The Golos Joomla plugin transforms written content into natural-sounding speech, enhancing accessibility and user engagement on your website. With a simple “Speak It” button, visitors can select any text and hear it read aloud in human-like voices powered by Google’s advanced text-to-speech technology.
Unmatched Voice Quality with Neural Network Technology
Golos leverages Google Cloud Text-to-Speech’s cutting-edge neural networks to produce remarkably lifelike audio output. The system utilizes:
- Deep learning algorithms trained on thousands of voice samples
- Artificial intelligence that adapts to linguistic patterns
- Continuous improvements through machine learning
This technology reduces the gap between synthetic and human speech by 70%, creating an immersive listening experience that maintains natural intonation and rhythm.
Extensive Language and Voice Selection
With over 200 voices across 30+ languages and regional variants, Golos ensures your content speaks to a global audience. The comprehensive language support includes:
European Languages
- English (US, UK, Australian, Indian variants)
- Spanish (European and Latin American versions)
- French (France and Canada)
- German, Italian, Portuguese, and Scandinavian languages
Asian Languages
- Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese)
- Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Tamil, and Thai
- Malay, Indonesian, and Vietnamese
Middle Eastern Languages
- Arabic with full RTL (right-to-left) support
- Hebrew, Persian, and Urdu
New languages are regularly added to keep pace with global content needs.
WaveNet Technology for Premium Voice Quality
Golos provides exclusive access to Google’s DeepMind WaveNet voices, which represent the pinnacle of text-to-speech technology. Key advantages include:
- 90+ WaveNet voices available
- More natural phrasing and emphasis
- Better handling of complex sentences
- Reduced robotic artifacts in speech
WaveNet voices analyze raw audio waveforms at 24,000 samples per second, capturing subtle nuances that standard voices miss.
Customizable Audio Output
Golos offers extensive controls to tailor the listening experience:
Speech Adjustment Features
- Speaking Rate: Adjust from 0.25x to 4x normal speed
- Pitch Control: Modify up to ±20 semitones
- Volume Gain: Range from -96dB to +16dB
Advanced SSML Support
The plugin fully supports Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) for professional audio production:
- Insert natural pauses with
<break>tags - Format numbers, dates, and times correctly
- Control pronunciation of unusual words
- Emphasize specific words or phrases
Seamless Joomla Integration
Golos installs effortlessly on any Joomla 3.9+ website with:
- Full compatibility with all Joomla templates
- Responsive design for all devices
- Lightweight implementation (only 8.5KB)
- No jQuery dependencies
- W3C valid HTML output
Pricing Structure and Free Tier
Google’s Text-to-Speech API offers generous free usage limits:
| Voice Type | Monthly Free Characters | Paid Rate (per million characters) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Voices | 4,000,000 | $4.00 |
| WaveNet Voices | 1,000,000 | $16.00 |
Note that SSML tags count toward character totals for billing purposes.
Technical Requirements and Support
To run Golos effectively:
- PHP 5.6+ (PHP 7+ recommended)
- Valid Google Cloud account for API access
- Joomla 3.9 or newer
The package includes detailed documentation and comes with 6 months of support from 42Theme, covering:
- Bug fixes and troubleshooting
- Answers to technical questions
- Updates and version upgrades
Recent Updates and Improvements
The plugin maintains active development with regular enhancements:
- Version 2.0.0 (2022): Added Joomla 4 compatibility and new language support
- Version 1.0.2 (2021): Fixed JSON file upload issues and added US Spanish
For complete version history and detailed patch notes, users can access the full changelog through the provided documentation.
Golos represents a powerful solution for making Joomla content accessible to diverse audiences, improving engagement through high-quality audio output that keeps pace with modern web standards and user expectations.
