deepgram-cost-tuning by jeremylongshore

---
name: deepgram-cost-tuning
description: |
  Optimize Deepgram costs and usage for budget-conscious deployments.
  Use when reducing transcription costs, implementing usage controls,
  or optimizing pricing tier utilization.
  Trigger with phrases like "deepgram cost", "reduce deepgram spending",
  "deepgram pricing", "deepgram budget", "optimize deepgram usage".
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash(gh:*), Bash(curl:*)
version: 1.0.0
license: MIT
author: Jeremy Longshore <[email protected]>
---

# Deepgram Cost Tuning

## Overview
Optimize Deepgram usage and costs through smart model selection, audio preprocessing, and usage monitoring.

## Deepgram Pricing Overview

| Model | Price per Minute | Best For |
|-------|-----------------|----------|
| Nova-2 | $0.0043 | General transcription |
| Nova | $0.0043 | General transcription |
| Whisper Cloud | $0.0048 | Multilingual |
| Enhanced | $0.0145 | Legacy support |
| Base | $0.0048 | Basic transcription |

Additional Features:
- Speaker Diarization: +$0.0044/min
- Smart Formatting: Included
- Punctuation: Included

## Cost Optimization Strategies

### 1. Model Selection
Choose the most cost-effective model for your use case.

### 2. Audio Preprocessing
Reduce audio duration and optimize format.

### 3. Usage Monitoring
Track and control usage in real-time.

### 4. Caching
Avoid re-transcribing the same content.

## Examples

### Cost-Optimized Transcription Service
```typescript
// services/cost-optimized-transcription.ts
import { createClient } from '@deepgram/sdk';

interface CostConfig {
  maxMonthlySpend: number;
  warningThreshold: number; // percentage
  model: string;
  enabledFeatures: {
    diarization: boolean;
    smartFormat: boolean;
  };
}

interface CostMetrics {
  currentMonthMinutes: number;
  currentMonthCost: number;
  projectedMonthlyCost: number;
}

export class CostOptimizedTranscription {
  private client;
  private config: CostConfig;
  private metrics: CostMetrics;
  private modelCosts: Record<string, number> = {
    'nova-2': 0.0043,
    'nova': 0.0043,
    'base': 0.0048,
    'enhanced': 0.0145,
  };

  constructor(apiKey: string, config: Partial<CostConfig> = {}) {
    this.client = createClient(apiKey);
    this.config = {
      maxMonthlySpend: config.maxMonthlySpend ?? 100,
      warningThreshold: config.warningThreshold ?? 80,
      model: config.model ?? 'nova-2',
      enabledFeatures: config.enabledFeatures ?? {
        diarization: false,
        smartFormat: true,
      },
    };
    this.metrics = {
      currentMonthMinutes: 0,
      currentMonthCost: 0,
      projectedMonthlyCost: 0,
    };
  }

  private calculateCost(durationMinutes: number): number {
    let cost = durationMinutes * this.modelCosts[this.config.model];

    if (this.config.enabledFeatures.diarization) {
      cost += durationMinutes * 0.0044;
    }

    return cost;
  }

  private checkBudget(estimatedMinutes: number): void {
    const estimatedCost = this.calculateCost(estimatedMinutes);
    const projectedTotal = this.metrics.currentMonthCost + estimatedCost;

    if (projectedTotal > this.config.maxMonthlySpend) {
      throw new Error(`Budget exceeded. Current: $${this.metrics.currentMonthCost.toFixed(2)}, Estimated: $${estimatedCost.toFixed(2)}, Limit: $${this.config.maxMonthlySpend}`);
    }

    const percentage = (projectedTotal / this.config.maxMonthlySpend) * 100;
    if (percentage >= this.config.warningThreshold) {
      console.warn(`Budget warning: ${percentage.toFixed(1)}% of monthly limit used`);
    }
  }

  async transcribe(audioUrl: string, estimatedDurationMinutes: number) {
    this.checkBudget(estimatedDurationMinutes);

    const startTime = Date.now();

    const { result, error } = await this.client.listen.prerecorded.transcribeUrl(
      { url: audioUrl },
      {
        model: this.config.model,
        smart_format: this.config.enabledFeatures.smartFormat,
        diarize: this.config.enabledFeatures.diarization,
      }
    );

    if (error) throw error;

    // Track actual usage
    const actualDuration = result.metadata.duration / 60; // seconds to minutes
    const cost = this.calculateCost(actualDuration);

    this.metrics.currentMonthMinutes += actualDuration;
    this.metrics.currentMonthCost += cost;

    return {
      transcript: result.results.channels[0].alternatives[0].transcript,
      metadata: {
        duration: actualDuration,
        cost,
        model: this.config.model,
      },
    };
  }

  getMetrics(): CostMetrics & { budgetRemaining: number } {
    return {
      ...this.metrics,
      budgetRemaining: this.config.maxMonthlySpend - this.metrics.currentMonthCost,
    };
  }
}
```

