Show HN: Topcast – Open-Source Alternative to Google NotebookLM Podcast Feature

4 points

2 years ago

Google recently introduced a feature in NotebookLM that generates podcast-like audio from documents using AI. I’ve developed an open-source alternative called Topcast. It provides similar functionality but offers full control and customization.

Topcast is a Python package that converts text into audio using Text-to-Speech (TTS) and AI-generated themes like interviews and summaries. You can layer audio tracks, add background sounds, and integrate various TTS providers (Google Cloud, Elevenlabs, or Google Translate).

Key Features:

• Fully open-source and customizable • Support for multiple TTS providers • AI-generated content structures (e.g., interviews, summaries) • Flexible audio layering with fades and crossfades

Usage:

1. Input your text. 2. Select a TTS provider and an AI theme. 3. Generate audio with a few lines of code. 4. Export the result to an audio file.

Feedback and contributions are welcome!

This version is more factual, straightforward, and aligned with the minimal, engineering-focused tone that tends to resonate with the Hacker News community.