I may have fudge a couple solders, I'll have to revisit that later.

The device was bought from https://rarewaves.net/products/midi-n..."

Casio CT S1000V Vocalist Demo

video upload by MusicPlayer Network

"You can type lyrics into the Casio CT-S1000V keyboard, and have one of 23 different, onboard core Vocalists robo-sing those lyrics. This video demos only the stock sounds. You can alter the age, change gender, and also add user Vocalists."

Prodigy with Filter FM #analogsynthesizer #moog #moogprodigy

video upload by Franz Kreimer Keys

Also see Vocal Sounds with Minimoog #shorts #synth #synthesizer #retrosound #minimoog #moogsynthesizer.

Vocal Sounds with Minimoog #shorts #synth #synthesizer #retrosound #minimoog #moogsynthesizer

video upload by RetroSound

"The Minimoog is one of the legendary synths in music history. Used by many pop and rock groups in the 70s, 80s and today. Here can you find the full Minimoog playlist with a lot single sound demos, synth comparisions and one synth demo tracks. Enjoy.
The Minimoog playlist:"

Speak & Glitch GND-1 | Circuit Bent Speak Chip Synthesizer

video upload by Shirato_Noise

"This compact synthesizer seems to contain every imaginable Speak Chip-based bent sound we can imagine. I have great appreciation and respect for Richard for making this instrument a reality."

SPO phonetic test

video upload by Polaxis

"SPO vox now can read phonetics files from the microSD card.
Emy is also sending the label over USB so #touchdesigner can generate some cool displays. (inspired by ... Kraftwerk)
Sound effect : zoom v3 vocal processor
Check www.polaxis.be : I just uploaded a dictionary of 130.000 words in phonetic format to get you started. You just have to store the text like this :
1: \WW \AX \AX \NN1
2: \TT2 \UW2
3: \TH \RR1 \IY
4: \FF \FF \OR
5: \FF \FF \AY \VV
6: \SS \SS \IH \IH \PA3 \KK2 \SS
7: \SS \SS \EH \EH \VV \IH \NN1
8: \EY \PA3 \TT2"

Roland VP-550 Vocoder and Ensemble Synthesizer Best Sounds prof Miki

video upload by Miki Sun Serbia Records

"Only for Education and Entertainment;-)#Roland Roland VP-550 Vocoder and Ensemble Synthesizer Best Sounds from 2006 year prof Miki Explore Solo Lead Strings (included hidden portamento flageolet when playing legato in higher register) and Choir sounds as main sounds+ +background sounds from Casio Ap-45(Piano)+Casio Wk-3500 (Piano+Warm pad).

Song Covers in this Roland Vp-550 Ensemble Synthesizer presentation;

1.Slow Motion-Djordje Balasevic
2.Ringispil-Djordje Balasevic
3.Bezdan-Djordje Balasevic
4.Slovenska-Djordje Balasevic
5.Jesen stize,dunjo moja
6.Odlazi cirkus-Djordje Balasevic
7.Lepa protina kci-Djordje Balasevic
8.Prica o Vasi Ladackom-Djordje Balasevic
9.Ne volim Januar-Djordje Balasevic

Đorđe Balašević ( 11 May 1953 – 19 February 2021) was a Serbian and Yugoslav singer and songwriter, writer, poet and director. He began his career in the late 1970s as a member of the band Rani Mraz, transitioning after two albums to a solo career. He first gained mainstream prominence for writing Rani Mraz's hit "Računajte na nas" (Count on Us), which was often described as an anthem of a generation. Noted for his vivid lyricism and poetry, Balašević was also known for weaving political commentary into his songs and live performance.

Broadly supportive of South Slavic unity in late 1970s and early 1980s, in the lead up to the Yugoslav wars he began to criticise the authorities. During the Yugoslav wars, he became a prominent anti-war voice in the region, thanks to which he also became an UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Balašević was the first Serbian act to perform in Sarajevo following the siege of Sarajevo. Balašević became one of the most prominent critics of Slobodan Milošević's regime, at considerable personal risk. Djordje was a prolific singer and writer, he recorded 14 albums and 8 books during his career and has been characterised by media and commentators as "musical legend" and author of many "evergreen hits

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Polaxis Terminal / Emy Speech Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

You can find demos in previous posts here.

