Introduction to Kokoro Studio

In the rapidly evolving world of AI voice synthesis, open-source models are finally catching up to paid cloud services. Kokoro-82M has emerged as a powerhouse for high-quality Text-to-Speech (TTS), but running it typically requires command-line knowledge. Enter Kokoro-Local-Gui (also known as Kokoro Studio), a professional-grade, local application developed by AcTePuKc that wraps this powerful model in a sleek, user-friendly interface.

Designed for creators, authors, and developers, this tool runs entirely offline, ensuring privacy and zero latency. Whether you are looking to synthesize a quick voiceover for a video or render an entire audiobook from an EPUB file, Kokoro Studio leverages your local GPU to deliver blazing-fast results without a subscription fee.

Key Features

Kokoro Studio v2.0 introduces a suite of features that transforms the raw model into a production-ready tool:

• Hyper-Fast Inference: optimized for NVIDIA GPUs (CUDA) for real-time generation, with automatic CPU fallback for non-GPU systems.
• Audiobook Mode: Direct support for .txt and .epub files. The application intelligently splits books into segments, allowing for granular control over long-form content.
• Voice Mixing: A unique feature that allows you to blend two distinct voices (e.g., mixing “Alice” and “George”) to create entirely new, custom character voices.
• Project Management: Save your workspace as a .kproj file to preserve text segments and voice assignments for future editing.
• Fine-Grained Control: Adjust speed, pitch, and sample rate (up to 24kHz) globally or on a per-segment basis.

Installation Guide

The developer has prioritized accessibility, offering a streamlined installation process for Windows users via a batch script, alongside a manual method for Python veterans.

Option 1: One-Click Install (Windows)

This is the recommended method for most users. It handles environment creation and driver detection automatically.

# 1. Clone or download the repositoryngit clone https://github.com/AcTePuKc/Kokoro-Local-Gui.gitnn# 2. Run the launchernDouble-click run.bat

Option 2: Manual Installation

If you prefer to manage your own virtual environment or are on a different OS, follow these steps:

# 1. Create a virtual environmentnpython -m venv .venvnsource .venv/bin/activate  # or .venv\Scripts\activate on Windowsnn# 2. Install dependenciesnpip install -r requirements.txtnn# 3. Install GPU-Accelerated PyTorch (Crucial for speed)npython install_torch_uv.pynn# 4. Launch the applicationnpython main.py

How to Use Kokoro Studio

The interface is divided into two primary tabs, catering to different workflows.

The Scratchpad (Quick Mode)

Use this tab for rapid prototyping. Simply type your text into the input box, select a voice from the sidebar (or mix two), and click Synthesize. This is perfect for testing how different voices handle specific phrases or names.

Audiobook Mode (Batch Processing)

For long-form content, switch to the Audiobook tab. You can drag and drop an EPUB file directly into the window. The tool will parse the book into a table of segments. You can then:

• Assign Voices: Select specific rows (like dialogue) and assign different character voices to them.
• Preview Segments: Click the play button on a single row to verify pronunciation.
• Render All: Generate the full audiobook, which merges all segments into a single cohesive MP3 or WAV file.

Contribution Guide

This is an open-source project that thrives on community feedback. The maintainer, AcTePuKc, welcomes contributions via GitHub.

Ways to Contribute

1. Bug Reporting: If you encounter crashes or UI glitches, check the “Issues” tab to report them with your log details.
2. Feature Requests: Have an idea for a new mixing algorithm or UI tweak? Open a discussion thread.
3. Code Contributions: Fork the repository, implement your fix, and submit a Pull Request. Focus on ui_main.py for interface changes or tts_wrapper.py for logic updates.

Community & Support

Support is primarily handled through the GitHub repository.

• Issue Tracker: The central hub for troubleshooting installation errors, specifically regarding NVIDIA driver detection.
• Discussions: A place to share custom voice mixes or tips on optimizing inference speed.

Conclusion

Kokoro-Local-Gui is a game-changer for local AI audio generation. By removing the barrier of complex command-line installations, it democratizes access to high-quality TTS. Whether you are an indie game developer needing placeholder dialogue or a reader wanting to convert your ebook library into audiobooks, this tool offers a robust, free, and private solution.

Useful Resources

• GitHub Repository: Source code and latest releases.
• Kokoro-82M Model: The underlying AI model powering the speech synthesis.
• Python: Required runtime for the application.

Frequently Asked Questions