Text-to-Speech (OpenAI)

Action ID: openai_text_to_speech

Description

Generate an audio recording from text using OpenAI's text-to-speech API. This node converts written text into natural-sounding speech using various voice options and audio formats, supporting multiple quality levels and playback speeds.

Provider

OpenAI

Connection

Name	Description	Required	Category
OpenAI Connection	The OpenAI connection to use for text-to-speech conversion.	✓	openai

Input Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Default	Description
model	dropdown	-	tts-1	The model which will generate the audio. Options: tts-1, tts-1-hd
text	string	✓	-	The text you want to convert to speech.
voice	dropdown	-	alloy	The voice to generate the audio in. Options: alloy, echo, fable, onyx, nova, shimmer
format	dropdown	-	mp3	The format you want the audio file in. Options: mp3, opus, aac, flac
speed	number	-	1.0	The speed of the audio. Minimum is 0.25 and maximum is 4.00.
file_name	string	-	audio	The name of the output audio file (without extension).

View JSON Schema

{
  "description": "Text-to-Speech node input.",
  "properties": {
    "model": {
      "default": "tts-1",
      "description": "The model which will generate the audio.",
      "enum": [
        "tts-1",
        "tts-1-hd"
      ],
      "title": "Model",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "text": {
      "description": "The text you want to convert to speech.",
      "title": "Text",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "voice": {
      "default": "alloy",
      "description": "The voice to generate the audio in.",
      "enum": [
        "alloy",
        "echo",
        "fable",
        "onyx",
        "nova",
        "shimmer"
      ],
      "title": "Voice",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "format": {
      "default": "mp3",
      "description": "The format you want the audio file in.",
      "enum": [
        "mp3",
        "opus",
        "aac",
        "flac"
      ],
      "title": "Output Format",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "speed": {
      "default": 1.0,
      "description": "The speed of the audio. Minimum is 0.25 and maximum is 4.00.",
      "maximum": 4.0,
      "minimum": 0.25,
      "title": "Speed",
      "type": "number"
    },
    "file_name": {
      "default": "audio",
      "description": "The name of the output audio file (without extension).",
      "title": "File Name",
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "text"
  ],
  "title": "TextToSpeechInput",
  "type": "object"
}

Output Parameters

Name	Type	Description
url	string	URL to the generated audio file.
format	string	The format of the generated audio file.

View JSON Schema

{
  "description": "Response from text-to-speech conversion.",
  "properties": {
    "url": {
      "title": "Url",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "format": {
      "title": "Format",
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "title": "TextToSpeechResponse",
  "type": "object"
}

How It Works

This node sends your text to OpenAI's text-to-speech API along with your selected voice and quality settings. The model converts the text into natural-sounding speech using the chosen voice profile. You can adjust the playback speed, select from six different voice options, and choose your preferred audio format. The generated audio file is returned as a URL that can be played, downloaded, or used in subsequent workflow steps.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Standard Quality Marketing Voiceover

Input:

model: "tts-1"
text: "Welcome to our premium product line. Experience quality and innovation combined."
voice: "nova"
format: "mp3"
speed: 1.0
file_name: "marketing_voiceover"

Output:

url: "https://api.openai.com/v1/audio/speech/..."
format: "mp3"

Example 2: High-Quality Audiobook

Input:

model: "tts-1-hd"
text: "Chapter 1: The Beginning. It was a dark and stormy night..."
voice: "fable"
format: "aac"
speed: 0.9
file_name: "audiobook_chapter_1"

Output:

url: "https://api.openai.com/v1/audio/speech/..."
format: "aac"

Example 3: Fast-Paced Notification

Input:

model: "tts-1"
text: "Alert! System update available. Please restart your computer."
voice: "onyx"
format: "opus"
speed: 1.3
file_name: "system_alert"

Output:

url: "https://api.openai.com/v1/audio/speech/..."
format: "opus"

Common Use Cases

• Audiobook Generation: Create audiobooks from written text content

• Voiceovers: Generate professional voiceovers for videos and presentations

• Accessibility: Convert written content to audio for accessibility purposes

• Notifications: Create audio notifications and alerts

• Interactive Voice Responses: Generate dynamic responses for voice applications

• Language Learning: Create pronunciation audio for language learning materials

• Marketing: Generate professional marketing voiceovers and promotional audio

Error Handling

Error Type	Cause	Solution
Text Too Long	Input text exceeds maximum allowed length (4096 characters)	Split text into smaller chunks and process separately
Invalid Model	Model name doesn't exist	Use either tts-1 or tts-1-hd
Invalid Voice	Voice name doesn't exist or is misspelled	Select from: alloy, echo, fable, onyx, nova, shimmer
Invalid Format	Audio format not supported	Use: mp3, opus, aac, or flac
Invalid Speed	Speed is outside range 0.25-4.0	Ensure speed is between 0.25 and 4.0
Authentication Error	Invalid or missing API key	Verify OpenAI connection is properly configured
Timeout Error	Request took too long to process	Try with shorter text or simpler settings
Rate Limit Exceeded	Too many requests in a short time	Implement delays between requests

Notes

• Model Selection: tts-1 is faster and cheaper but may produce lower quality audio. tts-1-hd produces higher quality but is slower and more expensive.

• Voice Options: Try different voices (alloy, echo, fable, onyx, nova, shimmer) to match your brand personality or content tone.

• Speed Control: Range is 0.25 (slowest) to 4.0 (fastest). Use 0.9-1.1 for natural-sounding speech.

• Format Selection: MP3 is widely compatible. FLAC provides lossless compression. OPUS and AAC are modern efficient formats.

• Text Limitations: Maximum 4096 characters per request. Plan for multiple requests for longer content.

• Audio Storage: URLs may expire. Download or persist audio if long-term storage is needed.

• Cost Optimization: tts-1 is significantly cheaper. Only use tts-1-hd when high quality is critical.