Overview
Kokoro represents the pinnacle of emotional AI in text-to-speech synthesis. Named after the Japanese word for "heart" or "mind," Kokoro captures the subtle emotional nuances that make speech truly human. This advanced model understands context, emotion, and intent to deliver remarkably natural and expressive speech synthesis.
Emotional Intelligence
What sets Kokoro apart is its deep understanding of emotional context. The model doesn't just read text—it interprets the underlying sentiment and emotional tone, automatically adjusting its delivery to match the intended feeling.
- Contextual Awareness: Understands emotional context from surrounding text
- Adaptive Tone: Automatically adjusts speaking style based on content
- Natural Expression: Captures subtle emotional nuances in speech
- Dynamic Range: From whispered intimacy to confident proclamations
Technical Capabilities
- High-Quality Audio: 24 kHz sample rate for crystal-clear output
- Multilingual Support: Native-level pronunciation across multiple languages
- Real-time Processing: Optimized for interactive applications
- Phoneme Accuracy: Precise phonetic rendering for technical terms
- Pricing: 2 quota per character (premium model with enhanced capabilities)
Advanced Features
Kokoro includes sophisticated features that enable truly expressive speech synthesis:
Prosody Chaining
Kokoro can work seamlessly with Toucan TTS for advanced prosody control. This powerful combination allows you to:
- Generate emotionally intelligent base audio with Kokoro
- Apply fine-grained prosody adjustments with Toucan
- Create professional-grade results with emotional depth
Language Support
Kokoro supports a wide range of languages with authentic native pronunciation:
- English (American, British, Australian variants)
- Japanese (with proper pitch accent)
- Mandarin Chinese (with tone accuracy)
- Korean (with proper intonation patterns)
- European languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish)
Use Cases
Kokoro excels in applications where emotional authenticity and natural expression are paramount:
- Audiobook narration with character voices
- Interactive storytelling and gaming
- Virtual assistants with emotional intelligence
- Therapeutic and wellness applications
- Educational content with engaging delivery
- Marketing and brand voice creation
Quality and Performance
Kokoro delivers exceptional quality with careful attention to performance:
- Studio Quality: Professional-grade audio suitable for commercial use
- Consistent Voice: Maintains character and tone across long passages
- Low Latency: Optimized for real-time applications
- Scalable: Handles everything from short phrases to full documents
Integration
Kokoro integrates seamlessly into your workflow with flexible options:
- REST API for easy integration
- Streaming support for real-time applications
- Batch processing for large content volumes
- Custom voice parameter tuning
- Automatic prosody chaining with Toucan TTS