Introduction to DECtalk
DECtalk is a speech synthesis technology that has been developed and refined over time. Initially created by the late Edward Bruckert, its code was shared with the public in 2015. Further developments have been added by another developer in 2022, ensuring that the project continues to evolve and improve. The project is currently hosted at datajake.braillescreen.net, where users can explore and utilize the available resources.
Exploring DECtalk
If you're eager to experience DECtalk, you can easily try it out in a couple of ways. The latest versions of the software are available for download through GitHub Actions. For those who prefer not to download anything, DECtalk can also be experimented with directly in a web browser thanks to WebAssembly. Simply visit this link to get started.
Community Engagement
The DECtalk community is vibrant and active, largely congregating on Discord. This platform offers a fantastic opportunity for enthusiasts and developers to connect, discuss, and collaborate.
Keeping Track of Development
The project is organized into several branches, each serving a specific purpose. The master branch contains the unmodified source code, while the develop branch includes working binaries for Linux, Windows, MacOS, and iOS. This structured approach allows developers to contribute efficiently and users to access the most relevant versions for their needs.
Building DECtalk
DECtalk can be built on various operating systems, each with its unique setup instructions:
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Linux: To build DECtalk on Linux, particularly Ubuntu, a set of dependencies like
build-essentialandlibasound2-devare required. The process involves running a series of commands to configure and compile the software, with the option of using Docker to simplify the environment setup. -
Windows: On Windows, DECtalk can be built using Visual Studio. Depending on the version—Visual Studio 2022 or Visual Studio 6—specific configurations and script executions are necessary to compile the system.
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MacOS: Building on MacOS involves installing Xcode command-line tools and compiling via terminal commands. The resulting build files are located in the
/distfolder.
The DECtalk Team
The DECtalk team is comprised of a dedicated group of developers. An iconic photograph captures members such as Ron Gemma, Trung Ly, Nick Shin, and others, standing together as the pioneering forces behind DECtalk. Their commitment and collaboration have been central to the project's sustained innovation and success.