diff --git a/deepgram/client.py b/deepgram/client.py
index 857c37cd..7751cf42 100644
--- a/deepgram/client.py
+++ b/deepgram/client.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import logging, verboselogs
 import os
 
+from .clients.live.client import LiveOptions
+from .clients.prerecorded.client import PrerecordedOptions
 from .clients.listen import ListenClient, PreRecordedClient
 from .clients.manage.client import ManageClient
 from .clients.onprem.client import OnPremClient
@@ -34,7 +36,9 @@ class DeepgramClient:
         onprem: Returns an OnPremClient instance for interacting with Deepgram's on-premises API.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, api_key: str, config: Optional[DeepgramClientOptions] = None):
+    def __init__(
+        self, api_key: str = "", config: Optional[DeepgramClientOptions] = None
+    ):
         verboselogs.install()
         self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
         self.logger.addHandler(logging.StreamHandler())
@@ -42,6 +46,8 @@ def __init__(self, api_key: str, config: Optional[DeepgramClientOptions] = None)
         if not api_key:
             # Default to `None` for on-prem instances where an API key is not required
             api_key = os.getenv("DEEPGRAM_API_KEY", None)
+        if not api_key:
+            self.logger.warning("WARNING: API key is missing")
 
         self.api_key = api_key
         if config is None:  # Use default configuration
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/live/helpers.py b/deepgram/clients/live/helpers.py
index 5eb7b68d..0017f3d1 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/live/helpers.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/live/helpers.py
@@ -3,21 +3,25 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
 from urllib.parse import urlparse, urlunparse, parse_qs, urlencode
+from typing import Dict
 
+from .errors import DeepgramError
 
-def append_query_params(url, params=""):
+
+def append_query_params(url, params):
     parsed_url = urlparse(url)
     query_params = parse_qs(parsed_url.query)
 
-    if params:
-        for key, value in params.items():
-            if isinstance(value, bool):
-                value = str(value).lower()
-            if isinstance(value, list):
-                for item in value:
-                    query_params[key] = query_params.get(key, []) + [str(item)]
-            else:
-                query_params[key] = [str(value)]
+    for key, value in params.items():
+        if value is None:
+            continue
+        if isinstance(value, bool):
+            value = str(value).lower()
+        if isinstance(value, list):
+            for item in value:
+                query_params[key] = query_params.get(key, []) + [str(item)]
+        else:
+            query_params[key] = [str(value)]
 
     updated_query_string = urlencode(query_params, doseq=True)
     updated_url = parsed_url._replace(query=updated_query_string).geturl()
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/live/v1/client.py b/deepgram/clients/live/v1/client.py
index 7c1b7757..9e0705b7 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/live/v1/client.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/live/v1/client.py
@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ def start(self, options: LiveOptions = None):
         self.logger.info("options: %s", options)
 
         self.options = options
+        if isinstance(options, LiveOptions):
+            self.logger.info("LiveOptions switching class -> json")
+            self.options = self.options.to_dict()
 
         if self._socket is not None:
             self.logger.error("socket is already initialized")
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/live/v1/legacy_client.py b/deepgram/clients/live/v1/legacy_client.py
index bd2e6971..ecbcb68e 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/live/v1/legacy_client.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/live/v1/legacy_client.py
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ async def __call__(self, options: LiveOptions = None):
         self.logger.info("options: %s", options)
 
         self.options = options
+        if isinstance(options, LiveOptions):
+            self.logger.info("LiveOptions switching class -> json")
+            self.options = self.options.to_dict()
+
         url_with_params = append_query_params(self.websocket_url, self.options)
         try:
             self._socket = await _socket_connect(url_with_params, self.config.headers)
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/live/v1/options.py b/deepgram/clients/live/v1/options.py
index e5efe0b0..c783aff4 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/live/v1/options.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/live/v1/options.py
@@ -2,28 +2,36 @@
 # Use of this source code is governed by a MIT license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
-from typing import List, TypedDict
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from dataclasses_json import dataclass_json
+from typing import List, Optional
 
