[Athen] Revisiting the best program for creating MP3s

[foreigntype at gmail.com]

Russell,

This open source app is an easy, straightforward way to convert text to MP3
files. Works in multiple languages, variety of voices available, as well as
a very decent TTS app: Balabolka.

Here’s how to convert to MP3 with Balabolka:
https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/doc/Balabolka_Guidance.pdf

And a link to download from the open source site:
http://cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

Wink Harner

On Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 3:36 PM Russell Solowoniuk <solowoniukr at macewan.ca>
wrote:


> Hi George,

>

> Thanks so much for your quick response. Yes, the PDF was first created in

> Word, but we're not sure the original Word version is still available. Just

> a quick question.  We want MP3s, so why would we first want to convert to

> ePub? Is it easier to create MP3s from ePubs? I'll have a look at that link

> first thing next week. This is probably something that will not need to be

> done till next fall, so your idea sounds promising.

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Russell

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On

> Behalf Of kerscher at montana.com

> Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 3:50 PM

> To: 'Access Technology Higher Education Network' <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> Subject: Re: [Athen] Revisiting the best program for creating MP3s

>

> EXTERNAL:  Use caution.<

> https://myportal.macewan.ca/help.html#external-email>

>

>

> Hello,

>

> In early 2023, DAISY will be coming out with an easy-to-use converter to

> many formats. It builds on the DAISY Pipeline, which has a TTS generation

> module to MP3. You could use the DAISY Pipeline today, but it takes a

> pretty good IT group to implement. The new development will make it easy

> for anybody to use.

>

> Here is more about the Microsoft funded project:

>

> https://daisy.org/news-events/articles/announcing-the-microsoft-supported-lo

> w-cost-assistive-technology-project/

> <https://daisy.org/news-events/articles/announcing-the-microsoft-supported-low-cost-assistive-technology-project/>

>

> What was used to produce the PDF? If it was Microsoft Word, you could use

> the WordToEPUB software to get you to EPUB.

>

> I am not sure when the beta versions will be out, if you need it this year.

> Happy to connect off list. kerscher at montana.com

>

> Best

> George

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On

> Behalf Of Russell Solowoniuk

> Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 3:34 PM

> To: Access Technology Higher Education Network (

> athen-list at u.washington.edu) <athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> Subject: [Athen] Revisiting the best program for creating MP3s

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> In early 2021 I asked folks on this list for feedback on the best

> method/program for creating MP3s. We have now been contacted by a couple of

> instructors who have developed a 164 page framework for their Early

> learning and curriculum studies course. The framework is available as a

> PDF, but they have had several requests for an audio version of the

> framework. Read and Write was suggested, but they don't want to have to

> train all their students on how to use RW, so they asked about creating an

> MP3 of the framework.

> The feedback I received from many on this listserv in 2021 was that

> Balabolka was a good option for creating MP3s. Another suggestion was

> TextAloud, which we have used in the past.

> I just wanted to put it out there again, in case there's some new

> technology for creating MP3s since the last time I asked.

>

> Any suggestions for creating MP3s would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Have a great weekend,

>

> Russell

>

> Russell Solowoniuk

> AT Educational Assistant, Access and Disability Resources MacEwan

> University 7-164K, 10700-104 Ave.

> Edmonton, AB  T5J 4S2

> E: solowoniukr at macewan.ca<mailto:solowoniukr at macewan.ca>

> T:  780-497-5826

> F:  780-497-4018

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-- 
Wink Harner Assistive Technology Consulting and Training Alternative Text
Production Portland OR. foreigntype at gmail.com 480-984-0034
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