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.

FLAME Midi Talking Synthesizer w/ Joysticks

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

via this auction

"Includes original box, 2 original manuals and 4 different ac adapters for different types of worldwide voltage...

"The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH is a small-sized MIDI-controlled sound module based on the analogue Speakjet ™ chip, produced by the U.S. company Magnevation LLC. Originally designed for basic artificially generated speech output in American English tongue it was then refined and further developed as an 8-bit sound module with speech-like sounds and synthetic robot voices as well as beeps, alarms, noise and retro-style sci-fi sounds. Due to the structure of the Speakjet ™ (with its complex sound synthesizer, preset sounds and serial interface) it offers an impressive range of possibilities. It contains 72 speech elements (allophones), 43 sound effects, and 12 DTM touch tones. The idea was to create sounds, patterns and sequences in the 8-bit style of the 80s or other retro sounds for making music instead of just simulating speech. Most allophones can be tuned and used tonally. The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH contains two Speakjet ™ chips to produce a richer and more complex tonal variety as well as generating a pseudo stereo effect.

Since the Speakjet ™ has not originally been laid out for the purpose of making music it is actually not fully controllable via MIDI input, i.e.: once sounds are triggered they cannot be directly stopped by Note Off messages from a MIDI keyboard or a sequencer. Thus a MIDI-controlled audio tremolo has been implemented in the FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH virtually allowing MIDI control and enabling an easier integration into a MIDI setup. The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH lets you play back preset words in its EXPANDER mode via an external MIDI keyboard or a sequencer. In addition you can use the FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH as a stand-alone MIDI controller since all controls and joysticks send MIDI control/change data to the MIDI-OUT connector.

The internal sound is generated by the two independently controlled Speakjet ™ chips. Each of them provides a mono audio output (32 kHz PWM output) through a 6.3 mm stereo socket. The right audio channel is assigned to chip A, the left channel to chip B. An insert Y cable splits both channels into two mono audio outputs, allowing you to position the channels individually within the stereo sound field with any external mixing device. The sound level ratio of both chips can be adjusted with the MIX control. An equal sound level is obtained by turning the MIX control to the cente5r position. All functions are clearly visible on the front panel with the start/ stop /MIDI-sync/ tempo functions on the upper right-hand corner, sound/ tremolo/ scale/ note/ pitch and random functions in the middle. The HOLD-switches are used to freeze the position of the joysticks. The REC-switches are used to play back the recorded movements of the joysticks. You can switch between the modes SEQUENCER (SEQ) and EXPANDER (EXP) with the switch in the middle of the panel."

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Speak&SID - CPC MIDI IN SID + AY Synth

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Michael Wessel

"Turn your CPC into a powerful MIDI IN SID + AY Synthesizer!

A new mode has been added to the Speak&SID firmware - the MIDISID mode.

In this mode, Speak&SID can receive MIDI messages over its UART header to which a 10 $ MIDI breakout board is connected via Dupont cables. The Microkorg is used solely as a MIDI controller here (no sounds from the Microkorg). The incoming MIDI messages are then received by the CPC by reading the Speak&SID serial buffer byte by byte, and analyzed and translated into (polyphonous) notes for the internal CPC AY 3-8912 soundchip. At the same time, these notes are also sent to the (ARM)SID chip on the Speak&SID card, which is then also playing the received notes (currently only 1 voice - but for the AY we are using all 3 voices). With a little bit of additional work on the CPC machine code program, all of the SID's capabilities will be controlled via MIDI and/or the CPC keyboard keys in the near future, hence turning a CPC with Speak&SID into a powerful and inexpensive, versatile SID + AY 3-8912 MIDI IN realtime synthesizer. It is even possible to add one more soundgenerator to the mix - the SpeakJet chip is also a 4channel sound synthesizer! Interestingly, as you can hear, the SID and AY sound chip are slightly detuned from each other. Not sure why this is... maybe I need to tune the SID or AY frequencies a bit? Or maybe that's an ARMSID inaccurarcy? Have to try with my real 6581."

Speak&SID CPC - 2nd Demo, Line Out Recording + LEDs!

