Basically music on hold refers to the business practice of playing pre-recorded music to fill the silence that would be heard by telephone callers that have been placed on hold. Music on hold means making customers listen to music while they are kept on hold. On hold music plays an important role in the progress and profits of the company. Mainly music on hold is used in customer services. Songs played are supplied in stereo format to allow easy burning onto compact disc, but the music is mastered in mono as used on telephone answering systems.

The arrangements of music are made simple purposely and are tempting and don�t over shadow any automated voice over messages. Instruments used in music which is being played on phones are selected specifically so that they sound good to the listener. The quality of the music also depends upon the source of music that is from where it has been uploaded. Files which are pre broadband sound worse than the higher bit rate which is used these days. Some versions deliver CD quality music. Various providers provide specific sound formats which can be purchased online also. The various considerations while using the concept of music on hold are equipments and formats to be used, source of music, styles of music and benefits of using this technique. The source of music is radio, off the shelf commercial CDs, stock music on hold CDs and custom designed music on hold. The equipments used on most of music on hold systems are integrated into a businesses telephone system via an audio jack on the telephone equipment labeled music on hold. Compact disc is mostly the source of music which is digital files. Few older systems use cassette tapes which are played on tape players. Radio is another source of music.

This is very easy to play as it is just like playing a local radio station. But for this due permission has to be taken else it is considered illegal. The radio stations offer provide the desired music format but there is no control over the specific songs that are played, some of which may be unpleasant to the callers. Music on radios is not licensed for music on hold systems. Also radio broadcasters do not have right to provide any such rights as radio broadcasters themselves obtain a usage license from the music title owner for the right to broadcast said music for limited and personal use. Re broadcasting of a radio program over a phone system may likely cause licensing and copyright problems for the owner of the music on hold system. Also radio stations play commercials which can be unpleasant to the caller. Also it is possible that a competitor commercial may be played, which would be challenging.


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Tymon Hytem has worked in the electronics feild for the past 15 years. He enjoys helping people decide on electronic gadgets from finding the right phone for your business and can help you choose the perfect Background
Music for your business needs.