TTS

AI concepts
About 1 min read

An AI technology that converts input text into natural-sounding speech, as if spoken directly by a human.

Also known as
Speech SynthesisText-to-SpeechText-to-Speech Conversion

Detailed explanation

TTS (Text-to-Speech, speech synthesis) is a technology that reads text aloud in a natural human-like voice. Unlike the mechanical voices of the past, deep learning-based TTS like Tacotron and VITS can adjust intonation, speed, and emotion, and even perform voice cloning to mimic a specific speaker's voice using only a short sample. It is widely used in audiobooks, navigation guidance, accessibility support for the visually impaired, AI assistants, video dubbing, and educational content production. Representative services include ElevenLabs, Naver CLOVA Voice, LOVO, and Murf, though supported languages and voice naturalness vary significantly across tools.

Why it matters in tool selection

TTS tools vary widely in the naturalness of their Korean pronunciation. Even if the English audio quality is excellent, Korean intonation is often awkward, so you should personally listen to the tool in the language you intend to use before choosing. To use it smoothly for content creation, you must also consider emotion and speed control, the permitted scope of voice cloning, commercial use licenses, and the cost relative to the volume generated.

What to check when choosing a tool

  • Are the pronunciation and intonation natural in the language you actually intend to use (especially Korean)?
  • Does it support fine-grained controls such as emotion, speed, and emphasis?
  • Are the consent and licensing terms for the voice cloning feature clear?
  • Does the monthly generation time and unit price match your production volume?

Real-world application example

YouTube informational channel creators often reduce editing time by narrating scripts with TTS. Since different tools handle Korean intonation and pauses differently for the exact same script, an effective approach is to convert a core paragraph using multiple tools, listen to them, and select the voice that best fits the channel's tone.

Related terms

STTNLPDeep Learning