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Dehya Qalbi
Dehya Qalbi

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About A powerful Speech-to-Text API built with Django REST Framework and AssemblyAI

This is a submission for the AssemblyAI Challenge : Sophisticated Speech-to-Text.

What I Built

Textor-AI is a modern web application that converts audio recordings into accurate text transcriptions using advanced speech recognition technology. Built with Next.js, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS, it offers a seamless and intuitive user experience for audio transcription needs.

A powerful Speech-to-Text API built with Django REST Framework and AssemblyAI. Textor-AI provides enterprise-grade transcription capabilities with advanced features like multi-language support, real-time status tracking, and comprehensive transcription management.

Transform your voice and audio into text effortlessly using AssemblyAI's powerful speech recognition. Record directly or upload audio files, and let our AI handle the rest. Supports multiple formats and provides instant transcriptions.

Demo

FE: https://github.com/dehyabi/fe-textor-ai
BE: https://github.com/dehyabi/textor-ai

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Journey

Building a Modern Audio Transcription App with AssemblyAI

The Journey

In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, I recently embarked on an exciting project to build Textor-AI, a modern audio transcription application powered by AssemblyAI. This journey not only enhanced my technical skills but also provided valuable insights into the intersection of AI technology and user experience design.

Project Overview

Textor-AI was born from the desire to create a seamless, user-friendly solution for converting speech to text. Built on Next.js 13+ with TypeScript, the application leverages AssemblyAI's powerful speech-to-text API to deliver accurate transcriptions while maintaining a sleek, modern interface. The tech stack was carefully chosen to ensure scalability and performance, combining Tailwind CSS for styling, Framer Motion for fluid animations, and the Web Audio API for robust audio processing.

Development Experience

The development process began with tackling the core functionality of audio recording. Implementing the browser's native MediaRecorder API presented its own set of challenges, particularly in handling cross-browser compatibility and managing microphone permissions. I invested considerable time in creating a robust audio recording system that not only captures high-quality audio but also provides real-time feedback to users through a custom-built visualization system.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was designing and implementing the user interface. Drawing inspiration from modern design trends, I created a minimalist, futuristic interface that emphasizes ease of use without sacrificing functionality. The dark mode design, coupled with smooth animations powered by Framer Motion, creates an immersive experience that makes audio transcription feel effortless and intuitive.

Technical Challenges

Audio processing proved to be one of the more complex aspects of the project. Browser compatibility with different audio formats required implementing a sophisticated format conversion system. I developed a solution using the Web Audio API that automatically converts audio to ensure compatibility across all major browsers while maintaining quality. This involved careful handling of audio streams, format conversion, and efficient error management.

Integrating with AssemblyAI's API was a fascinating experience that opened my eyes to the possibilities of AI-powered speech recognition. The challenge lay not just in implementing the API calls, but in creating a robust system for tracking transcription progress and managing the asynchronous nature of the transcription process. I implemented a custom progress tracking system that provides real-time updates to users, making the transcription process transparent and engaging.

Performance and Optimization

Performance optimization was a crucial focus throughout development. I implemented lazy loading for components, optimized image loading, and utilized code splitting to ensure fast initial page loads. State management was carefully designed to minimize unnecessary re-renders, and API calls were optimized with proper caching and retry logic. These optimizations resulted in a smooth, responsive application that handles audio processing and transcription efficiently.

Learning Outcomes

Working with AssemblyAI's API has been an enlightening experience. I gained deep insights into handling real-time transcription, managing API rate limits, and implementing proper error handling. The project also enhanced my understanding of audio processing in web browsers, including format conversion, streaming optimization, and cross-browser compatibility considerations.

The development of Textor-AI has significantly improved my expertise in modern web development practices. Working with Next.js 13+ and TypeScript pushed me to adopt better coding patterns and type safety practices. The focus on user experience and performance optimization has refined my approach to building web applications that are both powerful and user-friendly.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, there are exciting possibilities for expanding Textor-AI's capabilities. Features like speaker diarization, real-time transcription, and support for multiple languages are on the horizon. Technical improvements including WebSocket integration for better real-time communication and Progressive Web App capabilities would enhance the application's functionality and accessibility.

Conclusion

Building Textor-AI has been a rewarding journey that combined technical challenges with creative problem-solving. The project showcases the potential of modern web technologies when combined with AI capabilities, while maintaining a strong focus on user experience and performance. As AI technology continues to evolve, applications like Textor-AI demonstrate how we can harness these capabilities to create practical, user-friendly solutions for everyday needs.

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