How to Convert Text to Speech on Mac OS

Need your Mac to speak out text for you? macOS makes it incredibly easy to convert written words into spoken ones with just a few clicks. Whether you’re looking to multitask, improve accessibility, or simply give your eyes a break, this built-in feature offers a seamless way to listen to any on-screen content. 

Let’s dive into how you can effortlessly transform text into speech on your Mac.

Setting Up Text-to-Speech on Mac OS

• Start by clicking on the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Preferences.
• Within the System Preferences window, find and click on Accessibility to access the settings that enhance your Mac’s usability.
• On the sidebar, scroll down to the Spoken Content section, where you can control how text is spoken aloud.
• When the key is pressed, you can toggle the option to Speak selected text. You can also customize the shortcut to trigger this feature as needed.

After enabling the feature, you can refine your experience by customizing various aspects of text-to-speech. From selecting different voices to adjusting how fast the text is read aloud, there are plenty of options to explore.

Customizing Text-to-Speech Settings

Here’s how you can customize the Text-to-Speech settings on macOS:

• Selecting and customizing voices:

1. Open System Settings and click on Accessibility.
2. Select Spoken Content.
3. Under System Voice, choose from a list of voices. You can click Customize to download additional voices.
4. Adjust the Voice settings, including pitch and accent, for a more tailored experience.

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• Adjusting the speaking rate:
  1. In the same Spoken Content section, find the Speaking Rate slider.
  2. Move the slider left for a slower pace or suitable for a faster speech rate until it suits your preference.
• Choosing key combinations for quick access:
  1. In Accessibility > Spoken Content, toggle on Speak Selection or Speak Screen.
  2. Under the Shortcut section, assign a custom key combination by clicking on the field and pressing your desired keys.
• Highlighting spoken content options:

1. While in Spoken Content, scroll down to Highlight Content.
2. Enable this option to highlight words, sentences, or both as spoken. You can also choose the color for the highlighting effect.

Now that you’ve set everything up, you can start using text-to-speech in your daily tasks. Whether reading a document or browsing the web, activating this feature is as simple as selecting text and using your configured shortcut.

Using Text-to-speech

• Select text: Open any application or document, then highlight the text you want to convert to speech.
• Activate Text-to-Speech: Press the configured keyboard shortcut (usually Option + Esc, or set your own under System Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content).
• Test with different texts: To ensure the speech functionality works smoothly, highlight various text snippets across different apps or websites.

For those who want even more control, Mac OS offers advanced features that allow for further customization. You can download additional voices, adjust speech patterns, and create a truly personalized experience by exploring these.

Advanced Customization Options

To elevate your text-to-speech experience on Mac, several advanced customization options allow for a more tailored output:

1. Expanding Voice Selection

You can enhance your voice options by downloading additional voices from the App Store. Head to the Accessibility section in System Preferences, navigate to Spoken Content and select System Voice. From there, click Manage Voices, where you’ll find a list of new voices available for download. Choose the ones that best suit your preferences.

2. Adjusting Pitch and Speed

Modulating the pitch and speed is key if you want the speech to sound more natural or match your preferences. Under System Preferences > Accessibility > Spoken Content, you’ll find sliders to adjust both pitch and speed. Experiment with these settings until you find the most comfortable combination for your listening experience.

3. Fine-Tuning Pronunciations and Adding Pauses

For more precise control, you can manually adjust how certain words are pronounced or introduce pauses for better flow. Navigate to the same Spoken Content menu and click on the Pronunciation option. Here, you can specify words that need customized pronunciations and even set pauses to ensure the speech sounds smoother and more natural.

4. Diving Deeper into Customization

Beyond basic settings, macOS offers comprehensive customization through its Accessibility options in System Preferences. Here, you can not only choose voices and modulate pitch and speed but also personalize how and when text is spoken. From reading notifications to adjusting the keyboard shortcut for text-to-speech activation, this feature ensures a fully customized experience based on your needs.

Although Mac OS provides a solid text-to-speech experience, third-party software can take it further.

Utilizing Third-Party Text to Speech Software

While macOS has a robust text-to-speech (TTS) feature, many users opt for third-party software for enhanced control, voice quality, and customization. Tools like Resemble AI, Natural Reader, and Speechify offer a range of advanced features that take your TTS experience to the next level.

