Building Custom AI Voice Server
(A Real-World Use Case)
Karn Singh
Why Custom AI Voice Server?
For one of our clients, market-available AI-powered voice agent solutions like [Synthflow] ([Link] and [VAPI]
([Link] didn’t meet their specific requirements. To address these gaps, we developed a tailored AI voice server to meet
their needs.
Key Challenges with Existing Solutions:
Lack of Customization:
• Limited ability to control voice input/output preferences.
• No support for personalizing conversation styles or integrating specialized knowledge bases.
Performance Bottlenecks:
• Noticeable delays when handling user interruptions.
• Inefficient audio processing pipelines affected real-time performance.
Restricted Flexibility:
• Heavy reliance on pre-built tools that offered little room for adaptability or scaling to specific use cases.
AI Voice Server Implementation: The Server
A [Link] server that integrates Deepgram, OpenAI, and Eleven Labs for real-time AI voice interactions.
Key Features:
• Speech-to-text using Deepgram.
• Text-to-speech using Eleven Labs or Deepgram.
• AI-generated responses using OpenAI (chat or assistant).
AI Voice Server Implementation: Configuration Options
Voice Settings:
• Use Deepgram or Eleven Labs for Text-to-Speech (TTS).
• Define transcription model ("nova-phonecall", "nova-2").
• Choose between OpenAI's "chat" and "assistant" modes.
AI Voice Server Implementation: HTTP Server Setup
Purpose:
• Host routes for Twilio to stream audio.
• Respond with Twilio-compatible XML for real-time interaction.
Key Routes:
• "GET /": Returns a simple response.
• "POST /": Generates Twilio WebSocket connection XML.
AI Voice Server Implementation: WebSocket Setup
Handle real-time audio and transcription over WebSocket.
Initialization:
• Establish WebSocket server using "ws".
• Manage connections and state.
AI Voice Server Implementation: Handling Speech-to-Text
Deepgram Integration:
• Live transcription using "[Link]()".
• Filters transcripts based on confidence levels.
Event Handlers:
• "Transcript": Processes speech data into actionable text.
AI Voice Server Implementation: Handling AI Responses
OpenAI Chat Mode:
• Generates conversational responses using "gpt-3.5-turbo".
OpenAI Assistant Mode:
• Contextual responses with knowledge base integration.
AI Voice Server Implementation: Text-to-Speech Integration
Eleven Labs TTS:
• Streams generated audio using WebSocket.
Deepgram TTS:
• Synthesizes audio directly for playback.
AI Voice Server Implementation: Interruption Handling
Stop Audio:
• Clears playback if the user speaks.
• Sends a "clear" event to clients.
AI Voice Server Implementation: Welcome Message
Purpose:
Play a pre-recorded or synthesized greeting when a user connects.
Key Takeaways
1. Addressing Gaps in Market Solutions
• Existing platforms like Synthflow and VAPI offered limited customization, forcing dependency on their predefined features.
• The inability to fine-tune conversation styles or integrate client-specific knowledge bases highlighted the need for a bespoke solution.
2. Fully Customizable Architecture
Flexibility in Voice Options:
• Supported multiple text-to-speech engines (Deepgram, Eleven Labs).
• Configurable voice styles, tone, and other parameters.
Choice of AI Models:
• Seamlessly switched between OpenAI’s Chat and Assistant modes.
• Integrated document-based knowledge bases for context-rich interactions.
3. Enhanced Real-Time Performance
• Optimized interruption handling to ensure smooth conversations by stopping playback instantly when users interject.
• Streamlined audio processing pipelines to reduce latency and improve response times.
4. Scalability and Reusability
• Modular codebase allowed easy adaptation for different use cases, industries, or customer requirements.
• Real-time transcription and conversational AI pipelines were built to scale with demand.
5. Empowering the Client’s Vision
• Delivered a fully tailored solution that met their exact needs—something market solutions couldn’t achieve.
• Ensured they had complete control over the voice server’s features, reducing dependency on third-party platforms.
