/**
 * file: karbytes_13_july_2024.txt
 * type: plain-text
 * date: 12_JULY_2024
 * author: karbytes
 * license: PUBLIC_DOMAIN
 */

The following text was copy-pasted from a conversation which karbytes had with ChatGPT-4o (which is newer version of ChatGPT than is ChatGPT-4) on 09_JULY_2024 at approximately 6:30PM Pacific Standard Time.

(Note that the chat user handle which did not appear on the ChatGPT web page chat interface appears as “karbytes” in this plain-text note).

* * *

The mp3 audio file which is featured in this journal entry was taken from the mp4 video file at the following Uniform Resource Locator: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/karlinarayberinger/KARLINA_OBJECT_extension_pack_2/main/instagram_karbytes_28_september_2023_part_0.mp4

The py file which karbytes ran via the Kubuntu command line terminal is available at the following Uniform Resource Locator: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/karlinarayberinger/KARLINA_OBJECT_extension_pack_17/main/transcribe_audio.py

* * *

karbytes

Transcribe the following audio file from speech to text: [karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3]

ChatGPT

python
Always show details

import speech_recognition as sr

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "/mnt/data/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert mp3 to audio data
with sr.AudioFile(audio_path) as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using Google Web Speech API
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_google(audio_data)
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    text = "Google Web Speech API could not understand the audio."
except sr.RequestError as e:
    text = f"Could not request results from Google Web Speech API; {e}"

text

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ModuleNotFoundError                       Traceback (most recent call last)
Cell In[1], line 1
----> 1 import speech_recognition as sr
      3 # Path to the audio file
      4 audio_path = "/mnt/data/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'speech_recognition'

It seems that the necessary module for speech recognition is not available in this environment. I recommend using a local setup or an online speech-to-text service for transcribing the audio file.

Here's how you can do it locally using Python:

    Install the speech_recognition library:

    sh

    pip install speechrecognition pydub

    Use the following script to transcribe the audio file:

python

import speech_recognition as sr
from pydub import AudioSegment

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Convert mp3 to wav
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert wav to audio data
with sr.AudioFile("converted.wav") as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using Google Web Speech API
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_google(audio_data)
    print("Transcription: ", text)
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    print("Google Web Speech API could not understand the audio.")
except sr.RequestError as e:
    print(f"Could not request results from Google Web Speech API; {e}")

If you prefer an online tool, you can upload the file to a service like Google Cloud Speech-to-Text or any other transcription service. Let me know if you need more assistance with this! 

karbytes

How do I use the script you provided to transcribe that audio file from speech to text?

ChatGPT

To use the script provided for transcribing your audio file from speech to text, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install the Required Libraries

First, ensure you have Python installed on your system. Then, open your command prompt or terminal and install the necessary libraries:

sh

pip install speechrecognition pydub

Step 2: Save the Audio File Locally

Download the audio file from our conversation and save it to a location on your computer, for example, C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3.

Step 3: Create the Transcription Script

Create a new Python script file, e.g., transcribe_audio.py, and copy the following code into it. Make sure to update the audio_path variable with the path to your saved audio file.

python

import speech_recognition as sr
from pydub import AudioSegment

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Convert mp3 to wav
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert wav to audio data
with sr.AudioFile("converted.wav") as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using Google Web Speech API
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_google(audio_data)
    print("Transcription: ", text)
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    print("Google Web Speech API could not understand the audio.")
except sr.RequestError as e:
    print(f"Could not request results from Google Web Speech API; {e}")

Step 4: Run the Script

Navigate to the directory where you saved transcribe_audio.py using your command prompt or terminal. Then, run the script with Python:

sh

python transcribe_audio.py

The script will convert the MP3 file to WAV format, recognize the speech in the audio file, and print the transcription to the console.

Summary

By following these steps, you should be able to transcribe the audio file from speech to text using the provided script. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

karbytes

When I ran the script, I encountered the following error message: 'Recognizer' object has no attribute 'recognize_google'. Did you mean: 'recognize_azure'?

ChatGPT

The error you're encountering suggests there may be an issue with the version or the availability of the recognize_google method in the speech_recognition library.

Let's adjust the script to ensure it's using the correct method and verify that you have the right library installed. Here is an updated script:

Step-by-Step Guide:

    Ensure you have the correct library:

    Ensure you have the speechrecognition library installed. You can install it using the following command:

    sh

    pip install SpeechRecognition pydub

    Check if the method exists:

    If the error persists, try using another method available in the speech_recognition library.

