Build AI Podcast Generator: Script to Audio with ElevenLabs v3, OpenAI, Vercel, Supabase

Creating podcasts traditionally requires weeks of planning, scripting, recording, and editing. But what if you could generate a whole, professional-quality podcast episode in just minutes? This comprehensive guide shows you how to build your own AI-powered podcast generator using cutting-edge technologies including ElevenLabs v3, Next.js, and modern web frameworks.

Disclaimer: This tutorial is based on demonstrated capabilities from the referenced video. Some specific implementation details may need verification of current API availability and documentation.

What you’ll learn

This tutorial demonstrates the process of creating a publish-ready podcast generation system. It transforms a simple topic into a fully-produced multi-speaker podcast episode. You’ll learn to:

Integrate cutting-edge AI services
Handle real-time audio streaming
Build a user-friendly interface that makes podcast creation accessible to anyone.

Why should you learn this tutorial?

The podcasting industry is booming with millions of shows and hundreds of millions of monthly listeners. Yet, traditional podcast production is time-consuming and technically difficult. This AI podcast generator democratizes podcast creation. It allows creators to focus on content and reduce production time from weeks to minutes.

ElevenLabs v3 features and v2 comparison

ElevenLabs v3 is one of the leading text-to-speech technology. Unlike earlier versions that simply read text, v3 performs it with human-like emotion and timing. According to official documentation, the model delivers:

70+ languages with regional variants including major languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and many more.
Advanced emotional range with exceptional expressiveness rated significantly higher than previous generations.
Inline audio tags for emotional control like [curious], [excited], [whispers], or [chuckles].

Native multi-speaker dialogue generation through the Text-to-Dialog API.
Character limit of up to 10,000 characters per request.

The breakthrough feature for enabling podcast generation is multi-speaker dialogue. It generates conversations between multiple speakers in a single request. This maintains natural timing and emotional context throughout the dialogue.

Next.js and modern web framework integration

Next.js provides the foundation for building full-stack applications with excellent support for AI integrations. Key advantages include:

Server-side rendering for optimal performance
API routes for backend functionality
Built-in streaming capabilities for real-time audio delivery
Seamless deployment on platforms like Vercel

Vercel AI SDK: Streamlined AI Integration

The Vercel AI SDK simplifies working with multiple AI providers and includes experimental speech generation capabilities. Recent updates include:

Unified interface for text, image, and speech generation
Built-in streaming support for real-time applications
Provider-agnostic design allowing easy switching between services
Type-safe implementations for robust development

Technology stack to build AI podcast generator:

Supabase: PostgreSQL database for storing scripts and user data
OpenAI API: GPT models for intelligent script generation
Web Audio API: Browser-native audio streaming and playback

Step-by-Step implementation guide to build AI podcast generator

Step 1: Project setup and environment Configuration

Create a new Next.js application using the standard setup process. You can use a v0 starter template or build this functionality in any Next.js project.

Here’s the link: ElevenLabs v0 podcast generator template

You can click on ‘open in vercel’ to further customize this:

Essential Environment Variables:

bashELEVENLABS_API_KEY=your_elevenlabs_key
OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_key
NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL=your_supabase_url
NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY=your_supabase_key

Install required dependencies:

bashnpm install @elevenlabs/elevenlabs-js openai @supabase/supabase-js ai

These credentials enable your application to access AI services and store data securely.

Step 2: Create the User Interface

Design a simple, intuitive form that captures:

Podcast topic: The subject matter for your episode
Number of speakers: Typically 2-3 for natural conversation flow
Duration preference: Optional parameter for episode length

The form should POST to /api/generate-script to start the podcast creation process. Keep the interface clean and user-friendly for non-technical users.

Step 3: Intelligent script generation with OpenAI

The script generation process uses OpenAI’s GPT models with carefully crafted prompts optimized for podcast-style content. This system should:

Analyze the topic to find key discussion points
Create engaging dialogue between specified speakers
Incorporate emotion tags compatible with ElevenLabs v3 – for this, refer to ElevenLabs v3 prompting guide

Structure content for natural conversation flow

Example API route implementation:

javascript// /api/generate-script.js
import OpenAI from 'openai';

const openai = new OpenAI();

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  const { topic, speakers } = req.body;
  
  const prompt = `Create a podcast script about "${topic}" with ${speakers} speakers.
  Include emotion tags like [curious], [excited], [thoughtful] for ElevenLabs v3.
  Format as: Speaker 1: [emotion] dialogue content
  Make it conversational and engaging.`;

  const completion = await openai.chat.completions.create({
    model: "gpt-4",
    messages: [{ role: "user", content: prompt }]
  });

  // Save to Supabase and return script
  return res.json({ script: completion.choices[0].message.content });
}

The generated script should include stage directions and emotional cues that ElevenLabs v3 interprets to create expressive, human-like dialogue.

