recording to voice mail/phone-system - logistical question

[mikeshep]

hi, am a longtime voiceover guy and don't do these much but...client in another city needs a mixed VO/Music message entered into their voicemail system ("phone tree") -- and some prompts recorded.... I have a Hybrid (JKAudio) i use for phone-patch sessions - and an old Gentner passive hybrid coupler with a "Tap" function - issue is, i need to be able to have a handset off the hook to key in certain touchtones, and then, on-cue, be able to send my audio (computer-out) down the line - I just don't want to lose quality by having to have the handset off the hook - (this may not make sense - sorry if so) ... It's not so much a question about prepping the audio file (downsampling it to lower bit rate and a good EQ setting for phone ) - but - how to get the audio physically on , and down - the line as cleanly as possible... As i recall once i even had to resort to holding a handset mouthpiece up to the earpiece of a pair of headphones.. Any ideas at all much appreciated.. I've got to figure it out - Thanks!! (wish it was a more interesting question ; )

 

[DaleVO]

Mike,
I had to Google your Gentner coupler, since I am unfamiliar with it. I see that it has Inserts that are unbalanced feeds to the coupler in Seize mode (with "Send"??? providing audio feed down the line)..
PDF Page 11/ Manual Page 7: http://www.broadcastboxes.com/gentner/Hybrid_Coupler.pdf

Does your audio interface have Inserts, to send the signal to the coupler, that may allow you to feed your clean audio file to the coupler, on demand, while you monitor the audio and hit the tones?

Just brainstorming with you. May not work or you may have already tried this solution.
Dale

 

[mikeshep]

Mike,
I had to Google your Gentner coupler, since I am unfamiliar with it. I see that it has Inserts that are unbalanced feeds to the coupler in Seize mode (with "Send"??? providing audio feed down the line)..
PDF Page 11/ Manual Page 7:

Does your audio interface have Inserts, to send the signal to the coupler, that may allow you to feed your clean audio file to the coupler, on demand, while you monitor the audio and hit the tones?

Just brainstorming with you. May not work or you may have already tried this solution.
Dale

Thanks Dale, i think i have something figured out with the JK Audio hybrid i normally use for phone patch...
Appears best way to do this simply is to establish a connection - have the client conference call me and do
the touchtone pushing - then once i hear the "cues" i can simply roll my pre-mixed audio from mixer - with
my line seized -- otherwise though i think your method should work - thanks!