Sonia: Text to Speech

Sonia voice

The voice Sonia is available in the Azure Text-to-Speech service for the English language.

How to use Sonia voice in your videos

To use Sonia voice in your videos, you can use the following JSON2Video code:

{
    "type": "voice",
    "model": "azure",
    "voice": "en-GB-SoniaNeural",
    "text": "In springtime, the garden comes alive with colorful flowers and singing birds. The old oak tree provides shade for visitors, while butterflies dance among the roses. A small fountain creates peaceful sounds, making this the perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature's beauty."
}

$scene->addElement([
	'type' => 'voice',
	'model' => 'azure',
	'voice' => 'en-GB-SoniaNeural',
	'text' => 'In springtime, the garden comes alive with colorful flowers and singing birds. The old oak tree provides shade for visitors, while butterflies dance among the roses. A small fountain creates peaceful sounds, making this the perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature\'s beauty.'
]);

scene.addElement({
	"type": "voice",
	"model": "azure",
	"voice": "en-GB-SoniaNeural",
	"text": "In springtime, the garden comes alive with colorful flowers and singing birds. The old oak tree provides shade for visitors, while butterflies dance among the roses. A small fountain creates peaceful sounds, making this the perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature's beauty."
});

Sonia supports SSML

SSML stands for Speech Synthesis Markup Language. It's a way to add instructions to your text so that a Text-To-Speech (TTS) system knows how to read it aloud.

You use SSML like HTML, but for controlling speech. It helps you adjust things like: Pronunciation, Pauses, Pitch and Volume, Emphasis, Speaking Rate.

{
    "type": "voice",
    "voice": "en-GB-SoniaNeural",
    "text": "<speak>Hello, <break time="500ms"/> how are you today? <emphasis level="strong">This is important!</emphasis></speak>"
}

$scene->addElement([
	'type' => 'voice',
	'voice' => 'en-GB-SoniaNeural',
	'text' => '<speak>Hello, <break time="500ms"/> how are you today? <emphasis level="strong">This is important!</emphasis></speak>'
]);

scene.addElement({
	"type": "voice",
	"voice": "en-GB-SoniaNeural",
	"text": "<speak>Hello, <break time="500ms"/> how are you today? <emphasis level="strong">This is important!</emphasis></speak>"
});

Sonia supports different voice styles

As part of SSML, you can use the style tags to change the voice style.

Sonia supports these styles: cheerful sad

{
    "type": "voice",
    "voice": "en-GB-SoniaNeural",
    "text": "<whispering>I have a secret for you</whispering>"
}

$scene->addElement([
	'type' => 'voice',
	'voice' => 'en-GB-SoniaNeural',
	'text' => '<whispering>I have a secret for you</whispering>'
]);

scene.addElement({
	"type": "voice",
	"voice": "en-GB-SoniaNeural",
	"text": "<whispering>I have a secret for you</whispering>"
});

Sonia is a neural voice

In Azure Cognitive Services, a Neural voice refers to a voice generated using neural network technology. This means the Text-To-Speech system uses advanced machine learning models to create more natural, human-like speech compared to traditional methods.

Key characteristics of Neural voices:

• More expressive and realistic
• Better at handling pitch, tone, and rhythm variations
• Sounds closer to how humans naturally speak