Last Updated on November 7, 2023
Converting word to audio has become a popular trend, with people using it for various reasons, such as accessibility, learning, and entertainment. With the advancement of technology, it has become easier to convert text to audio using text-to-speech software.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide on converting a Word document to audio and the available software options.
Steps In Converting A Word To Audio
Step 1: Choose Text-to-speech Software
Various text-to-speech software options are available, ranging from free to paid options. Some popular free text-to-speech software options include NaturalReader, Balabolka, and Read Aloud. Paid options include software like Amazon Polly and Google Cloud Text-to-Speech.
Step 2: Install The Software
After selecting the text-to-speech software, download and install it on your computer by following the software’s provided installation instructions.
Step 3: Open Your Word Document
Open the Word document that you want to convert to audio. Review the document and make any necessary edits or adjustments.
Step 4: Copy And Paste The Text
Highlight the text that you want to convert to audio and copy it. Open a new document in the text-to-speech software and paste the text.
Step 5: Choose The Voice And Settings
Most text-to-speech software lets you choose the voice and settings best suit your needs. You can select the audio’s language, pitch, speed, and volume. Experiment with different settings until you find the best one for you.
Step 6: Convert The Text To Audio
Once you have chosen the voice and settings, click the ‘Convert’ or ‘Speak’ button to convert the text to audio. The software will begin to read the text aloud, and you can save the audio and transcription results in a format of your choice, such as MP3 or WAV.
Step 7: Edit And Refine The Audio
After converting the text to audio, listen to the audio file and make any necessary edits or refinements. You can adjust the pitch, speed, and volume of the audio and even add background music or sound effects if desired.
Step 8: Save And Share The Audio
Once you are satisfied with the audio, save it in a format of your choice and share it with your intended audience. You can upload the audio file to your website and social media platforms or share it with your audience.
Top 5 Text-to-speech Software
Let’s take a closer look at some of the popular text-to-speech software options available:
Natural Reader
NaturalReader is a popular free text-to-speech software with many features that make it an excellent option for anyone looking to convert text into audio. One of the most appealing aspects of NaturalReader is its ease of use. The software has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate, even for those unfamiliar with text-to-speech software.
One of the key features of NaturalReader is its ability to convert text to audio. The software supports a wide range of file types, including TXT, DOC, DOCX, PDF, and RTF, which makes it easy to convert written text from various sources. Once you have copied and pasted the text into NaturalReader, you can convert the text to audio using multiple customizable settings.
Another great feature of NaturalReader is its ability to customize the voice and speed of the audio. The software offers a range of natural-sounding voices that users can adjust for pitch, speed, and volume. It makes it possible to create high-quality audio that sounds like a natural human voice, essential for creating engaging and accessible content.
In addition to its voice customization options, NaturalReader also allows you to adjust the settings for the audio output. You can choose the audio quality, bit rate, and sampling rate, which ensures that the audio is of the highest quality possible. You can also save the audio in various formats, including MP3, WAV, and WMA, making it easy to use the audio in multiple applications.
Price Plan
Personal Version: The Personal Version of NaturalReader is priced at $69.50 and offers additional features, including OCR (the ability to convert scanned documents into editable text), batch conversion (the ability to convert multiple audio and video files at once), and pronunciation editing (the ability to customize the pronunciation of words and phrases).
Professional Version: The Professional Version of NaturalReader is priced at $99.50 and includes all the features of the Personal Version, plus additional features like the ability to convert PDFs with multiple pages and the ability to convert web pages into audio.
Ultimate Version: The Ultimate Version of NaturalReader is priced at $199.50 and includes all the features of the Professional Version, plus additional voices and languages and the ability to integrate with other software applications, like Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat.
Amazon Polly
Amazon Polly is a cloud-based text-to-speech service that offers a wide range of advanced features to convert written text into natural-sounding speech.
One of the key features of Amazon Polly is its ability to convert large volumes of text into high-quality, natural-sounding speech quickly and easily. The service supports multiple languages and various voices, which users can customize for pitch, speed, and volume. Additionally, Amazon Polly offers the ability to add emotion to the audio, making it possible to create engaging and interactive content.
Another great feature of Amazon Polly is its ability to save audio in various formats, including MP3, OGG, and PCM, making it easy to use the audio in multiple applications. The service also offers the option to create custom pronunciations, which is helpful for those working with technical terms or industry-specific jargon.
Price Plan
The pricing for Amazon Polly is based on the number of characters converted to speech. The pricing starts at $4.00 per 1 million characters, with a minimum charge of $0.004 per character.