Published on Nov 9, 2019 Michael Wessel

"This time, a line out recording of Speak&SID CPC. Last video was taken from the camera's mic. Speak&SID's GPIO LEDs are controlled by the CPC, not the firmware. The 4 LEDs, from left to right, are the GATE bits of the corresponding SID cannels, and the 4th LED indicates changes in filter resonance. As the LEDs are controlled by the CPC / SID Player software, it is also possible to turn this LED display into a volume level indicator display, or other kinds of "lightshows". It is easy to patch the ASM for that (all the SID registers are modeled in software there).

In the meantime, the 2nd PCB revision boards arrived. So I should be able to ship out the first Speak&SID cards early December."

Amstrad CPC Speak&SID - First Demo of SID Player

Published on Nov 2, 2019 Michael Wessel

"First demo of Speak&SID with the DaDMaN's version of Simon Owen's SID Player. Thanks to DaDMaN from the CPC Wiki Forum for sharing his branch of this player with me, which he had already customized for the CPC! Indeed, it was very little effort to get it running with Speak&SID. I only needed to change the output port and a couple other bits. And worked out of the box, to my surprise! And now - enjoy RoboCup and Commando on the authentic SID 6581.

In case you should be wondering why the sound volume goes low and sounds tinny for a couple of seconds at some point in the video - Speak&SID also feeds into the CPC's internal audio speaker, so at that point I am turning off the amp and let the CPC speaker roar for a bit."

Some additional info in via Mechael Wessel:

"I am cooking up a SID soundcard for the Amstrad CPC

Maybe of some interest to SID / CPC lovers?

'CPC Speak&SID' is a SpeakJet-based speech synthesizer for the CPC, and a SID sound card! It works with the original SID chips, but SwinSID and ARMSID are also valid options. The video shows the original 6581 in action.

The sources for CPC Speak&SID will be made open source soon. The production costs for the card are in the 50 $ range (without the SID chip of course - builders have to source one themselves) Speak&SSID uses the SpeakChip chip for the speech synthesizer, an ATMega 8535 at 16 MHz as the microcontroller, and a Xilinx 9536 CPLD. The SID chip is connected directly to the CPC address and databus though; the CPLD generates the 1 MHz clock signal from the CPC's 4 MHz clock, as well as the other control signals such as R/~W etc.

Unlike the Commodore, the CPC uses IO ports instead of memory mapped registers for hardware interfacing. Hence, the 29 SID chip registers starting at address &d400 to &d41c in the C64 memory are mapped to the CPC's Z80 IO ports &fac0 - &fadc. C64 SID BASIC programs can be ported easily to Speak&SID, simply by replacing the POKE's (PEEK) with OUT (INP) commands, and by adjusting the SID base address.

For the SID Player shown in the video, I am using a version that was already customized by DaDMaN from the CPC Wiki Forum, and it is based on Simon Owen's SID Player for the Z80."

Atarivox+ Speech Synthesizer Review | Gray Defender

Published on May 16, 2018 GRay Defender

via Atari Age

"The AtariVox+ is a self-contained speech/music synthesizer and memory card for the Atari 2600 and 7800, Vectrex, and other video game consoles with compatible controller ports.

The heart of the unit is the SpeakJet--an amazing chip with phonetic speech, preset sounds and a five channel music synthesizer. All of these are controlled by the console via a serial interface emulated through the driver software.

Similar to chips used in 80s speech synthesizers but with extended capabilities, the speech retains a nice retro quality, making it a perfect partner for classic consoles.

Also onboard the AtariVox+ is 32K of non-volatile memory which can be used as a memory card. The flash memory will retain data without power for 200+ years.

An allocation scheme has been devised so that no file is ever overwritten, allowing many different games to store data on just one unit.

Dip Switch Settings

The AtariVox+ contains a bank of dip switches that allow you to select which mode the AtariVox+ will operate in:

AtariVox - for the Atari 2600 and 7800 (default setting)
VecVoice - for compatibility with earlier Vectrex speech synthesis - mainly for the speech-hacked version of Berzerk (Verzerk) and Y.A.S.I.
VecVox - for the Vectrex."

The SpeakJet has been used in a number of synth projects including the Flame Talking Synth and the Polaxix Emy eurorack module. See the SpeakJet label below for more.

SpeakJetVox

Published on Apr 29, 2018 Jean-Luc Deladrière

"Testing the Speakjet chip on Emy. Just playing random phonemes while fiddling with speed/pitch/bend/duration."

Polaxix Emy.

