diff --git a/pico/lib/picoacph.c b/pico/lib/picoacph.c
index 98feb6e..c06e860 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picoacph.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picoacph.c
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
 } acph_subobj_t;
 
 
-static pico_status_t acphInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this) {
+static pico_status_t acphInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode) {
     acph_subobj_t * acph;
     picoos_uint16 i;
 
@@ -193,6 +193,11 @@
         acph->cbuf[i] = 0;
     }
 
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_SOFT) {
+        /*following initializations needed only at startup or after a full reset*/
+        return PICO_OK;
+    }
+
     /* kb tabphones */
     acph->tabphones =
         picoktab_getPhones(this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_TAB_PHONES]);
@@ -310,7 +315,7 @@
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    acphInitialize(this);
+    acphInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
     return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picoapi.c b/pico/lib/picoapi.c
index c4ef8bf..affd780 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picoapi.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picoapi.c
@@ -660,13 +660,15 @@
 /**
  * pico_resetEngine : Resets the engine
  * @param    engine : pointer to a Pico engine handle
+ * @param    r_mode : reset mode
  * @return  PICO_OK : successful
  * @return     PICO_ERR_INVALID_HANDLE, PICO_ERR_NULLPTR_ACCESS : errors
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
 */
 PICO_FUNC pico_resetEngine(
-        pico_Engine engine)
+        pico_Engine engine,
+        pico_Status r_mode)
 {
     pico_Status status = PICO_OK;
 
@@ -674,7 +676,11 @@
         status = PICO_ERR_INVALID_HANDLE;
     } else {
         picoctrl_engResetExceptionManager((picoctrl_Engine) engine);
-        status = picoctrl_engReset((picoctrl_Engine) engine);
+
+        if (r_mode<PICO_RESET_FULL) r_mode = PICO_RESET_FULL;
+        if (r_mode>PICO_RESET_SOFT) r_mode = PICO_RESET_FULL;
+
+        status = picoctrl_engReset((picoctrl_Engine) engine, (picoos_int32)r_mode);
     }
 
     return status;
diff --git a/pico/lib/picoapi.h b/pico/lib/picoapi.h
index 0dad702..8a5725b 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picoapi.h
+++ b/pico/lib/picoapi.h
@@ -422,8 +422,9 @@
    particular text input and signal data output buffers.
 */
 PICO_FUNC pico_resetEngine(
-        pico_Engine engine
-        );
+        pico_Engine engine,
+        pico_Status r_mode
+);
 
 
 /* Engine status and error/warning message retrieval ******************/
diff --git a/pico/lib/picocep.c b/pico/lib/picocep.c
index 2510c13..bb80c3d 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picocep.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picocep.c
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
  */
-static pico_status_t cepInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+static pico_status_t cepInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     /*pico_status_t nRes;*/
     cep_subobj_t * cep;
@@ -328,35 +328,37 @@
      ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
     cep->activeEndPos = PICOCEP_MAXWINLEN;
 
-    /* kb pdflfz */
-    cep->pdflfz = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
-            this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_LFZ]);
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_FULL) {
+        /* kb pdflfz */
+        cep->pdflfz = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
+                this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_LFZ]);
 
-    /* kb pdfmgc */
-    cep->pdfmgc = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
-            this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_MGC]);
+        /* kb pdfmgc */
+        cep->pdfmgc = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
+                this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_MGC]);
 
-    /* kb tab phones */
-    /* cep->phones =
-     picoktab_getPhones(this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_TAB_PHONES]); */
+        /* kb tab phones */
+        /* cep->phones =
+         picoktab_getPhones(this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_TAB_PHONES]); */
 
-    /*---------------------- other working variables ---------------------------*/
-    /* define the (constant) FRAME_PAR item header */
-    cep->framehead.type = PICODATA_ITEM_FRAME_PAR;
-    cep->framehead.info1 = PICOCEP_OUT_DATA_FORMAT;
-    cep->framehead.info2 = cep->pdfmgc->ceporder;
-    cep->framehead.len = sizeof(picoos_uint16) + (cep->framehead.info2 + 4)
-            * sizeof(picoos_uint16);
+        /*---------------------- other working variables ---------------------------*/
+        /* define the (constant) FRAME_PAR item header */
+        cep->framehead.type = PICODATA_ITEM_FRAME_PAR;
+        cep->framehead.info1 = PICOCEP_OUT_DATA_FORMAT;
+        cep->framehead.info2 = cep->pdfmgc->ceporder;
+        cep->framehead.len = sizeof(picoos_uint16) + (cep->framehead.info2 + 4)
+                * sizeof(picoos_uint16);
+        cep->scmeanpowLFZ = cep->pdflfz->bigpow - cep->pdflfz->meanpow;
+        cep->scmeanpowMGC = cep->pdfmgc->bigpow - cep->pdfmgc->meanpow;
 
