1. Why has the stereo sound suddenly gone quiet ?

2. What happens if I schedule two messages with the same times?

3. Can I record a sound in other programs as well as Sound Scheduler ?

4. Why does the sound file I've just recorded sound muffled ?

5. Is there anything we can do to prevent recording a PA announcement while a scheduled advertisement is playing ?

6. Where is the new message ? It's not appearing in the Sound Scheduler main grid.

7. What takes precedence, my PA system announcements, CD music or Sound Scheduler advertisements ?

8. How can I improve the sound quality of messages ?

9. How do I play a pre-announcement sound before my scheduled messages and where can I find some good sound effects ?

10. Can I use an MP3 file instead of .wav files ?

11. How do I use Sound Scheduler on my telephone on-hold system?

12. If I install the latest version of Sound Scheduler, will it overwrite my existing scheduled messages ?

13. Where can I get some example messages ?

1. Why has the stereo sound suddenly gone quiet ?

Check Programs/Accessories/Multimedia/Volume Control options (or double click on the "speaker" icon in the icon tray ) and check that all the volume controls are high and none have the mute option checked. Check the volume control on your stereo has not been inadvertently turned down. Check that all cables are still connected to your stereo and PC.

2. What happens if I schedule two messages with the same times?

The Sound Scheduler will play both sounds one after the other. Check that no messages are scheduled to conflict by using the Utilities/Conflict Report option.

3. Can I record a sound in other programs as well as Sound Scheduler ?

Yes, the 'Record Sound' screen provided with Sound Scheduler is available for quick recording of a sound (.wav) file but you can also use the Microsoft Programs/Accessories/Multimedia/Sound Recorder program or any other sound recording program which is capable of producing sound (.wav) files. The (Browse) button provided in the Schedule Details screen allows any .wav file to be located on your PC and scheduled.

4. Why does the sound file I've just recorded sound muffled ?

You may have been too close to the microphone. Try re-recording it at different distances from the microphone and ensure there is no background noise which might conflict with your voice. A small piece of foam over the end of the microphone often helps to cut out any fuzzy noise. Also make sure that where you record messages is free from background noise interference by other electrical equipment such as freezers or generators.

5. Is there anything we can do to prevent recording a PA announcement while a scheduled advertisement is playing ?

Yes, the PA announcement takes priority over any message played by the Sound Scheduler but you might want to wait 1 or 2 seconds after switching on the PA system so that there is a short silent pause between the Sound Scheduler message and the PA announcement. This prevents them sounding merged together. Alternatively, a better option might be to wait until any Sound Scheduler message has finished playing and then make the PA announcement.

6. Where is the new message ? It's not appearing in the Sound Scheduler main grid.

Ensure you definitely click OK after recording a new sound in the 'Record Sound' screen and the 'Schedule Details' scree. If you clicked Cancel then the sound will not have been saved. Check the 'File to play' field in the 'Schedule Details' screen to see what the pathname and filename is called. You may have inadvertently overwritten an existing sound file.

7. What takes precedence, my PA system announcements, CD music or Sound Scheduler advertisements ?

Your PA system announcements, then Sound Scheduler advertisements, then CD music. If you have a pre-announcement jingle configured to play before your scheduled messages, the precedence will be:- PA System then Pre-announcement jingle then Sound Scheduler Message Background Music

8. How can I improve the sound quality of messages ?

To hear spoken messages clearly in all areas of the store, you may need to add one of more extra speakers. General background music requires fewer speakers.

9. How do I play a pre-announcement sound before my scheduled messages and where can I find some good sound effects ?

Use the Utilities/Configure Sound Scheduler screen to add a pre-announcement sound effect. Windows provides good sound files and these are usually found in a directory called c:\windows\media. [The 'Jungle' or 'Musica' wave files are quite good for this purpose]. Alternatively you could record a good pre-announcement sound effect using the normal Sound Scheduler Record Sound screen.

10. Can I use an MP3 file instead of .wav files ?

Yes, just select the required MP3 file using the Browse option when adding or editing a Sound Scheduler message.

11. How do I use Sound Scheduler on my telephone on-hold system?

Use the Utilities/Configure Sound Scheduler screen and ensure the 'Continually reply messages as often as possible' option is checked. Set any scheduled messages to play at a frequency of every 1 minute and they will all play repeatedly, one after another. Also remember you can still use a Pre-Announcement sound effect if you want one.

12. If I install the latest version of Sound Scheduler, will it overwrite my existing scheduled messages ?

A new installation will not affect your current list of scheduled messages.