Agent skill
azure-ai-voicelive-py
Build real-time voice AI applications using Azure AI Voice Live SDK (azure-ai-voicelive). Use this skill when creating Python applications that need real-time bidirectional audio communication with Azure AI, including voice assistants, voice-enabled chatbots, real-time speech-to-speech translation, voice-driven avatars, or any WebSocket-based audio streaming with AI models. Supports Server VAD (Voice Activity Detection), turn-based conversation, function calling, MCP tools, avatar integration, and transcription.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/microsoft/skills/tree/main/.github/plugins/azure-sdk-python/skills/azure-ai-voicelive-py
SKILL.md
Azure AI Voice Live SDK
Build real-time voice AI applications with bidirectional WebSocket communication.
Installation
pip install azure-ai-voicelive aiohttp azure-identity
Environment Variables
AZURE_COGNITIVE_SERVICES_ENDPOINT=https://<region>.api.cognitive.microsoft.com
# For API key auth (not recommended for production)
AZURE_COGNITIVE_SERVICES_KEY=<api-key>
Authentication
DefaultAzureCredential (preferred):
from azure.ai.voicelive.aio import connect
from azure.identity.aio import DefaultAzureCredential
async with connect(
endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_COGNITIVE_SERVICES_ENDPOINT"],
credential=DefaultAzureCredential(),
model="gpt-4o-realtime-preview",
credential_scopes=["https://cognitiveservices.azure.com/.default"]
) as conn:
...
API Key:
from azure.ai.voicelive.aio import connect
from azure.core.credentials import AzureKeyCredential
async with connect(
endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_COGNITIVE_SERVICES_ENDPOINT"],
credential=AzureKeyCredential(os.environ["AZURE_COGNITIVE_SERVICES_KEY"]),
model="gpt-4o-realtime-preview"
) as conn:
...
Quick Start
import asyncio
import os
from azure.ai.voicelive.aio import connect
from azure.identity.aio import DefaultAzureCredential
async def main():
async with connect(
endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_COGNITIVE_SERVICES_ENDPOINT"],
credential=DefaultAzureCredential(),
model="gpt-4o-realtime-preview",
credential_scopes=["https://cognitiveservices.azure.com/.default"]
) as conn:
# Update session with instructions
await conn.session.update(session={
"instructions": "You are a helpful assistant.",
"modalities": ["text", "audio"],
"voice": "alloy"
})
# Listen for events
async for event in conn:
print(f"Event: {event.type}")
if event.type == "response.audio_transcript.done":
print(f"Transcript: {event.transcript}")
elif event.type == "response.done":
break
asyncio.run(main())
Core Architecture
Connection Resources
The VoiceLiveConnection exposes these resources:
| Resource | Purpose | Key Methods |
|---|---|---|
conn.session |
Session configuration | update(session=...) |
conn.response |
Model responses | create(), cancel() |
conn.input_audio_buffer |
Audio input | append(), commit(), clear() |
conn.output_audio_buffer |
Audio output | clear() |
conn.conversation |
Conversation state | item.create(), item.delete(), item.truncate() |
conn.transcription_session |
Transcription config | update(session=...) |
Session Configuration
from azure.ai.voicelive.models import RequestSession, FunctionTool
await conn.session.update(session=RequestSession(
instructions="You are a helpful voice assistant.",
modalities=["text", "audio"],
voice="alloy", # or "echo", "shimmer", "sage", etc.
