How to Use Cepstral With Asterisk 1.4

Asterisk turns a computer into a communications hub.

Asterisk 1.4 is an open-source system used for building communications platforms for businesses. Cepstral is a software application converts basic text into audio speech. When put together, Asterisk 1.4 and Cepstral can turn communications platforms into an audio communications platform that can be used in a variety of applications, such as running a call center, operating a corporate business switchboard or operating a phone system.

Things You'll Need

• Asterisk 1.4
• Cepstral Text-to-Speech program
• PBX in a Flash program
• App-swift program

Instructions

1. Log into your computer and make sure Asterisk 1.4 and PBX in a Flash are already installed.

2. Log into the system as a root user and paste the following command for a 32-bit system:

   cd /root

   wget http://downloads.cepstral.com/cepstral/i386-linux/↩

   Cepstral_Allison-8kHz_i386-linux_5.1.0.tar.gz

   tar -zxvf Cepstral*

   cd Cepstral_Allison-8kHz_i386-linux_5.1.0

   ./install.sh

   If you are using a 64-bit system, the command is different:

   cd /root

   wget http://downloads.cepstral.com/cepstral/x86-64-linux/↩

   Cepstral_Allison-8kHz_x86-64-linux_5.1.0.tar.gz

   tar -zxvf Cepstral*

   cd Cepstral_Allison-8kHz_x86-64-linux_5.1.0

   ./install.sh

3. Type "yes" when prompted to accept the changes.

4. Type in the following command when installation is complete:

   echo /opt/swift/lib > /etc/ld.so.conf.d/cepstral.conf

   ldconfig

5. Type the following command to test the new configuation -- make sure your speakers are plugged in so you can hear:

   swift "Hello World."

6. Download and install the app_swift software.

7. Edit app_swift with the following command:

   cd /usr/src

   wget http://pbxinaflash.net/source/app_swift/app_swift-1.4.2.tar.gz

   tar -zxvf app_swift*

   rm *.gz

   cd app_swift-1.4.2

   make

   make install

8. Type the following command to test the successful integration of app_swift:

   asterisk -rx "core show application swift"

   You will get the following response:

   -= Info about application 'Swift' =-

   [Synopsis]
   Speak text through Swift text-to-speech engine.

   [Description]
   Swift(text) Speaks the given text through the Swift TTS engine.
   Returns -1 on hangup or 0 otherwise. User can exit by pressing any key.

9. Return to Asterisk 1.4 and click on Extensions.

10. Hold down the Contral and W buttons at the same time and search for 1234.

11. Replace the code from your search results with this:

    ;exten => 1234,1,Playback(demo-congrats)

    exten => 1234,1,Swift(Congratulations! You have installed Cepstral.)

    exten => 1234,2,NoOp(Key pressed: ${SWIFT_DTMF})

    exten => 1234,3,Swift(You pressed ${SWIFT_DTMF}. Goodbye.)

    exten => 1234,4,Hangup()

    exten => h,1,Hangup()

12. Type Control-X, then Y, then Enter to save your changes.

13. Exit Asterisk then reboot the program to allow the saved changes to take effect. Cepstral and Asterisk 1.4 will now run seamlessly together.

Tips & Warnings

• The code pasted is to install the "Allison" Cepstral voice. Cepstral has many voices that you can choose from, so if you want something other than Allison, simply replace the "Allison" in the code with the name of the voice you want.

References

• Asterisk: About Asterisk
• Cepstral: Applications
• Nerd Vittles: Allison’s Text-to-Speech Trifecta: Cepstral, Asterisk 1.4 or 1.6, and FreePBX 2.4

Resources

• PBX in a Flash
• App_Swift