Configuration Dialog:
[Options > Audio]


 

The audio settings are primarily required for the integrated SIP SoftPhone. For other TAPI devices, only the settings for call signaling may be relevant.


Create/edit audio profile

Audio profiles allow the configuration of various audio devices and additional settings so that they can be easily selected when needed. For each headset or other audio device to be used, a separate profile should be created.

Profile Name: The profile name is automatically created based on the device names, but can also be customized.

Audio devices for recording and playback: Select the appropriate audio devices for microphone and headphones or speakers. The profile is only ready for use if an available and active audio device has been assigned to both settings.

Volume for recording and playback: The desired default volume can be set via the corresponding slider. You should set the microphone volume to about 50% and then adjust the playback volume.

The settings work directly on the system audio mixer and are synchronized with it. A change in the system audio mixer thus also affects the setting of the slider The playback volume controls the so-called "application volume" in the audio mixer, that is, this value determines only the volume for the CTI Client. The volume of other applications is not affected.

Notes on the Windows Audio Mixer: As of Windows Vista, the system audio mixer distinguishes between application and main volume for playback. While the application volume can be customized for each application, the master or master volume is common to all applications. The total playback volume thus results from the respective application volume and the main volume set in the audio mixer. It is therefore important to ensure that the main volume is set accordingly. Any mute setting will be automatically reset on both the main and application volume calls.

Synchronize playback by adjusting the audio buffers: Audio devices work with a specific tact when playing audio data. This may differ slightly from the tact of the received data. This may result in a data jam or a lack of data. Even a short-term high computer load can lead to data congestion. Dynamic buffer matching attempts to compensate for this effect by slightly speeding up or slowing down playback. The current state of the buffer adaptation and the corresponding settings can be found on the dialog "Adjusting the audio buffer". This can be called in an ongoing conversation in the PhoneDialog via the audio slider context menu.

Test the audio settings:To test the audio settings, click the Audio Test button. Now your microphone is connected with the speaker, so you will hear yourself.

Adjust volume on call:

  • The option "set to preset volume" resets the volume to the default value if the volume was changed outside the CTI Client in the system audio mixer.
     
  • The option <i>" to min. Set 30% -90%" </i> raises the volume to at least this value if the current volume is lower.
     
  • The option <i>"Main volume: Sync with playback volume"</ i> connects both mixer channels as the application is running and keeps them in sync. If e.g. If the main volume in the system audio mixer is changed, the playback volume in the CTI Client is automatically set to the same value and vice versa. This feature is useful when using headsets with main volume control buttons.

Signal ring tones via this profile:  When this option is enabled, ringing sounds are played back through this audio profile. The respective volume can be adjusted and tested via the "Play" button. In addition to call signaling via the active profile, signaling via a second audio device is possible - see the "Ringer Settings" dialog.
Hint: The following checkbox must also be set: [Options > PhoneDialog (TAPI device) > Call signaling via sound card]!

The dialog "Ringer settings" allows the following settings:

  • Additional call signaling via a second audio device (eg loudspeaker) including ringing volume.
  • Selection of the WAVE files for the ringing tones.
  • Assignment of different ring tones per TAPI device/MSN.

Enable special headset features: The CTI Client supports additional functions for some cordless headsets, such as call acceptance or hang up via corresponding keys directly on the headset. To enable these features, select the appropriate entry from the list of supported devices. The entry "Automatic detection" attempts to detect a suitable headset by the name of the playback device. If a supported headset is not used, the entry "Deactivate" should be selected.

  • Other headset (HID compliant): Some headsets (e.g. from Sennheiser) have a button for call control and report in the Windows device manager in the group "Input devices (Human Interface Device)" as "HID-compliant headset". That is, the headset button is reported as a normal keyboard event. The CTI Client can recognize this keyboard event and use it to accept calls and to hang up.

  • Click on the "Test" button to test the connection to the headset and display a corresponding result. For more information about using headsets, see: integrated SIP SoftPhone ...

  • Activate ringtone from CTI Client: Cordless headsets usually offer their own ringtones for incoming calls. If the checkmark is set, the CTI Client also plays its own ringing tone in the headset.
    Hint: You can use the "Ring Settings" button to activate a ringing tone for a second audio device (loudspeaker).


Select audio profile

The manual selection of an audio profile can be done in the PhoneDialog via the audio slider context menu or in the dialog [Options > Audio] via the button "Set as active profile".

The optional "Automatic Profile Selection" automatically selects the first available audio profile whose capture device is set as "Default Communication Device" in the Windows Control Panel. This automatic selection occurs only when the application is started or when the default communication device in the system changes. A situational manual switching is therefore still possible.


Speakerphone

Audio device for hands-free calling: Select an audio device that is permanently connected and suitable for hands-free operation (for example, the speaker output of the internal sound card). The "Handsfree" function can be switched on and off in the PhoneDialog via the audio slider context menu.