Flame MIDI Talking Synth

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

via this auction

"The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH is a small-sized MIDI-controlled sound module based on the analogue Speakjet ™ chip, produced by the U.S. company Magnevation LLC. Originally designed for basic artificially generated speech output in American English tongue it was then refined and further developed as an 8-bit sound module with speech-like sounds and synthetic robot voices as well as beeps, alarms, noise and retro-style sci-fi sounds. Due to the structure of the Speakjet ™ (with its complex sound synthesizer, preset sounds and serial interface) it offers an impressive range of possibilities. It contains 72 speech elements (allophones), 43 sound effects, and 12 DTM touch tones. The idea was to create sounds, patterns and sequences in the 8-bit style of the 80s or other retro sounds for making music instead of just simulating speech. Most allophones can be tuned and used tonally. The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH contains two Speakjet ™ chips to produce a richer and more complex tonal variety as well as generating a pseudo stereo effect. Since the Speakjet ™ has not originally been laid out for the purpose of making music it is actually not fully controllable via MIDI input, i.e.: once sounds are triggered they cannot be directly stopped by Note Off messages from a MIDI keyboard or a sequencer. Thus a MIDI-controlled audio tremolo has been implemented in the FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH virtually allowing MIDI control and enabling an easier integration into a MIDI setup. The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH lets you play back preset words in its EXPANDER mode via an external MIDI keyboard or a sequencer. In addition you can use the FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH as a stand-alone MIDI controller since all controls and joysticks send MIDI control/change data to the MIDI-OUT connector.

> tech specs
- 2 independently controlled Speakjet ™ chips
- Each of them provides a mono audio output (32 kHz PWM output) through a 6.3 mm stereo socket
- MIX control with start/ stop /MIDI-sync/ tempo/ sound/ tremolo/ scale/ note/ pitch
- HOLD-switches to freeze the position of the joysticks
- REC-switches to play back the recorded movements of the joysticks.
- SEQ mode sounds can be played manually.
- EXP mode for a drum expander module use. Words and sounds are triggered only by received MIDI notes. No sequencer/ tremolo/ random or scale functions are available in this mode.
- SEQUENCER MODE
-controlled by the internal or external MIDI clock and sends MIDI TIMING data (start/ stop/ clock) when running
- joystick TALK
- 64 sounds can be played.
- HOLD switch (Talk)
- REC switch (Talk)
- LOOP switch
- SOUND turn-switch with 12 patches are available.
- SOUNDS TALK: lists with allophones that can be played tonally
- SOUNDS SYNTH: lists with effect sounds that cannot be played tonally
- SPEED control
- Playback velocity of the allophones: left = slow, right = fast
- MIX control controls the volume for Speakjet A and B.
- NOTE / SCALE
- joystick NOTE
- SCALE switch
- TREMOLO
- RANDOM
- MIDI SEQUENCER
- EXPANDER MODE
- MIDI CONTROLLER"

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JOMOX X BASE 09 MOD and New TACTILE SWITCH Speakjet comment TR 909 Clone

Published on Sep 21, 2014 HOX808

"X BASE 09 MOD, Pattern control via CV / Gate (MFB STEP64)
New buttons in blue and white."

FLAME MIDI-TALKING-SYNTH 8-bit Synth with Speakjet Chips, Original Box & Manuals - Demo

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

via this auction

"This is the very rare FLAME MIDI-TALKING SYNTH. Peter Christopherson used one of these with Throbbing Gristle (as can be seen here [last pic in this post]) which shows how highly regarded they are. These have been out of production for a while and rarely come up for sale so grab it while you can. It can make speech-like sounds and synthetic robot voices as well as beeps, alarms, noise and retro-style sci-fi sounds. Can be played using the joysticks (which also transmit MIDI data so can be used as MIDI controllers) or by using an external keyboard or sequencer. Has an array of words which can be triggered via a keyboard/sequencer such as 'Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll'.

More details can be found at the FLAME site

By passing this through a Kaoss Pad I used this synth to make all the sounds on this track [embed above]

and the ‘chanting’ on this track

In full working order with original box, power supply and user manual."

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Flame Talking Synth with Dual Joysticks

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

via this auction

"This is the ultra rare and very cool Flame MIDI Talking Synth from Germany.

Two Speakjet speech synthesis chips provide a stereo spread of robot voices plus beeps, alarms, noise and retro-style sci-fi sounds.

