Talko Speech synthesizer

Talko 2015 — it was a classic. But now, it’s even better. Talko 2025 comes loaded with more options, more sounds, more voices — and something really cool: sound effects. It also features a special Circuit Bend switch called “Error”, unlocking a world of wild, unpredictable glitches that can be chaotic, weird, and surprisingly beautiful. And here’s the best part — you can choose between standalone (Bricky format) or Eurorack versions. 🎛️ See the demonstration videos to experience Talko 2025 in action

Panel & Controls

Audio Out: main audio output (PWM filtered).

Gate In: triggers the speech.

Sound, speech, pitch, and FX: respond to their respective potentiometers when no CV is connected. Respond to the CV when connected.
Mode switch: Talko produces sounds in 3 major modes: Speech, Repeat, and VCO.
– In Speech mode, the speech begins with a gate signal and is completed before waiting for the next gate signal. The speech has priority.
– In Repeat mode, the speech starts and stops in response to the gate signal transitioning from high to low or vice versa. The gate has priority, and the speech repeats while the gate is high. This mode is handy for creating crazy rhythms.
– In VCO mode, the LPC engine loops while the gate is high, producing steady notes.
The speak button acts as a gate signal
Error button injects random glitches, mimicking a circuit-bent Speak & Spell

Knobs
Sound: selects the item inside the current bank.

Speed: changes playback tempo from slow to very fast.

Pitch: shifts the pitch widely.

FX: controls the amount or frequency of the selected effect.

Encoder
Rotate to change the bank.

Push Encoder to enter FX select mode (decimal point lights up on the display).

Press again to return to the standard bank view.

Display & LED
7-segment: shows the current bank (hex digit). Decimal point indicates FX select

Screensaver: animated patterns appear after inactivity. Any interaction exits the screensaver.

Boot sequence: Talko2 speaks its firmware version at power-on, display the version on the display while the LED at the back flashes to show version numbers. Red = major version, blue dot = separator, green = minor version.

The display is dimmable : press and hold the encoder while pressing Error, then turn the encoder to adjust the brightness.
Banks
0 – Numbers (0–9)

1 – TI-99 Alphabet

2 – NATO Alphabet

3 – Speak & Spell (US) Numbers

4 – Speak & Spell (FR) Numbers

5 – Speak & Spell Sounds (beeps + phrases)

6 – Speak & Spell Vocabulary (US)

7 – Allophones (voiced)

8 – Allophones (unvoiced)

9 – Allophones (VCO-friendly)

A – Electronic voice alert Chrysler phrases

B – Star Wars quotes

C – German Numbers (alt bank 0–9)

The Sound knob is scaled to cover the entire set in each bank.

FX Types
– : no effect (dry signal)
F : filter effect (FX knob = cutoff)
d : Dalek / ring modulation (FX knob ≈ 30–1200 Hz carrier)
b : pitch bend / warble (FX knob = depth or rate)
G : growl & pitch (FX knob = intensity; turn to max to enter Growling mode)
C : chord / harmonic interval effect (FX knob = interval or mix)
r : reverb (FX knob = decay/mix)
t : telephone (FX knob = bandpass frequency)
o : tremolo (FX knob = rate)

https://www.errorinstruments.com/a-106367044/new-on-error-eurorack-and-more-welcom/talko-speech-synthesizers-eurorack/#description