Step 4: Database storage with Supabase

Store the generated script in Supabase for retrieval during audio generation. This approach enables:

Separation of concerns between script generation and audio production
Data persistence for user reference and editing
Scalability for handling multiple concurrent requests

Create a simple table structure:

sqlCREATE TABLE podcast_scripts (
  id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
  topic TEXT NOT NULL,
  speakers INTEGER NOT NULL,
  script_content TEXT NOT NULL,
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

Step 5: Voice assignment and audio generation

Map each speaker in your script to specific ElevenLabs voices. The system should:

Parse the script to find speaker segments and emotion tags
Assign unique voices to each speaker for distinction
Preserve emotion tags for expressive delivery
Format the input for the ElevenLabs API

Example implementation:

javascript// /api/generate-podcast.js
import { ElevenLabsClient } from '@elevenlabs/elevenlabs-js';

const elevenlabs = new ElevenLabsClient();

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  const { scriptId } = req.query;
  
  // Retrieve script from Supabase
  const script = await getScriptFromSupabase(scriptId);
  
  // Process script and generate audio
  const audioStream = await elevenlabs.textToSpeech.convert(voiceId, {
    text: script.content,
    model_id: 'eleven_v3',
    output_format: 'mp3_44100_128'
  });
  
  // Stream audio back to client
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'audio/mpeg');
  audioStream.pipe(res);
}

Step 6: Real-time audio streaming

Implement streaming audio playback so users can start listening instantly as the audio generates. This involves:

Server-Sent Events or WebSocket connections for real-time data transfer
Audio buffer management in the browser using Web Audio API

Progressive loading for seamless user experience

Client-side streaming implementation:

javascript// components/AudioPlayer.js
import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';

export default function AudioPlayer({ scriptId }) {
  const audioRef = useRef();
  
  useEffect(() => {
    const eventSource = new EventSource(`/api/generate-podcast?scriptId=${scriptId}`);
    
    eventSource.onmessage = (event) => {
      const audioChunk = event.data;
      // Handle audio streaming with Web Audio API
      playAudioChunk(audioChunk);
    };
    
    return () => eventSource.close();
  }, [scriptId]);
  
  return <audio ref={audioRef} controls />;
}

The streaming approach significantly improves perceived performance. It allows users to start enjoying their podcast within seconds. They do not have to wait for complete generation.

Technical implementation best practices for AI podcast generator app using ElevenLabs v3

OpenAI integration optimization

When integrating OpenAI for script generation, implement proper error handling and token management:

Use specific prompts tailored for podcast-style content
Include context about target audience and tone
Handle rate limits gracefully with retry logic
Validate outputs before passing to audio generation

ElevenLabs v3 best practices

Maximize the quality of your generated audio by leveraging v3’s capabilities:

Select appropriate voices for each speaker persona
Use emotion tags strategically to enhance engagement: [excited], [curious], [thoughtful]
Balance expressiveness with clarity for different content types
Consider the 10,000 character limit when designing your script structure

Database design for scalability

Structure your Supabase database to support growth and user management:

Index often queried fields like topic and creation date
Implement row-level security for user data protection
Store metadata about generation parameters for analytics
Consider archiving policies for large script collections

Advanced features and enhancements for your AI podcast generator app

Multi-language support

ElevenLabs v3 supports over 70 languages, enabling global podcast creation. Implement language detection and selection:

javascriptconst supportedLanguages = [
  'en', 'es', 'fr', 'de', 'it', 'pt', 'ja', 'zh', 'ko', 'hi'
  // Add more as needed
];

// Detect language from topic or allow user selection
const detectLanguage = (text) => {
  // Implement language detection logic
  return 'en'; // Default to English
};

Content analysis and quality control

Integrate more AI services for enhanced content quality:

