I do not want to open a long discussion on what ATC is better. Each has its pros and cons. But one thing that is still unsurpassed in ATC default FS2004/FSX, in my opinion, is the quality of the voices and the realism.

Now, since it is going to be released P3D 2.0, and then the ATC source code is available for LM developers, do you think could be finally developed a good default ATC with SID / STARs and AIRAC upgradeable, and with a voice quality equal or superior to that which we know?

I can not fly always online, rather are less the times I can do it, so I think it is essential to have a complete ATC environment, with a good and realistic sound quality.

That could handle properly AI traffic on ground, enroute and during approach and final phase of flight, could save the situation, could handle SID and STARs and is aligned with AIRAC.

 

Yes, you'll think, that's allready exist, but the quality of audio? None ATC addons I know have the same audio realism of FS2004/FSX default or not?

A rock solid default ATC  saves you from having to run third-party programs that often block or otherwise crash your sim or causes various problems.

What do you think about?

Ivona with VoxATC comes as close are you're gonna get.

Is it free or payware?

VoxATC is payware and is pretty good.   Ivona is a voice set, although I vastly prefer the AT&T voice sets.

Thanks guys I know VoxATC, didn't know Ivona, it's impressive like speech engine, it quite real! Thanks a lot.

 

But my question was another, why Microsoft FSX ATC voices are so good and no one has achieved a similar quality in their addons?

Default ATC uses phrases and words spoken by actual human beings, which are then assembled into complete sentences.

 

Most other ATC programs use some form of synthetic text-to-speech engine to generate the speech.

Yep, Jimmi's dead right.   FSX ATC's engine only needs to reproduce ATC orientatied words and sounds, so it's database is confined and it uses full words.    They do deserve credit though you're right, because the splicing is really done very well (especially compared to something like MCE where the voices are good but the abrupt splicing ruins it).

 

In contrast to FSX ATC, a full voice engine has to cover the full phonemic range (in various languages), so it's not able to have every word recorded individually.       Most voice engines create 'words' by splicing phonemes (phrased sounds), such as the consonents, and the consonants affixed or suffixed with vowels.   Example, the word "Airport" could be made up from the phonemes; Er, p, or, and t.   (that would be Amercan English, British English would be Er, p, oh and t).

 

Most other ATC programs use some form of synthetic text-to-speech engine to generate the speech.

This not true. Only VOX does that.

I will consider buying VoxATC only when it is possible to run it on a second computer wideFS-connected to the FS one...

Chek this: http://forum.avsim.net/topic/422967-pro-atc-or-radar-contact/page-6#entry2827820

May help you to decide.

Riccardo,

 

If you're going to buy a ATC program you should consider Radar Contact v4. It doesn't have the silky smooth voices of the default ATC but the instructions are a huge improvement. Only you can decide which of those is more important to you.

 

Have yo ever heard real ATC? It's not high fidelity. Many people who have RC4 have installed the MeatWater voices which are rehashed versions of the originals. They have even more 'noise' added but people seem to like them.

 

You never going to find an ATC package that doesn't have some drawbacks. It's an extremely difficult type of program to write. That's why there are so few on the market and I don't expect that to change when P3D becomes more popular.

 

I have run RC4 on a WideFS PC for years and can happily live with the voices including my own. :wink:  RC4 doesn't assign SIDs and STARs but you can include them in the plan you give it. That's a decent compromise.

 

In most other respects it does a good job but you will need to read the manual as it's a big move changing from the default ATC to one that does the job properly especially in areas outside the US where a different set of rules apply. The default only adheres to US (FAA rules). That's no good for Europeans and others.

I will consider buying VoxATC only when it is possible to run it on a second computer wideFS-connected to the FS one...

 

I am curious as to why you need VoxATC to do this?    It runs great on the host PC, especially if you offload it's process onto one of your lesser used cores, something you can do in the VoxATC setup.    What could you possible need VoxATC to be on a separate system for?   It does not need to display anything to you other than the dialogue box which is less intrusive than the giant default FSX ATC window (which can be resized of course).   Just curious.

 

I personally love VoxATC.   Stuff some WOAI aircraft into it, patch up with UT2 Bridge for Ultimate Traffic 2 and spend a couple hours talking to it, load up Navigraph SID and STAR Cycle data and you have a complete ATC package that responds very well to you in real-time.   Add a few good payware voice packs and you have as good as it gets in my opinion.

Add my vote to running VoxATC (or any ATC product) on a separate computer ... high quality voice recognition is CPU intensive as are the types of things ATC needs to monitor/respond/initiate. 

 

They do offer 7 day Trial of VoxATC (last updated May 2013)

 

There is also Pro-ATC/X - no trial version (last updated May 2013)

 

Radar Contact (last updated Dec 2009?)

 

There are also various "live" ATC services

 

I'm on the fence regarding ATC (still using FSX default ATC).  ATC is a complex process and I can appreciate the work that 3rd party developers have put into their products.

I've tried VoxATC, very good, but I don't like TTS voices, they are too clear and not "noised" like in real ATC comunications.

 

I'm oriented on Pro ATC X, voices seems to be good, quite real vhf voices, but there is no demo so I can't try how it works. Does someone who used it can provide me some feedback?

I am curious as to why you need VoxATC to do this?    It runs great on the host PC, especially if you offload it's process onto one of your lesser used cores, something you can do in the VoxATC setup.    What could you possible need VoxATC to be on a separate system for?   It does not need to display anything to you other than the dialogue box which is less intrusive than the giant default FSX ATC window (which can be resized of course).   Just curious.

 

 

Voice alone on another computer, thus simulating the airplane speaker or headphones if I use headphones and I absolutely don't want any dialogue box on my FS screen...