How to do Text to Speech on Discord

Discord has become a hub for gamers, streamers and communities to connect and communicate. 

Among its many features, text-to-speech (TTS) stands out as a fun and accessible way to make messages audible. Whether you’re trying to grab attention on a busy server, assist users with visual impairments or add humor to your chats, TTS can enhance your Discord experience. 

In this article

1. What is Text-to-Speech on Discord?
2. How to Enable Text-to-Speech on Discord
3. How to Send a TTS Message
4. Customizing Your TTS Experience
5. Using TTS in Voice Channels
6. Best Practices for Using TTS
7. Troubleshooting Common Issues
8. Advanced Alternatives for Enhanced Functionality
9. Why Use Text-to-Speech on Discord?

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to use text-to-speech on Discord.

What is Text-to-Speech on Discord?

Text-to-speech is a built-in feature in Discord that converts written messages into spoken audio. Users can have their messages read aloud by a bot by typing a simple command. This feature is handy when reading text is inconvenient or you want to ensure your message stands out in a lively conversation.

How to Enable Text-to-Speech on Discord

Before using TTS, you need to enable it in your settings. The process involves both user-level and server-level configurations.

Step 1: Enable TTS in User Settings

1. Open Discord and click the gear icon near your username at the bottom-left corner.
   
2. Navigate to “Notifications” under the app settings menu.
   
3. Scroll down to the “Text-to-Speech Notifications” section.
   
4. Choose one of the following options:
   
   • For all channels: Hear TTS messages from any server or channel.
     
   • For current selected channel: Restrict TTS playback to the active channel.
     
   • Never: Disable TTS notifications entirely.
     
5. Next, go to “Text & Images” under app settings.
   
6. Toggle on “Allow playback and usage of /tts command.”
   

Step 2: Enable TTS in Server Settings

If you’re an admin or moderator, you can enable TTS for specific channels:

1. Click the server name at the top-left corner and select “Server Settings.”
   
2. Navigate to “Text Channels” and select the desired channel.
   
3. Open the channel settings by clicking the gear icon next to its name.
   
4. Go to the “Permissions” tab and ensure the “Send TTS Messages” option is enabled for relevant roles or users.
   
5. Save changes.

How to Send a TTS Message

Once TTS is enabled, sending a message is straightforward:

1. Open any text channel where TTS is permitted.
   
2. Type /tts followed by your message (e.g., /tts Hello everyone!).
   
3. Press Enter, and Discord’s bot will read your message aloud.

The message will appear in the chat without the /tts prefix, but users with TTS enabled will hear it spoken aloud.

Customizing Your TTS Experience

Here are some of the ways that you can customize your Discord text-to-speech experience.

Adjusting Volume

You can control how loud TTS messages are by navigating to:

• User Settings > Voice & Video > Output Volume and adjusting the slider.

Changing Voices

Discord uses your operating system’s default voice for TTS playback. To change it:

1. On Windows: Go to Control Panel > Ease of Access > Text-to-Speech Options.
   
2. On macOS: Open System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech.

For more advanced voice options, consider third-party tools like CAMB.AI or Cartesia.ai, which allow you to generate custom audio messages with natural-sounding voices.

Using TTS in Voice Channels

Discord doesn’t natively support TTS in voice channels, but you can work around this limitation:

• Use bots designed to read text aloud in voice channels.
  
• Generate audio files using tools like Voices AI Studio and share them during a voice session.

Best Practices for Using TTS

To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone:

• Avoid overusing TTS in busy servers, as it can become disruptive.
  
• Be mindful of others who may have disabled TTS notifications.
  
• Use appropriate language and tone when sending messages via TTS.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you’re having trouble with Discord’s TTS feature:

1. Verify that both user-level and server-level settings are correctly configured.
   
2. Ensure that other users have not turned off their own TTS playback settings.
   
3. Check your device’s audio output settings if you can’t hear messages being read aloud.

Advanced Alternatives for Enhanced Functionality

While Discord’s built-in TTS is effective, there are third-party tools that offer more customization:

• CAMB.AI: Provides advanced voice synthesis with customizable tones and accents.
  
• Cartesia.ai: Offers natural-sounding voices for creating professional audio messages.
  
• Murf.ai: Allows users to create high-quality voiceovers that can be shared in Discord.

These tools are especially useful if you’re looking to create unique content or integrate advanced features like multilingual support into your Discord interactions.

Why Use Text-to-Speech on Discord?

TTS isn’t just about fun; it serves practical purposes as well:

• Accessibility: Helps visually impaired users participate fully in conversations.
  
• Engagement: Adds an interactive element that grabs attention in crowded servers.
  
• Convenience: Allows multitasking users to stay informed without reading long threads.

Whether you’re a gamer coordinating strategies, a streamer engaging with your audience, or simply someone looking to enhance communication, text-to-speech can elevate your Discord experience.

Following this guide, you can set up and use text-to-speech effectively on Discord, making communication more dynamic and inclusive for everyone involved!