Feedback: speech-to-text-pre-recorded-audio-select-the-speech-model

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/speech-to-text/pre-recorded-audio/select-the-speech-model
Category: speech-to-text
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:24:47 pm

Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:24:46 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis & Feedback

Overall Assessment

This documentation covers the basic functionality but has several significant gaps that could lead to user confusion and suboptimal implementation decisions. Here’s my detailed analysis:

🚨 Critical Issues

1. Missing Model Comparison Information

Problem: Users cannot make informed decisions without understanding the actual differences between models.

Fix: Add a comprehensive comparison table:

## Model Comparison

| Feature | Universal | Slam-1 |
|---------|-----------|---------|
| **Languages** | 100+ languages | English only |
| **Accuracy** | High for most languages | Highest for English |
| **Speed** | Fastest processing | Moderate processing |
| **Price** | Standard pricing | Premium pricing |
| **Best for** | Multi-language content, quick turnaround | High-accuracy English transcription |
| **Customization** | Limited | Advanced customization options |

2. Undefined “Customizable” Claims

Problem: “Most customizable model” is mentioned but never explained.

Fix: Add a dedicated section explaining customization features:

## Slam-1 Customization Features
- Custom vocabulary support
- Industry-specific terminology training
- Speaker adaptation capabilities
- Acoustic model fine-tuning options

📋 Missing Information

3. No Performance Metrics

Add:

Processing time comparisons
Accuracy benchmarks
File size limitations per model
Concurrent request limits

4. Missing Cost Information

Problem: References pricing page but provides no context.

Fix: Add a cost comparison section:

## Cost Considerations
- Universal: Standard rate per minute
- Slam-1: Premium rate (2x standard)
- Volume discounts available for both models
- See [pricing page](link) for current rates

5. No Error Handling Guidance

Add: Common error scenarios and solutions:

## Common Issues
- **Model not available**: Check language compatibility
- **Rate limits**: Slam-1 has lower concurrent limits
- **Timeout errors**: Slam-1 processing takes longer

🔧 Structure Improvements

6. Better Information Hierarchy

Current structure: Model selection → Code examples Improved structure:

Model overview and comparison
Selection criteria/decision tree
Implementation examples
Advanced configuration
Troubleshooting

7. Add Decision Flow

## Which Model Should I Choose?

**Choose Universal if:**
- You need multi-language support
- Speed is your priority
- You're processing large volumes
- You're on a tight budget

**Choose Slam-1 if:**
- You only need English transcription
- Accuracy is critical
- You need custom vocabulary
- You can accept slower processing

💻 Code Example Issues

8. Inconsistent Code Quality

Problems:

C# example is overly complex for a basic feature demonstration
Missing error handling in some examples
No explanation of highlighted lines

Fix: Standardize all examples to show:

# Basic usage
config = aai.TranscriptionConfig(speech_model=aai.SpeechModel.slam_1)

# With error handling
try:
    transcript = aai.Transcriber(config=config).transcribe(audio_file)
    if transcript.status == "error":
        print(f"Transcription failed: {transcript.error}")
    else:
        print(transcript.text)
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Request failed: {e}")

9. Missing Configuration Examples

Add:

How to combine speech model selection with other parameters
Batch processing examples
Webhook integration examples

🎯 User Experience Improvements

10. Add Quick Start Section

## Quick Start
For most users, we recommend starting with the **Universal** model. It provides the best balance of speed, accuracy, and language support. Switch to **Slam-1** only if you specifically need maximum English accuracy.

11. Missing Prerequisites

Add:

API key setup requirements
Supported audio formats
File size limits
Rate limiting information

12. No Validation Guidance

Add:

## Validating Your Model Choice
- Test both models with sample audio
- Monitor processing times in production
- Track accuracy metrics for your specific use case
- Consider A/B testing for optimal results

📚 Additional Content Needed

13. Migration Guide

## Switching Between Models
- How to change models for existing workflows
- Backward compatibility considerations
- Testing strategies when switching models

14. Best Practices Section

When to use each model
Performance optimization tips
Cost optimization strategies
Quality assurance recommendations

15. FAQ Section

Common questions like:

Can I use both models in the same application?
How do I evaluate which model works better for my audio?
What happens if I send non-English audio to Slam-1?

🎯 Priority Fixes

High Priority: Add model comparison table and decision criteria
Medium Priority: Improve code examples consistency and add error handling
Low Priority: Add advanced configuration examples and migration guides

This documentation would benefit significantly from user testing to identify real-world pain points and use cases that aren’t currently addressed.