Amplifying Audio Generated by Lucent Engines

The Lucent text-to-speech engine includes special features that allow the waveform audio generated by the engine to be amplified. The effect is similar to the amplification effect discussed later in Recording and Editing Sound Files.

Amplifying the Lucent text-to-speech waveform audio has the following effects:

• The amplification is performed on the raw digital audio, before it is played.
• Amplification is independent of volume settings for the speakers or telephony device.
• Only text-to-speech output spoken through the Lucent engine is amplified.
• Excessive amplification levels result in distorted audio.

Amplifying the Lucent text-to-speech waveform audio does not accomplish any of the following:

• Amplification does not apply to other speech engines (e.g., Microsoft, IBM, etc.).
• Amplifying the waveform audio does not change the playback qualities of the audio device. Therefore, amplified audio may still sound very weak if the audio is already straining the maximum playback volume of the hardware.
• Pre-recorded wave files are not amplified: only text-to-speech output is amplified.

To change the amplification setting for Lucent text-to-speech output:

From the menu bar, choose Tools ... Boost Lucent Text-to-Speech Volume.

Enter an amplification level: use 100 for no amplification (standard volume), 200 for twice as loud, 300 for three times as loud, etc. Excessive amplification levels will result in distortion.

Test the settings using the simulator and the call monitor. Remember that the amplification is applied by modifying the raw digital audio prior to output: the output may not sound much louder if it is already pressing the envelope of the maximum playback volume of the hardware device.