***

title: Quickstart
description: >-
Welcome to the Smallest AI platform! This guide will help you get started
quickly with generating your first text-to-speech using Python and Smallest AI
API.\
icon: rocket
------------

## Step 1: Sign Up & get the API Key

1. Visit [waves.smallest.ai](https://waves.smallest.ai/) and sign up for an account or log in if you already have an account.
2. Navigate to `API Key` tab in your account dashboard.
3. Create a new API Key and copy it.
4. Export the API Key in your environment with the name `SMALLEST_API_KEY`, ensuring that your application can access it securely for authentication.

## Step 2: Install the SDK

To install the latest version available

```bash
pip install smallestai
```

When using an SDK in your application, make sure to pin to at least the major version (e.g., ==1.\*). This helps ensure your application remains stable and avoids potential issues from breaking changes in future updates.

## Step 3: Make Your First API Call

Here is a basic example of how to use the Python SDK to convert text to speech:

<Note>
  If you are using a `voice_id` corresponding to a voice clone, you should explicitly set the `model` parameter to `"lightning-large"` in the `Smallest` client or payload.
</Note>

<CodeGroup>
  ```python python
  from smallestai.waves import WavesClient

  def main():
      client = WavesClient(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")
      client.synthesize(
          "Modern problems require modern solutions.",
          sample_rate=24000,
          speed=1.0,
          save_as="output.wav"
      )

  if __name__ == "__main__":
      main()
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the API key you obtained in Step 2.

## Step 4: Explore More Features

* **Voice Cloning:** Create custom voice profiles by uploading voice samples.
* **Advanced Configurations:** Customize speech synthesis with different voices, speeds, and sample rates.

For detailed documentation on all available features and endpoints, visit our API Reference.

### Need Help?

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our support team at [support@smallest.ai](mailto:support@smallest.ai).