York professor explores the mysteries of the human voice
Posted on 18 January 2008
Professor David Howard, an expert in electronic voice synthesis, takes on the challenge of improving Rory Bremner’s Tony Blair impression using advanced computer analysis techniques in the programme.
Today's electronic speech synthesis is highly intelligible
Professor David Howard
Professor Howard, of the University’s Department of Electronics, starts by asking why electronically synthesized speech is easy to understand, but not very natural sounding. He then sets out to push the limits of voice synthesis using the latest technology.
"Today's electronic speech synthesis is highly intelligible, we can tell what is being said, but it is very non-natural, we do not mistake it as coming from a human being," he said.
Along the way, Professor Howard meets Pavarobotti, a singing robot that duets with its inventor, and gives voice production tips to Jeremy Hardy, a regular on Radio 4 comedy programmes, known for his tuneless singing, and tenor Alfie Boe.
The programme also analyses major political speeches of the 20th century, investigating how speakers engage with different audiences, and considers whether a woman’s voice is likely to drop in pitch as she becomes more senior in the business world.
The thorny issue of overseas call centres, and the changeover of Britain’ speaking clock, are also under the microscope in the hour-long programme. It starts with the choristers of York Minster and ends with a special octet drawn from the Beningbrough and Ebor Singers as a backing group for opera, jazz and gospel singers, to highlight an extreme of human vocal achievement.
The hour-long BBC programme, entitled simply Voice, will air at 8pm this Sunday 20 January on BBC4.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- David Howard is a Professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering at the University of York. He is an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) media fellow. He leads the media engineering research group, whose work focuses on television image processing, making computer and video games more realistic, specialised audio production equipment, and voice production. Visit the group at www.elec.york.ac.uk/ME/.
- The EPSRC actively fund research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, investing around £500 million a year in a broad range of subjects - from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering. EPSRC also promotes public engagement in science, engineering and technology.