Voice Generation Skill

Generate realistic speech using AI (Google Gemini TTS, ElevenLabs, OpenAI TTS).

Prerequisites

At least one API key is required:

• GOOGLE_API_KEY - For Google Gemini TTS (same key as video/image/music) ✅
• ELEVENLABS_API_KEY - For ElevenLabs high-quality voice synthesis
• OPENAI_API_KEY - For OpenAI TTS voices

Available APIs

Google Gemini TTS (Recommended - Same API Key)

• Best for: Podcasts, dialogues, audiobooks with style control
• Voices: 30 voices with natural language style control
• Multi-speaker: Up to 2 speakers for dialogues ✅
• Languages: 24 languages (auto-detected)
• Features: Control style, accent, pace via prompts
• Output: 24kHz WAV
• API Key: Same GOOGLE_API_KEY as video/image/music ✅

ElevenLabs (Best Quality)

• Best for: Natural-sounding voices, voice cloning, long-form content
• Voices: 100+ pre-made voices + custom voice cloning
• Languages: 29+ languages
• Models: Eleven Multilingual v2, Eleven Turbo v2

OpenAI TTS (Simplest)

• Best for: Quick, reliable text-to-speech with consistent quality
• Voices: alloy, echo, fable, onyx, nova, shimmer
• Models: tts-1 (fast), tts-1-hd (high quality)
• Output: MP3, Opus, AAC, FLAC

Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Request

Parse the user's voice request for:

• Text content: What should be spoken?
• Voice type: Male, female, specific character?
• Tone: Professional, casual, dramatic, cheerful?
• Use case: Narration, voiceover, audiobook, notification?
• Language: English, Spanish, other?
• Speed: Normal, slow, fast?

Step 2: Select Voice and API

Choose based on requirements:

Step 3: Prepare the Text

Optimize text for speech:

1. Add pauses: Use commas, periods for natural rhythm
2. Spell out numbers: "1,234" → "one thousand two hundred thirty-four" (if needed)
3. Handle acronyms: "NASA" vs "N.A.S.A." depending on pronunciation
4. Mark emphasis: Some APIs support emphasis markers

Example transformation:

• Original: "The Q4 2024 results show a 15% YoY increase."
• Optimized: "The Q4 2024 results show a fifteen percent year-over-year increase."

Step 4: Generate the Audio

Execute the appropriate script from ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/:

For Google Gemini TTS (single speaker):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/gemini_tts.py \
  --text "Welcome to our podcast!" \
  --voice "Charon"

Gemini TTS with style direction:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/gemini_tts.py \
  --text "Have a wonderful day!" \
  --voice "Puck" \
  --style "Say cheerfully with a British accent:"

Gemini TTS multi-speaker (dialogue):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/gemini_tts.py \
  --multi \
  --speaker "Host:Charon" \
  --speaker "Guest:Aoede" \
  --text "Host: Welcome to the show!
Guest: Thanks for having me!"

For ElevenLabs:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/elevenlabs.py \
  --text "Your text here" \
  --voice "Rachel" \
  --model "eleven_multilingual_v2"

For OpenAI TTS:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/openai_tts.py \
  --text "Your text here" \
  --voice "nova" \
  --model "tts-1-hd"

List Gemini voices:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/voice-generation/scripts/gemini_tts.py --list-voices

Step 5: Deliver the Result

1. Provide the generated audio file path
2. Mention the voice and settings used
3. Offer to:
   • Try a different voice
   • Adjust speed or tone
   • Use a different API
   • Generate in a different format

Error Handling

Missing API key: Inform the user which key is needed:

• Gemini TTS: Same GOOGLE_API_KEY as video/image - https://aistudio.google.com/apikey
• ElevenLabs: https://elevenlabs.io
• OpenAI: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys

Gemini TTS requires google-genai package: pip install google-genai

Text too long: Split into chunks and concatenate, or suggest shorter text.

Rate limit: Suggest waiting or trying a different API.

Unsupported language: Suggest an alternative API that supports the language.

Multi-speaker limit: Gemini TTS supports max 2 speakers. For more, use ElevenLabs with multiple calls.

Voice Selection Guide

Google Gemini TTS Voices (30 voices)

Gemini TTS Style Tips:

• Use natural language: --style "Say angrily:" or --style "Whisper mysteriously:"
• Specify accents: --style "Speak with a British accent from London:"
• Control pace: --style "Speak slowly and deliberately:"
• Combine: --style "Say excitedly with a Southern US accent:"

OpenAI TTS Voices

ElevenLabs Popular Voices

Best Practices

For Narration

• Use a consistent voice throughout
• Add natural pauses between paragraphs
• Consider pacing for the content type

For Dialogue

• Use different voices for different characters
• Match voice characteristics to character descriptions
• Adjust speed for emotional scenes

For Accessibility

• Use clear, well-paced speech
• Avoid overly stylized voices
• Test with screen readers if applicable

API Comparison