by zapnosis » February 1st, 2010, 5:12 pm
Hi justplainbeth, I have little idea what others do in this area, but I can tell you what I do. I use a text-to-speech (TTS) freeware program, SmartRead, to convert a script into an mp3 file. While TTS has its share of problems, and often I have to edit my script because of these, it is at least consistent and I can change the speed of the reading to suit the rest of the file. Once in Audacity, I load the voice track 2 or 3 times and alter the pitch of 1 or 2 of them slightly to create a very rough chorus effect. Sometimes I also split them left and right to improve the illusion of multiple voices.
I know some people think that TTS is a load of crap, but I say that the recording technique has to suit the file. TTS is crap for gentle relaxation, but for brainwashing it is perfect because it is unrelenting, unwavering and mechanical. Also, just like voice recording, it can be done well or less well and I don't have to worry about microphone quality, coughing, passing ambulances or my slight speech impediment ruining a couple of hours of good work! Sorry, I do tend to rant a little about this, if only in my head, but I would always say that a good TTS file is better than a bad voice file. Hope this helps some...
"Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead,
no squealing... remember that it's all in your head"