With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations)

gastrof · December 24 2008, 07:19 PM

I realize a person's death and the loss felt by their family and friends is far more important than a TV/Movie franchise, but a thought has struck me, and hopefully it isn't too soon to bring this up-

They made the effort to include Majel in the new film as the voice of the Enterprise computer. GREAT continuity. Problem? She's gone now. The nice little gesture has become a sticky point, since now any future films can't use her for voice-over work.

Those of you who are more computer-saavy than me...

Is it possible that there's enough in the way of voice-recordings for them to create a simulation of her voice for future projects? (Is this something called "voice sampling"?)

If possible, it'd be an equally great move to still use her for any new lines spoken by the computer.

IS it possible?

gastrof · December 24 2008, 07:25 PM

My apologies if this thread is too similar to the one by BorgMan, which I didn't notice at first.

Jadzia · December 27 2008, 10:40 PM

yes I think it is quite possible.

A few years ago I did try my hand at making a voice synth with my own voice -- cutting a recording up of my voice into the phonetic sounds and then reassembling them to articulate new words. It was rough but it worked

If you want to round up a sizable collection of M.B. samples (preferably monotone), then I might try and remake my program with her voice. It would be fun to have an M.B. voice synth.

(I make no promises)

Starbreaker · December 28 2008, 09:31 AM

There are hundreds of episodes with voice snippets of her. I'm sure they can recycle what is necessary.

AviTrek · December 29 2008, 08:03 PM

The challenge would be new technobabble. That's where they would have to use phonetic syllables instead of words. Of course, creating a voice synth is probably even more realistic since that's what the computer voice really is.

gastrof · December 29 2008, 10:21 PM

AviTrek wrote:

The challenge would be new technobabble. That's where they would have to use phonetic syllables instead of words...

Umm...

I think that's what was suggested by the OP.

Lightinspire · December 30 2008, 01:41 AM

use 7 of 9 as the voice.

thirteenth · December 31 2008, 03:58 AM

I think Judi Durand perhaps..

Oso Blanco · January 10 2009, 09:19 PM

josephberte wrote:

I think Judi Durand perhaps..

That was my first thought when I read the title of this thread.

captcalhoun · January 18 2009, 10:16 PM

yeah, judi durand provided the compuer voice for EF1 before being replaced by majel in the 1.2 patch/expansion pack and really, it's hard to tell the difference between them.

Mr. B · January 29 2009, 10:58 PM

How hard could it be to find somebody else with a similar voice?

Broccoli · January 30 2009, 01:33 AM

I say go the exact opposite. Use Christian Bale's gravely-can't-understand-what-the-fuck-he-says Batman voice for the ENT computer.

-Brett- · January 30 2009, 01:36 AM

That computer you're sitting in front of has a number of different voice synthesizers. Changing the Enterprise's computer voice shouldn't be too big of a stretch.

Stewey · January 30 2009, 03:14 PM

May Majel rest in peace

How about holly from Red Dwarf as the new computer voice?

cybersoldier · February 3 2009, 03:31 AM

There is always Troi or Crusher taking over the computer voice duties. Its going to be weird not having Majel voicing the computer and not going to be part of the new future of trek

December 24 2008, 07:19 PM	#1
gastrof Rear Admiral Location: New Vulcan	With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) I realize a person's death and the loss felt by their family and friends is far more important than a TV/Movie franchise, but a thought has struck me, and hopefully it isn't too soon to bring this up- They made the effort to include Majel in the new film as the voice of the Enterprise computer. GREAT continuity. Problem? She's gone now. The nice little gesture has become a sticky point, since now any future films can't use her for voice-over work. Those of you who are more computer-saavy than me... Is it possible that there's enough in the way of voice-recordings for them to create a simulation of her voice for future projects? (Is this something called "voice sampling"?) If possible, it'd be an equally great move to still use her for any new lines spoken by the computer. IS it possible? __________________ Trek: Onscreen is canon, books are interesting. Movies change canon, scissors wrap paper...or...something.

December 24 2008, 07:25 PM	#2
gastrof Rear Admiral Location: New Vulcan	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) My apologies if this thread is too similar to the one by BorgMan, which I didn't notice at first. __________________ Trek: Onscreen is canon, books are interesting. Movies change canon, scissors wrap paper...or...something.

December 27 2008, 10:40 PM	#3
Jadzia on holiday Location: England	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) yes I think it is quite possible. A few years ago I did try my hand at making a voice synth with my own voice -- cutting a recording up of my voice into the phonetic sounds and then reassembling them to articulate new words. It was rough but it worked If you want to round up a sizable collection of M.B. samples (preferably monotone), then I might try and remake my program with her voice. It would be fun to have an M.B. voice synth. (I make no promises) __________________ . Last edited by Jadzia; December 27 2008 at 11:09 PM.

December 28 2008, 09:31 AM	#4
Starbreaker Fleet Admiral	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) There are hundreds of episodes with voice snippets of her. I'm sure they can recycle what is necessary.

December 29 2008, 08:03 PM	#5
AviTrek Fleet Captain	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) The challenge would be new technobabble. That's where they would have to use phonetic syllables instead of words. Of course, creating a voice synth is probably even more realistic since that's what the computer voice really is.

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December 30 2008, 01:41 AM	#7
Lightinspire Lieutenant Commander Location: Charleston, WV	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) use 7 of 9 as the voice.

December 31 2008, 03:58 AM	#8
thirteenth Lieutenant Location: Florida, United States	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) I think Judi Durand perhaps..

January 18 2009, 10:16 PM	#10
captcalhoun Admiral Location: gone	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) yeah, judi durand provided the compuer voice for EF1 before being replaced by majel in the 1.2 patch/expansion pack and really, it's hard to tell the difference between them.

January 29 2009, 10:58 PM	#11
Mr. B Vice Admiral Location: New Orleans	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) How hard could it be to find somebody else with a similar voice? __________________ “Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities.” -Oscar Wilde

January 30 2009, 01:33 AM	#12
Broccoli Vice Admiral Location: Broccoli	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) I say go the exact opposite. Use Christian Bale's gravely-can't-understand-what-the-fuck-he-says Batman voice for the ENT computer. __________________ "That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." -- Christopher Hitchens

January 30 2009, 01:36 AM	#13
-Brett- Rear Admiral	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) That computer you're sitting in front of has a number of different voice synthesizers. Changing the Enterprise's computer voice shouldn't be too big of a stretch.

January 30 2009, 03:14 PM	#14
Stewey Rear Admiral Location: United Kingdom, Scouser Land	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) May Majel rest in peace How about holly from Red Dwarf as the new computer voice? __________________ "Market forces are the witchcraft of modern capitalism" - Tony Benn "Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin.

February 3 2009, 03:31 AM	#15
cybersoldier Commander Location: NYC	Re: With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations) There is always Troi or Crusher taking over the computer voice duties. Its going to be weird not having Majel voicing the computer and not going to be part of the new future of trek