# Speech-to-Text (STT)

Speech-to-Text (STT) in Mastra provides a standardized interface for converting audio input into text across multiple service providers. STT helps create voice-enabled applications that can respond to human speech, enabling hands-free interaction, accessibility for users with disabilities, and more natural human-computer interfaces.

## Configuration

To use STT in Mastra, you need to provide a `listeningModel` when initializing the voice provider. This includes parameters such as:

- **`name`**: The specific STT model to use.
- **`apiKey`**: Your API key for authentication.
- **Provider-specific options**: Additional options that may be required or supported by the specific voice provider.

**Note**: All of these parameters are optional. You can use the default settings provided by the voice provider, which will depend on the specific provider you are using.

```typescript
const voice = new OpenAIVoice({
  listeningModel: {
    name: "whisper-1",
    apiKey: process.env.OPENAI_API_KEY,
  },
});

// If using default settings the configuration can be simplified to:
const voice = new OpenAIVoice();
```

## Available Providers

Mastra supports several Speech-to-Text providers, each with their own capabilities and strengths:

- [**OpenAI**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/openai/llms.txt) - High-accuracy transcription with Whisper models
- [**Azure**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/azure/llms.txt) - Microsoft's speech recognition with enterprise-grade reliability
- [**ElevenLabs**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/elevenlabs/llms.txt) - Advanced speech recognition with support for multiple languages
- [**Google**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/google/llms.txt) - Google's speech recognition with extensive language support
- [**Cloudflare**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/cloudflare/llms.txt) - Edge-optimized speech recognition for low-latency applications
- [**Deepgram**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/deepgram/llms.txt) - AI-powered speech recognition with high accuracy for various accents
- [**Sarvam**](https://mastra.ai/reference/voice/sarvam/llms.txt) - Specialized in Indic languages and accents

Each provider is implemented as a separate package that you can install as needed:

```bash
pnpm add @mastra/voice-openai@latest  # Example for OpenAI
```

## Using the Listen Method

The primary method for STT is the `listen()` method, which converts spoken audio into text. Here's how to use it:

```typescript
import { Agent } from "@mastra/core/agent";
import { OpenAIVoice } from "@mastra/voice-openai";
import { getMicrophoneStream } from "@mastra/node-audio";

const voice = new OpenAIVoice();

const agent = new Agent({
  id: "voice-agent",
  name: "Voice Agent",
  instructions:
    "You are a voice assistant that provides recommendations based on user input.",
  model: "openai/gpt-5.1",
  voice,
});

const audioStream = getMicrophoneStream(); // Assume this function gets audio input

const transcript = await agent.voice.listen(audioStream, {
  filetype: "m4a", // Optional: specify the audio file type
});

console.log(`User said: ${transcript}`);

const { text } = await agent.generate(
  `Based on what the user said, provide them a recommendation: ${transcript}`,
);

console.log(`Recommendation: ${text}`);
```

Check out the [Adding Voice to Agents](https://mastra.ai/docs/agents/adding-voice/llms.txt) documentation to learn how to use STT in an agent.