Connect Muse to Speech is Cheap
This guide walks you through connecting Muse to the Speech is Cheap MCP server as a custom connector, so you can transcribe audio and video recordings from public URLs and from files you attach to a chat. Muse runs on the web at muse.ai, on iOS and Android, and in WhatsApp. The steps use Muse on the web at muse.ai. Muse sends your API key in a request header, so there is no Speech is Cheap sign-in page.
What You Need
Before starting, ensure you have:
- An eligible Muse account: Muse is available in the US, Canada, Japan, and Singapore. Custom connectors work on the Muse Free plan. See Meta's guide to how Muse works with Connectors for details.
- A Speech is Cheap account with an active plan: Pick a plan on the Pricing page if you do not have an account. Your initial API key arrives by email.
- A Speech is Cheap API key: Keys start with
sk_. Create a dedicated API key in the Dashboard named "Muse" so you can revoke it on its own. The dashboard displays keys only once. See the Dashboard guide for details.
Setup Steps
Muse has no form for adding an MCP server: Settings > Connectors lists only Meta's own directory. Instead, you ask Muse in a chat, and Muse builds the custom connector itself. It writes an MCP client on its cloud computer and saves it for later chats.
Your API key never goes in the chat. You type it into Muse's connector dialog. Muse's code never sees the key: it gets a stand-in token, and Muse swaps in the real key only on approved requests to the hosts registered for the connector. The connector must cover two hosts: mcp.speechischeap.com for tool calls, and upload.speechischeap.com for files you attach.
Follow these steps to set up the connector in Muse:
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Open a chat with Muse. A side chat or the main chat works.
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Send this message:
Create a Custom Connector for Speech is Cheap. It's a remote MCP server at https://mcp.speechischeap.com/mcp over Streamable HTTP. It takes my API key in an "Authorization: Bearer" header on mcp.speechischeap.com, and on upload.speechischeap.com for file uploads. Ask me for the key on the secure page, not in this chat. Then call the check_access tool to confirm the key works.
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Muse replies that the key goes on a secure page, not in the chat, and shows a connector card with a Connect button. Click Connect.
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A dialog titled Connect Speech Is Cheap, labeled "Custom connector", warns that Meta doesn't review custom connectors or how they use your information. Click Continue.
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In the Add custom connector dialog, enter your API key in the field labeled API key and click Add.
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The first time Muse contacts the server, it asks: Allow Muse to share information with mcp.speechischeap.com? Click Always allow this site, which covers
speechischeap.comand all its subdomains, including the upload host. With Allow once, Muse asks again next time. Muse pauses sending messages until you answer. See Meta's guide to how Muse works with your guidance and approval for details. -
Muse builds its client, calls
check_access, and reports that the key works, along with current prices, limits, and file types. In our test, this took one to two minutes.
Test the Connection
Start a conversation in Muse and test the integration with a sample recording:
Please transcribe this audio file using Speech is Cheap: https://cdn.speechischeap.com/podcast-sic-api-01.m4a
Muse calls the Speech is Cheap MCP server to transcribe the audio, prints the transcript, and attaches it as a text file. In our end-to-end test, Muse returned the full transcript of this 20-minute audio sample.
You can also test transcribing an attached recording. Click + next to the message box, attach an audio or video file, and send:
Please transcribe the attached recording using Speech is Cheap.
Muse calls prepare_upload, uploads the file to upload.speechischeap.com with your API key, and retrieves the transcript with get_transcript. Muse also shows an attached recording as a voice message and adds its own transcript to your message. Name Speech is Cheap in your request so that Muse uses the connector.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues during setup or while transcribing, check these common error messages:
- Muse asks for your API key again when you attach a file
The connector covers only
mcp.speechischeap.com, for example because it was set up with a different prompt. Click Connect on the new card and enter the same API key. Muse addsupload.speechischeap.comto the connector and finishes the upload. Speech is Cheap rejected the API key.(in a conversation) The API key is invalid or has been revoked. Generate a new key in the Dashboard, disconnect the connector in Muse, and set it up again with the new key.This API key has no active plan…(in a conversation) Your API key is recognized, but the account lacks an active subscription or billing method. Open the Dashboard and update your plan under the Billing section.- URL download errors When transcribing from a URL, the audio or video file must reside at a publicly accessible URL that downloads directly without requiring a login, session cookies, or interactive screens. See Input Requirements for supported media formats and URL rules.
Try again shortlymessages These messages indicate temporary service or connection interruptions. Wait a few moments and resubmit your prompt.- Failed jobs If a transcription job fails, you are not charged. Only completed jobs bill against your account.
Disconnecting
To disconnect Speech is Cheap from Muse:
- Open the menu (≡) and click Settings > Connectors. On the Connected tab, click View next to Speech Is Cheap, click Disconnect, and confirm with Disconnect. Muse warns that data it already received isn't removed unless you delete it.
- Muse keeps the connector files it wrote on its cloud computer. To remove them, ask Muse in a chat to delete the
custom.speech-is-cheapconnector files. - To withdraw the site approval, open Settings > Permissions > Websites and change
speechischeap.comfrom Allow to Ask or Deny. - To cut off access everywhere at once, revoke the key in the Dashboard. Revocation can take a minute or more to apply across all systems.