### Audio Duration Reducer
```typescript
// lib/audio-reducer.ts
import ffmpeg from 'fluent-ffmpeg';

interface ReductionOptions {
  silenceThreshold: string; // dB
  silenceMinDuration: number; // seconds
  speed: number; // 1.0 = normal, 1.25 = 25% faster
}

export async function reduceDuration(
  inputPath: string,
  outputPath: string,
  options: Partial<ReductionOptions> = {}
): Promise<{ originalDuration: number; reducedDuration: number; savings: number }> {
  const {
    silenceThreshold = '-30dB',
    silenceMinDuration = 0.5,
    speed = 1.0,
  } = options;

  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    let originalDuration = 0;
    let reducedDuration = 0;

    ffmpeg(inputPath)
      .on('codecData', (data) => {
        originalDuration = parseDuration(data.duration);
      })
      // Remove silence
      .audioFilters([
        `silenceremove=start_periods=1:start_silence=${silenceMinDuration}:start_threshold=${silenceThreshold}`,
        `silenceremove=stop_periods=-1:stop_silence=${silenceMinDuration}:stop_threshold=${silenceThreshold}`,
        // Optionally speed up
        ...(speed !== 1.0 ? [`atempo=${speed}`] : []),
      ])
      .output(outputPath)
      .on('end', () => {
        ffmpeg.ffprobe(outputPath, (err, metadata) => {
          if (err) return reject(err);
          reducedDuration = metadata.format.duration || 0;
          resolve({
            originalDuration,
            reducedDuration,
            savings: ((originalDuration - reducedDuration) / originalDuration) * 100,
          });
        });
      })
      .on('error', reject)
      .run();
  });
}

function parseDuration(duration: string): number {
  const parts = duration.split(':').map(Number);
  return parts[0] * 3600 + parts[1] * 60 + parts[2];
}
```

### Usage Dashboard
```typescript
// lib/usage-dashboard.ts
import { createClient } from '@deepgram/sdk';

interface UsageSummary {
  period: { start: Date; end: Date };
  totalMinutes: number;
  totalCost: number;
  byModel: Record<string, { minutes: number; cost: number }>;
  byDay: Array<{ date: string; minutes: number; cost: number }>;
  projections: {
    monthlyMinutes: number;
    monthlyCost: number;
  };
}

export class UsageDashboard {
  private client;
  private projectId: string;

  constructor(apiKey: string, projectId: string) {
    this.client = createClient(apiKey);
    this.projectId = projectId;
  }

  async getUsageSummary(daysBack = 30): Promise<UsageSummary> {
    const end = new Date();
    const start = new Date(end.getTime() - daysBack * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);

    // Get usage data from Deepgram API
    const { result, error } = await this.client.manage.getProjectUsageRequest(
      this.projectId,
      {
        start: start.toISOString(),
        end: end.toISOString(),
      }
    );

    if (error) throw error;

    // Aggregate data
    const byModel: Record<string, { minutes: number; cost: number }> = {};
    const byDay: Map<string, { minutes: number; cost: number }> = new Map();

    let totalMinutes = 0;
    let totalCost = 0;

    for (const request of result.requests || []) {
      const minutes = (request.duration || 0) / 60;
      const model = request.model || 'unknown';
      const cost = this.calculateCost(minutes, model);
      const dateKey = new Date(request.created).toISOString().split('T')[0];

      totalMinutes += minutes;
      totalCost += cost;

      if (!byModel[model]) {
        byModel[model] = { minutes: 0, cost: 0 };
      }
      byModel[model].minutes += minutes;
      byModel[model].cost += cost;

      if (!byDay.has(dateKey)) {
        byDay.set(dateKey, { minutes: 0, cost: 0 });
      }
      const day = byDay.get(dateKey)!;
      day.minutes += minutes;
      day.cost += cost;
    }

    // Calculate projections
    const dailyAverage = totalMinutes / daysBack;
    const daysInMonth = 30;

    return {
      period: { start, end },
      totalMinutes,
      totalCost,
      byModel,
      byDay: Array.from(byDay.entries()).map(([date, data]) => ({
        date,
        ...data,
      })),
      projections: {
        monthlyMinutes: dailyAverage * daysInMonth,
        monthlyCost: (totalCost / daysBack) * daysInMonth,
      },
    };
  }

  private calculateCost(minutes: number, model: string): number {
    const rates: Record<string, number> = {
      'nova-2': 0.0043,
      'nova': 0.0043,
      'base': 0.0048,
      'enhanced': 0.0145,
    };
    return minutes * (rates[model] || 0.0043);
  }
}
```

