Company | Acapela | ModelTalker | SpeakUnique |
Product | My Own Voice | Voice Banking | Voice Build | Voice Repair | Voice Design |
Description | Synthetic voice from audio recordings | Synthetic voice from audio recordings | Synthetic voice from audio recordings | Voice synthesis with editing to remove some dysarthric features | Bespoke voice created from blends of voice donors and audio files. |
Suitability | No or mild dysarthria | No or mild dysarthria | No or mild dysarthria | Mild-moderate dysarthria | Severe dysarthria or no speech |
Price | Yearly subscription: 99 euros excluding VAT One Time License Fee: 999 euros excluding VAT | $100 | £175 | £250 | £300 |
Preview voice before payment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Charity Funding Options | · Motor Neurone Disease Association · Multiple Systems Atrophy Trust | · Motor Neurone Disease Association | · Motor Neurone Disease Association | · Motor Neurone Disease Association | · Motor Neurone Disease Association |
Recording Process |
Number of sentences to record | 50 sentences | 1600 - 3200 sentences | 150-300 sentences | 150-300 sentences | 150-300 sentences can be recorded by voice donor(s). SpeakUnique also have their own donors. Can blend in other audio files e.g. Whatsapp voice notes |
Phrase type | Pre-determined | Pre-determined | Pre-determined (first 50) and then book of choice graded by difficulty | Pre-determined (first 50) and then book of choice graded by difficulty | Pre-determined (first 50) and then book of choice graded by difficulty |
Average time taken to record | 10-20 minutes | About 3 months- across a number of sessions (MNDA Research) | 45 mins - 3 hours | 45 mins - 3 hours | 45 mins - 3 hours |
Complete over number of sessions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hear the phrase before you record | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Option to automatically advance to next phrase | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Additional Options |
Languages | 16 Languages Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Dutch (BE), English (Australia), English (UK), English (US), French, French (Canada), German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Spanish (North American), Swedish | English | English | English | English |
Message banking | Yes; up to 300 custom phrases/messages can be recorded. NB you need to create a .txt file with your typed messages so this can be uploaded before you start banking your voice. | Yes sort of.. The ‘Custom Inventory Tool’ allows you to create sentences or record important names etc. Each of the words you enter will be embedded in four different sentences for you to record. So be aware that if you enter, for example, 20 words, you will have 80 sentences to record. | No | No | No |
Compatibility and Use |
Downloading for use | You are asked to request the format you want. NB KMCAT recommend requesting all versions, so that the voice can be used on a range of communication devices. | A Model Talker voice can be downloaded multiple times on Windows, Android and iOS devices. | Can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Download code requires for using SpeakUnique App. | Can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Download code requires for using SpeakUnique App. | Can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Download code requires for using SpeakUnique App. |
App Compatibility: Check their website for your specific device! | · Predictable - ProLoQuo4Text · Any Android app · Some Windows programmes | · Predictable · ChatAble · Any Android app · Some Windows programmes | · SpeakUnique app only for use with iOS/Apple and Android devices. · Some Windows programmes | · SpeakUnique app only for use with iOS/Apple and Android devices. · Some Windows programmes | · SpeakUnique app only for use with iOS/Apple and Android devices. · Some Windows programmes |
Support from company | Via email | Via email. Some phone support (NB US Company) | Via email | Via email | Direct contact with SpeakUnique Team throughout the process of designing voice. |
Devices the voice can be used with | Compatible with a wide range of devices. Please check the company’s website for the latest information. | Compatible with a wide range of devices. Please check the company’s website for the latest information | Compatible with a wide range of devices. Please check the company’s website for the latest information | Compatible with a wide range of devices. Please check the company’s website for the latest information | Compatible with a wide range of devices. Please check the company’s website for the latest information |