input_audio_format="pcm16",
output_audio_format="pcm16",
turn_detection={
"type": "server_vad",
"threshold": 0.5,
"prefix_padding_ms": 300,
"silence_duration_ms": 500
},
tools=[
FunctionTool(
type="function",
name="get_weather",
description="Get current weather",
parameters={
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"location": {"type": "string"}
},
"required": ["location"]
}
)
]
))
Audio Streaming
Send Audio (Base64 PCM16)
import base64
# Read audio chunk (16-bit PCM, 24kHz mono)
audio_chunk = await read_audio_from_microphone()
b64_audio = base64.b64encode(audio_chunk).decode()
await conn.input_audio_buffer.append(audio=b64_audio)
Receive Audio
async for event in conn:
if event.type == "response.audio.delta":
audio_bytes = base64.b64decode(event.delta)
await play_audio(audio_bytes)
elif event.type == "response.audio.done":
print("Audio complete")
Event Handling
async for event in conn:
match event.type:
# Session events
case "session.created":
print(f"Session: {event.session}")
case "session.updated":
print("Session updated")
# Audio input events
case "input_audio_buffer.speech_started":
print(f"Speech started at {event.audio_start_ms}ms")
case "input_audio_buffer.speech_stopped":
print(f"Speech stopped at {event.audio_end_ms}ms")
# Transcription events
case "conversation.item.input_audio_transcription.completed":
print(f"User said: {event.transcript}")
case "conversation.item.input_audio_transcription.delta":
print(f"Partial: {event.delta}")
# Response events
case "response.created":
print(f"Response started: {event.response.id}")
case "response.audio_transcript.delta":
print(event.delta, end="", flush=True)
case "response.audio.delta":
audio = base64.b64decode(event.delta)
case "response.done":
print(f"Response complete: {event.response.status}")
# Function calls
case "response.function_call_arguments.done":
result = handle_function(event.name, event.arguments)
await conn.conversation.item.create(item={
"type": "function_call_output",
"call_id": event.call_id,
"output": json.dumps(result)
})
await conn.response.create()
# Errors
case "error":
print(f"Error: {event.error.message}")
Common Patterns
Manual Turn Mode (No VAD)
await conn.session.update(session={"turn_detection": None})
# Manually control turns
await conn.input_audio_buffer.append(audio=b64_audio)
await conn.input_audio_buffer.commit() # End of user turn
await conn.response.create() # Trigger response
Interrupt Handling
async for event in conn:
if event.type == "input_audio_buffer.speech_started":
# User interrupted - cancel current response
await conn.response.cancel()
await conn.output_audio_buffer.clear()
Conversation History
# Add system message
await conn.conversation.item.create(item={
"type": "message",
"role": "system",
"content": [{"type": "input_text", "text": "Be concise."}]
})
# Add user message
await conn.conversation.item.create(item={
"type": "message",
"role": "user",
"content": [{"type": "input_text", "text": "Hello!"}]
})
await conn.response.create()
Voice Options
| Voice | Description |
|---|---|
alloy |
Neutral, balanced |
echo |
Warm, conversational |
shimmer |
Clear, professional |
sage |
Calm, authoritative |
coral |
Friendly, upbeat |
ash |
Deep, measured |
ballad |
Expressive |
verse |
Storytelling |
Azure voices: Use AzureStandardVoice, AzureCustomVoice, or AzurePersonalVoice models.
Audio Formats
| Format | Sample Rate | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
pcm16 |
24kHz | Default, high quality |
pcm16-8000hz |
8kHz | Telephony |
pcm16-16000hz |
16kHz | Voice assistants |
g711_ulaw |
8kHz | Telephony (US) |
g711_alaw |
8kHz | Telephony (EU) |
Turn Detection Options
# Server VAD (default)
{"type": "server_vad", "threshold": 0.5, "silence_duration_ms": 500}
# Azure Semantic VAD (smarter detection)
{"type": "azure_semantic_vad"}
{"type": "azure_semantic_vad_en"} # English optimized
{"type": "azure_semantic_vad_multilingual"}
Error Handling
from azure.ai.voicelive.aio import ConnectionError, ConnectionClosed
try:
async with connect(...) as conn:
async for event in conn:
if event.type == "error":
print(f"API Error: {event.error.code} - {event.error.message}")
except ConnectionClosed as e:
print(f"Connection closed: {e.code} - {e.reason}")
except ConnectionError as e:
print(f"Connection error: {e}")
References
- Detailed API Reference: See references/api-reference.md
- Complete Examples: See references/examples.md
- All Models & Types: See references/models.md
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