# To launch and configure the DECtalk Software Text-To-Speech Server

Click here to see a numbered graphic illustrating the following procedure.

After you associate the DECtalk macro with a button (step 2), you must have the TTS (Text-To-Speech) server running before DECtalk will speak selected sections of text from an application. This section outlines how to start the TTS server and configure it for speaker selection, User dictionary selection, and speaking rate.

The TTS Server is launched by the Word macro and is displayed as a small window. You can control the speaking voice and speaking rate from the window pull down menu.

Applications can access the Text-To-Speech DDE server using the service name "TTSserver". The service topic names are "Speak", "LoadDictionary", and "UnloadDictionary". Each of these topics requires a string that is either text to be spoken (for topic "Speak") or a dictionary file string.

To launch and configure the DECtalk Software Text-To-Speech Server:

Task/Location |  | Action | Result
Microsoft Word editing session | Step 1 | Click the TTS Server icon you created when you associated your Word macro with a toolbar button. (1) Click here to go to help on associating a macro with a toolbar button.) | The TTS Server dialog is displayed. (2)
TTS Server dialog (2) | Step 2 | Pull down the Window menu(3) and select Configure... (4) | The Change Settings dialog box is displayed. (5)
Change Settings dialog box (5) | Step 3 | Click the desired speaking voice and speaking rate. (6) |
| Step 4 | Click the Test button (7) to preview your selections. |
| Step 5 | Adjust the settings until you produce the desired result. |
| Step 6 | Click OK. (8) | The selected settings will remain in effect as the default settings until they are changed. Note: In-line commands in selected text played through the TTS server will override the defaults.

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