Mike's PBX Cookbook

How to change the hold music

See MIRAN - Changing the Music for a pictorial guide.

There are a few reasons why one might want to change the default music-on-hold (MOH) on the Meridian MIRAN III card, and the following procedure explains how.

The following items should be gathered before starting:

The internal conversion program does not work on commercial music cuts. Using the conversion program that comes with CD burner does not work either, that is the reason the GoldWave is required. Other benefits like being able to adjust the volume are just lucky extras. The procedure given in the MIRAN manual for using the GoldWave to prepare the file is correct except the volume should be lowered at least 3db to prevent distortion. With good trunks or on internal calls, this is still uncomfortably loud and a 6db or 50% cut is recommended.

The Procedure:

It is recommended that you read both the manual and the following procedure before starting. This procedure assumes there is enough memory on the MIRAN III C: drive to hold both the existing and new music files at the same time. If this is not the case, you will have to modify your actions to accommodate reality. The first possibility is to do steps 17-19 and 21-24 first to delete the existing music file before installing the new file. The second possibility is to play the music file directly from the A: drive. If this option is chosen, the flash memory card will have to stay in the system at all times. This could be awkward if you decide to change the program again, like putting on a holiday program or if you ever need to upgrade the system.

  1. Purchase and download the desired music file ('The_Jazz_Man' is the closest to Nortel's original. It just sounds better).
  2. Move the file to the computer with the GoldWave software and the flash memory.
  3. Open the music file in GoldWave.
  4. Go to 'Effect → Volume → Change'. In the 'Presets' dropdown, select '-3.0dB' or 'Half' (6.02dB) and 'OK'
  5. Go to 'Effect → Resample'. Change 'Rate (Hz)' to '8000'. Select 'OK'
  6. Go to 'File → Save as'. At 'File name:' input the desired file name (8 characters, no extension). At 'Save as type:' select 'Raw (*.snd)'. At 'Attributes:' select 'μ-Law, mono' and click on 'Save'.
  7. Go to Windows Explorer and find the file. It will now be about 3Mb for a 6 minute cut. Rename it by changing the extension to '.ulw', and then copy it to the flash memory card. If you have not already done so, you will have to format the flash card first. Select the defaults.
  8. Plug the memory card into the PCMCIA slot (up on the adaptor is to the right) and do nothing else while the display on the MIRAN card says 'WAIT'.
  9. Connect the data cable(s) between the MIRAN and the service terminal. Set the terminal emulation program to VT-100, 9600, 8, none, 1, no flow control. Press '~' to refresh (print the welcome screen).
  10. At user name, type 'admin' and press the Down arrow. At password, type 'admin000' or whatever it has been changed to. Press the Down arrow and 'Enter' to log on.
  11. At the Main Menu, press '2' Pack Administration.
  12. At Pack Administration, press '1' File Commands. . .
  13. At File Commands, press '2' Copy File.
  14. At Enter Source : Type the full drive and file name (A:MUSIC.ULW) or press the Down arrow and 'Enter' to browse. The C: drive is always shown first and takes several seconds to respond. Press the Left arrow to see the A: drive (flash card). If you have more than one file in the flash memory, use the Down arrow or Up arrow if you overshoot the file to select the file you desire. Press 'Enter' and you will be back at the Copy File Screen with the selected file in the Source field.
  15. Enter the destination file name in 8+3 format including the drive (C:JAZZMAN6.ULW). Press the down arrow then 'Enter' to copy the file. Press the down arrow and 'Enter' to return to the File Commands screen. Nortel suggests that you disable the MIRAN III card before transferring files to prevent the loss of data. Since we are using a copy and not a move, you can use option 1 File Explorer to verify success, or to redo it if all did not go well.
  16. At the File Commands screen, press '9' to return to Pack Administration. Press '9' to return to the Main Menu. Press '1' MIRAN Administration. . .
  17. Press '1' Announcement Configuration
  18. Press '1' Calendar Operations. . .
  19. Press '2' Calendar Assignment
  20. At channels, type '0'. And press the Down arrow. At Filename, enter the full drive and file name or press the Down arrow and 'Enter' to browse. Select the file and press 'Enter' again to select it. At Date press '*'. At time press '*' to make the music available all of the time. Press the Down arrow so 'Add to Calendar' is marked and press 'Enter'. There will be a delay and a message will appear in the lower left corner that a conflict has been detected. Press the down arrow to select 'Exit' and press 'Enter'
  21. At this point you are on the new program. Press '4' Delete Calendar Assignment
  22. Use the Up/Down arrows to select the old music file (The original music file is 'C:MUSIC.MCF').
  23. Press 'D' to delete the file and press 'Enter' to return to the previous menu.
  24. You can use '9' to back all of the way out of the system, or you can use the file handling commands under Pack Administration to delete the old music file before exiting the system.
  25. Log off, disconnect the communication cable, and put your hand next to the PCMCIA adaptor. Press the eject button next to the slot. Warning, if you are not ready to catch it, it will fly half way across the room when ejected.