Apps Speak Unique App User Guide

Apps Speak Unique App

FAQ

• Q: Can I use iPads or tablets for recording my voice with SpeakUnique?
  • A: Recording is currently not supported on iPads or tablets. Please use a laptop or computer for voice recording.
• Q: How do I know if my Android device is compatible with SpeakUnique voices?
  • A: You can check the list of tested Android devices on our website or use the Speed Test app available on the Google Play store to confirm compatibility.

This guide gives you set by step instructions for creating a Voice Build with SpeakUnique.

Before you begin

To record your voice with SpeakUnique, you will need:

1. A laptop or computer. Recording is not currently supported on iPads and tablets.
2. An external headset microphone that connects to your computer via the USB port or headphone socket. We do not recommend a specific headset, but headsets made by Sennheiser, Plantronics and Logitech are reliable.
3. A quiet room with no background noise and ideally soft furnishings to remove any echoing.

Device compatibility

Before you start recording, please ensure the device you want to use your voice on (e.g. communication aid, phone or tablet) is compatible with SpeakUnique voices. SpeakUnique voices can be downloaded unlimited times across a range of devices.

SpeakUnique App

The SpeakUnique app is a text-to-speech app that allows you to input text via a keyboard or pre-set categories and phrases. This typed message is then generated in your personalised synthetic voice. The app can be used with various input methods, such as switch access. It is compatible with iOS devices (i.e. iPhones and iPads) running iOS 12 or higher, and many Android devices, depending on the chip used by the particular device.

A current list of tested Android devices is available here: https://www.speakunique.co.uk/session/using-your-voice-speakunique-app- android.

You can check whether a given device is compatible or not on the list.

Speed Test App

If you already own an Android device but you’re not sure if it’s compatible, you can check this by using our speed test app, which can be downloaded free from the Google Play store by searching for “SpeakUnique Speed Test”. The app will run a short speed test, which takes less than a minute, to confirm if your device is compatible with the SpeakUnique app. Once you have run the test, you can delete the speed test app from your device.

Third Party Apps for iOS

We have partnered with Smartbox and Therapy Box to integrate SpeakUnique voices into Grid for iPad and Predictable for iOS devices, respectively. A licence for Grid for iPad or Predictable must be purchased separately or provided through your healthcare provision. Please note SpeakUnique voices do not integrate into Predictable on Android devices.

Windows Devices

For Windows devices, the voices are provided in SAPI5 format where they can be accessed by any software on the device which relies on synthetic voices. We do not offer our own SpeakUnique app for Windows devices – you will need to use third party software to access your voice.
We have confirmed the voices are compatible with the speech generating devices listed below but please get in touch if we have not included a device you intend to use the voice on.

• Tobii Dynavox
  • Indi 7, i-12+, i-15+, i-13, i-16, I-110
• SmartBox
  • Grid Pad 8, Grid Pad 10, Grid Pad 11, Grid Pad 12, Grid Pad 13, Grid Pad 15, Touch Pad
• Liberator/ PRC
  • Accent 1400, Accent 1000 and Accent 800

Registering for an account

• Visit www.speakunique.co.uk and click Sign Up/ Login.

To register for a new account, please enter your email address and click Begin Registration

• Enter your first name, last name and choose a password. We’d love to know how you found out about us and you can decide if you would like to be kept up to date on our news through our mailing list! Then click Continue.
• This guide will show you how to create a Voice Build, click Get Started.
• Please complete your personal details. We ask for this information to help us better understand how to build your synthetic voice. You do not need to provide us with your medical condition if you do not want to.
• If you are being supported to use SpeakUnique by a Healthcare Professional, you can add their details to your account to grant permission for them to liaise with us on your behalf and allow them to view your progress. If you are unsure of this information at this stage, you can add this at any time from within “My Account”.
• Please let us know how you would describe your accent. The Accent Influence box can be used if there is any extra information about your accent that you think would be helpful to tell us.
• Your registration is now complete, and you can continue to the recording now. You will receive an email to confirm your account has been created.