+        cep->scmeanLFZ = (1 << (picoos_uint32) cep->scmeanpowLFZ);
+
+        cep->scmeanMGC = (1 << (picoos_uint32) cep->scmeanpowMGC);
+
+    }
     /* constants used in makeWUWandWUm */
     initSmoothing(cep);
 
-    cep->scmeanpowLFZ = cep->pdflfz->bigpow - cep->pdflfz->meanpow;
-    cep->scmeanpowMGC = cep->pdfmgc->bigpow - cep->pdfmgc->meanpow;
-
-    cep->scmeanLFZ = (1 << (picoos_uint32) cep->scmeanpowLFZ);
-
-    cep->scmeanMGC = (1 << (picoos_uint32) cep->scmeanpowMGC);
 
     return PICO_OK;
 }/*cepInitialize*/
@@ -461,7 +463,7 @@
         picoos_deallocate(mm, (void*) &this);
         return NULL;
     }
-    cepInitialize(this);
+    cepInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
 
     return this;
 }/*picocep_newCepUnit*/
diff --git a/pico/lib/picoctrl.c b/pico/lib/picoctrl.c
index 5af70e3..25550f2 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picoctrl.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picoctrl.c
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
  */
-static pico_status_t ctrlInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this) {
+static pico_status_t ctrlInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode) {
     register ctrl_subobj_t * ctrl;
     pico_status_t status= PICO_OK;
     picoos_int8 i;
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
     status = PICO_OK;
     for (i = 0; i < ctrl->numProcUnits; i++) {
         if (PICO_OK == status) {
-            status = ctrl->procUnit[i]->initialize(ctrl->procUnit[i]);
+            status = ctrl->procUnit[i]->initialize(ctrl->procUnit[i], r_mode);
             PICODBG_DEBUG(("(re-)initializing procUnit[%i] returned status %i",i, status));
         }
         if (PICO_OK == status) {
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
  */
-pico_status_t picoctrl_engReset(picoctrl_Engine this)
+pico_status_t picoctrl_engReset(picoctrl_Engine this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     pico_status_t status;
 
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@
 
     status = this->control->terminate(this->control);
     if (PICO_OK == status) {
-        status = this->control->initialize(this->control);
+        status = this->control->initialize(this->control, r_mode);
     }
     if (PICO_OK == status) {
         status = picodata_cbReset(this->cbIn);
diff --git a/pico/lib/picoctrl.h b/pico/lib/picoctrl.h
index 1dfea54..ff85d5a 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picoctrl.h
+++ b/pico/lib/picoctrl.h
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@
         picoos_int16 * bytesPut);
 
 pico_status_t picoctrl_engReset(
-        picoctrl_Engine engine
-        );
+        picoctrl_Engine engine,
+        picoos_int32 r_mode);
 
 picoos_Common picoctrl_engGetCommon(picoctrl_Engine this);
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picodata.c b/pico/lib/picodata.c
index 244e4b6..b886959 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picodata.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picodata.c
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@
     picorsrc_Voice voice;
 } simple_pu_data_t;
 
-static pico_status_t puSimpleInitialize (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this) {
+static pico_status_t puSimpleInitialize (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode) {
     return PICO_OK;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picodata.h b/pico/lib/picodata.h
index 637a3ff..2105051 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picodata.h
+++ b/pico/lib/picodata.h
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@
 pico_status_t picodata_setCbOut(picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picodata_CharBuffer cbOut);
 
 /* protected */
-typedef pico_status_t (* picodata_puInitializeMethod) (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this);
+typedef pico_status_t (* picodata_puInitializeMethod) (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 mode);
 typedef pico_status_t (* picodata_puTerminateMethod) (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this);
 typedef picodata_step_result_t (* picodata_puStepMethod) (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int16 mode, picoos_uint16 * numBytesOutput);
 typedef pico_status_t (* picodata_puSubDeallocateMethod) (register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_MemoryManager mm);
diff --git a/pico/lib/picodefs.h b/pico/lib/picodefs.h
index 6613e84..8c24039 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picodefs.h
+++ b/pico/lib/picodefs.h
@@ -156,6 +156,11 @@
 
 #define PICO_STEP_ERROR                 (pico_Status)  -200
 
+/* Engine reset modes ***********************************************************/
+
+/* general */
+#define PICO_RESET_FULL                 (pico_Status)    0
+#define PICO_RESET_SOFT                 (pico_Status)    0x10
 
