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Google Unveils Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS Featuring Granular Audio Tags and Expressive AI Speech

Google launches Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a next-generation audio model offering precise control over vocal delivery and industry-leading quality.

Google launches Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a next-generation audio model offering precise control over vocal delivery and industry-leading quality.

NewDecoded

Published Apr 16, 2026

Apr 16, 2026

4 min read

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Professional Directing for AI Voices

Google has introduced Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a sophisticated text-to-speech model that allows developers to direct AI voices using natural language. This new release aims to eliminate the robotic nature of traditional synthetic speech by providing high-fidelity audio with unprecedented levels of creative control. Starting today, the model is available in public preview across several major Google platforms.

Industry Leading Benchmarks

The model recently secured an Elo score of 1,211 on the Artificial Analysis TTS leaderboard, ranking it second globally and outperforming major rivals like OpenAI and ElevenLabs. Experts highlight its unique position in the most attractive quadrant for delivering premium quality at a competitive price point. This performance indicates a major leap in how users perceive and interact with synthetic vocal outputs.

Precision Control with Audio Tags

A core innovation includes a library of over 200 audio tags that act like directorial instructions within text prompts. Developers can now insert bracketed commands to trigger laughter or specific shifts in pacing and tone mid-sentence for a more human-like performance. This instruction-based workflow gives creators the ability to set scene directions and maintain character consistency across multiple turns.

Global Linguistic Support

Built on the Gemini 3 Pro infrastructure, the model supports more than 70 languages and regional variants to ensure localized and natural-sounding accents. It features 30 pre-built base voices and native multi-speaker dialogue capabilities, allowing complex scripts to be processed in a single API call. This makes it a powerful tool for global enterprises looking to scale their audio presence across diverse markets.

Safety and Identification

Security remains a priority as every audio output is embedded with SynthID, an imperceptible watermark developed by Google DeepMind. This technology ensures that AI-generated content can be identified by downstream systems, helping to combat misinformation and unauthorized voice cloning. The watermark is interwoven directly into the audio waveform without affecting the listening experience.

Availability and Integration

Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS is currently in public preview for developers via Google AI Studio and for enterprises through Vertex AI. It is also being integrated into Workspace tools like Google Vids to assist everyday users in creating professional-grade video content with minimal effort. The flexible pricing structure includes a free tier for experimentation and significant discounts for batch processing tasks.

Decoded Take

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This release marks a significant transition from passive voice generation to active vocal direction within the AI industry. By integrating instruction-based workflows, Google is challenging the current dominance of specialized audio platforms and standardizing the use of digital watermarking for synthetic media. This shift suggests that the future of text-to-speech lies not just in clarity, but in the nuanced emotional intelligence required for truly immersive digital experiences.

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