> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://blackbox.dasha.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure Voice and Speech

> Configure how your agent sounds. Choose a TTS provider, select a voice, and adjust speed settings.

Configure how your agent sounds. Choose a TTS provider, select a voice, and adjust speed.

**What you'll learn:** Provider selection, voice configuration, speed settings, and troubleshooting.

**Prerequisites:** An agent created in Dasha BlackBox. See [Create Your First Agent](/docs/create/creating-your-first-agent) if you haven't set one up yet.

<Note>
  **Default voice:** New agents use ElevenLabs Flash V2.5. Change voices anytime without affecting existing calls.
</Note>

## Overview

| Component                | What it does                       | Configuration                                 |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Text-to-Speech (TTS)** | Converts agent responses to speech | Manual — choose provider, voice, speed        |
| **Speech-to-Text (STT)** | Transcribes user speech to text    | Automatic — platform selects optimal provider |

***

## Provider comparison

| Provider       | Best for                       | Speed range |
| -------------- | ------------------------------ | ----------- |
| **ElevenLabs** | Natural quality, customization | 0.70x–1.20x |
| **Cartesia**   | Emotions, wide speed range     | 0x–2.0x     |
| **Inworld**    | Character voices, gaming       | 0.80x–1.50x |
| **LMNT**       | Consistent, lightweight        | Fixed 1.0x  |

For detailed provider configuration, see [TTS Providers Reference](/docs/create/tts-providers).

***

## Configure voice

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Voice & Speech tab">
    Navigate to agent creation or editing, then select the Voice & Speech tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose provider">
    Select your TTS provider from the dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select voice">
    Browse by name, language, or gender. Click preview to hear samples.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust speed">
    Set speech speed within provider limits. Default is 1.0x.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Save your agent configuration.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Speed settings

| Speed         | Use case                                              |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **0.7x–0.9x** | Accessibility, complex information, legal disclosures |
| **1.0x**      | General conversation, customer support                |
| **1.1x–1.5x** | Time-sensitive scenarios, experienced users           |

<Warning>
  Avoid speeds below 0.7x or above 1.5x — they sound unnatural.
</Warning>

***

## Basic configuration

<Accordion title="API example: TTS configuration">
  ```javascript theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
  ttsConfig: {
    version: "v1",
    vendor: "ElevenLabs",
    voiceId: "zmcVlqmyk3Jpn5AVYcAL",
    model: "eleven_flash_v2_5",
    speed: 1.0
  }
  ```
</Accordion>

***

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                | Solution                                    |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Voice sounds robotic | Try different voice or switch to ElevenLabs |
| Speech too fast/slow | Adjust speed in 0.05x increments            |
| Pronunciation errors | Configure pronunciation dictionary via API  |

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="TTS providers" icon="microphone" href="/docs/create/tts-providers">
    Detailed provider configuration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dashboard Testing" icon="play" href="/docs/test/dashboard-testing">
    Test voice quality in the browser
  </Card>
</CardGroup>