Updated Script:

python

import speech_recognition as sr
from pydub import AudioSegment

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Convert mp3 to wav
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert wav to audio data
with sr.AudioFile("converted.wav") as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using Google Web Speech API
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_google(audio_data)
    print("Transcription: ", text)
except AttributeError:
    print("Recognizer object does not have 'recognize_google' method.")
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    print("Google Web Speech API could not understand the audio.")
except sr.RequestError as e:
    print(f"Could not request results from Google Web Speech API; {e}")

Alternative Approach (Using Azure):

If the recognize_google method is unavailable, you can use an alternative method like recognize_azure. However, using Azure requires an Azure subscription and API key.

Here's how you can use recognize_azure:

    Install Azure SDK:

    sh

    pip install azure-cognitiveservices-speech

    Update the Script to Use Azure:

    Update the script to use Azure Speech-to-Text. You'll need your Azure subscription key and region.

python

import azure.cognitiveservices.speech as speechsdk

def recognize_from_audio(audio_file):
    speech_config = speechsdk.SpeechConfig(subscription="YourAzureSubscriptionKey", region="YourAzureRegion")
    audio_input = speechsdk.AudioConfig(filename=audio_file)
    speech_recognizer = speechsdk.SpeechRecognizer(speech_config=speech_config, audio_config=audio_input)
    
    result = speech_recognizer.recognize_once()
    
    if result.reason == speechsdk.ResultReason.RecognizedSpeech:
        return result.text
    elif result.reason == speechsdk.ResultReason.NoMatch:
        return "No speech could be recognized"
    elif result.reason == speechsdk.ResultReason.Canceled:
        cancellation_details = result.cancellation_details
        return f"Speech Recognition canceled: {cancellation_details.reason}. Error details: {cancellation_details.error_details}"

audio_path = "C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

transcription = recognize_from_audio("converted.wav")
print("Transcription: ", transcription)

Replace "YourAzureSubscriptionKey" and "YourAzureRegion" with your actual Azure subscription key and region.

Summary

By following these steps, you should be able to transcribe your audio file from speech to text. If you encounter any further issues, please let me know!

karbytes

How do I uninstall and reinstall Python such that I can use the python command instead of the python3 command?

ChatGPT

To uninstall and reinstall Python so that you can use the python command instead of python3, follow these steps:

Windows

    Uninstall Python:
        Open the Control Panel.
        Go to "Programs and Features."
        Find Python in the list, select it, and click "Uninstall."

    Download Python:
        Go to the official Python website.
        Download the latest version of Python for Windows.

    Install Python:
        Run the installer.
        Make sure to check the box that says "Add Python to PATH."
        Follow the installation instructions.

    Verify Installation:
        Open Command Prompt.
        Type python --version and press Enter. You should see the installed Python version.

macOS

    Uninstall Python:
        Open Terminal.
        Use brew to uninstall Python if it was installed via Homebrew:

        sh

brew uninstall python@3.x

For other installations, you might need to remove the Python directories manually:

sh

    sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.x
    sudo rm -rf "/Applications/Python 3.x"

Download Python:

    Go to the official Python website.
    Download the latest version of Python for macOS.

Install Python:

    Run the installer.
    Follow the installation instructions.

Update PATH:

    Open Terminal.
    Add Python to your PATH by editing your .bash_profile, .zshrc, or .bashrc file:

    sh

export PATH="/usr/local/bin/python3:$PATH"

Source the updated file:

sh

    source ~/.bash_profile

Create a Symlink (if necessary):

    If python still points to Python 2.x, create a symlink for python3 as python:

    sh

        sudo ln -s -f /usr/local/bin/python3 /usr/local/bin/python

    Verify Installation:
        Open Terminal.
        Type python --version and press Enter. You should see the installed Python version.

Linux

    Uninstall Python:
        Open Terminal.
        Use your package manager to uninstall Python 3.x. For example, on Ubuntu:

        sh

    sudo apt-get remove python3.x

Download Python:

    Go to the official Python website.
    Download the latest version of Python for Linux.

Install Python:

    Extract the downloaded file and navigate to the extracted directory.
    Install Python by running:

    sh

    ./configure
    make
    sudo make install

Update Alternatives (if necessary):

    On some distributions, you may need to update the alternatives system:

    sh

        sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.x 1

    Verify Installation:
        Open Terminal.
        Type python --version and press Enter. You should see the installed Python version.