Hide other sound output on call

The sound system as of Windows 7 offers the option "When detecting communication activities" to hide other sound outputs. For example, when a call comes in, a media player or the web browser is muted and fade-in again after the call ends.

Configuration and requirements:
  • Under [Options > PhoneDialog (TAPI device)] tick the checkmark "Fade out sound output during phone calls". This function can be used for both TAPI and SIP lines.
  • In the Control Panel, select a corresponding option in the dialog [Sound > Communication]. For example: "Decrease the volume of other sounds by 80%".
  • There must be at least one active recording device (microphone or line-in) in the system, even if you are using TAPI and without a headset. An explanation can be found in the "How it works" section.
    • Please check in the Control Panel in the dialog [Sound > Recording] whether an active recording device is available. If there are several active devices, you can specify here which should be used as the "standard communication device". If only one device is active, it is used automatically.
    • Some sound cards deactivate the analog audio input if no microphone is connected via a jack plug. If the "automatic deactivation" cannot be switched off in the configuration of the sound card, you have the following options:
      • Connect an appropriate microphone/headset. It should also suffice if you e.g. insert a jack plug from an audio adapter cable or a smartphone mini headphone.

Functionality: The Windows system only detects "communication activity" by sending or receiving audio on an audio device that is defined as the default communication device. The CTI Client thus opens the corresponding recording device (microphone or line-in) for an incoming or outgoing call only to inform the system that "communication activity" is present. The received audio data will not be processed further in this case and discarded directly. When a call is ended, this audio connection is closed to signal the system the end of the communication. This procedure takes place in parallel and independently of any headset audio connection that may be used for SIP telephony and can therefore also be used for telephony via TAPI and without a headset.


Notes on voice quality, minimize echo

Minimise Echo
Echos are created by acoustic back coupling from the loudspeaker to the microphone at the respective call partner. Therefore you hear yourself with a small delay since the microphone of your call partner sends a mixture of his own voice and your loudspeaker voice onto you. The same applies to your call partner in the opposite direction.

The following measures can help minimize echoes:

  • Use a headset where the microphone and headset speaker are acoustically decoupled.
  • Set the sensitivity of the microphone as low as possible. The conversation user should be able to hear you, however, still clearly.
  • The playback volume should also be minimized.
  • The following checkmark must NOT be set in the Windows audio: "Listen to this device". You find the option under:
    • Windows 7: [Control Panel > Sound > Recording > Properties > Tab "Listen"]
    • Windows 10: [Settings > System > Sound > at the bottom "More sound settings" > Recording > Properties > "Listen" tab]
  • If you use a separate audio mixer, check whether it provides settings that affect echo. Example: "Voicemeeter Potato"

Additional notes on audio issues:
See: [Integrated SIP SoftPhone > Troubleshooting]


Voice recording for SIP-Softphone

From version 3.0.060 the integrated SIP-SoftPhone has a toolbar for controlling the voice recording. Recordings can be started, paused or ended during a call. The tool buttons also show the current state of the voice recording. Additional functions such as "Discard recording", "Start recording automatically" and opening the recording folder and the configuration are available via the menu button.

The buttons for "Start" and "Pause" have two functions. This means that if you call "Start" again, a recording that is already in progress will pause. A paused recording is resumed by calling "Pause".

In the basic configuration, this toolbar is automatically displayed if the PhoneDialog is set up as a SIP-SoftPhone. However, it can also be hidden if the voice recording is not used.
The configuration of the voice recording can be adjusted under [Options > Audio].

Please note that the consent of the conversation partner is required before voice recording.

Display of the voice recording in the journal

After the end of the call, the voice recordings are marked in the journal with a corresponding symbol and can be played or deleted via the journal context menu. If several voice recordings were made for a conversation, only the last recording is linked in the journal. The previous (and all other) recordings can be accessed using the "Voice recording > Open folder" function.

Control via hotkey

The most important functions can be controlled via local hotkeys. The prerequisite is that the PhoneDialog has the input focus.

 

Function local hotkeys
Start Ctrl-Shift+R
pause Ctrl-Shift+P
Stop Ctrl-Shift+S
Discard recording Ctrl-Shift+D

System-wide hotkeys: For "Voice recording start/pause", a user-defined system-wide hotkey can also be assigned under [Options > Customize > Hotkeys].

External recording directory

The recording of the voice data takes place in the basic configuration in the working directory in the "audio_rec" folder. If necessary, you can activate the checkbox for "Save in external directory:" under [Options > Audio] and enter or select an appropriate folder.

Deactivate functions via administrator options

Voice recording functions can be blocked under [Options > Administration > Advanced Settings] and, if necessary, protected with an administrator password.

 

Component.option  
Telefonie.tapi.voiceRec Deactivate voice recording completely
Telefonie.tapi.voiceRec.autoStart Deactivate "Start recording automatically"