The MEA8000 is a Speech Synthesizer chip. It contains a Voice Generator similar to that used in the [[SP0256]] speech chip. However, unlike the SP0256, it doesn't contain a built-in microprocessor, nor built-in ROM.
To output an allophone, one must send one (or usually more) 32bit packet(s) to the chip. This is making it more complicated to use than the SP0256 (which needs only one 8bit value per allophone). On the other hand, it's making the MEA8000 more flexible: The SP0256 contains predefined allophones (usually the -AL2 english allophone set), whilst the MEA8000 can be freely used with different allophone sets (english, french, other languages) , different intonations (eg. raise the pitch to pronounce questions), or even as general purpose sound processor, (ie. to produce music or explosions, etc.sound effects).
== Hardware Speech Synthesisers Technical ==
* [[Amstrad SSA-1 Speech SynthesizerMEA8000 I/O Ports and Pinouts]] (* [[SP0256MEA8000 Voice Generator]]* [[MEA8000 Unknown Details]] based)
[[Dk'tronics == CPC Speech Synthesizer]] ([[SP0256]] based)Synthesisers ==
* [[Amstrad SSA-1 Speech Synthesizer]] ([[SP0256]] based)* [[Dk'tronics Speech Synthesizer]] ([[SP0256]] based)* [[MHT Speech Synthesizer]] ([[SP0256]] based)* [[TMPI speech synthetizer]] ([[MEA8000]] based)* [[Software Speech Synthesizers]] (Software based)* [[LambdaSpeak]] covers all the others
== Software Speech synthesisers Examples ==
With some clever programming it is possible to program a software Speech Synthesizer with good results* [[Media:Parole_et_micros_-_TO8_-_Direct_recording.mp3]] - Direct sound recording of a MEA8000 chip (mp3) (Recorded on a Thomson TO8)
* [[SpeechMedia:Clair de la lune.mp3|The French song ''Clair de la lune'' sung by a MEA8000 chip]] (Symbos softwaremp3) (Recorded using the MEA8000 emulator from MESS?)
== Speech Example ==* Showing the TMPI speech synthesizer in action: {{#ev:youtube|oMa5ekqn06M}}
The French song ''Clair de la lune'' sung by a MEA8000 chip== Misc ==
* [[Media:Clair de la lune.mp3|French song by MEA8000on PC Printer Port]] - DIY (French) (for PCs) (mp3does NOT work on CPCs)
== Datasheet (English) Datasheets ==
Datasheet * [[Media:MEA8000 (PDF) == Documentation == <gallery caption="Contruction and interfacing a Mullard.pdf]] - MEA8000 chip Datasheet (FrenchMullard)">Image* [[Media:MEA8000 PCVOC1Signetics.jpg|Page 1Image:pdf]] - MEA8000 PCVOC2.jpg|Page 2Datasheet (Signetics)Image:* [[MEA8000 PCVOC3.jpg|Page 3Image:Figures]] - Additional info on Filters and Parameter Translation (which aren't described in the normal MEA8000 PCVOC4.jpg|Page 4datasheets)Image* [[Media:MEA8000 PCVOC5Parole_et_Micros_-_Synth%C3%A8se_vocale.jpg|Page 5zip]] - '''Parole et micros - Synthèse vocale''' (1985) Technical book about the MEA8000 and its usage (French) (Some chapters are missing)Image* [[Media:Klatt-1980-JAS000971.pdf]] - MIT research paper describing the Klatt formant synthesizer. The MEA8000 PCVOC6is largely based on it.jpg|Page 6(1980)Image:* '''Manipulaties met spraakgeluid, Philips Technisch Tijdschrif 40''' (Philips 1982) (Dutch) (this should contain technical details of the MEA8000 PCVOC7.jpg|Page 7implementation) (there seems to be no copy in the internet yet)<* '''MEA8000 voice synthesizer: principles and interfacing, Philips Technical Publication 101''' (Philips/gallery>Elcoma 1983) (this might contain additional info on the filters & voice generator) (there seems to be no copy in the internet yet)* '''PCF8200''' - newer chip, based on MEA8000 (isn't backwards-compatible, but works similarly)
== Weblinks ==
[[* http://vesta.homelinux.netfree.fr/sitewiki/cpc6128_amstrad.html - TMPI Speech Details (French)* http://vesta.homelinux.free.fr/elecwiki/Mea8000le_synthetiseur_vocal_mea_8000.php]] html - MEA8000 Chip Details (French)
[[Category:Programming]] [[Category:HardwareMusic and sound]][[Category:Electronic Component]]