By following these steps, you should be able to uninstall and reinstall Python such that the python command points to Python 3.x. If you encounter any issues, feel free to ask for further assistance!

karbytes

How do I download the latest version of Python for Ubuntu using the command line?

ChatGPT

To download and install the latest version of Python for Ubuntu using the command line, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

    Update the package list and upgrade the packages:

    Open Terminal and run:

    sh

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Install dependencies:

Install the necessary dependencies for building Python from source:

sh

sudo apt install -y build-essential zlib1g-dev libncurses5-dev libgdbm-dev libnss3-dev libssl-dev libreadline-dev libffi-dev curl libbz2-dev

Download the latest version of Python:

Navigate to the Python downloads page to find the latest version, then download it using wget. As of now, let's assume the latest version is 3.11.4. Replace 3.11.4 with the latest version if it changes.

sh

wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.11.4/Python-3.11.4.tgz

Extract the tarball:

sh

tar -xf Python-3.11.4.tgz

Navigate to the extracted directory:

sh

cd Python-3.11.4

Configure the build:

sh

./configure --enable-optimizations

The --enable-optimizations flag will optimize the Python binary, which can make the build process take longer but result in a faster Python interpreter.

Build and install Python:

Use make to build and make install to install. The -j flag speeds up the build process by using multiple CPU cores. Replace 4 with the number of cores you want to use.

sh

make -j 4
sudo make altinstall

Note: make altinstall is used to prevent overwriting the default python3 binary.

Verify the installation:

Check the installed Python version:

sh

    python3.11 --version

By following these steps, you should have the latest version of Python installed on your Ubuntu system. The new version will be available as python3.11 (or whichever version you installed), allowing you to keep the system's default Python interpreter intact.

karbytes

I encountered the following error: Recognizer object does not have 'recognize_google' method.

ChatGPT

The error you're encountering suggests that the recognize_google method is not available or recognized in your environment. This might be due to issues with the installation of the speech_recognition library or its dependencies.

To resolve this issue, let's ensure you have everything set up correctly. Follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide

    Ensure the Correct Installation of Required Libraries

    First, let's ensure you have speech_recognition and pydub installed correctly. Open your terminal and run:

    sh

pip install SpeechRecognition pydub

Check the Library Version

Sometimes, specific versions of a library may not have certain methods. Verify the version of speech_recognition:

sh

pip show SpeechRecognition

You should see something like:

vbnet

Name: SpeechRecognition
Version: 3.8.1
Summary: Library for performing speech recognition, with support for several engines and APIs, online and offline.

Make sure it is a compatible version.

Simple Test Script

Create a simple test script to check if recognize_google is available. Save the following script as test_speech_recognition.py:

python

import speech_recognition as sr

recognizer = sr.Recognizer()
print(dir(recognizer))

Run the script:

sh

python test_speech_recognition.py

Look for recognize_google in the printed list of methods. If it is not there, you might need to reinstall the library or check for conflicts.

Reinstall the Library

If recognize_google is not listed, try reinstalling the speech_recognition library:

sh

pip uninstall SpeechRecognition
pip install SpeechRecognition

Full Transcription Script

If recognize_google is available, use the following complete script to transcribe your audio file:

python

import speech_recognition as sr
from pydub import AudioSegment

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Convert mp3 to wav
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert wav to audio data
with sr.AudioFile("converted.wav") as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using Google Web Speech API
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_google(audio_data)
    print("Transcription: ", text)
except AttributeError as e:
    print("Recognizer object does not have 'recognize_google' method. Error:", e)
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    print("Google Web Speech API could not understand the audio.")
except sr.RequestError as e:
    print(f"Could not request results from Google Web Speech API; {e}")

Run the Script

Navigate to the directory where you saved transcribe_audio.py and run:

sh

    python transcribe_audio.py

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the issue with the recognize_google method. If the problem persists, consider using a different speech recognition service, such as Azure or IBM Watson, which may require additional setup but can provide a workaround.

karbytes

I saw that recognize_google_cloud is an available method. Can that be used instead of recognize_google?

ChatGPT

Yes, you can use the recognize_google_cloud method instead of recognize_google. The recognize_google_cloud method utilizes Google Cloud Speech-to-Text API, which requires an API key and configuration.