"Terminal is a standalone modular speech synthesizer containing Emy and a little PCB to provide power and extended connectivity.

It is powered via a USB connector. The casing allows adding any of the Vox modules inside just by removing four screws.

Terminal / EMY can be used in a CV-controlled environment or act as a MIDI instrument.

You can install the various firmware on the SD card before powering the device.

A pair of shunts allows the user to connect Terminal either as a MIDI USB unit or as a host for a USB keyboard for text entry. TRS jack MIDI Type B connector.


Emy is a versatile speech synthesizer that can host a hardware synthesizer on its back via a mikroBUS port. This port allows transforming Emy in a matter of a minute. TMS5220/TMS5100 / TMC0281 (Speak & Spell) included.

LPC data are read from the SD card so an infinite vocabulary can be loaded

Sound and vocabulary can be produced by concatenating allophones and prosody markers from the text file to affect rate, duration, and pitch. No limits here!

The OLED crisp display allows browsing amongst the files and the lines within files to pick the sound the user wants to generate.

Speech rendering can be tweaked in real-time to affect, rate, stretch, bend, pitch, and energy.

All the potentiometers have CV entries attached to them

Emy produces sounds in 3 major modes: Speech, Repeat, and VCO.

In Speech mode, the speech starts with a gate signal and is completed before waiting for a new gate signal. The speech has priority.

In Repeat mode, the speech starts and stops with the gate signal going high or low.

The gate has the priority, and the speech repeats while the gate is high. This mode is handy to create crazy rhythms.

In VCO mode, the LPC engine loops while the gate is high, producing steady notes."

SpeakJet effects demo

video upload by Polaxis

"Just sequencing the sounds effects and playing with the phonemes groups"

Follow-up to SpeakJet first test

SpeakJet first test

video upload by Polaxis

"Working on a new prototype: Speakjet vox, hosting the almost vintage chip of the same name. Here hosted inside the Terminal. I am playing with different modes: priority to the gate, priority to speech, and queuing phonemes. While queuing phonemes, the chip it triggering the snare when the buffer is half full, giving a nice feel to the beat"

Also see this post with Speakjet on Emy in 2018. The chip was also featured in the FLAME Talking MIDI Talking synth. You can find SpeakJet posts here.

Polaxis Mea MIDI

video by Polaxis

Playlist:

1. Mea MIDI

Mea vox now behaves as an external MIDI instrument :
- MIDI note assigned to 39 phonemes.
- Velocity and Pitch bend supported.
- Can hold the note for singing effect.

I renamed the notes with Ableton Live MIDI Effects rack to help in sequencing phonemes by their sound. It is very easy to build a sequence!

2. Mea numbers

Emy with Mea-vox addon board. Testing the new version of the code with number grouped (0-1,0-9,0-20) Emy's Usb port is connected to a computer to render the video. (driven by the speech) inspired by Alva Noto & Anne-James Chaton

3. MEA now with phoneme groups (video done with Processing)

Emy hosting the vintage MEA8000 french speech synthesizer chip.
New Phoneme groups (Voyelles/Consonnes/Syllables/Tous)
Playing with phonemes, inspired by Alva Noto & Anne-James Chaton
Emy’s serial port connected to Processing to display the phonemes in sync.

Yamaha Montage Demo Voco speaking patches HD no talking

js-sound

00:00 Start

00:05 TuTa Voc
00:21 Voc Split
00:35 Astronaut3
00:44 Astronaut2
01:01 Astronaut1
01:51 Venom
02:45 Echolot

03:35 Vocarius
04:12 Vocatan Di
04:47 Vocatan Nar
05:21 Chaotic Conv
05:31 Speaker Sasha
05:57 Speaker Wik