This article will show you some tips and tricks to record and edit your messages so they sound great when delivered by the 1-800 Notify calling platform.

IMPORTANT: If you haven't already, please check out the related article about getting the right recording setup: 

https://1800notify.zendesk.com/entries/27417866-Recording-Your-Own-Messages-Getting-The-Right-Equipment

STEP 1: Preparing Your Sound Recording and Editing Software

NOTE: We will show you screens from Audacity (free software shown in the related article above).  If you are using something else, please try to get the same settings. 

Set your recording software to record in 8000 Hz (8 kHz) - this is ideal for delivering audio over the phone network.

In Audacity the setting is done in the lower left corner by using the pull-down menu to set the Project Rate to 8000 Hz.

STEP 2: Break Up Your Message into Logical Parts.

Unless you truly have one long message without a person's name, an appointment date or time inserted into it, you will most likely be recording message parts.  

A typical appointment message might be made up of 4 or more parts:

Part 1: "Hello this is Greenway Clinic with a reminder that"

(patient's name)

Part 2: "has an appointment with us on"

(appt. day) (appt date) at (appt time)

Part 3: "please remember to bring your insurance cards and photo ID.  We are located at 123 Main street next to the library"

Part 4-LIVE: (Ending if a live person has picked up the phone): "Press 1 to confirm your appointment.  Press 2 to be connected to the office to reschedule.  Or, press 3 to hear the message again.  Please be sure to press 1 if you know you are coming and you can press 1, 2 or 3 at anytime during the message.  Thank you."

Part 4-AM: (Ending if an Answering Machine picks up): "If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call the office at 386-555-1111, again, that's 386-555-1111.  Thank you."

STEP 3: Record the Message Parts

When you record, you want to make sure your mouth is a consistent distance away from the microphone.  Do not move away or closer to the mic while you are recording - that will result in variable sound levels.

Try to keep your mouth about 2-3 inches from the front of the mic (where the light is), with the pop filter between your mouth and the mic.

When recording, try to keep it lively and conversational.  You want to sound like you're having an animated conversation with feeling, not like a monotone droning voice... you want to keep the listener engaged in what you are saying.

Pretend you are telling an exciting story with feeling to a close friend.  Put some emotion into it.

Now you are ready to record.

Press the RECORD button on your sound editing software (in this example Audacity) and go for it.

If you make a mistake, don't worry.  Just pause for a second or two and give it another try without stopping the recording software.  

You will cut out the bad sounding recording later.

When done recording, you are ready to start editing.

Most likely, the volume of the recording may be too low as shown in the image below.

 

STEP 4: Amplify the Volume to a Peak of 0.7

Highlight all your recorded audio by clicking and dragging the marker across the entire recording you wish to increase the volume

Then select from the MENU: Effect > Amplify

Set the New Peak Amplitude (db) to 0.7

Check the box below it that says Allow Clipping.

 

 

Then your audio recording should look like this image, with much higher peak amplitudes (louder):

Listen to the amplified recording and make sure it sounds good.

Please re-record or adjust amplification if you hear some parts of the recording are too soft or too loud.

 

STEP 5: Save Each Part as a Separate WAV file with a Meaningful Name 

Now you are ready to cut up and save your file as WAV files.

Here is how you do that:

First, using the cursor, highlight 0.10 seconds before and 0.10 seconds after your recording so that it looks like this:

Now, you are ready to save the selected recording section 

 

Type a meaningful file name - a good idea is a shorter version of what you recorded:

Example: hello-greenway-clinic-imp-reminder-for

Select the WAV type format as shown

and Save the Exported recording section.

 

Save the file and you are ready to upload your sound recording.

STEP 6: Upload your Sound Recordings to Your Account on 1800notify.com

Login to your account at www.1800notify.com and upload your .WAV files.

Once you login, click the LIBRARY tab, then click the FILES tab under it, then finally the UPLOAD AUDIO FILES button as shown.

Then, in the pop up window, click the BROWSE FILES button.

Navigate to the folder where you saved your WAV sound files.  

TIP: If you want to select several files in a row, hold your SHIFT key and click the top and bottom file.  To select multiple files not in a list, then hold the Ctrl key then click each file to select it.

Click the SAVE button to see the selected files appear in the list.  

You can BROWSE FILES to get more files if you need.

Once you have all the files you need shown in the list, then click the UPLOAD button to upload them into your account.

Now you are ready to assemble the files into your outgoing message.  If you need assistance with this, please contact support@1800notify.com or call 1-800-939-1853.