 
-class LiveOptions(TypedDict, total=False):
-    callback: str
-    channels: int
-    diarize: bool
-    encoding: str
-    endpointing: int
-    interim_results: bool
-    keywords: str
-    language: str
-    model: str
-    multichannel: bool
-    numerals: bool
-    punctuate: bool
-    profanity_filter: bool
-    redact: bool
-    replace: str
-    sample_rate: int
-    search: str
-    smart_format: bool
-    tag: list
-    tier: str
-    version: str
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class LiveOptions:
+    callback: Optional[str] = None
+    channels: Optional[int] = None
+    diarize: Optional[bool] = None
+    encoding: Optional[str] = None
+    endpointing: Optional[str] = None
+    interim_results: Optional[bool] = None
+    keywords: Optional[str] = None
+    language: Optional[str] = None
+    model: Optional[str] = None
+    multichannel: Optional[bool] = None
+    numerals: Optional[bool] = None
+    punctuate: Optional[bool] = None
+    profanity_filter: Optional[bool] = None
+    redact: Optional[bool] = None
+    replace: Optional[str] = None
+    sample_rate: Optional[int] = None
+    search: Optional[str] = None
+    smart_format: Optional[bool] = None
+    tag: Optional[list] = None
+    tier: Optional[str] = None
+    version: Optional[str] = None
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/manage/client.py b/deepgram/clients/manage/client.py
index ec9c8d18..410c0dba 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/manage/client.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/manage/client.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
 from .v1.client import ManageClient as ManageClientLatest
-from .v1.response import (
+from .v1.options import (
     ProjectOptions as ProjectOptionsLatest,
     KeyOptions as KeyOptionsLatest,
     ScopeOptions as ScopeOptionsLatest,
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/client.py b/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/client.py
index 136453c3..7b3132ef 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/client.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/client.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
     BalancesResponse,
     Balance,
 )
-from .response import (
+from .options import (
     ProjectOptions,
     KeyOptions,
     ScopeOptions,
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/options.py b/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/options.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..56cd9dcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/options.py
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+# Copyright 2023 Deepgram SDK contributors. All Rights Reserved.
+# Use of this source code is governed by a MIT license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from dataclasses_json import dataclass_json
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import TypedDict, List, Optional
+
+# Input
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class ProjectOptions:
+    name: Optional[str] = ""
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class KeyOptions:
+    comment: Optional[str] = ""
+    time_to_live_in_seconds: Optional[int] = 0
+    expiration_date: Optional[str] = ""
+    scopes: Optional[List[str]] = None
+    tags: Optional[List[str]] = None
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        if _dict["scopes"] is not None:
+            _dict["scopes"] = [str(scopes) for scopes in _dict["scopes"]]
+        if _dict["tags"] is not None:
+            _dict["tags"] = [str(tags) for tags in _dict["tags"]]
+        return _dict[key]
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class ScopeOptions:
+    scope: Optional[str] = ""
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class InviteOptions:
+    email: Optional[str] = ""
+    scope: Optional[str] = ""
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class UsageRequestOptions:
+    start: Optional[str] = ""
+    end: Optional[str] = ""
+    limit: Optional[int] = 0
+    status: Optional[str] = ""
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class UsageSummaryOptions:
+    start: Optional[str] = ""
+    end: Optional[str] = ""
+    accessor: Optional[str] = ""
+    tag: Optional[str] = ""
+    method: Optional[str] = ""
+    model: Optional[str] = ""
+    multichannel: Optional[bool] = False
+    interim_results: Optional[bool] = False
+    punctuate: Optional[bool] = False
+    ner: Optional[bool] = False
+    utterances: Optional[bool] = False
+    replace: Optional[bool] = False
+    profanity_filter: Optional[bool] = False
+    keywords: Optional[bool] = False
+    detect_topics: Optional[bool] = False
+    diarize: Optional[bool] = False
+    search: Optional[bool] = False
+    redact: Optional[bool] = False
+    alternatives: Optional[bool] = False
+    numerals: Optional[bool] = False
+    smart_format: Optional[bool] = False
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
+
+
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class UsageFieldsOptions:
+    start: Optional[str] = ""
+    end: Optional[str] = ""
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        if _dict["details"] is not None:
+            _dict["details"] = Details.from_dict(_dict["details"])
+        return _dict[key]
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/response.py b/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/response.py
index cc5fbdcb..5ef0eb7d 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/response.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/manage/v1/response.py
@@ -48,16 +48,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
         return _dict[key]
 
