Frequently asked questions
faq_category_general
What is TonalLab?
TonalLab is an automatic Praat pre-annotation tool for tonal language research. It helps generate TextGrid files faster, but manual review is still required.
Which annotation languages are supported?
Currently: Mandarin Chinese, Gbe (Fon/Ewe), French, English, and IPA. More annotation profiles may be added later.
Is TonalLab fully automatic?
No. TonalLab provides automatic pre-annotation to reduce the first-pass workload. Users must still manually review the output before research or publication use.
Is TonalLab free?
TonalLab is currently in free beta. You can create an account and process up to 50 items per project, with 5 jobs per day.
faq_category_usage
What audio formats are accepted?
WAV, MP3, FLAC, M4A, AIFF, and OGG. You can also upload a ZIP containing multiple audio files.
How do I prepare my Excel template?
Download the official template from the project creation page. Do not rename sheets or change column headers. Fill audio_name with the exact filename and phonetic_form with the phonetic or romanized input used for segmentation.
What is the pitch trim ratio?
The pitch trim ratio (弯头弯尾) removes the beginning and end portions of the vowel region for more accurate pitch analysis. The default is 15%.
How long does processing take?
Processing time depends on the number of audio files. A small project usually finishes quickly; larger projects may take longer.
faq_category_account
How do I verify my email?
After signing up, you will receive a 6-digit verification code by email. Enter it on the verification page to activate your account.
Can I enable two-factor authentication?
Yes. Go to your account dashboard and click Enable 2FA. You can use Google Authenticator or any TOTP-compatible app.
I didn't receive the verification email.
Check your spam folder first. If the message is still missing, request a new code or contact us through the FAQ page.
How to cite
Use the citation below if you mention TonalLab in a paper, presentation, or project.
SOVI-GUIDI WACHINOU LIONNEL PYRRHUS. 2026. TonalLab (Version 1.00) [Web application]. https://tonalab.watradingea.com/
Contact, feedback, collaborations
You can contact us for questions, suggestions, research collaborations, or future access beyond the beta.
Contact: watrading@watradingea.com
For questions, feedback, suggestions, collaborations, or future access beyond the beta, contact us.
Still have a question?
Send us a message. We may reply by email and add the answer to the FAQ.