INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION | 27
SIP signaling is via a text message, not audio. This means the VX has to make its own sounds
in response to various line status conditions. We provide default sounds, which are similar to
the traditional tones generated by the PSTN, but you can upload your own to create a unique
on-air ‘signature’.
You can also use any sound you like to signal that a new call has been taken. This is actually
a cool new feature made possible by modern technology. Rather than a new call appearing
silently, the event can be accompanied by a signature sound. A story… Years ago, we installed
a fancy new Telos system at Z-100, New York, replacing an old key phone setup. The new
system had a mute function to remove the loud and annoying ‘clunk’ that banged out when
each call was taken to air. On the first day, star morning DJ Scott Shannon called Frank Foti,
the Chief Engineer, to complain he was missing his “kerchunk kerchunk”. He liked the clunk,
saying it created a kind of dramatic “yer-outta-here” punctuation when he dismissed a call and
took another. He would have loved this feature of the VX. We’ve included a key phone button
punch sound in his memory.
For line status (sometimes ‘called ‘call progress’ tones, The Tones configuration page lets you
choose either USA or Euro standard for the default tones You can upload your own sounds.
Files to be uploaded must be mono, in the signed .au file format, linear PCM (8, 16, 24 or
32bits) or 32-bit normalized floating point. Ringtones MUST be 8kHz, 16-bit, mono, other tones
48kHz. You can use the free Audacity audio editor to convert whatever you have to this format.
Use the Export command and choose the required values.
The files you wish to upload must be available on the PC that hosts the Web browser you are
using to access the VX. Your tones can be any length, but should normally be kept short to
conserve memory (and to avoid annoying listeners…).
Dial tone. This is only heard when a line button is pressed before a call is dialed.
Ringback tone. Heard when dialing is completed and the called phone is ringing.
Busy. Heard when the called phone is busy.
Reorder. Signals that there are no call paths available in the PSTN, usually caused by conges-
tion in links between central offices. In the USA, this is is the ‘fast busy’ - a dual-frequency tone
of 480Hz and 620 Hz at a cadence of 0.25s on/0.25s off.
Error. Usually caused by an incorrectly entered number, but can be from other problems in
call setup.
Call answered. Played whenever a call is put on air (whether directly, from handset or from
hold).
Off Hold. The sound that is played on-air when a call is taken to air from Hold by pressing a
line-select button.
Line switch. The sound that is heard when there is a call on-air, and a new call is taken to air
by pressing a line-select button. This is the one Scott Shannon wanted.
Caller hang up. A brief sound that is heard when an on-air caller disconnects.
Caller Alert tone. Sent to caller when call is answered, or when caller is taken to air from hold,
to inform the caller that they are now on-air. The Caller Alert sound is sent to the caller, not
played on the air. Its purpose is to let a waiting caller know that it is his turn to talk. Since he
has usually been listening on hold, he will have heard the host say “hello, you’re on the air” a
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