Topic research and fact-checking using web search APIs
Content optimization for engagement and educational value
Sentiment analysis for balanced emotional tone
Automatic chapter generation for longer episodes

Real-time collaboration features

Extend the platform with collaborative capabilities:

Multi-user script editing before audio generation
Comment and review systems for team workflows
Version control for script iterations
Team sharing and workspace management

Performance and scaling considerations for your AI podcast generator app

Optimization strategies

Implement caching for often generated topics to reduce API costs
Use CDN distribution for audio files to improve global access

Optimize database queries with proper indexing and connection pooling
Consider background processing for resource-intensive operations

Cost management

AI-powered podcast generation involves API costs that scale with usage:

Monitor API consumption across all services (OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Supabase)
Implement usage limits for free tiers and user quotas
Cache generated content to avoid regeneration costs
Optimize prompt engineering to reduce token usage while maintaining quality

Audio quality and streaming performance

Choose appropriate audio formats balancing quality and file size
Implement progressive loading for immediate playback
Handle network interruptions gracefully with retry mechanisms
Optimize buffer sizes for smooth streaming experience

Deployment and production considerations for AI podcast generator app

Vercel deployment

Deploy your Next.js application to Vercel for optimal performance:

Connect your repository to Vercel dashboard
Configure environment variables securely
Enable automatic deployments for continuous integration
Monitor performance with built-in analytics

Security best practices

Secure API endpoints with proper authentication and validation
Implement rate limiting to protect against abuse and manage costs

Use HTTPS for all audio streaming and API communications
Validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent injection attacks

Troubleshooting common issues for AI podcast generator app

Audio generation problems

Verify API keys and check service status
Review emotion tag formatting according to ElevenLabs documentation
Test different voice selections for speaker compatibility
Monitor character limits to avoid truncated content

Streaming and playback issues

Check browser compatibility for Web Audio API features
Implement fallback players for older browsers
Test different audio formats (MP3, WAV, OGG) for compatibility
Monitor network conditions and implement adaptive streaming

Script generation quality

Refine prompts based on output quality and user feedback
Implement content validation before audio generation
Handle edge cases like unusual topics or excessive speaker counts
Give fallback responses for API failures or timeouts

How to use AI podcast generator app made with ElevenLabs v3:

This podcast generator technology enables many practical applications:

Educational Content Creation:

Automated course material narration
Language learning conversation practice
Historical event dramatizations
Scientific concept explanations

Business and Marketing:

Corporate training material generation
Product announcement podcasts
Customer success story narrations
Brand storytelling content

Entertainment and Media:

Interactive storytelling experiences
Gaming narrative content
Audiobook previews and samples
News summary podcasts

Accessibility and Inclusion:

Text-to-audio conversion for visually impaired users
Multi-language content accessibility
Voice-based learning for different learning styles
Automated transcription and audio description services

Future development opportunities for your custom AI podcast generator app:

The rapidly evolving AI landscape offers exciting enhancement possibilities:

Advanced AI Integration:

Real-time conversation generation with live AI hosts responding to current events

Interactive podcasts that adapt based on listener feedback and preferences
Personalized content tailored to individual user interests and listening history
Cross-modal generation combining text, audio, and visual elements

Enhanced User Experience:

Voice-based podcast editing using natural language commands
Automated show notes and transcript generation
Social sharing and collaborative playlist creation
Advanced analytics for content performance optimization

Check this official tutorial video to get started:

By combining ElevenLabs v3’s expressive text-to-speech capabilities, OpenAI’s intelligent content generation, and Next.js’s robust web framework, you can create a powerful tool. This tool transforms podcast production from a week-long process into a matter of minutes.

The key to success lies in understanding each technology’s strengths and carefully orchestrating their integration. ElevenLabs v3’s support for 70+ languages allows for broad accessibility. Its ability for emotional expression enhances the content. Merged with proper prompt engineering for OpenAI, this creates a foundation for generating truly engaging audio content.

This tutorial democratizes podcast creation, making it accessible to educators, businesses, content creators, and anyone with a story to tell.

Important Note: When implementing this system, always verify current API availability, pricing, and documentation, as AI services evolve rapidly. Consider starting with a prototype to confirm the concept. Do this before full-scale development. Implement proper monitoring and error handling for production use.

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