It can babble like a maniacal R2D2 robot or say dozens of pre programmed words like;

"bass, plastic, music, black hole, tekkno, mystery, sex, drugs and rock'n'roll!"

Using the 72 phonemes and allophones of the English language in it's memory it can be programmed to say any words you like.

You can hours and hours of fun with this. When hooked up to a sequencer this is a monster. You can modulate the sounds with the dual joysticks in real time and record over and over. If you are familiar with using Speak n Spells, this is the Ferrari with limitless control. You can save words and phrases you create and play them back with keyboards and sequencers via MIDI.

Also functions as a MIDI controller as all controls and joysticks send MIDI control/change data to the MIDI-OUT connector.

The synth comes with original box and manual. It is only missing one rubber foot dot on the bottom (see last pic) which does not affect it's performance at all. Works perfectly. Requires a standard 9-12V 500ma DC powersupply."

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FLAME MIDI Talking Synth

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

via this auction

"This is the rare Flame MIDI Talking Synth from Germany. You can hours and hours of fun with this. When hooked up to a sequencer this is a monster. You can modulate the sounds with the joysticks in real time and record over and over. If you are familiar with using Speak n Spells, this is the Ferrari with limitless control. You can save words and phrases you create and play them back with keyboards and sequencers via MIDI. Besides providing you with a dead on R2D2 from Star Wars, you have endless robotic vocoder like vocal synths from Mr. Roboto to Daft Punk and Beastie Boys Intergalactic...

ABOUT THE FLAME
The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH is a small-sized MIDI-controlled sound module based on the analogue Speakjet ™ chip, produced by the U.S. company Magnevation LLC. Originally designed for basic artificially generated speech output in American English tongue it was then refined and further developed as an 8-bit sound module with speech-like sounds and synthetic robot voices as well as beeps, alarms, noise and retro-style sci-fi sounds. Due to the structure of the Speakjet ™ (with its complex sound synthesizer, preset sounds and serial interface) it offers an impressive range of possibilities. It contains 72 speech elements (allophones), 43 sound effects, and 12 DTM touch tones. The idea was to create sounds, patterns and sequences in the 8-bit style of the 80s or other retro sounds for making music instead of just simulating speech. Most allophones can be tuned and used tonally. The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH contains two Speakjet ™ chips to produce a richer and more complex tonal variety as well as generating a pseudo stereo effect. Thus a MIDI-controlled audio tremolo has been implemented in the FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH virtually allowing MIDI control and enabling an easier integration into a MIDI setup. The FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH lets you play back preset words in its EXPANDER mode via an external MIDI keyboard or a sequencer. In addition you can use the FLAME MIDI TALKING SYNTH as a stand-alone MIDI controller since all controls and joysticks send MIDI control/change data to the MIDI-OUT connector.

TECH SPECS
The Flame has two independently controlled Speakjet ™ chips 
each of them provides a mono audio output (32 kHz PWM output) through a 6.3 mm stereo socket
- MIX control with start/ stop /MIDI-sync/ tempo/ sound/ tremolo/ scale/ note/ pitch 

- HOLD-switches to freeze the position of the joysticks
- REC-switches to play back the recorded movements of the joysticks.

- SEQ mode sounds can be played manually.

- EXP mode for a drum expander module use. Words and sounds are triggered only by received MIDI notes. No sequencer/ tremolo/ random or scale functions are available in this mode.

- SEQUENCER MODE
-controlled by the internal or external MIDI clock and sends MIDI TIMING data (start/ stop/ clock) when running
- joystick TALK
- 64 sounds can be played. 
- HOLD switch (Talk)
- REC switch (Talk)
- LOOP switch
- SOUND turn-switch with 12 patches are available. 

- SOUNDS TALK: lists with allophones that can be played tonally

- SOUNDS SYNTH: lists with effect sounds that cannot be played tonally

- SPEED control
- Playback velocity of the allophones: left = slow, right = fast
- MIX control controls the volume for Speakjet A and B. 

- NOTE / SCALE

- joystick NOTE

- SCALE switch

- TREMOLO

- RANDOM

- MIDI SEQUENCER

- EXPANDER MODE

- MIDI CONTROLLER"

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FLAME - TALKING SYNTH / VOICE DRONE / SPEAKJET BENT/ DRONE MACHINE

Published on Feb 17, 2014 HOX808·46 videos

FLAME TALKING SYNTH controls itself and is bent by two LFO. DOEPFER A 145, DOEPFER A 147.
For lovers of Speakjet IC, certainly a delicacy.
Many unexpected opportunities through the CV inputs!
Doepfer Modular Eurorack

Flame Midi Talking Synth

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

via this auction

"This is a rare and unique electronic music instrument based on the Speakjet IC. They are not produced anymore as a stand-alone unit..."

