Overview
What can a professional audio supplier do for you?
IVR recordings: menu prompts and messages in one consistent, professional voice.Messages on hold: wait updates, self-service options and useful information while callers queue.Hold music: licensed or custom music. See hold music suppliers .Multilingual recordings for customers who speak other languages.In-store messaging: background music and announcements for stores and venues.
Getting it right
How do you make your phone audio work harder?
Tell callers about the wait: expected wait time or queue position helps more than music alone.Keep menus short: fewer options, in the order callers need them.Use one voice across menus, messages and announcements.Update regularly: out-of-date offers and hours frustrate callers.Get the levels right so prompts and music match the call volume.Redesigning the menu itself? See IVR, routing and callbacks .
For buyers in Australia
Few Australian call centres tell callers how long they'll wait: 15.6% in 2025, and 11.5% in 2026 to date, according to Australia's Call Centre Rankings .
How to choose
How do you choose a voice and on-hold supplier?
Listen to voice samples
On a phone line, not just speakers.
Ask about scripting help
Good suppliers improve the words, not just record them.
Check turnaround and updates
How fast changes are recorded, and what they cost.
Confirm licensing
For music and voices, in every country you use them.
Check file formats
Ready for your phone system or contact centre platform.
FAQs
Voice and on-hold recording FAQs
What is a message on hold?
Recorded information that plays while callers wait, such as wait updates, self-service options or service information.
Why use a professional voice for IVR prompts?
A clear, consistent voice makes menus easier to follow and sounds like your brand, rather than a mix of staff recordings and system voices.
How are suppliers ordered on this page?
Suppliers with a paid listing appear first, followed by everyone else. Our page on how suppliers are ordered explains the detail.