Here’s how you can modify the script to use recognize_google_cloud:
Step-by-Step Guide

    Set Up Google Cloud Speech-to-Text:
        Go to the Google Cloud Console.
        Create a new project or select an existing one.
        Enable the Speech-to-Text API for your project.
        Create a service account and download the JSON key file.

    Install Google Cloud Client Library:

    Install the necessary library to interact with Google Cloud Speech-to-Text:

    sh

pip install google-cloud-speech

Set the Environment Variable:

Set the GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable to the path of your service account key file. You can do this in your terminal:

sh

export GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS="/path_to_your_service_account_key.json"

Or in your Python script:

python

import os
os.environ["GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS"] = "/path_to_your_service_account_key.json"

Modify the Transcription Script:

Update your transcription script to use recognize_google_cloud:

python

import os
import speech_recognition as sr
from pydub import AudioSegment

# Set the path to your service account key
os.environ["GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS"] = "/path_to_your_service_account_key.json"

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Convert mp3 to wav
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert wav to audio data
with sr.AudioFile("converted.wav") as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using Google Cloud Speech-to-Text
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_google_cloud(audio_data)
    print("Transcription: ", text)
except AttributeError as e:
    print("Recognizer object does not have 'recognize_google_cloud' method. Error:", e)
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    print("Google Cloud Speech API could not understand the audio.")
except sr.RequestError as e:
    print(f"Could not request results from Google Cloud Speech API; {e}")

Run the Script:

Navigate to the directory where you saved your updated script and run it:

sh

    python transcribe_audio.py

By following these steps, you should be able to use the recognize_google_cloud method to transcribe your audio file. Make sure you have correctly set up the Google Cloud Speech-to-Text API and that your service account key is correctly referenced.

karbytes

Is there an alternative to recognize_google_cloud which does not require that I have a service account or special keys?

ChatGPT

Yes, there are several alternatives to recognize_google_cloud that do not require a service account or special keys. One common alternative is the recognize_sphinx method, which uses CMU Sphinx, an open-source speech recognition system that works offline and does not require an API key.

Here’s how you can modify your script to use recognize_sphinx:
Step-by-Step Guide

    Install Pocketsphinx:

    You need to install Pocketsphinx, which is a part of the CMU Sphinx system. You can install it using the following command:

    sh

pip install pocketsphinx

Modify the Transcription Script:

Update your transcription script to use recognize_sphinx:

python

import speech_recognition as sr
from pydub import AudioSegment

# Path to the audio file
audio_path = "C:/path_to_your_file/karbytes_at_warm_springs_bart_station_17_february_2023.mp3"

# Convert mp3 to wav
sound = AudioSegment.from_mp3(audio_path)
sound.export("converted.wav", format="wav")

# Initialize recognizer
recognizer = sr.Recognizer()

# Convert wav to audio data
with sr.AudioFile("converted.wav") as source:
    audio_data = recognizer.record(source)

# Recognize speech using CMU Sphinx (offline)
try:
    text = recognizer.recognize_sphinx(audio_data)
    print("Transcription: ", text)
except AttributeError as e:
    print("Recognizer object does not have 'recognize_sphinx' method. Error:", e)
except sr.UnknownValueError:
    print("CMU Sphinx could not understand the audio.")
except sr.RequestError as e:
    print(f"Could not request results from CMU Sphinx; {e}")

Run the Script:

Navigate to the directory where you saved your updated script and run it:

sh

    python transcribe_audio.py

Summary

Using recognize_sphinx is a great alternative if you prefer an offline solution that does not require an API key or internet connection. However, keep in mind that CMU Sphinx may not be as accurate as cloud-based services for certain accents or languages. If you need higher accuracy, you may want to explore other options or consider using a cloud-based service with proper authentication.

* * *

The following text was output to the command line after the Python script was run.

Transcription:  and lit a car lights on the seventeenth of february he doesn't drink for you live at warm springs varsity occurring on

I was told by ChatGPT-4o that offline speech-to-text transcription services are not as likely to accurately transcribe audio files as are cloud-based services. I will probably play around with such cloud-based services later and develop more sophisticated Python applications. The application featured in this journal entry is considered by me to be merely a "hello world" app instead of something I feel is more deserving of being showcased in my SOFTWARE_ENGINEERING_PORTFOLIO web page of this website.

Lastly, I was (during this session) not able to use the command python instead of python3 to execute the Python script which (badly (but not so badly the output bares no resemblance to the actual spoken message in the input audio file)) transcribed the input audio file.