Audiopal
I’ve just come across Audiopal again and think it’s a great tool for embeding messages into a wiki or blog with a compact flash-based video player. The way Audiopal works is very similar to Voki – you can record directly through the microphone, prepare a message using a pre-recorded text, or convert typed text to speech in a range of languages.
To make a voice recording click on the microphone tab. You will be prompted to let the computer take control of your microphone. Once you grant permission you will see the record button and can start the recording. If you prefer, you can use a file that you pre-recorded using software such as Audacity. Just remember to export the file as an mp3 file (or export it as a .wav file and convert it to mp3). Navigate to this file and click upload for the file to be attached to the player. Once your recording has been uploaded you can preview the message by clicking on the play button of the sample player. When you are ready to export your message type in your email address and then click on Get It! Your message will be sent to you by email with the embed code ready for you to copy and add to your site.
If you want to practise writing skills in the target language rather than speaking skills, click on the Text-to-Speech button and select a language and gender from the drop down menu.
Go!Animate
With the movie maker Xtranormal being no longer available after the end of today I have been looking around for an alternative. I think that Go!Animate is an excellent replacement. With a free Go!Animate account there are two options: a basic “quick” text-to-speech movie maker, and a more sophisticated “full” program with features like character movement and scene changes. Both versions are very easy to use. When you go into into the full video maker for the first time you are taken through the steps of making a movie. Go!Animate has also published a number of YouTube videos to support both the quick and the full video makers. Go!Animate supports text to speech in a range of languages. You also have the option of recording your own voice. There is a limited number of options for exporting your finished movie with the free account but you can embed it in a wiki or blog or email the link. You need a paid account to upload to YouTube. Have a look at the quick version that I’ve made with a French voice over (text to speech). I was a little disappointed that the adult voices don’t really go with the two child actors. Next time I’ll record my own voice.