jechearte ElevenLabs Text-to-Speech
Generate high-quality audio from text using the ElevenLabs API.
Prerequisites
ElevenLabs API Key: Must be set as environment variable
ELEVEN_API_KEY- The API key should already be configured in your environment
- If not set, get your API key from: https://elevenlabs.io/app/settings/api-keys
Python requests library: Install if needed with
pip install requests --break-system-packages
Quick Start
Use the provided script to generate audio with your default voice:
python scripts/generate_audio.py "Your text here" output.mp3
The script is pre-configured to use your preferred voice (ID: dq5fzy66iCKSIQWm5YMU).
Using a Different Voice
If you need to use a different voice, specify it with the --voice parameter:
python scripts/generate_audio.py "Hello world" output.mp3 --voice "voice_id_here"
Common Workflows
Voiceover for Videos
- Prepare your script text
- Choose appropriate voice for your content
- Generate the audio file
- Use the audio in your video editing software
Example:
# Read script from file and generate audio
python scripts/generate_audio.py "$(cat video_script.txt)" voiceover.mp3
Multiple Segments
For longer content or different scenes, generate separate audio files:
# Intro
python scripts/generate_audio.py "Welcome to our channel" intro.mp3
# Main content
python scripts/generate_audio.py "$(cat main_script.txt)" main.mp3
# Outro
python scripts/generate_audio.py "Thanks for watching" outro.mp3
From Markdown or Text Files
Convert documents to audio:
# Extract text from markdown (remove formatting)
python scripts/generate_audio.py "$(cat article.md | sed 's/#//g')" article.mp3
Advanced Usage
Custom Voice ID
If you have access to custom voices or want to use a specific voice ID:
python scripts/generate_audio.py "Text" output.mp3 --voice "your_voice_id_here"
Providing API Key Directly
Instead of setting environment variable:
python scripts/generate_audio.py "Text" output.mp3 --api-key "your_api_key"
Script Parameters
The generate_audio.py script accepts:
- text (required): The text to convert to speech
- output (required): Output file path (e.g.,
output.mp3) - --voice (optional): Custom voice ID (default: dq5fzy66iCKSIQWm5YMU)
- --api-key (optional): API key (overrides ELEVEN_API_KEY env var)
Best Practices
- Text Length: Keep individual requests under 2,500 characters for best results
- Character Limits: Monitor your monthly character quota to avoid interruptions
- File Naming: Use descriptive names (e.g.,
intro_v2.mp3,scene1_narration.mp3) - Testing: Generate a short sample first to verify quality before processing long texts
- Punctuation: Use proper punctuation to improve natural speech rhythm and pauses
Troubleshooting
API Key Error: Ensure ELEVEN_API_KEY is set correctly:
echo $ELEVEN_API_KEY # Should display your key
Module Not Found: Install requests:
pip install requests --break-system-packages
Rate Limiting: Free tier has usage limits. Space out requests or upgrade plan.
Poor Audio Quality: Try different voices or adjust the text (add punctuation, break into shorter sentences).
Resources
- ElevenLabs Dashboard: https://elevenlabs.io/app
- API Documentation: https://elevenlabs.io/docs/api-reference
- Voice Library: https://elevenlabs.io/voice-library
- Pricing: https://elevenlabs.io/pricing