Tutorial: Free text to speech using the default Mac OS app

In this tutorial, we look over one of the best ways to start using text to speech (TTS). It is simple, quick, and easy. We look at the text to speech system that is built into Mac OS.

Some people, like me, however, have realized that they are better at processing when listening then when reading. From business executives to everyday students, speed listening is turning into a useful skill. Programs like these also help people with dyslexia, and other learning challenges to work in ways that best leverage their strengths. Whatever your reason for entering the world of text to speech, I believe that you may have a ton of potential that has not yet been fully realized. It’s my goal to help everyone to unlock that side of themselves.

The video is designed to help both beginners and those who want to dig deeper. I plan to continue to upload videos.

[semi_tech_guy]

thank you! 3 years later this help me immediately with my reading, I don't totally dislike reading but find it hard and disconnecting because when I read I tend to get sleepy and disconnect form the topic and just read words. this helped me listen and follow along keeping me engaged with what the section of reading is about.

[dietrying.]

Just saved me 140 I was about to spend on Speechify, Thank you

[almcm]

Thank you so much for you short and to the point video

[paisleydreamzzz]

thanks so much - saved to my stroke playlist!

[malamati]

Thanks a million for this--I've been trying to use the built-in TTS facilities in browsers, word processors, etc., on my Mac, with very mixed results--so this is going to be a big help. The main TTS program I use, though, is the current version on my Amazon Fire, for Kindle books. I have absolutely no connection with Amazon, but I have to admit that the built-in TTS function is pretty darn good for a device that you can often get for $40 or so. I do wonder, though, whether it's possible to customize that Android software for better functionality. AND since a lot of textbooks aren't available in Kindle versions, I'm going to be looking to make use of your tips here (and any more that you care to pass along) to get TTS access for a lot more texts. Thanks again for a nice, quick, and very helpful video....terrific!

[Kathaoir]

cool movie man, this used to cost a montly income to buy a program 15 years ago and scan your books manually, good to see this is free "at the cost of a macbook" offcourse ;). but defeniatly be using this a lot now

[ChantillyAlberti]

So cool!!! Thanks for sharing, Talos!

[Lightnin]

My iMac's operating system is Mojave and the default command for text to speech is command plus M. This works fine when I highlight a page on Wikipedia.but when I try it on an eBook, nothing happens except for a pause followed by a low dong sound which I think means "**** off I'm not going to read this". Sometimes it works OK with Microsoft Word Docs, sometimes it doesn't. The same with pdf documents. Any idea how I can I can get a more reliable response? At the moment it's so unreliable it's useless

[mslucia]

Hi, great vid. My text to speech has stopped working for no reason. Any ideas on troubleshooting?

[tayooyekoya]

Hey, how do you select the whole document for speech as opposed to having to copy and paste all the time?

[mmnMoreno]

Thank you Jackson. If id like to save the TTS on my macbook, how do i do it, and where will the mp3 file be saved in my laptop?

[silaselaborde]

This is totally dope. I have used similar programs like this before bc I dislike reading so much. This one seems much better than the ones that I have used in the past. How do you get the program speak faster than the sliding bar allows?

[jwhhw]

How do I save it? I can a mp3 file or other music file:(

[DirectorWD]

Hi! Is there a way to change the Voices using shortcuts. That way in a sense you could pick the language before reading the text.
I was actually able to assign a shortcut to the different voices, but they would not recognise the shortcuts having the preferences window closed.

[robertaubrey]

hi I my mac book pro comes up as (spoken content) not speech can i update this?

[MinuteFlipDoc]

what about pause, then restart from where you left off?

[ariefmunandar]

tell me please, how to record that voice ?

[harukaharuka]

I clicked on Ava, only Ava, and it automatically started downloading all the other English voices. I wanted a quick tutorial for text to speech now I'm stuck waiting and filling up hard drive space : (