new audiologs for the Minstrel FM

[674338aaebe24unn_atropos]

//v47: all the files available in this topic are out of date, the full audio set is now included in the last Minstrel patch.

1. The logs are damn long (That's what she...). How about splitting them up? For example: 1 log to 3 logs
2. As there is a comprehensible amount of text, I could start a translation into german.
3. How about we make recordings for the logs? Ariadne could be done with some voice emulator in english and german.
   

[674338aaec03bvoodoo47]

1. that would require more complex changes (split them properly, create new log objects, place them around where they would fit). maybe later.
2. a native english speaker should grammar check the current text before something like that is attempted.
3. ahead of you. the male characters are not a problem, and could be done right away (already two volunteers via pm), but the female AI will be a problem, quite a lot of text, and the voice actress needs to fit in just right for this to work (reading the text, we need a cheeky, almost bitchy voice, think that first AI from Solarix. I don't think a voice emulator would do). unless we can find someone, this project is a dead fish swimming in the briney.

[674338aaec1e9ZylonBane]

It might be acceptable to use a voice synthesizer for the female AI. That's what I did for the UNN Gallo AI in Return to the UNN.

[674338aaec7f0voodoo47]

I don't think it would work - Gallo AI is pretty much just an announcer, while the Minstrel AI talks to the player directly, sometime even attempting jokes and such.

[674338aaec9fdVegoraptor]

I think that would still be possible. After a cursory search I came across http://www.ivona.com/ and think that Emma (British) would work quite well. At the very least I would then know that I got a mail. It would be a little tedious to use a webapp, yes, but my point is that there is quite possibly a similar, easier to use synthesizer out there.

[674338aaecb1dvoodoo47]

I have to admit that this is better than expected - American/Salli is very close to what I had in mind. this could work - anyone volunteering for that grammar check? the full text is here.

[674338aaecc9fvoodoo47]

quick attempt at the first email;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L0O6wMFIQk

[674338aaecdcfVegoraptor]

Nice.
I still prefer Emma because she sounds younger (beta) and more companion-like (lively-enthusiastic but distanced), plus AIs always have a british accent in my head, but whatever works.

Edit (don't feel like making a new reply and bumping the thread for something that minor):
In principle, I would be against noise during the mails, but one could argue that the speaker might not be properly shielded towards the electromagnetic interference of her processor, so if you really want to, the noise could be logical. IF.

[674338aaecf2avoodoo47]

she sounds a bit more human, so in this case, less desirable. Salli's voice is jumping around more, quite suitable for an AI. I think we should go with her, but if more people think something else would be better, then we can go with that.

anyway, pretty sure there is almost no way of getting a real voice actress that would deliver an equivalent performance, so ivona generator it is. once that grammar checked text is available, I should be able to get together all the ariadne bits, and then get the rest of the voiceovers from TTLG. one real female actress will be required though, the synthetic voice is unsuitable for normal logs.

also, should I leave the emails clear, or should I add some background noise (not much sense in case of an AI generating voice directly on your gear, but hey, it's SS2 logic).

[674338aaed016ZylonBane]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm_mxK6Yfv0

[674338aaed0efvoodoo47]

"turn left" booom

ahh, good old times.

[674338aaed1e2ZylonBane]

Would making it sound like GladOS be considered a good thing or a bad thing?

[674338aaed2efvoodoo47]

not a fan. I think the "nice, but lets remind the player that it's a synthvoice every three words or so" way Salli talks hits the spot. did try quite a few other voices (the welsh one is almost good enough to pass for a real human, it could be used for a log if there is no other way around), but they didn't click.

but as always, I'm open to suggestions.

[674338aaed3e1unn_atropos]

I vote for Emma

[674338aaed4e6voodoo47]

as I'm already two thirds done with all the emails, probably not happening unless there is a public outcry demanding Emma.

[674338aaed601ZylonBane]

Just read through all the email text, and it seems like some of those emails really should be voice announcements. Like, the "you have 30 seconds until self-destruct" ones. I guess they were originally made emails because the author had no choice.

I've attached my edit pass. I made lots of grammar/spelling/punctuation fixes, but only marked the ones for ARIADNE, and only the changes that would be audibly different. Red for deleted text, green for added or replaced text.

