Voice banking equipment and services
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an important clinical intervention for many people with motor neurone disease (MND). Some people with MND may want to bank their voice for future use within high-tech AAC systems.
This information is for health and social care professionals. It gives an overview of the equipment and services needed for voice banking and where to find more information.
What equipment is needed for voice banking?
Voice banking service
There is a range of voice banking services available. We are not able to make recommendations, but some of the available options are listed below.
Computer
Voice banking services are accessed online, so a PC or laptop is required, with access to the internet for some or all of the time. Certain services may need to use a particular browser, such as Google Chrome or Internet Explorer. These are free to download on to any computer.
Usually tablet computers and smart phones are not powerful enough to bank a voice. However, some services are beginning to offer apps that allow for voice banking on tablets or smartphones. But it is likely that the voice created will be of a poorer quality compared to one created using a PC or laptop with a headset microphone.
Microphone
A suitable microphone is important. This should be a headset model with a USB connection, that allows the person to keep a consistent distance from the mouth to the microphone.
Desktop or built-in microphones on PCs or laptops are not suitable. Individual companies will advise on which headset they feel works best with their software.
Recording environment
The recording environment should be quiet and have no background noise. Some of the services need a microphone test to be carried out first to make sure the recording environment is suitable. It is important that the same recording environment is used every time.
Voice banking can work well when the recording is made at home, and it does not need to be as quiet as a recording studio to be successful.
Specialist support
The speech and language therapist may need to support the person with MND for voice recording to have a chance of success.
Options for voice banking
We have included details below of voice banking services currently available online. These are not provided as recommendations for any particular service, but as links for professionals to find out more about the options available online.
The MND Association is not responsible for the content or products on any of the following websites.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and other options may be available. Costs or services offered may change at any time.
CereVoice Me
Online voice cloning tool that allows you to create a computer version of your own voice. Cerevoice Me voices are compatible with various text to speech software programs on Windows, Apple OS (Mac) and Android devices.
Email: through the website contact page
Website: www.cereproc.com/en/products/cerevoiceme
ModelTalker
Speech synthesis software package designed to benefit people who may lose or are losing their ability to speak. ModelTalker voices are compatible with various text to speech software programs on Windows, Android, Apple OS (Mac) and iOS devices (iPads and iPhones).
Email: staff@modeltalker.org
Website: www.modeltalker.org
My-own-voice
This web service allows someone to create a synthetic voice using their own voice. My-own-voice voices are compatible with various text to speech software programs on Windows,
Android, Apple OS (Mac) and iOS devices (iPads and iPhones).
Email: through the website contact page
Website: www.acapela-group.com/solutions/my-own-voice
SpeakUnique
SpeakUnique creates personalised synthetic voices for use in communication aids, and can create ‘repaired’ synthetic voices by blending in other voices. SpeakUnique voices are compatible on Windows, Android and IOS devices (iPads and iPhones).
Email: info@speakunique.co.uk
Website: www.speakunique.co.uk
The VoiceKeeper
Voice banking technology used to create and preserve an authentic version of someone's voice. Also available as an iOS (iPad or iPhone) app requiring no need for a laptop, PC, headset or microphone. TheVoiceKeeper voices are compatible on Windows devices.
Email: through the website contact page
Website: www.thevoicekeeper.com
VocaliD
Online synthetic voice creation. Vocalid voices are compatible with various text to speech software programs on Windows devices.
Email: hello@vocalid.ai
Website: https://vocalid.ai
Find out more
If you would like more information about AAC, please contact our Communication Aids Coordinator or our MND Connect helpline.