Voice & Message Banking
Voice and message banking are two different ways to preserve your vocal identity when using a device to communicate. If you are at risk of losing your voice because of a progressive disorder or medical condition, then you may want to consider voice and message banking.
Voice banking
Voice banking is the process of creating a personal synthetic voice that can be downloaded into your communication software for when you need it. Your personal synthetic voice won’t sound exactly like your natural speaking voice, but it will be similar. When you use a synthetic voice, you are not limited by pre-recorded messages, meaning you can use your voice to speak any message that you create using your device.
Message banking
Message banking is the process of recording specific words, phrases, stories or sounds in your own voice. Recordings are then downloaded into your communication software as message buttons. This allows you to preserve your exact tone and expression for the phrases that you use every day, for example, when calling your dog, answering the door, or saying goodnight.
Voice and message banking are both helpful for different reasons and can be used together in your communication device.
Why voice and message banking?
Your voice is unique to you and part of your identity. Voice and message banking is about preserving that part of your identity for when you can no longer use your natural speaking voice. It is about having a voice in your communication device that is uniquely you, one that can be recognised by your friends and family. This can be a source of comfort and familiarity for your loved ones.
How do I start?
You can speak with your Speech Pathologist about how to complete both voice and message banking. It is best to start the process early, while your voice is still strong. It is possible to use a ‘proxy’ voice if you cannot make your own recordings. This is when someone completes your recordings for you, such as a friend or family member with a similar sounding voice. A proxy voice won’t be your voice exactly, but it will still sound unique in your communication device.
There are four main steps involved in voice banking. These are:
- Explore and choose a voice banking provider with your Speech Pathologist. At this stage, it is important to consider compatibility between different voice banking providers and communication devices. Click here to learn which voice banking providers are compatible with Tobii Dynavox hardware and software.
- Complete your recordings by following the instructions given to you by the voice banking provider. When making recordings, be mindful of background noise and check the quality of your recordings as you go. Your recordings should sound as natural as possible with your normal speaking volume and intonation. You may consider purchasing a special microphone to make your recordings.
- Review your voice before payment. Your voice banking provider should give you the opportunity to hear a sample of your personalised synthetic voice. If you are happy with how it sounds, you can then pay for your voice.
- Set-up your personalised synthetic voice in your communication software. This is something that your Speech Pathologist or communication device supplier will be able to help with.
The process for message banking is more straightforward and typically free. All you need is a quality voice recorder, phone, tablet or computer with the ability to create sound files in .WAV format. You can then create a personalised library of your recordings that can be downloaded into your communication software. myMessageBanking is a free message banking service for people at risk of losing their voice.
Your friends and family can usually help you think of messages that you use often. Examples include everyday phrases, names, nicknames, toasts for special events, movie quotes, sayings, jokes, and sounds such as laughter.
For both voice and message banking, you should consider how you can make the best quality recordings possible. If purchasing a microphone to make your recordings, voice banking provider, Acapela Group, recommends a microphone with a head piece so that the microphone stays in a stable position. They also recommend a corded, directional microphone with noise cancellation, and a frequency range from 80Hz to 15 000Hz (Acapela My-Own-Voice, 2024).
Learn more about voice and message banking by contacting the Link Assistive Clinical Team member for your state, or by accessing these free courses on the Tobii Dynavox Learning Hub:
- Voice Banking: Keep Your Vocal Identity with a Personal Synthetic Voice
- Voice Banking Resources
- Preserve Your Voice: Get Started with Message Banking
- Message Banking Resources