Comprehensive Guide to Converting Text to Speech in Articulate Storyline

Accessing the TTS Tool

Start by navigating to the Insert tab in Storyline 360. From here, select “Text-to-Speech” under the Audio drop-down menu. This tool is your gateway to quickly generating narration directly from your course script.

Selecting the Right Language and Voice

After opening the TTS tool, your first step is to select the appropriate language from the drop-down menu. Storyline offers a variety of languages, which is crucial for projects that require localization. Once you’ve selected the language, choose a voice that best matches the tone and style of your course. With both standard and neural voices available, you can opt for a more natural-sounding, human-like voice if desired.

Inputting and Editing Your Script

Enter your script directly into the text field. If you’ve already prepared your script in the slide notes, you can save time by clicking “Copy from Slide Notes.” For longer scripts, remember that Storyline allows up to 10,000 characters per conversion, but for SSML-enhanced text, the limit is 3,000 characters. Break down longer scripts into smaller segments for multiple TTS clips that can be seamlessly aligned on the timeline.

Generating Closed Captions

Don’t forget to check the “Generate Closed Captions” box if you want to create captions alongside your audio. This step is essential for making your content accessible to all learners, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Finalizing the Conversion

Once your script and settings are in place, click “Insert” to generate the audio clip. Your narration will appear on the slide’s timeline, ready for further editing or immediate use. Make sure you’re connected to the internet, as the TTS conversion requires an active connection.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Text-to-Speech in Storyline 360

Fine-Tuning Pronunciation with SSML

Storyline 360’s support for Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) opens up advanced customization options. For example, if you find that certain words are not pronounced as desired, you can use the <phoneme> tag to specify the phonetic pronunciation. Additionally, SSML allows you to adjust the speaking rate (<prosody rate=”slow”>), insert pauses (<break time=”500ms”/>), and emphasize certain words (<emphasis level=”strong”>).

Enhancing Dialogue with Multiple Voices

When creating interactive scenarios or dialogues between characters, utilize different TTS voices to represent each speaker. This approach not only makes the content more engaging but also helps learners differentiate between characters in role-play simulations or case studies. Simply generate separate audio clips for each character and align them on the timeline.

Adding Natural Pauses

Natural pauses are crucial for making TTS audio sound more lifelike. Use punctuation like commas, periods, and semicolons to introduce brief pauses. For longer, more deliberate pauses, convert your script into audio, then use Storyline’s audio editor to insert silence. Alternatively, you can use the SSML <break> tag to achieve precise timing.

Managing Audio Quality and Synchronization

To ensure the highest audio quality, always review the generated TTS clips and adjust as necessary using Storyline’s built-in audio editor. Trim unwanted silences, normalize volume levels, and synchronize the audio with on-screen elements. This step is especially important when your narration needs to match animations or interactive sequences.

Best Practices for Multilingual Courses

When creating content in multiple languages, it’s crucial to select voices that accurately reflect the language’s natural intonation and pronunciation. For consistency across different languages, maintain a similar style and tone for all voices. APT eLearning Translation Services can assist with localizing your scripts to ensure cultural and linguistic accuracy, further enhancing the learning experience.

Replacing TTS with Professional Voiceovers

TTS is a fantastic tool for rapid prototyping and development phases. However, when finalizing your course, you may opt to replace the TTS audio with professionally recorded voiceovers. Storyline makes this process seamless—simply use the “Replace Audio” feature to swap out the TTS track with your new audio, and your closed captions will remain intact.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Overusing TTS Features

While SSML and other customization features are powerful, overusing them can make your narration sound unnatural or robotic. Use these tools sparingly to maintain a balance between customization and natural speech flow.

Ignoring the Importance of Pronunciation

Not all words are pronounced perfectly by TTS engines, especially names, technical terms, or jargon. Always review your audio for mispronunciations and correct them using phonetic spelling or SSML tags.

Skipping the Review Process

It’s tempting to rely on TTS for quick narration, but skipping a thorough review can lead to errors in pronunciation, timing, and tone. Always listen to the final output and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the best learner experience.

Forgetting to Update Audio During Script Revisions

Course content often undergoes multiple revisions. If your script changes after the initial TTS conversion, be sure to update the audio tracks to reflect these changes. Failing to do so can result in mismatches between the narration and on-screen text or visuals.