[attachment removed]

[674338aaed743voodoo47]

well, too bad you didn't let me know about four hours earlier - the emails are already done. was thinking I'll make a couple to see how will it go, and kind of completed them all, making rudimentary grammar corrections on the fly. will go through the corrected text, maybe recreating where necessary - pretty sure I'd be able to complete a new pass in half the original time.

emails are attached - no testing has been done, but I did make sure the audio plays ingame. extract to FMs\Minstrel_1.02\snd2\vemails\english, overwrite when prompted. will work for either new game, or one already in progress.


//yeah, I'll have to edit about eight or nine. no big deal, should be done tomorrow.

[674338aaed8afZylonBane]

This is what happens when you don't wait even 24 hours for someone to volunteer! 

[674338aaed9b3voodoo47]

guess what I'm really good at - boring, repetitive tasks.

[674338aaedb50voodoo47]

technically, it's tomorrow, so here is beta2 (beta1 removed). should be good to go. again, no real testing, but all clips play properly ingame. again, extract to FMs\Minstrel_1.02\snd2\vemails\english, overwrite when prompted.


//also attaching the fixed strings, removed the red stuff that is not needed anymore, fixed two instances of deck being desk and one navicomp being navcomp. currently just a resource, not a mod.

[674338aaedcd8voodoo47]

log1 and 3 are done (the first one from the military guy, and the cargo master's log down in the cargo bay). extract to FMs\Minstrel\snd2\vlogs\english and overwrite. voice clips provided by dlw6 from TTLG.

also, there is a reason why I'm not earning my bread as an audio editor. anyway, the results should be good enough to not make you cringe. maybe.

[674338aaeddebvoodoo47]

also, splitting and moving to the Engineering.

[674338aaee4d4System Shocked]

Just saw your request. Here are some corrections and suggestions for the new audiologs:

LogText1:
========
1. The Minstrel is a civilian craft, carrying cargo and passengers.
    The Minstrel is a civilian space craft, carrying cargo and passengers.
2. We trust they will be nothing too serious, and thank you for your feedback.
    We trust there will be nothing too serious, and thank you for your feedback.

LogText3:
========
1. Oh, well, just worms, can't be too dangerous, but better mention it to captain.
    Oh, well, just worms, can't be too dangerous, but better mention it to the captain.   
2. Somehow we picked up crate 4372460, instead of 4372803.
    Somehow we picked up crate 4372460, instead of 4372640. More believable if two numbers transposed.
3. I can't see how we can have fucked it up; it must be them.
    I can't see how we could have fucked it up; it must be them.
4. Keep have this weird dream about this scary woman.
    Keep having this weird dream about this scary woman.
5. Strange, she seemed perfectly nice at first, but they was something about her.
    Strange, she seemed perfectly nice at first, but there was something about her.

LogText4:
========
1. Oh god, I must've been asleep about three hours just now.
    Oh god, I must've been sleeping for about three hours just now.   -   'asleep' is used too often.
2. I should be able to go a week easy without sleep as long as I meditate, but I just feel so tired...
    I should be able to go a week easy without any as long as I meditate, but I just feel so tired...

LogText5:
========
1. Okay, subject is one Fen Drayton, female, 1.65 meters, 62 kilograms.
    Okay, subject is one Fen Drayton, female, 1.65 meters in height and weighing 62 kilograms.
2. Subject had a minimal amount of alcohol in the blood, consistent with about two glasses of wine with dinner.
    Subject had a minimal amount of alcohol in her blood, consistent with about two glasses of wine with dinner.
3. I can't see any flakes from it around the wound.
    I can't see any metal flakes from it around the wound.
4. Two deaths on one trip. Subject is male, 1.93 meters, 93 kilograms.
    Two deaths in one trip. Subject is male, 1.93 meters in height and weighing 93 kilograms.
5. Aged 33. His crew say he starting acting funny, then jumped off a catwalk in the engine core.
    Aged 33. His crew said he started acting funny, then jumped off a catwalk in the engine core.
6. And I will have to report to UNN too.
    And I will have to report this to the UNN too.
7. The floor was strewn with, well, I guess you would call them pods.
    The floor was strewn with, well, I guess you could call them pods.

LogText13:
=========
1. My yucca seems to be dying, and I can't understand why.
    My yucca plant seems to be dying, and I can't understand why.
2. nHmm, I wonder if there might be a command available soon?
    nHmm, I wonder if there might be a commander's  position available soon?

FAB.

[674338aaeeafeZylonBane]

1. Okay, subject is one Fen Drayton, female, 1.65 meters, 62 kilograms.
    Okay, subject is one Fen Drayton, female, 1.65 meters in height and weighing 62 kilograms.

As opposed to 62 kilograms high and weighing 1.65 meters?