how to I get audio onto a voice mail system

Don Hooper

Hi,
Typically I record audio for on hold messaging, and the client handles putting the audio on the actual voicemail greeting. I have a client that would like me to put the recorded msg directly into the phone system because they don't know how. How can I do that with my recorded mp3 or wav?

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007, 00:56 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Don. It's important to differentiate between MOH and voicemail greetings or IVR announcements. In KEY & PBX systems the MOH is usually separate from the greetings - either from an external player or internally. It's not that tough to load the MOH on the system - though many systems use a .vox format - which not every software converts to. Systems vary - so looking up the PDF users manual is a good idea.

I do a TON of these - The easiest way to record the greetings/IVR prompts is simply by calling in. Your client just needs to give you the proper pass codes to get to where you're going. If they don't know you need to contact the interconnect that sold them the phone system and talk with one of their guys. In my experience they're pretty helpful. As already mentioned phone quality is low anyway (I think 27kbps) so there is no need to get crazy about recording at a high bit rate - as a matter of fact it kinda sounds like crap when you do. Just make sure to use a corded phone - it's a lot easier to manipulate the buttons and speak directly into the handset - don't use a headset mic. If you do there is sometimes a distracting click when you push then "#" key (for example) to end the prompt.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007, 03:14 (GMT) Post subject: there are several ways

Telephony is a quickly changing world. Many of the companies that sell the hardware also make a tidy sum providing voice talent to handle messaging. For that reason, the companies are sometimes not so good at facilitating the clients in doing it on their own.

Ask your client for the name of the system and make they use. Look up that manufacutrer online (Google) There are often owners manuals posted as PDF's online. If that doesn't work, call the manufacturer and speak to tech support. Alternatively, call the distributer your client bought the system from.

Generally there are a few ways it's done:

It is a function of IT and there is some basic programming sequences the client goes through on their end to either convert a wav or mp3 file and insert it or to just place the file if it is in the right format.

Other times I have done on hold by actually calling into the system and recording through the phone line. If you have a standard phone patch, you can dothis with recorded prompts.

Hope this helps and good luck. By the way I don't know how or what you plan to record with, but telephone lines carry voice in a highly compressed manner. I would suggest you not compress your files and record well below the red clip on your system. There are lots of other things you can do to prep v.o. to sound good on telephone systems and you can find out about it by googling some of those keywords.

For extremely boring info that will make your head spin try reading telephony magazine online

Lynne Alston · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007, 03:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Mr Gilbert
While I notice your contempt for those like me just starting out, I would still like to thank you for the answer to this post. At this time the information is a little beyond my technical abilities but I have copied and stored the info for later research and use.
lynne

Freddie Molina · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007, 08:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Bobbie West

Thanks you guys and gals for your helpful insights. I'm just tickled pink to actually hear about other (pros) systems and M.O.s and to keep learning...even after a couple of decades in and around this business.