Frequently Asked Questions

Sound quality when recording messages

The ICs that store the messages in the TAS-1 have a fairly low bandwidth. The sound quality is appropriate for distribution over a standard telephone line which also has low bandwidth.

Messages may sound compressed over headphones connected to the TAS-1 output. This is normal. They should sound reasonably clear when delivered over a telephone line.

When producing messages for the TAS-1 there are a couple of things to remember. The audio input of the TAS-1 is mic level. The line-level output of most devices is too high to feed directly to the TAS-1.

Messages will sound clipped and distorted if you feed a line-level signal directly to the TAS-1. The image below shows how to make an adapter that reduces line-level audio to an appropriate level.

Line-level to mic-level adapter

In a studio, use a compressor and/or limiter during playback while recording messages with the TAS-1. A studio quality device is much better than the filters on the storage/playback ICs. If recording with a computer, most recording software programs have a compression plug-in.

If you are recording messages directly to the TAS-1 with a microphone, the filters on the storage/playback ICs are usually adequate for voice input. A few users have expressed concern with the microphone that is included with the TAS-1. The microphone would not be appropriate for studio use. However, since the bandwidth of the TAS-1 storage ICs is low, the included microphone is adequate for recording directly to the TAS-1.

If you prefer a better quality mic, the Audio-Technica ATR1200 is inexpensive, it has the appropriate connector and works well with the TAS-1. It is inexpensive and not difficult to find online.