soundWave
soundWave is an NVDA add-on that renders text to an audio file using installed speech engines.
It can export audio from the clipboard, a text file, or text entered directly in the add-on.
Quick start
- Press NVDA+Ctrl+= to open soundWave.
- Choose a synthesizer.
- Choose the input source: clipboard, text file, or typed/pasted text.
- Configure the synthesizer. Use Test to preview the selected settings.
- Choose an output filename and format.
- Wait for the render to complete, then review the summary.
Input and output
- Input: clipboard text, a text file, or typed/pasted text.
- Output: WAV is always supported. MP3 is available when ffmpeg is installed and available on the system PATH.
- Large inputs: long text is rendered in chunks. If a single WAV would become too large, soundWave writes numbered part files.
- Filenames: suggested filenames include the selected synthesizer name, and the save dialog remembers the last folder used.
Synthesizer Options
Synthesizers expose settings such as voice, language, variant, speed, or rate where those options are available.
Most settings dialogs include:
- Auto-speak when changing settings to preview changes automatically.
- Test to play a short sample using the current settings.
- Persistent settings saved in NVDA configuration.
Supported Synthesizers
| Synthesizer | Notes |
|---|
| SAPI5 |
Uses installed Microsoft SAPI5 voices. 32-bit SAPI5 voices are supported through a separate 32-bit helper path when available. |
| Sonata |
Requires the Sonata Neural Voices add-on and available voice configuration files. |
| IBM ECI / IBM TTS |
Automatically searches for ECI.DLL inside the installed IBMTTS add-on folder. A manual DLL path can be set if needed. |
| Orpheus |
Requires Orpheus to be the current NVDA synthesizer before rendering starts. During rendering, soundWave temporarily switches NVDA to an available fallback synthesizer. |
| DECtalk and Keynote Gold |
Available when the required add-on or DLL is installed and discoverable. |
| Other NVDA synthesizers |
soundWave can render many other installed NVDA synthesizers when they use NVDA's normal audio output path. |
Render Summary
After rendering, soundWave reports the synthesizer, saved path, backend, elapsed time, audio length, and realtime speed factor when available.
Backend is a diagnostic label for the internal render method used. Most users do not need to choose or understand it.
Updates
soundWave can check GitHub releases for updates. The updater downloads the latest .nvda-addon release asset when a newer version is available.
Troubleshooting
- No audio is produced: the selected synthesizer may not expose an audio path soundWave can render. Try another synthesizer and check the NVDA log.
- IBM ECI cannot find the DLL: open IBM ECI options and set the correct ECI.DLL path manually.
- Orpheus will not start: switch NVDA's current synthesizer to Orpheus, then open soundWave again.
- WorldVoice does not initialize: check the NVDA log for missing files under WorldVoice-workspace. soundWave cannot render WorldVoice until WorldVoice itself loads cleanly.
- MP3 export fails: install ffmpeg and ensure the ffmpeg command works from a Command Prompt.
- Rendering appears stuck: use Cancel. If the issue repeats, include the synthesizer name, settings, input type, and relevant NVDA log entries in the report.