Introduction to Text-to-Speech (TTS) Technology
Text-to-speech technology, often abbreviated as TTS, is a powerful tool that converts written text into spoken words. This innovation has revolutionized the way we interact with digital devices and information by providing an alternative means of accessing content for individuals who may have difficulty reading or prefer to listen rather than read.
The Advantages of Using MaloTTS on Ubuntu
MaloTTS is a free, open-source text-to-speech software developed at the University of Edinburgh. It offers users an excellent alternative for converting written text into speech and has gained popularity among Linux enthusiasts due to its compatibility with various distributions, including Ubuntu. Some key advantages of using MaloTTS on your Ubuntu system include:
- Cost-effective
As it is open source, you can use the software without any licensing fees or subscription costs. - Customizable
You have full control over the voice settings and language options available in MaloTTS. This allows users to tailor their experience according to their preferences and needs. - Cross-platform compatibility
MaloTTS is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions like Ubuntu. - High-quality speech synthesis
The software offers high-quality speech output that can be used for various purposes such as assistive technology, language learning, or simply enjoying an audiobook. - Regular updates and improvements
Since it is open source, the community of developers constantly works on improving MaloTTS by fixing bugs, adding new features, and enhancing its overall performance.
CachyOS users can still follow the steps below but must switch the fish shell to bash or zsh and initialize conda: ./conda init zsh
Installing MaloTTS Locally on Ubuntu
I just installed Ubuntu 24.04 (beta) on a Dell workstation. Since MaloTTS requires Python 3.9, I went ahead and installed Miniconda3 and created a malotts virtual environment with the required Python version and activated it.
1. Install the required dependencies: Python 3.9 and Git. You can use the following commands to do so:
sudo apt install git
2. Create a virtual environment for MaloTTS using Miniconda3:
conda create -n melotts python=3.9 --yes
conda activate melotts
python --version
3. Navigate to your desired installation directory (e.g., Documents) and clone the MeloTTS repository from GitHub using the terminal:
git clone https://github.com/myshell-ai/MeloTTS.git
cd MeloTTS
4. Install MaloTTS using pip:
pip install -e .
python -m unidic download
5. Start the WebUI by running `melo/app.py` in your terminal. If you encounter an error related to torch, ensure that you have activated the virtual environment created earlier.
python melo/app.py
6. After that command runs, you can access MaloTTS through your web browser at
http://127.0.0.1:7860
Installing MaloTTS locally on your Ubuntu system is a straightforward process that allows you to enjoy high-quality speech synthesis for various purposes, such as language learning or accessibility needs. With its open source nature and customizable settings, MaloTTS offers an excellent alternative to commercial TTS software without breaking the bank.
