Background:
I wanted to play a custom message on my Allstar Node, not just the pre recorded files. I found an easy way to do it.
Create it:
Create and audio file using Audacity or an audio editor of your choice. It you already have and audio file that you would like to play on AllStar then Import the file using Audacity. Find your audio file and open it or if you use Import the file will be opened in the Audacity as an audio track.
The file should be Mono, 8000 Hz 16-bit PCM with Project Rate set at 8000 Hz. Export as WAV. Give the file a name (short as possible) Save as type must be WAV. Encoding can either be Unsigned 8-bit PCM or Signed 16-bit PCM.
Go ahead save it / export it. In Audacity we use Export
Upload it:
Open WinSCP (Windows Program) or any other software and connect to your Raspberry Pi. Upload your WAV file to /var/lib/asterisk/sounds
Convert it:
We will use sox for converting. Open PuTTY (Windows Program) and connect to the Raspberry Pi, Change directory to “/var/lib/asterisk/sounds” and enter the following.
For a GSM File:
sox YOURFILENAME.wav -r 8000 -c 1 YOURFILENAME.gsm
Note sox and YOURFILENAME in small letters.
For a U-Law File:
sox YOURFILENAME.wav -r 8000 -c 1 -t ul YOURFILENAME.ul
Note: sox and YOURFILENAME in small letters.
Now we should have a new file with either a GSM or U-Law Codec extension. Your choice!! Please note you cannot have the same file name for gsm or u-law. Choose a different YOURFILENAME for each Codec.
All we have to do now is to restart Asterisk Server by using the AllStar dashboard or calling astres.sh script at the command prompt. After Restart we can test the file.
Test the File:
Now we can test it on Asterisk by entering to the CLI:
In PUTTY you should be in the following directory “/var/lib/asterisk/sounds”. At the command prompt type :
asterisk -r
enter
PUTTY will now be in the CLI mode.
In MobaXterm log into your node and the AllStar dashboard will appear. Select 11 – Run Asterisk CLI Client. Once enter is pressed you should be at the CLI prompt.
For World Wide play type:
rpt playback 49355 YOURFILENAME
enter
This will play the file to all the nodes that you are connected and also on RF Links / Repeaters
49355 is your node number.
Please note that you don’t need to add the extension after your file’s name.
For Local play type:
rpt localplay 49355 YOURFILENAME
enter
This will play the file to only your node and your RF Links / Repeaters
49355 is your node number.
Please note that you don’t need to add the extension after your file’s name.
I prefer to play the File while using MobiXterm in Windows.
Playing the file via CRON:
If you want to play it via CRON on scheduled time or just play it outside of the CLI just use:
asterisk -r -x "rpt playback 12345 YOURFILENAME"
Hope this short script will be of benefit to you on how to play custom or already created audio files on your AllStar Node.
Compiled by:
Johan ZS1I
Mossel Bay
27 December 2022
