Elk voice replacement?
- Thread starter Quixote_1
- Start date
Quixote_1
Active Member
Bummer. I wish I could change the voice files to match the text to speech voice that I use for everything else. It sounds a little strange having 2 completely different voices on your system.
It would be funny if they started fighting
Is it possible to have the ELK tell your other system what to say so it all comes out of one in the same voice?
tmbrown97
Senior Member
Quixote,
Sounds like there may be two options... If you can get the Elk to trigger the TTS you're using already that'd be ideal. What's doing your TTS today? If there's some form of controller that can monitor the elk, there may be options. The Elk can send ascii strings, and lots of home controller software can do more advanced monitoring/triggers.
If not - depending on just how many voice prompts you're going for, there's another option. Personally I wanted to use some custom sounds beyond what the Elk puts out - so I tied an Elk 124 recordable voice module inline with my Elk keypad speakers... and I hooked them into the 8 onboard voltage outputs on the M1. Using the computer to program the sounds, I'm able to get pretty clean recordings of anything - music, sound effects, TTS played back, etc. However, that option would be limited to 8 custom outputs for things you use often.
-Todd
Sounds like there may be two options... If you can get the Elk to trigger the TTS you're using already that'd be ideal. What's doing your TTS today? If there's some form of controller that can monitor the elk, there may be options. The Elk can send ascii strings, and lots of home controller software can do more advanced monitoring/triggers.
If not - depending on just how many voice prompts you're going for, there's another option. Personally I wanted to use some custom sounds beyond what the Elk puts out - so I tied an Elk 124 recordable voice module inline with my Elk keypad speakers... and I hooked them into the 8 onboard voltage outputs on the M1. Using the computer to program the sounds, I'm able to get pretty clean recordings of anything - music, sound effects, TTS played back, etc. However, that option would be limited to 8 custom outputs for things you use often.
-Todd
AutomatedOutlet
Senior Member
I have also found that the speakers you use make a BIG difference in the way it sounds. Personally, I like the way the Elk echo speakers sound the best.
jwilson56
Senior Member
Again I will chime in with my 2 cents. I have an EZ8 and it doesn't have the voice. I really don't care as I have a PC server for home automation running 24/7 anyways that uses Paul/Kate voices which are among the best sounding IMO. I just have my home automation software play ALL the Elk announcements and a few I added myself. I can walk up to my keypad and hit a F key and it will announce each zone that is violated. Add this to other WAF plus ideas like announcing the dryer and washer status and you rack up some brownie points with the wife.
Personally I use Girder 5 for my HA software but you could use pretty much any of them that have an Elk plugin.
Personally I use Girder 5 for my HA software but you could use pretty much any of them that have an Elk plugin.
How are you monitoring the washer/dryer status? I need to do that as we have assigned that task to our son who always "forgets" to switch the loads.
Quixote_1
Active Member
Thanks guys.
The system I have now uses Girder 5 for the TTS part of the system and I have announcements for various things such as weather conditions, a welcome greeting that tells me how long I've been gone for, who is home and if I missed any calls while I was out. I like the idea of using the ASCII strings for handling the TTS. I was hoping to avoid having to run a PC 24/7, but it looks like I'll have to if I'm going continue to be as fussy as I usually am.
I have not had the chance to test the speaker since I just received my unit the other day, but I have seen videos and heard the voice in them. I will keep in mind your recommendation for the echo speakers, though. Mainly, I just don't really like the accent since I'm all the way up north in Quebec. (No offense to my southern buddies). It's just not an appropriate accent when almost everyone here has a french accent.
John, I'll most likely take a look at Rick's Elk Girder plugin as soon as I move. I will have to get some pointers from you on how to set up my voice announcements to be off-loaded from the Elk. WAF is definitely of major importance since we are just finalizing the deal on a house. If I don''t screw up and I show her how great HA is, I will earn more freedom for my projects, that is for sure.
The system I have now uses Girder 5 for the TTS part of the system and I have announcements for various things such as weather conditions, a welcome greeting that tells me how long I've been gone for, who is home and if I missed any calls while I was out. I like the idea of using the ASCII strings for handling the TTS. I was hoping to avoid having to run a PC 24/7, but it looks like I'll have to if I'm going continue to be as fussy as I usually am.
I have not had the chance to test the speaker since I just received my unit the other day, but I have seen videos and heard the voice in them. I will keep in mind your recommendation for the echo speakers, though. Mainly, I just don't really like the accent since I'm all the way up north in Quebec. (No offense to my southern buddies). It's just not an appropriate accent when almost everyone here has a french accent.
John, I'll most likely take a look at Rick's Elk Girder plugin as soon as I move. I will have to get some pointers from you on how to set up my voice announcements to be off-loaded from the Elk. WAF is definitely of major importance since we are just finalizing the deal on a house. If I don''t screw up and I show her how great HA is, I will earn more freedom for my projects, that is for sure.