 
-@dataclass_json
-@dataclass
-class ProjectOptions:
-    name: Optional[str] = ""
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
 # Members
 
 
@@ -131,24 +121,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
         return _dict[key]
 
 
-@dataclass_json
-@dataclass
-class KeyOptions:
-    comment: Optional[str] = ""
-    time_to_live_in_seconds: Optional[int] = 0
-    expiration_date: Optional[str] = ""
-    scopes: Optional[List[str]] = None
-    tags: Optional[List[str]] = None
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        if _dict["scopes"] is not None:
-            _dict["scopes"] = [str(scopes) for scopes in _dict["scopes"]]
-        if _dict["tags"] is not None:
-            _dict["tags"] = [str(tags) for tags in _dict["tags"]]
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
 # Scopes
 @dataclass_json
 @dataclass
@@ -162,16 +134,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
         return _dict[key]
 
 
-@dataclass_json
-@dataclass
-class ScopeOptions:
-    scope: Optional[str] = ""
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
 # Invites
 
 
@@ -198,17 +160,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
         return _dict[key]
 
 
-@dataclass_json
-@dataclass
-class InviteOptions:
-    email: Optional[str] = ""
-    scope: Optional[str] = ""
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
 # Usage
 @dataclass_json
 @dataclass
@@ -313,45 +264,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
         return _dict[key]
 
 
-class UsageRequestOptions:
-    start: Optional[str] = ""
-    end: Optional[str] = ""
-    limit: Optional[int] = 0
-    status: Optional[str] = ""
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
-class UsageSummaryOptions:
-    start: Optional[str] = ""
-    end: Optional[str] = ""
-    accessor: Optional[str] = ""
-    tag: Optional[str] = ""
-    method: Optional[str] = ""
-    model: Optional[str] = ""
-    multichannel: Optional[bool] = False
-    interim_results: Optional[bool] = False
-    punctuate: Optional[bool] = False
-    ner: Optional[bool] = False
-    utterances: Optional[bool] = False
-    replace: Optional[bool] = False
-    profanity_filter: Optional[bool] = False
-    keywords: Optional[bool] = False
-    detect_topics: Optional[bool] = False
-    diarize: Optional[bool] = False
-    search: Optional[bool] = False
-    redact: Optional[bool] = False
-    alternatives: Optional[bool] = False
-    numerals: Optional[bool] = False
-    smart_format: Optional[bool] = False
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
 @dataclass_json
 @dataclass
 class Results:
@@ -436,17 +348,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, key):
         return _dict[key]
 
 
-class UsageFieldsOptions:
-    start: Optional[str] = ""
-    end: Optional[str] = ""
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key):
-        _dict = self.to_dict()
-        if _dict["details"] is not None:
-            _dict["details"] = Details.from_dict(_dict["details"])
-        return _dict[key]
-
-
 # Billing
 
 
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/client.py b/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/client.py
index a452c99b..cadf7fbf 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/client.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/client.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
 import logging, verboselogs
+import inspect
 
 from ...abstract_client import AbstractRestfulClient
 from ..errors import DeepgramTypeError
@@ -66,6 +67,9 @@ async def transcribe_url(
         self.logger.info("url: %s", url)
         self.logger.info("source: %s", source)
         self.logger.info("options: %s", options)
+        if isinstance(options, PrerecordedOptions):
+            self.logger.info("PrerecordedOptions switching class -> json")
+            options = options.to_json()
         res = PrerecordedResponse.from_json(await self.post(url, options, json=body))
         self.logger.verbose("result: %s", res)
         self.logger.notice("transcribe_url succeeded")
@@ -113,6 +117,9 @@ async def transcribe_url_callback(
         self.logger.info("url: %s", url)
         self.logger.info("source: %s", source)
         self.logger.info("options: %s", options)
+        if isinstance(options, PrerecordedOptions):
+            self.logger.info("PrerecordedOptions switching class -> json")
+            options = options.to_json()
         json = await self.post(url, options, json=body)
         self.logger.info("json: %s", json)
         res = AsyncPrerecordedResponse.from_json(json)
@@ -159,6 +166,9 @@ async def transcribe_file(
 