 
 /* ********************************************************************/
diff --git a/pico/lib/picopam.c b/pico/lib/picopam.c
index 02e5cc2..f3253a6 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picopam.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picopam.c
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@
 /*------------------------------------------------------------------
  Service routines :
  ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-static pico_status_t pam_initialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this);
+static pico_status_t pam_initialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode);
 static pico_status_t pam_terminate(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this);
 static pico_status_t pam_allocate(picoos_MemoryManager mm, pam_subobj_t *pam);
 static void pam_deallocate(picoos_MemoryManager mm, pam_subobj_t *pam);
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
  */
-static pico_status_t pam_initialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+static pico_status_t pam_initialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     pico_status_t nI, nJ;
     pam_subobj_t *pam;
@@ -599,6 +599,11 @@
     pam->nLastAttachedItemId = pam->nCurrAttachedItem = 0;
     pam->nAttachedItemsSize = 0;
 
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_SOFT) {
+        /*following initializations needed only at startup or after a full reset*/
+        return PICO_OK;
+    }
+
     /*pitch and duration modifiers*/
     pam->pMod = 1.0f;
     pam->dMod = 1.0f;
@@ -621,6 +626,8 @@
             }
         }
     }
+
+
 /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
      * MANAGE LINGWARE INITIALIZATION IF NEEDED
      ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
@@ -813,7 +820,7 @@
     /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
      * Initialize memory for PAM (this may be re-used elsewhere, e.g.Reset)
      * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-    if (PICO_OK != pam_initialize(this)) {
+    if (PICO_OK != pam_initialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL)) {
         PICODBG_ERROR(("problem initializing the pam sub-object"));
     }
     return this;
diff --git a/pico/lib/picopr.c b/pico/lib/picopr.c
index f54734a..d5371d7 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picopr.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picopr.c
@@ -3168,8 +3168,9 @@
 /* *****************************************************************************/
 
 
-pico_status_t prReset(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+pico_status_t prReset(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
+
     picoos_int32 i;
     pr_subobj_t * pr;
 
@@ -3226,6 +3227,10 @@
 
     pr->forceOutput = FALSE;
 
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_SOFT) {
+        /*following initializations needed only at startup or after a full reset*/
+        return PICO_OK;
+    }
 
     pr->xsampa_parser = picokfst_getFST(this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_FST_XSAMPA_PARSE]);
 
@@ -3239,14 +3244,14 @@
 }
 
 
-pico_status_t prInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+pico_status_t prInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
 /*
     if (NULL == this || NULL == this->subObj) {
         return PICO_ERR_OTHER;
     }
 */
-    return prReset(this);
+    return prReset(this, r_mode);
 }
 
 
@@ -3314,7 +3319,7 @@
         picoos_deallocate(mm, (void *)&this);
         return NULL;
     }
-    prInitialize(this);
+    prInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
     return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picosa.c b/pico/lib/picosa.c
index 3147c76..ab48713 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picosa.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picosa.c
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
 } sa_subobj_t;
 
 
-static pico_status_t saInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this) {
+static pico_status_t saInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode) {
     sa_subobj_t * sa;
     picoos_uint16 i;
     picokfst_FST fst;
@@ -294,6 +294,11 @@
     sa->phonWritePos = 0;
     sa->nextReadPos = 0;
 
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_SOFT) {
+        /*following initializations needed only at startup or after a full reset*/
+        return PICO_OK;
+    }
+
     /* kb fst[] */
     sa->numFsts = 0;
     for (i = 0; i<PICOKNOW_MAX_NUM_WPHO_FSTS; i++) {
@@ -471,7 +476,7 @@
     }
 
 
-    saInitialize(this);
+    saInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
     return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picosig.c b/pico/lib/picosig.c
index be44b3c..4282e24 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picosig.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picosig.c
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
  */
-static pico_status_t sigInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+static pico_status_t sigInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     sig_subobj_t *sig_subObj;
     if (NULL == this || NULL == this->subObj) {
@@ -147,33 +147,40 @@
     /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
      * MANAGE LINGWARE INITIALIZATION IF NEEDED
      ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-    sig_subObj->pdfmgc = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
-            this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_MGC]);
-    sig_subObj->pdflfz = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
-            this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_LFZ]);
-    sig_subObj->pdfphs = picokpdf_getPdfPHS(
-            this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_PHS]);
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_FULL) {
+        /*not done when resetting SOFT*/
+        sig_subObj->pdfmgc = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
+                this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_MGC]);
+        sig_subObj->pdflfz = picokpdf_getPdfMUL(
+                this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_LFZ]);
+        sig_subObj->pdfphs = picokpdf_getPdfPHS(
+                this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_PDF_PHS]);
 
