Recording and preparing audio used in applets

Many of the applets in an interaction plan play audio files to the caller. Types of audio files include announcements, music, whispers, and prompts that IVR applets play to tell the caller which key to press to select a specified menu item, for example.

Recording audio 

If you want to record your own audio files, to ensure the quality of your recordings, follow these basic rules:

• Prepare a transcript for each file you plan to record.
• Find a quiet room. Use the same room each time you record for consistent results.
• Record the best quality audio files in WAV format. 
• Save recordings as WAV (.wav) files.
• Listen to your recordings before using them.

Preparing audio

When you have finished recording your audio files, you must prepare the files for use in Vonage Contact Center. To prepare the files, using recording software, perform the following tasks:

• Back up your original recordings

• Remove leading and trailing silence

• Add a short fade at the start (fade in) and end (fade out) of the recording

• Normalize the recorded sound volume

• Automatically level the volume (compress the dynamic range)

• Convert the file as described in the following table:

  Setting	Details	Required or recommended
  Sample rate	8 kHz	Required
  Sample depth	16 bit	Required
  Recording gain	Adjust the recording gain to just below the red scale to avoid recording at full volume	Required
  File format	WAV (.wav file)	Required
  Audio channel	Mono	Required
  Encoding	Linear pulse-code modulation (LPCM)	Recommended

You can now upload your audio file as described in the appropriate applet or applets.