What sound file formats work for voicemail and hold music?

Discover the best sound file formats for voicemail and hold music to ensure clear audio quality and compatibility.

To ensure voicemail greetings, announcements and Music on Hold play correctly, audio files should be saved in the following format:

  • File Type: WAV (.wav)
  • Sample Rate: 8000 Hz (8kHz)
  • Bit Depth: 16-bit
  • Channels: Mono (single channel audio)

What Does This Mean?

WAV Format

WAV is the recommended audio file type for telephony systems because it provides consistent playback quality and broad compatibility.

8kHz Sample Rate

Telephone calls use a lower audio bandwidth than music recordings.

Recording at 8kHz ensures the audio is optimised for telephone playback and avoids compatibility issues.

16-Bit Audio

16-bit audio provides clear voice reproduction while maintaining a file size suitable for telephony applications.

Mono Audio

Telephone systems use a single audio channel. Audio files should therefore be saved as Mono rather than Stereo.

Supported Uses

Audio files in this format can typically be used for:

  • Voicemail greetings
  • Auto Attendant announcements
  • Queue announcements
  • Holiday messages
  • Out of Hours messages
  • Music on Hold

For best results:

  • Record in a quiet environment.
  • Speak clearly and at a consistent volume.
  • Avoid background noise.
  • Avoid long periods of silence at the beginning or end of the recording.
  • Listen to the recording before uploading it.

Common Issues

The Audio File Will Not Upload

Check that the file is:

  • A .wav file
  • Mono
  • 8000Hz
  • 16-bit PCM

The Audio Sounds Distorted

This can occur if:

  • The file was saved in an unsupported format.
  • The recording volume is too high.
  • The file was converted incorrectly.

The Audio Is Too Quiet

Try:

  • Increasing the recording volume.
  • Re-recording using a better microphone.
  • Removing excessive background noise.

Expected Result

A WAV file saved as 8kHz, 16-bit PCM, Mono should upload successfully and play correctly within Agilico Connect for voicemail greetings, announcements and Music on Hold.