Solved MS Hazel TTS voice install, not working properly

[Gtrshop]

I am trying to get something other than MS Anna working for Text to Speech.
I have installed the Speech server 11 from Microsoft and the required voice packs (Hazel and ZiraPro).

After editing the registry (something I had to search for information on..it wasn't included with the MS install), I can now see the voice packs in Control Panel, and they read the text in the test box.

I have an application that gives me real time voice feedback. It cannot seem to use the Hazel or ZiraPro voice pack, despite being correctly set up in control panel, and even correctly selected within the program.

I'd like to get this working correctly. MS Anna is far too choppy to listen to.

 

[Gtrshop]

OK, I have managed to get MS Hazel working, so I'm posting this for the benefit of anyone else who might have trouble. I can't make and guarantees this wont crash your system as its a REGISTRY MODIFICATION...so do so at your own peril

The initial tutorial (do a google search for installing tts voices, the link is on SuperUser) indicates to make some modifications after downloading and installing the required files. Do all those things first.

Next...

GO back a level or two and export the Voices folder. This will grab values for ANNA also. You have to be able to see ANNA and whatever other voice packs in the TOKENS folder. Since the ANNA files are referenced from this location, you have to see the added voices packs here also.

The important part:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Speech\Voices\Tokens\MS-Anna-1033-20-DSK\Attributes]
"Age"="Adult"
"AudioFormats"="18"
"Gender"="Female"
"Language"="409"
"Name"="Microsoft Anna"
"Vendor"="Microsoft"
"Version"="2.0"

Hazel's language is 809 by default. Change it to whatever ANNA is set to...409... and change the Version number to 2.0, instead of 11.0.
See my registry entry below:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Speech\Voices\Tokens\TTS_MS_en-GB_Hazel_11.0\Attributes]
@=""
"Age"="Adult"
"AudioFormats"="18"
"Gender"="Female"
"Language"="409"
"Name"="Microsoft Hazel"
"Vendor"="Microsoft"
"Version"="2.0"


I also changed the "name" to Microsoft Hazel, instead of whatever was there... I doubt that had any effect, I believe that changing the VERSION was the key.

I did the same thing with ZiraPro, but have not tested it..since getting Hazel to work was my goal.

I hope this helps someone else.

Steve