-    sig_subObj->scmeanpowLFZ = sig_subObj->pdflfz->bigpow
-            - sig_subObj->pdflfz->meanpow;
-    sig_subObj->scmeanpowMGC = sig_subObj->pdfmgc->bigpow
-            - sig_subObj->pdfmgc->meanpow;
-    sig_subObj->scmeanLFZ = (1 << (picoos_uint32) sig_subObj->scmeanpowLFZ);
-    sig_subObj->scmeanMGC = (1 << (picoos_uint32) sig_subObj->scmeanpowMGC);
-    sig_subObj->fSampNorm = PICOSIG_NORM1 * sig_subObj->pdfmgc->amplif;
+        sig_subObj->scmeanpowLFZ = sig_subObj->pdflfz->bigpow
+                - sig_subObj->pdflfz->meanpow;
+        sig_subObj->scmeanpowMGC = sig_subObj->pdfmgc->bigpow
+                - sig_subObj->pdfmgc->meanpow;
+        sig_subObj->scmeanLFZ = (1 << (picoos_uint32) sig_subObj->scmeanpowLFZ);
+        sig_subObj->scmeanMGC = (1 << (picoos_uint32) sig_subObj->scmeanpowMGC);
+        sig_subObj->fSampNorm = PICOSIG_NORM1 * sig_subObj->pdfmgc->amplif;
+        /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
+         * Initialize memory for DSP
+         * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+        sigDspInitialize(&(sig_subObj->sig_inner), r_mode);
+        /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
+         * Initialize modifiers
+         * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+        /*pitch , volume , speaker modifiers*/
+        sig_subObj->pMod = 1.0f;
+        sig_subObj->vMod = 1.0f;
+        sig_subObj->sMod = 1.0f;
+    } else {
+        /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
+         * Initialize memory for DSP
+         * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+        sigDspInitialize(&(sig_subObj->sig_inner), r_mode);
+    }
 
-    /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
-     * Initialize memory for DSP
-     * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-    sigDspInitialize(&(sig_subObj->sig_inner));
-
-    /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
-     * Initialize modifiers
-     * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-    /*pitch , volume , speaker modifiers*/
-    sig_subObj->pMod = 1.0f;
-    sig_subObj->vMod = 1.0f;
-    sig_subObj->sMod = 1.0f;
 
     return PICO_OK;
 }/*sigInitialize*/
@@ -287,7 +294,7 @@
     /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
      * Initialize memory for DSP (this may be re-used elsewhere, e.g.Reset)
      * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-    if (PICO_OK != sigInitialize(this)) {
+    if (PICO_OK != sigInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL)) {
         PICODBG_ERROR(("Error in iSig Sub Object initialization"));
         sigDeallocate(mm, &(sig_subObj->sig_inner));
         picoos_deallocate(mm, (void *) &this);
diff --git a/pico/lib/picosig2.c b/pico/lib/picosig2.c
index e431c90..52943e6 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picosig2.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picosig2.c
@@ -412,11 +412,30 @@
  * @callgraph
  * @callergraph
  */
-void sigDspInitialize(sig_innerobj_t *sig_inObj)
+void sigDspInitialize(sig_innerobj_t *sig_inObj, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     picoos_int32 i, j;
     picoos_int32 *pnt;
 
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_SOFT) {
+        /*minimal initialization when receiving a soft reset */
+        return;
+        /*
+        sig_inObj->voxbnd_p = (picoos_int32) ((picoos_single) sig_inObj->hfftsize_p
+                / ((picoos_single) sig_inObj->Fs_p / (picoos_single) 2)
+                * (picoos_single) sig_inObj->VCutoff_p);
+        sig_inObj->voxbnd2_p
+                = (picoos_int32) ((picoos_single) sig_inObj->hfftsize_p
+                        / ((picoos_single) sig_inObj->Fs_p / (picoos_single) 2)
+                        * (picoos_single) sig_inObj->UVCutoff_p);
+        sig_inObj->nextPeak_p = (((int) (PICODSP_FFTSIZE))
+                / ((int) PICODSP_DISPLACE) - 1) * sig_inObj->hop_p;
+        for (i = 0; i < 2 * PICODSP_FFTSIZE; i++) {
+             sig_inObj->int_vec26[i] = 0;
+        }
+        return;
+        */
+    }
     /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
      * Initialization
      * ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
diff --git a/pico/lib/picosig2.h b/pico/lib/picosig2.h
index f239ced..1b975db 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picosig2.h
+++ b/pico/lib/picosig2.h
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
 extern pico_status_t sigAllocate(picoos_MemoryManager mm,
         sig_innerobj_t *sig_inObj);
 extern void sigDeallocate(picoos_MemoryManager mm, sig_innerobj_t *sig_inObj);
-extern void sigDspInitialize(sig_innerobj_t *sig_inObj);
+extern void sigDspInitialize(sig_innerobj_t *sig_inObj, picoos_int32 r_mode);
 
