Introduction: 

Text To Speech Dataset technology has made remarkable strides, enabling a wide range of applications from virtual assistants to audiobook narration. A fundamental element contributing to the quality of TTS models is the dataset utilized for training purposes. The creation of a meticulously curated dataset is vital for achieving speech synthesis that closely resembles natural human speech. This article delves into the comprehensive process of curating TTS datasets, encompassing everything from data collection to model training.

Establishing Requirements

Prior to data collection, it is imperative to outline the specific requirements for the TTS model:

• Target Language and Dialects: Ensure a broad representation of linguistic variations.
• Voice Attributes: Determine whether a single voice or multiple voices will be utilized.
• Application-Specific Considerations: Take into account the context in which the TTS model will be deployed (e.g., conversational AI, audiobooks, accessibility tools).

Acquiring Text Data

The cornerstone of a TTS dataset is high-quality text data. Potential sources include:

• Public domain literature (e.g., books, articles, transcripts)
• Custom-written scripts aimed at encompassing a variety of phonetic structures
• Real-world conversational data to facilitate more natural speech synthesis

Speech Recording and Annotation

After preparing the text data, professional voice actors are engaged to record the speech samples. These recordings are then annotated, which includes:

• Phonetic Transcription: Aligning the text with pronunciation guides.
• Timestamping: Indicating the beginning and end of each phoneme.
• Emotion and Intonation Labels: Documenting variations in speech tone.

Data Cleaning and Formatting

The assembled dataset must undergo a cleaning process to eliminate background noise, inconsistencies, and misalignments. Essential steps include:

• Noise Reduction: Employing audio processing tools to remove unwanted sounds.
• Volume Normalization: Ensuring uniform loudness across all recordings.
• Text Normalization: Standardizing abbreviations, numbers, and special characters.

Data Augmentation

To improve the performance of models, synthetic variations can be implemented:

• Adjustments in speed and pitch
• Simulations of background noise
• Synthesis of speaker variations

Selecting the Appropriate Architecture

There exists a range of TTS models, each tailored to specific requirements:

• Concatenative TTS: Relies on pre-recorded speech segments but offers limited flexibility.
• Parametric TTS: Generates speech based on linguistic characteristics.
• Neural TTS (e.g., Taco Tron, Fast Speech, Wave Net): Utilizes deep learning techniques to produce high-quality, natural-sounding speech.

Training and Optimization

The training process encompasses:

• Feature Extraction: Transforming audio into spectrograms and linguistic attributes.
• Model Training: Employing deep learning frameworks to identify speech patterns.
• Fine-Tuning: Modifying parameters to enhance naturalness and fluency.

Quality Assessment

To guarantee high-quality output, models are assessed through:

• Mean Opinion Score (MOS): Subjective evaluations of speech quality by humans.
• Word Error Rate (WER): Measurement of accuracy in speech synthesis.
• Naturalness and Intelligibility Tests: Evaluating how closely the generated speech mimics human speech.

Deployment and Continuous Improvement

After validation, the model is deployed; however, continuous enhancements are essential. Feedback mechanisms assist in refining the dataset and boosting model performance over time.

Conclusion

The process of curating a high-quality TTS dataset is intricate, necessitating meticulous planning, accurate data collection, and thorough model training. With the progress in AI, Globose Technology Solutions high-quality TTS models are increasingly resembling human speech, thereby enriching user experiences across diverse applications.