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Flame Talking MIDI Synth

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

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"Flame MIDI Talking Synth, a small-sized MIDI-controlled sound module based on the analog Speakjet chip, produced by the U.S. company Magnevation.

Originally designed for basic artificially generated speech output in American English tongue, it has been refined and further developed as an 8-bit sound module with speech-like sounds and synthetic robot voices as well as beeps, alarms, noise and retro-style sci-fi sounds..."

soundmachines RB1 robotto Horde #1 is almost ready!!!!

via Davide Mancini on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"Horde #1 is almost ready!!!!"

via Soundmachines on Facebook:

"It's a robotic singer! It's based on the Babblebot (or soundgin) chip. Similar to the speakjet but much more complex in sound design (other than allophones) than that. For this reason the firmware will be open sourced (Arduino) and everyone can modifiy the behaviour! Please check the manual on the website!"

Flame Talking Synth - One Handed Demo

YouTube Uploaded by cutandcover on Jul 9, 2009

"I haven't messed with this in a while, but dug it out and found some cool sounds on the fast speed settings. This is me holding the camera with one hand and playing the synth with the other. Audio recorded direct - no camera quality audio! Stereo - the talking synth has two sometimes synchronized speakjet pwm synths and each comes out its own channel."

Flame Talking Synth on eBay

Flame Midi Talking Synth

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

"This is rare, out of production unit is a small-sized MIDI controlled sound module based on the analog Speakjet chip. it comes with power supply and a padded case with extra compartments."

Flame Midi Talking Synthesizer

via this auction

"The unit is built around two of the analogue Speakjet chips, produced by the US Company Magnevation LLC. Originally for talking tasks in the usual robot-toned voice, they’ve been further developed into making sound effects and various 8-bit blips and beeps.

Using two chips not only makes the unit tonally richer but they also provide a pseudo stereo type output on the (32kHz PWM output) regular quarter inch jack stereo socket but the first thing you notice about this unit is how many controls are jammed across its surface and how well it’s built.

Switching between chips is at a flick of a switch and a mix rotary lets you blend the sound of each chip together. It’s powered by a 9V DC adaptor and has both MIDI in and out, meaning the unit can also send MIDI messages, making it capable of controlling other devices too via its rotaries, switches and joysticks.

Dual mode
There are two modes the unit can operate in, Sequencer mode and Expander mode. Sequencer mode lets you operate the unit manually using the talk joystick to trigger sounds and internal MIDI clock controlled tremelo, which can interrupt sounds depending on the tempo set on the MIDI clock.

Where the joystick is positioned affects how sounds are triggered, with upwards movements triggering the individual sounds, words or vowel sounds and downwards movements triggering these sounds in sequence. The other joystick takes care of pitch and movements of both joysticks can be recorded when the ‘Rec’ switch is activated. It takes some time to get used to the way this synth works but a simple manual explains procedures.

Triggering the unit via MIDI is taken care of by the Expander mode and words are triggered via the keys on a controller keyboard or a sequence in your DAW (although you must output on MIDI channel 10). You can alter the pitch and speed while in MIDI mode, allowing words to be shaped more specifically.

Retro tone
The actual sound quality this unit kicks out is great – traditionally retro in its tone and with some decent experimentation it can deliver some brilliant results. If you’re keen to get a Speak & Spell, it may be worth stumping up the extra cash for something much more usable and ultimately sonically superior.

This is a very specific kit and might not be for everyone. It’s not going to start singing over your tune, unless you have the patience for some heavy MIDI programming. But as a lovely sounding retro item that forces a decent amount of experimentation it’s a great purchase. It slots perfectly into the current ‘scene’ and when it’s blips and sound effects are ramped through some guitar pedals it can sound pretty cool."

Flame Talking Synth

via this auction

"This unit has a unique, midi-controlled "talking synth" sound that can range from robotic, Kraftwerk-like voicings to other-worldly vocal sounds, based on the Speakjet chip. No longer in production, this is a boutique and unique little unit."