Resemble AI 

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Resemble AI is a powerful TTS tool known for its high-quality voice synthesis and flexibility. It allows users to generate ultra-realistic voices, making it ideal for those seeking a more natural sound or specific voice requirements.

Key Features of Resemble AI:

• Custom voice cloning capabilities,
• Access to a wide range of voices, including regional and unique accents,
• Real-time voice generation with low latency,
• Ability to integrate with various platforms via API,
• Deepfake detection technology to ensure ethical usage.

Natural Reader

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Natural Reader is a user-friendly tool for straightforward text-to-speech conversion with multiple voice options and customization features.

Key Features of Natural Reader:

• A wide variety of natural-sounding voices,
• Offline functionality for uninterrupted use,
• Ability to convert PDFs, Word docs, and web pages into speech,
• Supports multiple languages.

Speechify

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Speechify is a versatile tool designed for personal and professional use. It offers an intuitive interface and a broad range of voices to suit different needs.

Key Features of Speechify:

• High-speed reading with adjustable playback speed,
• Syncs across devices for continuous listening,
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to read scanned documents,
• Customizable voice pitch and tone options.

Text-to-speech is more than just a tool for convenience. It has many practical uses, from assisting visually impaired users to improving productivity by converting text to audio, making it a powerful tool for education and beyond.

Practical Applications of Text to Speech

Text-to-speech (TTS) technology has evolved significantly and is now utilized across various industries for numerous practical applications. Below are some key areas where TTS is making an impact:

Accessibility Enhancements

• Education: TTS aids students with visual impairments or learning disabilities by converting textbooks and online materials into spoken words, facilitating better understanding and engagement with the curriculum.
• Digital Content: Websites incorporating TTS features allow users to listen to content, enhancing accessibility for individuals with reading difficulties or those who prefer auditory learning.

Communication and Customer Service

• Virtual Assistants: TTS powers virtual assistants, enabling them to interact with users more naturally and engagingly, providing information and executing commands through human-like speech.
• Call Centers: In customer service, TTS improves automated systems by producing realistic voice responses, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.

Language Learning

• Pronunciation Practice: TTS is utilized in language learning platforms to help users improve their pronunciation and listening skills by providing audio examples of words and phrases in various languages.

Once comfortable using text-to-speech, you can take it further by exporting the audio output for various projects. Mac OS makes it easy to save the spoken text as an audio file, which can then be integrated into multimedia applications.

Boost productivity and accessibility with Resemble AI’s state-of-the-art voice technology.

Exporting Text-to-speech Output

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• Audio Formats: When exporting TTS output, you can choose from various audio formats, including MP3 and WAV. These formats offer different levels of quality and file size, with MP3 being more compressed and suitable for general use, while WAV provides higher fidelity but larger files.
• Recording and Saving TTS Output: Many TTS tools allow you to record and save the generated speech directly within the application. Alternatively, you can use audio recording software on your Mac to capture the output as it plays, ensuring you have a permanent file for future use.
• Integration with Apps: TTS output can be easily integrated with applications like GarageBand and iTunes. You can import audio files into GarageBand for further editing, mixing, or adding sound effects. You can organize and play your TTS output in iTunes alongside your music library.
• Using TTS in Multimedia Projects: The generated audio can enhance various multimedia projects, such as presentations, videos, and podcasts. By incorporating TTS output, you can create engaging content that resonates with your audience, making it more accessible and easier to follow.

Conclusion

Exploring built-in and third-party text-to-speech options on macOS opens up a world of benefits, from enhanced voice quality to more extraordinary customization features. Tools like Resemble AI, Natural Reader, and Speechify offer unique functionalities that cater to various needs, making finding the perfect solution for any user easy. Whether you want to improve accessibility, multitask more efficiently, or enjoy listening to written content, the right TTS tool can transform your experience.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different software options to discover what works best for you. Each tool has features that can enhance your listening experience, so take the time to explore its capabilities.

If you’re looking for deeper integration, macOS users can access Resemble AI through its online platform, browser, or third-party applications that support its API.