Nothing 8 bit is going to sound good. It just can't. Not sure what kind of software you're currently using? You might consider recording at full (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) quality and before you convert, use some brickwall filtering to reduce your high frequency response and create a cut off at approximately 4 kHz. Then downconvert because it's possible that no filtering is being done before the downconversion. Your static can be quantization distortion because the brickwall filtering was inadequate? Basically you're just trying to make clean telephone quality sound. So go ahead and brickwall low frequencies off at 250 Hz also. See if that doesn't help. But I know what 8-bit is going to sound like and it's not good. But if that's what they want that's what you need to give them. At least they're spending their money with you instead of purchasing a new better quality phone message box. And don't try to over optimize your levels as there is no headroom in the PHONE ZONE. So don't push it, buddy. (forget the tinkly music background on 8 bit)

Your call is important to us so please stay on Recording.org
Mx. Remy Ann David

We had a thread about this sort of thing a couple of years back: [[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"]try this.[/]="http://recording.or…"]try this.[/]

I just hope when you say 'call center' we're not talking about robo-call telemarketing 'greetings'.

RemyRAD, post: 357393 wrote: Nothing 8 bit is going to sound good. It just can't. Not sure what kind of software you're currently using? You might consider recording at full (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) quality and before you convert, use some brickwall filtering to reduce your high frequency response and create a cut off at approximately 4 kHz. Then downconvert because it's possible that no filtering is being done before the downconversion. Your static can be quantization distortion because the brickwall filtering was inadequate? Basically you're just trying to make clean telephone quality sound. So go ahead and brickwall low frequencies off at 250 Hz also. See if that doesn't help. But I know what 8-bit is going to sound like and it's not good. But if that's what they want that's what you need to give them. At least they're spending their money with you instead of purchasing a new better quality phone message box. And don't try to over optimize your levels as there is no headroom in the PHONE ZONE. So don't push it, buddy. (forget the tinkly music background on 8 bit)

Your call is important to us so please stay on Recording.org
Mx. Remy Ann David

Hey!
Thanks for the advice. I was already recording the original greetings at 16-bit 44,100; but you were right. The static was being added in the conversion process.

I took your advise and added the suggested filtering before I did the conversion and the final result is much clearer. Thanks for the advise.

In case you or anyone was curious, I'm told by them that this audio format; until recently was the standard for tele-communications.

dvdhawk, post: 357451 wrote: I just hope when you say 'call center' we're not talking about robo-call telemarketing 'greetings'.

Lol. Nope! It's for the automated IVR greeting you get before you get to talk to a real person. It's for an insurance company; not telemarketing.