### Cost Alerts
```typescript
// lib/cost-alerts.ts
import { UsageDashboard } from './usage-dashboard';

interface AlertConfig {
  dailyLimit: number;
  weeklyLimit: number;
  monthlyLimit: number;
  alertChannels: Array<'email' | 'slack' | 'webhook'>;
}

export class CostAlerts {
  private dashboard: UsageDashboard;
  private config: AlertConfig;
  private alertsSent: Set<string> = new Set();

  constructor(dashboard: UsageDashboard, config: Partial<AlertConfig> = {}) {
    this.dashboard = dashboard;
    this.config = {
      dailyLimit: config.dailyLimit ?? 10,
      weeklyLimit: config.weeklyLimit ?? 50,
      monthlyLimit: config.monthlyLimit ?? 200,
      alertChannels: config.alertChannels ?? ['email'],
    };
  }

  async checkAndAlert(): Promise<void> {
    const daily = await this.dashboard.getUsageSummary(1);
    const weekly = await this.dashboard.getUsageSummary(7);
    const monthly = await this.dashboard.getUsageSummary(30);

    const alerts: string[] = [];

    if (daily.totalCost > this.config.dailyLimit) {
      alerts.push(`Daily spend ($${daily.totalCost.toFixed(2)}) exceeds limit ($${this.config.dailyLimit})`);
    }

    if (weekly.totalCost > this.config.weeklyLimit) {
      alerts.push(`Weekly spend ($${weekly.totalCost.toFixed(2)}) exceeds limit ($${this.config.weeklyLimit})`);
    }

    if (monthly.totalCost > this.config.monthlyLimit) {
      alerts.push(`Monthly spend ($${monthly.totalCost.toFixed(2)}) exceeds limit ($${this.config.monthlyLimit})`);
    }

    // Send alerts (deduplicated)
    for (const alert of alerts) {
      const alertKey = `${new Date().toDateString()}-${alert}`;
      if (!this.alertsSent.has(alertKey)) {
        await this.sendAlert(alert);
        this.alertsSent.add(alertKey);
      }
    }
  }

  private async sendAlert(message: string): Promise<void> {
    console.log(`COST ALERT: ${message}`);

    for (const channel of this.config.alertChannels) {
      switch (channel) {
        case 'slack':
          await this.sendSlackAlert(message);
          break;
        case 'email':
          await this.sendEmailAlert(message);
          break;
        case 'webhook':
          await this.sendWebhookAlert(message);
          break;
      }
    }
  }

  private async sendSlackAlert(message: string): Promise<void> {
    const webhookUrl = process.env.SLACK_WEBHOOK_URL;
    if (!webhookUrl) return;

    await fetch(webhookUrl, {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        text: `Deepgram Cost Alert: ${message}`,
      }),
    });
  }

  private async sendEmailAlert(message: string): Promise<void> {
    // Implement email sending
  }

  private async sendWebhookAlert(message: string): Promise<void> {
    // Implement webhook sending
  }
}
```

### Model Selection for Cost
```typescript
// lib/cost-aware-model.ts
interface ModelRecommendation {
  model: string;
  estimatedCost: number;
  qualityLevel: 'high' | 'medium' | 'low';
  reason: string;
}

export function recommendModel(params: {
  audioDurationMinutes: number;
  monthlyBudget: number;
  currentMonthSpend: number;
  qualityRequirement: 'high' | 'medium' | 'any';
}): ModelRecommendation {
  const { audioDurationMinutes, monthlyBudget, currentMonthSpend, qualityRequirement } = params;
  const budgetRemaining = monthlyBudget - currentMonthSpend;

  const models = [
    { name: 'nova-2', rate: 0.0043, quality: 'high' as const },
    { name: 'nova', rate: 0.0043, quality: 'high' as const },
    { name: 'base', rate: 0.0048, quality: 'low' as const },
  ];

  // Filter by quality requirement
  const eligible = models.filter(m => {
    if (qualityRequirement === 'high') return m.quality === 'high';
    if (qualityRequirement === 'medium') return m.quality !== 'low';
    return true;
  });

  // Find cheapest that fits budget
  for (const model of eligible.sort((a, b) => a.rate - b.rate)) {
    const cost = audioDurationMinutes * model.rate;
    if (cost <= budgetRemaining) {
      return {
        model: model.name,
        estimatedCost: cost,
        qualityLevel: model.quality,
        reason: `Best value within budget ($${budgetRemaining.toFixed(2)} remaining)`,
      };
    }
  }

  // Fallback to cheapest
  const cheapest = eligible[0];
  return {
    model: cheapest.name,
    estimatedCost: audioDurationMinutes * cheapest.rate,
    qualityLevel: cheapest.quality,
    reason: 'Warning: May exceed budget',
  };
}
```

## Resources
- [Deepgram Pricing](https://deepgram.com/pricing)
- [Usage API Reference](https://developers.deepgram.com/reference/get-usage)
- [Cost Optimization Guide](https://developers.deepgram.com/docs/cost-optimization)

## Next Steps
Proceed to `deepgram-reference-architecture` for architecture patterns.