# Customizing a DECtalk Software Voice

The DECtalk Software built-in voices provide an adequate selection for most applications. However, if you have a special application requiring a monotone or unusual voice, you can use the Design Voice command to modify the voice control options and design your own voice.

The following topics describe how use the Design Voice command to customize a DECtalk Software voice:

Design Voice [:dv] Command

Definitions of DECtalk Software Voices

Changing Gender and Head Size

Changing Voice Quality

Changing Pitch and Intonation

Changing Relative Gains and Avoiding Overloads

Saving Changes as Val's Voice

Of the 28 options, only a few cause dramatic changes in the voice. The greatest effects are obtained with changes to the hs, ap, pr, and sx options, while moderate changes occur when modifying the la and br options. To some extent, DECtalk Software's nine predefined speakers cover most of the possible voices, however, you might easily find ways to slightly improve one of the standard voices.

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