Voice output

Listen to Playlab responses with text-to-speech audio playback

This feature must be enabled by your organization admin.

What is this feature?

Reading text on screens can be tiring, especially during long sessions. Voice Output provides text-to-speech playback directly in Playlab in your chosen language and your chosen accent, letting you listen to responses while multitasking, taking notes, or resting your eyes. This makes Playlab more accessible and flexible, supporting different learning preferences and enabling hands-free interaction.

Voice output on Playlab is powered by Elevenlabs.

What is the Rationale for this feature?

Reading text on screens can be tiring, especially during long sessions or when working through complex information. Many people absorb information better through listening, and audio output enables hands-free interaction with AI. This creates opportunities for multitasking, accessibility for users with visual impairments or reading difficulties, and a more natural conversational experience.

The Voice Output feature eliminates the need to read every response by providing text-to-speech playback directly in Playlab. Instead of being tied to your screen, you can listen to Playlab’s responses while taking notes, working on other tasks, or simply resting your eyes. The system provides audio with controls that give you complete control over how you consume information. This makes it easier to work with Playlab in a more flexible, accessible way that adapts to your needs and preferences.

How to Use Voice Output

1. Select your language.

   There are many languages to choose from. 

   
2. Choose your Accent

   There are also many accents to choose from within a given language. 

   
3. Choose your voice.

   Within a given language and accent there are multiple options for the voice itself. 

   
4. Start Audio Playback

   
5. Stop or Restart

   Click the speaker icon again to pause playback. Click it once more to have it restart from the beginning.

Best Practices

Use Headphones in Shared Spaces

For the best experience and to avoid disturbing others, consider using headphones when using voice output in shared workspaces, classrooms, or public environments. This also provides better audio quality and helps you focus on the content.

Follow Along Visually When Learning

For educational content or when learning new concepts, consider following along with the text while listening. This helps reinforce understanding through both visual and auditory channels.

Use Voice Output for Long Responses

Voice output is particularly valuable for lengthy responses where reading might be fatiguing. This allows you to absorb detailed information while remaining comfortable and potentially multitasking.

Combine with Voice Input for Full Voice Experience

When used together with voice input, you can create a fully conversational voice experience with Playlab. Speak your questions and listen to responses for a hands-free interaction that feels natural and intuitive.

Known Issues

As this feature is currently in beta, there are a few known limitations to be aware of:

Playback May Lag on Very Long Responses

Issue: For extremely long responses (several paragraphs or more), there may be a brief delay before audio playback begins as the system processes the text.

Workaround: The delay is typically only a few seconds. You can start reading the text while waiting for audio to begin, and playback will start automatically once processing is complete.

Code Blocks May Sound Unnatural

Issue: When responses contain code snippets or technical formatting, the text-to-speech may pronounce elements in ways that sound awkward or are difficult to follow audibly.

Workaround: For code-heavy responses, consider reading the text visually while using voice output for surrounding explanatory text. You can also pause playback during code sections.

Mathematical Notation Limitations

Issue: Complex mathematical equations or special notation may not be read in the most intuitive way by the text-to-speech system.

Workaround: For responses with heavy mathematical content, visual reading is recommended. Voice output works best for conceptual explanations and general text.

Privacy & Security

Your privacy and security are our top priority. Here’s what you should know about voice output:

• External Processing: Improved Voice output uses Elevenlabs to generate the audio.
• No Data Storage: We have a Zero Data Retention agreement with Elevenlabs. While they will receive the text your AI generated in order to produce audio, neither the text nor the audio is stored by them, or used in training their models.
• Under 13 Use: We recommend disabling this feature if your organization has students under age 13 using Playlab.
• Control: You have complete control over when audio plays. Voice output only activates when you explicitly click the speaker icon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How natural does the voice sound?

Elevenlabs voice integration sounds very natural. Give it a try!

What voices are available in Playlab?

There are many different voices available in various languages and accents within a given language. 

What languages are supported?

• ARA Arabic
• BUL Bulgarian
• CMN Chinese
• HRV Croatian
• CES Czech
• DAN Danish
• NLD Dutch
• ENG English
• FIL Filipino
• FIN Finnish
• FRA French
• DEU German
• ELL Greek
• HUN Hungarian
• HIN Hindi
• IND Indonesian
• ITA Italian
• JPN Japanese
• KOR Korean
• MSA Malay
• NOR Norwegian
• POL Polish
• POR Portuguese
• RON Romanian
• RUS Russian
• SLK Slovak
• SPA Spanish
• SWE Swedish
• TAM Tamil
• TUR Turkish
• UKR Ukrainian
• VIE Vietnamese

Can I control playback speed?

Yes, you can control playback speed from the menu at the top of the page.

Can I skip to specific parts of the response?

Currently you are unable to skip to specific parts of a response.

Does voice output work with all types of content?

Voice output works best with standard text responses. It handles most content well, though some elements like code blocks, complex mathematical notation, or heavily formatted content may sound less natural when read aloud.

Can I use voice output on mobile devices?

Yes, voice output is available on mobile devices.

Can multiple responses play at once?

No, only one response can play audio at a time. Starting playback on a new response will automatically stop any currently playing audio.

We Want Your Feedback!

Thank you for trying out Voice Output in Playlab. We’re continuously working to improve the voice quality, reliability, and user experience of this feature. If you have feedback or if there are additional language you’d like to see supported please email us.

Contact us at [e-mail]

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Last updated: 03-15-2026