         self.logger.info("url: %s", url)
         self.logger.info("options: %s", options)
+        if isinstance(options, PrerecordedOptions):
+            self.logger.info("PrerecordedOptions switching class -> json")
+            options = options.to_json()
         json = await self.post(url, options, content=body)
         self.logger.info("json: %s", json)
         res = PrerecordedResponse.from_json(json)
@@ -209,6 +219,9 @@ async def transcribe_file_callback(
 
         self.logger.info("url: %s", url)
         self.logger.info("options: %s", options)
+        if isinstance(options, PrerecordedOptions):
+            self.logger.info("PrerecordedOptions switching class -> json")
+            options = options.to_json()
         json = await self.post(url, options, json=body)
         self.logger.info("json: %s", json)
         res = AsyncPrerecordedResponse.from_json(json)
diff --git a/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/options.py b/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/options.py
index 4b27a703..eb23bb7a 100644
--- a/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/options.py
+++ b/deepgram/clients/prerecorded/v1/options.py
@@ -2,31 +2,39 @@
 # Use of this source code is governed by a MIT license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
-from typing import Union, List, TypedDict
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from dataclasses_json import dataclass_json
+from typing import Union, List, TypedDict, Optional
 
 
-class PrerecordedOptions(TypedDict, total=False):
-    alternatives: int
-    callback: str
-    detect_entities: bool
-    detect_language: bool
-    detect_topics: bool
-    diarize: bool
-    keywords: Union[list, str]
-    language: str
-    model: str
-    multichannel: bool
-    numerals: bool
-    paragraphs: bool
-    profanity_filter: bool
-    punctuate: bool
-    redact: Union[List[str], bool, str]
-    replace: Union[list, str]
-    search: Union[list, str]
-    smart_format: bool
-    summarize: Union[bool, str]
-    tag: list
-    tier: str
-    utt_split: int
-    utterances: bool
-    version: str
+@dataclass_json
+@dataclass
+class PrerecordedOptions:
+    alternatives: Optional[int] = None
+    callback: Optional[str] = None
+    detect_entities: Optional[bool] = None
+    detect_language: Optional[bool] = None
+    detect_topics: Optional[bool] = None
+    diarize: Optional[bool] = None
+    keywords: Optional[Union[list, str]] = None
+    language: Optional[str] = None
+    model: Optional[str] = None
+    multichannel: Optional[bool] = None
+    numerals: Optional[bool] = None
+    paragraphs: Optional[bool] = None
+    profanity_filter: Optional[bool] = None
+    punctuate: Optional[bool] = None
+    redact: Optional[Union[List[str], bool, str]] = None
+    replace: Optional[Union[list, str]] = None
+    search: Optional[Union[list, str]] = None
+    smart_format: Optional[bool] = None
+    summarize: Optional[Union[bool, str]] = None
+    tag: Optional[list] = None
+    tier: Optional[str] = None
+    utt_split: Optional[int] = None
+    utterances: Optional[bool] = None
+    version: Optional[str] = None
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        _dict = self.to_dict()
+        return _dict[key]
diff --git a/examples/manage/balances/main.py b/examples/manage/balances/main.py
index 5476e869..9f693913 100644
--- a/examples/manage/balances/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/balances/main.py
@@ -12,15 +12,12 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-# environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
-
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
 config: DeepgramClientOptions = DeepgramClientOptions(
     verbose=logging.SPAM,
 )
 
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY, config)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient("", config)
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/manage/invitations/main.py b/examples/manage/invitations/main.py
index 67ff3f94..6eb04afb 100644
--- a/examples/manage/invitations/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/invitations/main.py
@@ -11,11 +11,8 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-# environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
-
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/manage/keys/main.py b/examples/manage/keys/main.py
index 98904d86..3562e6e8 100644
--- a/examples/manage/keys/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/keys/main.py
@@ -11,11 +11,8 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-# environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
-
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/manage/members/main.py b/examples/manage/members/main.py
index fff54816..6a8b3512 100644
--- a/examples/manage/members/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/members/main.py
@@ -12,11 +12,10 @@
 load_dotenv()
 
 # environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
 DELETE_MEMBER_BY_EMAIL = "enter-your-email@gmail.com"
 
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/manage/projects/main.py b/examples/manage/projects/main.py
index 22977cbe..6a06671a 100644
--- a/examples/manage/projects/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/projects/main.py
@@ -12,11 +12,10 @@
 load_dotenv()
 
 # environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
 DELETE_PROJECT_BY_NAME = os.getenv("DG_DELETE_PROJECT_BY_NAME")
 
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/manage/scopes/main.py b/examples/manage/scopes/main.py
index b4d90d90..7be04f9a 100644
--- a/examples/manage/scopes/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/scopes/main.py
@@ -12,11 +12,10 @@
 load_dotenv()
 
 # environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
 MEMBER_BY_EMAIL = "enter-your-email@gmail.com"
 
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/manage/usage/main.py b/examples/manage/usage/main.py
index 9b8b9398..564b21c6 100644
--- a/examples/manage/usage/main.py
+++ b/examples/manage/usage/main.py
@@ -16,11 +16,8 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-# environment variables
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
-
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/prerecorded/file/main.py b/examples/prerecorded/file/main.py
index 9fb85cb3..b130efca 100644
--- a/examples/prerecorded/file/main.py
+++ b/examples/prerecorded/file/main.py
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
 AUDIO_FILE = "preamble.wav"
 
 # Create a Deepgram client using the API key
@@ -24,14 +23,14 @@
     verbose=logging.SPAM,
 )
 
-options: PrerecordedOptions = PrerecordedOptions(
+options = PrerecordedOptions(
     model="nova",
     smart_format="true",
     summarize="v2",
 )
 
 # STEP 1 Create a Deepgram client using the API key (optional - add config options)
-deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(API_KEY, config)
+deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient("", config)
 
 
 # STEP 2 Call the transcribe_file method on the prerecorded class
diff --git a/examples/prerecorded/url/main.py b/examples/prerecorded/url/main.py
index 5f3a83e4..d3127fd2 100644
--- a/examples/prerecorded/url/main.py
+++ b/examples/prerecorded/url/main.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-API_KEY = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
 AUDIO_URL = {
     "url": "https://static.deepgram.com/examples/Bueller-Life-moves-pretty-fast.wav"
 }
@@ -22,7 +21,7 @@
 }
 
 # STEP 1 Create a Deepgram client using the API key (optional - add config options)
-deepgram = DeepgramClient(API_KEY)
+deepgram = DeepgramClient()
 
 
 # STEP 2 Call the transcribe_url method on the prerecorded class
diff --git a/examples/streaming/http/main.py b/examples/streaming/http/main.py
index 558afb99..dcab8be3 100644
--- a/examples/streaming/http/main.py
+++ b/examples/streaming/http/main.py
@@ -16,11 +16,9 @@
 # URL for the realtime streaming audio you would like to transcribe
 URL = "http://stream.live.vc.bbcmedia.co.uk/bbc_world_service"
 
-deepgram_api_key = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
-
 
 async def main():
-    deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(deepgram_api_key)
+    deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
     # Create a websocket connection to Deepgram
     try:
diff --git a/examples/streaming/microphone/main.py b/examples/streaming/microphone/main.py
index 11a3421c..8a90d2f6 100644
--- a/examples/streaming/microphone/main.py
+++ b/examples/streaming/microphone/main.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 import os
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
+import logging, verboselogs
 
 from deepgram import (
     DeepgramClient,
@@ -15,15 +16,19 @@
 
 load_dotenv()
 
-options: LiveOptions = {
-    "punctuate": True,
-    "language": "en-US",
-    "encoding": "linear16",
-    "channels": 1,
-    "sample_rate": 16000,
-}
-
-deepgram_api_key = os.getenv("DG_API_KEY")
+# example of setting up a client config
+# config = DeepgramClientOptions(
+#     verbose=logging.SPAM,
+#     options={'keepalive': 'true'}
+# )
+
+options = LiveOptions(
+    punctuate=True,
+    language="en-US",
+    encoding="linear16",
+    channels=1,
+    sample_rate=16000,
+)
 
 
 def on_message(result=None):
@@ -52,8 +57,10 @@ def on_error(error=None):
 
 
 def main():
-    # config: DeepgramClientOptions = DeepgramClientOptions(options={'keepalive': 'true'})
-    deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient(deepgram_api_key)
+    # to specify a client config
+    # deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient("", config)
+    # otherwise, use default config
+    deepgram: DeepgramClient = DeepgramClient()
 
     try:
         # Create a websocket connection to Deepgram