Completing the Recording

Recording Set-Up

• The next screens contain tips on how to complete a good recording.
• We have prepared a short video explaining the recording process.
• Recording tips are also provided in written format.
• Make sure your external microphone is connected to your computer and is positioned in line with your jaw. You do not want the microphone too close to your mouth as this can lead to a poor-quality recording.
• We offer a selection of different scripts for you to choose from. First select what genre of book you would like to read from; each genre contains a range of titles to pick from.
• Once you have selected a genre, you will see the available titles. Each title has been rated for ease of reading. Use the circle button on the right to select which title you would like to read. We also have a “Simple Script” available which is made up of shorter sentences and idioms which we can make available to you, if you struggle to read any of the provided scripts. Please contact us at support@speakunique.co.uk if you would like to use this script.
• You are now ready to start recording. Please make sure you are comfortable.

Microphone Permissions

• Before you begin recording, you need to ensure the correct microphone is selected. A list of available microphones on your device will be shown on screen, please choose your microphone and click Continue.
• If you complete the steps outlined in the screenshot above and the microphone is still not recording, please check the microphone permissions on your web browser and your laptop/computer and ensure you have granted access to www.speakunique.co.uk to access your microphone.

The Recording Screen

1. This is the sentence you need to read aloud.
2. Press Record to start recording each sentence.
3. The Play button allows you to listen to the sentence you have just recorded – please listen back to sentences frequently to check the quality.
4. The volume bar indicates the volume of the recording. An error message will appear if the recording is too loud, too quiet or if your microphone is too close to your mouth.
5. The arrows allow you to move between sentences. You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to do this.
6. The progress bar shows the sentence number you are reading and what percentage of the recording you have completed.
7. Here you can change the external microphone you want to use. Please note the name of the microphone might differ from what you expect.
8. Use the Save and Log Out feature if you would like to save your recording.

The Screen During Recording

1. Press record and start speaking. If you make a mistake, you are interrupted, you notice background noise or if you cough during the recording please rerecord the sentence.
2. Press Stop to stop recording the sentence.
3. A red box will appear around the screen to indicate that recording is in progress.
4. Your synthetic voice can be built on a minimum of 125 sentences and a maximum of 150 sentences.

The Save and Submit button will appear once you have reached sentence 126 and can be used when you are ready to submit your recordings to create your synthetic voice. If you wish to record all 150 sentences, please continue recording until you reach the end of the process.

• After you’ve clicked Save and Submit, please confirm your account type and accent information. The submission will not be complete and the synthetic voice will not be generated until you click Submit.
• Please ensure you have registered for the correct service – if you wish to change from a Voice Build to a Voice Repair (or vice versa) you can do this now.
• Once you have submitted your recordings, your account will show that your voice is being generated.

Listening to Your Voice Build

• You will be notified by email once your synthetic voice has been generated. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk folder or log back into your account to check your voice status.
• Log into your account at www.speakunique.co.uk and click Download/listen to samples of your synthetic voice.
• You can listen to 5 samples of your synthetic voice.
• If you have any feedback on the voice, you can use our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down system to let us know what you think. If you have more specific feedback or would like to upgrade to our Voice Repair service, please email support@speakunique.co.uk.

Payment and Funding for Voice Build

• You can opt to self-fund the voice via a secure online payment by clicking Pay Now. If you wish to complete a funding application, please click Apply for Funding and follow the below steps.
• Our current funding partnerships will be displayed, alongside eligibility criteria.
• The steps for applying for funding are specific to each charity but the required information will be shown on screen.

For example, the MND Association application is shown below

• Applications from some charities require endorsement from a healthcare professional.
• You are required to provide the email address of the healthcare professional endorsing your application for funding. An automatic email will be sent to them explaining what they need to do.

For example, the PSPA application is shown below

Downloading Your Voice Build

The Download Now button will appear once your voice has been purchased or your funding has been approved.

You can download your voice an unlimited number of times across multiple devices on all our supported platforms, The process for downloading your voice will depend on the device/ app you are using and specific instructions can be found by clicking on the different tabs displayed on this page.

Contact

• SpeakUnique Limited, 2.04 Murchison House, 10 Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF
• E: info@speakunique.co.uk
• W: www.speakunique.co.uk

References

• SpeakUnique - In Your Own Words
• SpeakUnique - In Your Own Words
• SpeakUnique Official Website - In Your Own Words - Record Your Voice - Personal Synthetic Voices Accents

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