 /*------------------------------------------------------------------
  Exported (to picosig.c) Processing routines :
diff --git a/pico/lib/picospho.c b/pico/lib/picospho.c
index 0d0cdf8..bf9dd80 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picospho.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picospho.c
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@
 }
 
 
-static pico_status_t sphoInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+static pico_status_t sphoInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     picoos_uint8 i;
     spho_subobj_t * spho;
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    sphoInitialize(this);
+    sphoInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
     return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picotok.c b/pico/lib/picotok.c
index 4488609..969e2a3 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picotok.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picotok.c
@@ -1385,7 +1385,7 @@
 
 /* *****************************************************************************/
 
-static pico_status_t tokReset(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+static pico_status_t tokReset(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
     tok_subobj_t * tok;
     MarkupId mId;
@@ -1449,7 +1449,7 @@
     return PICO_OK;
 }
 
-static pico_status_t tokInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this)
+static pico_status_t tokInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode)
 {
 /*
 
@@ -1460,7 +1460,7 @@
     }
     tok = (tok_subobj_t *) this->subObj;
 */
-    return tokReset(this);
+    return tokReset(this, r_mode);
 }
 
 
@@ -1508,7 +1508,7 @@
         picoos_deallocate(mm, (void *)&this);
         return NULL;
     }
-    tokInitialize(this);
+    tokInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
     return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/lib/picowa.c b/pico/lib/picowa.c
index 3e793c9..ab8ca51 100644
--- a/pico/lib/picowa.c
+++ b/pico/lib/picowa.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 } wa_subobj_t;
 
 
-static pico_status_t waInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this) {
+static pico_status_t waInitialize(register picodata_ProcessingUnit this, picoos_int32 r_mode) {
     picoos_uint8 i;
     picoklex_Lex ulex;
     wa_subobj_t * wa;
@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@
     wa->outBufSize = PICOWA_MAXITEMSIZE;
     wa->outLen = 0;
 
+    if (r_mode == PICO_RESET_SOFT) {
+        /*following initializations needed only at startup or after a full reset*/
+        return PICO_OK;
+    }
     /* kb lex */
     wa->lex = picoklex_getLex(this->voice->kbArray[PICOKNOW_KBID_LEX_MAIN]);
     if (wa->lex == NULL) {
@@ -177,7 +181,7 @@
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    waInitialize(this);
+    waInitialize(this, PICO_RESET_FULL);
     return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/pico/tts/com_svox_picottsengine.cpp b/pico/tts/com_svox_picottsengine.cpp
index f7df2a4..0c4b5fc 100644
--- a/pico/tts/com_svox_picottsengine.cpp
+++ b/pico/tts/com_svox_picottsengine.cpp
@@ -1356,7 +1356,7 @@
     while (text_remaining) {
         
         if (picoSynthAbort) {
-            ret = pico_resetEngine( picoEngine );
+            ret = pico_resetEngine( picoEngine, PICO_RESET_SOFT );
             break;
         }
 
@@ -1374,7 +1374,7 @@
         inp += bytes_sent;
         do {
             if (picoSynthAbort) {
-                ret = pico_resetEngine( picoEngine );
+                ret = pico_resetEngine( picoEngine, PICO_RESET_SOFT );
                 break;
             }
             /* Retrieve the samples and add them to the buffer. */
@@ -1391,7 +1391,7 @@
                     if (cbret == TTS_CALLBACK_HALT) {
                         LOGI("Halt requested by caller. Halting.");
                         picoSynthAbort = 1;
-                        ret = pico_resetEngine( picoEngine );
+                        ret = pico_resetEngine( picoEngine, PICO_RESET_SOFT );
                         break;
                     }
                     bufused = 0;
@@ -1419,7 +1419,7 @@
             LOGV("Synth loop: sending TTS_SYNTH_DONE after error");
             picoSynthDoneCBPtr( userdata, 16000, AudioSystem::PCM_16_BIT, 1, buffer, bufused,
                     TTS_SYNTH_DONE);
-            pico_resetEngine( picoEngine );
+            pico_resetEngine( picoEngine, PICO_RESET_SOFT );
             return TTS_FAILURE;
         }
     }