# Piper Voice Download - Visual Guide

## 📥 Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Go to Piper Releases Page

Open this link in your browser:
```
https://github.com/rhasspy/piper/releases/tag/v1.2.0
```

### Step 2: Scroll to "Assets" Section

Scroll down the page until you see a section called "Assets" with a list of files.

### Step 3: Download Voice Files

Click on each file to download (you need BOTH files for each voice):

#### Voice 1: Male American (Lessac)
- ✅ Click: `en_US-lessac-medium.onnx` (63 MB)
- ✅ Click: `en_US-lessac-medium.onnx.json` (8 KB)

#### Voice 2: Female American (Amy)
- ✅ Click: `en_US-amy-medium.onnx` (63 MB)
- ✅ Click: `en_US-amy-medium.onnx.json` (8 KB)

#### Voice 3: Male British (Alan)
- ✅ Click: `en_GB-alan-medium.onnx` (63 MB)
- ✅ Click: `en_GB-alan-medium.onnx.json` (8 KB)

**Total:** 6 files, ~190 MB

### Step 4: Move Files to Models Directory

1. Open your terminal
2. Navigate to your project:
   ```bash
   cd /path/to/audiobook/backend
   ```

3. Create models directory if it doesn't exist:
   ```bash
   mkdir -p piper_models
   ```

4. Move downloaded files:
   ```bash
   # From your Downloads folder
   mv ~/Downloads/en_US-*.onnx* piper_models/
   mv ~/Downloads/en_GB-*.onnx* piper_models/
   ```

### Step 5: Verify Files

Check that files are in place:
```bash
ls -lh piper_models/
```

You should see:
```
en_US-lessac-medium.onnx       (63 MB)
en_US-lessac-medium.onnx.json  (8 KB)
en_US-amy-medium.onnx          (63 MB)
en_US-amy-medium.onnx.json     (8 KB)
en_GB-alan-medium.onnx         (63 MB)
en_GB-alan-medium.onnx.json    (8 KB)
```

### Step 6: Test Installation

```bash
python test_piper_direct.py
```

Expected output:
```
✓ Piper found
✓ Model found: /path/to/piper_models/en_US-lessac-medium.onnx
✓ Synthesis successful: XXXXX bytes of audio
```

## ✅ You're Done!

Now you can use Piper TTS:

1. **Start backend:**
   ```bash
   uvicorn main:app --reload
   ```

2. **Open frontend** in browser

3. **Select "Piper TTS"** in Voice Assignment screen

4. **Choose Piper voices** from dropdown

5. **Generate audiobook** with pitch control!

## 🎯 Quick Checklist

- [ ] Downloaded 6 files (3 voices × 2 files each)
- [ ] Moved files to `backend/piper_models/`
- [ ] Verified files with `ls -lh piper_models/`
- [ ] Tested with `python test_piper_direct.py`
- [ ] Started backend server
- [ ] Selected "Piper TTS" in UI

## 🆘 Troubleshooting

### Can't find files on GitHub?
- Make sure you're on the v1.2.0 release page
- Scroll down to "Assets" section
- Files are listed alphabetically

### Download fails?
- Try a different browser
- Check internet connection
- Download one file at a time

### Files in wrong place?
```bash
# Check current location
pwd

# Should show: /path/to/audiobook/backend

# List models directory
ls piper_models/
```

### Test fails?
- Make sure BOTH .onnx and .onnx.json files are present
- Check filenames match exactly (case-sensitive)
- Verify Piper is installed: `piper --version`

## 💡 Pro Tips

1. **Download all at once:** Select all 6 files and download together
2. **Use command line:** Faster to move files with `mv` command
3. **Bookmark the page:** Easy to download more voices later
4. **Try different voices:** Each has unique characteristics

## 🔗 Useful Links

- **Download Page:** https://github.com/rhasspy/piper/releases/tag/v1.2.0
- **Voice Samples:** https://rhasspy.github.io/piper-samples/
- **Full Setup Guide:** `PIPER_SETUP.md`
- **Troubleshooting:** `PIPER_STATUS.md`

---

**Need more help?** Check `EASY_PIPER_SETUP.md` or ask for assistance!