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech is a cloud-based text-to-speech conversion service provided by Google Cloud. Machine learning technologies allow developers to convert written text into natural-sounding audio in various languages and voices.
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech supports over 30 voices and 15 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and more. It also provides customizable speed, pitch, and volume parameters to help developers fine-tune the output audio.
In addition to standard audio formats, such as MP3 and WAV, Google Cloud Text-to-Speech also supports the generation of audio in a high-quality audio format called “Linear 16,” commonly used in telephony applications.
Price Plan
Standard voices: Standard voices cost $4.00 per million characters. Standard voices are those that are generated using concatenative synthesis technology.
WaveNet voices: The price for WaveNet voices is $16.00 per million characters. WaveNet is a machine learning-based technology that produces more natural-sounding voices.
Audio processing: There is an additional charge for audio processing, which includes adding effects such as reverb, echo, and pitch adjustment. The price for audio processing is $0.75 per million characters.
Voice Dream Reader
Voice Dream Reader is a paid text-to-speech software for mobile devices developed by Voice Dream LLC. It is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Voice Dream Reader can convert written text into spoken audio and supports various file formats, including EPUB, PDF, Word, and HTML. The app includes a variety of natural-sounding voices, and users can adjust the voice speed and pitch to their liking.
One of the unique features of Voice Dream Reader is its ability to highlight text as it is being read aloud. This feature can be handy for users with difficulty following the written text.
Price Plan
iOS version: The iOS version of Voice Dream Reader is available on the App Store for a one-time fee of $14.99. There are no additional subscription or in-app purchase fees.
Android version: The Android version of Voice Dream Reader is available on the Google Play Store for a one-time fee of $7.99. There are no additional subscription or in-app purchase fees.
Acapela Group
Acapela Group is a text-to-speech software provider offering various solutions for different industries, including gaming, e-learning, and accessibility. The company has over 100 natural-sounding voices in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and more.
Users can integrate Acapela Group’s text-to-speech solutions into various platforms and applications, including desktop software, mobile apps, and websites. The company offers customizable parameters such as speed, pitch, and volume to help users fine-tune the audio output to their liking.
In addition to its standard text-to-speech offerings, Acapela Group provides specialized solutions for specific industries, such as “AcaGame,” designed for game developers, and “AcaPixus,” intended for the printing industry.
Price Plan
It is best to contact their sales team directly and discuss your specific needs and usage requirements. They can provide a customized pricing plan that fits your needs and budget.
FAQs
What is transcribing audio files?
Transcribing audio files is converting spoken content from an audio file into written text. Audio transcription can be done manually, using human transcribers who listen to the audio and transcribe it into written form. Alternatively, it can be done automatically using software that transcribes the audio using speech recognition technology.
Can I convert an existing audio file?
Yes. You can convert an existing audio file using audio conversion software or online tools. Upload the audio file and select the desired output format.
What should I consider when converting audio files with multiple speakers?
When converting audio files with multiple speakers, choosing a transcription service or software to handle various speakers is essential. These tools typically use a combination of human transcribers and speech recognition technology to transcribe audio files with multiple speakers accurately.
What is the typical duration required for transcribing audio files?
The duration needed to transcribe an audio file varies based on multiple factors, including the audio file’s length, audio recording quality, content complexity, and the transcriber’s speed and accuracy. Typically, it takes around four to six hours to transcribe one hour of audio, but this is subject to significant variations.
Can I upload audio files to text-to-speech software?
Yes. Many text-to-speech software options allow you to upload audio files for conversion to text or to convert the audio to a different format.
Is the text-to-speech feature in Microsoft Office accurate?
The accuracy of the text-to-speech feature in Microsoft Office depends on the quality and clarity of the text in the Word document. It may not be as accurate as third-party text-to-speech software, especially for complex or technical documents.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, converting a word to audio has become an easy and convenient way to make written content more accessible and engaging. With text-to-speech software, anyone can convert written text to audio without specialized equipment or training. Following the steps outlined above, you can easily convert your word to audio and share it with your audience.
In addition to converting Word documents to audio, tools are available to convert audio to text. It is beneficial for transcribing interviews or lectures. Much text-to-speech software also can convert audio files to written text.
If you are using Word Online, you can access the Transcribe pane to automatically transcribe audio files and add the text to your document. With these tools, it’s easier than ever to create accessible and engaging content in various formats.
Now you have learned how to convert a word document to audio using various tools. You can create different formats of content that are more accessible and engaging for your audience. To learn more about these tools, check our website for more information and resources.
