Speech Computer

Phonemer is a Eurorack Speech Computer.

It combines a speech engine that reimagines nostalgic text-to-speech for real-time synthesis, algorithms that give speech intonation and emotion, a built-in 144,000-word pronunciation dictionary, and powerful effects you can run many of at once. There are highly flexible CV inputs and Macro knobs, where each modulation source can drive 8 destinations with individual attenuverters, plus USB keyboard support, a refined audio section, plenty of knobs for intuitive hands-on control, and a smooth, fun, immersive GUI with buttons and an encoder. All in one module!!

Sound Engine

• Real-time formant speech synthesis
• Classic mode, a fresh recreation of 80s TTS
• Vocoder mode (external modulator)
• VoSinger mode, which feeds speech into the vocoder
• Variable internal carrier oscillator
• External carrier oscillator input
• Fold on the carrier oscillator
• Brightness
• Variable speech speed
• BPM SYNC: syncs to the internal clock, with the Speed knob setting the division
• Prosody engine (intonation, accent)
• Emotion knob (neutral → joy → anger → sadness → fun)
• Circuit-bend emulation
• 4-voice Poly mode (with Fine)
• 10 editable chord memories
• Microtonal mode for changing the number of divisions per octave

Trigger

• AUTO: automatically triggers words at a set interval
• Trigger: triggered by the Trigger button or Trigger Input
• Gate: speaks only while the Trigger button or Trigger Input is high
• Ph.Trigger / Ph.Gate: step through phonemes one at a time with triggers or gates
• Trigger OUT: outputs triggers under a variety of conditions
• Retrigger: configurable behavior for triggers that arrive during or after speech

Speech Modes

• Speaks random words from the built-in dictionary of approx. 144,000 words
• Predicts pronunciation for words not in the dictionary
• Alphabet pronunciation
• Speaks words typed on a USB keyboard
• Speaks sentence-like phrases generated by Markov chains
• Lettrism mode (speaks meaningless words built from strung-together phonemes)
• Move the caret (Start Point) to start speaking from the middle of a word
• Create lists and speak from them (with configurable playback patterns)
• Typing test mode: type the word shown on the display to make it speak

Dictionary & Lists

• Pre-installed built-in dictionary of approx. 144,000 words
• Add user dictionary entries from the module itself or a USB keyboard
• Save up to 99 lists, each holding up to 1,000 entries
• Load list CSV files from a USB memory stick

Effects

• PreFX that can all run simultaneously, FX1 as a send, FX2 chained after FX1, FX3 inserted at the end of the chain, and ZFX played by hand
• PreFX [EQ / Filter / Comp / De-esser / Distortion / Radio Voice / Stereo Processor]
• FX1/2/3 [Delay / Grain Delay / Reverb / Flanger / Chorus / Phaser / EQ / Comp]
• ZFX [Freeze / Tape Stop / Reverse / Scratch]

Modulation

• Modulation matrix of CV inputs, Macro knobs and internal LFOs, assignable to almost every parameter
• 4 CV inputs, each with 8 destinations, individual attenuverters/offsets and a master attenuverter
• CV inputs accept up to ±10V, with individually settable ranges
• 3 Macro knobs, each with 8 destinations and individual attenuverters, with the knob itself acting as the master attenuator
• 4 internal LFOs, each with 8 destinations, individual attenuverters/offsets and a master attenuverter
• Internal LFOs have variable waveform and speed, and can sync to the internal clock
• Dedicated random destinations that keep track of the offset from the current value, making randomization fully reversible

Internal Clock

A variable clock that syncs Delay / Grain Delay / internal LFOs / ZFX (Freeze)

Presets

• Save and load up to 100 presets
• INIT for an instant reset
• A practical preset randomizer

Live Mode

• Live mode turns the F keys into Live switches
• Each Live switch can store a chosen state for 8 destinations
• Press a Live switch to jump to its stored state, then turn it off to return to where you were — fully reversible

Hardware

• Newly designed audio and power sections for higher quality than previous models
• Comfortable operation with 4 function keys, L/R and Shift buttons, and an encoder
• Smooth, beautiful display thanks to a high-resolution grayscale OLED
• USB Host support for a wide range of USB keyboards (including wireless keyboards via a 2.4GHz dongle) and USB memory sticks
• Dedicated state-saving memory remembers everything from before power-off (common to all models since Poet Selector)