# In-Line Voice Control Commands

DECtalk Software includes in-line commands that control voice characteristics. You can use these commands to perform simple voice-control operations, such as changing the speaking rate or speaking voice while DECtalk Software is speaking.

In-line commands can be inserted into the text entered into the text window available in most application supplied with DECtalk Software. In-line commands also can be included in data buffers passed to the DECtalk Software Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) by way of various TextToSpeech...() API calls. For more information, see the DECtalk Software Reference Guide.

DECtalk Software also has voice-control commands to modify the characteristics of each voice, control intonation and stress within written text, or to create special effects, such as singing.

In-line commands have special syntax rules and components that you need to use when you insert them into files. A few simple commands and command components are illustrated below. Refer to the DECtalk Software Reference Guide for more information on in-line commands.

In-Line Command Components

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| All commands are inserted into ASCII text files, begin with a colon, and are always inserted between brackets. (The command here tells DECtalk Software to speak this line at 150 words per minute.) Most commands can have parameters (For example, : rate 150 = rate of 150 words per minute).
| Two or more commands can be inserted after each other by enclosing each command within a set of square brackets. (For example, the rate and voice selections are shown here.)
| Phonetic spellings of words can be included also. Phonetic spellings are enclosed within a set of square brackets. (For example, [r iyl iy] for really) Note: if you want to use phonetic spelling, you must use the [:phoneme arpabet speak on] command to turn on recognition of phonetic spelling.