FAQ

How do I open an account?
  • You can purchase a card or redeem a gift card at www.thevoicelibrary.net; click Create New Account. You’ll be asked to create a unique, case sensitive username for your account, and create a password. Once you’ve created a new account, you will receive a confirming e-mail that will link back to www.thevoicelibrary.net.
  • You can also call 1-888-943-2763 and select 7, Send A Gift Card. This option will connect you to an operator who will assist in opening an account. Please note that there is a $5 service charge for account setup by phone.
  • When you open an account…
    • You receive a Username and Recorder Password.
    • You can add an unlimited number of cards.
    • Each card has a unique Recorder ID, Recorder PIN, Listener ID, and Listener Password Notify your family and friends to log in or call with a Listener ID and Listener Password. You determine who receives these access codes.
    • Sample:
    • Username: My The Voice Library Account        
      Password: abcDEF12                
      Card #: 1111111111 Card #: 2222222222 Card #: 3333333333
      Card name: Family Card name: Friends Card name: Children
      Recorder ID: 1234567890 Recorder ID: 1122334455 Recorder ID: 111111111
        Recorder PIN: 4321   Recorder PIN: 1234   Recorder PIN: 2222
      		Listener ID: 123456
      		Listener ID: 789012
      		Listener ID: 333333
        Password: 1234   Password: 5678   Password: 444
What equipment do I need?

If you create your recordings with a computer, you will need an internet connection (minimum 56 Kbps dial-up) and a desktop microphone or headset microphone. Some computers have a built in microphone, but their sound quality may be poor. For information on equipment and how to make the best quality recordings, read our white paper at www.thevoicelibrary.net/equipment.htm

You can also call 1-888-9-HEAR-ME (1-888-943-2763) via cell phone, land line, VoIP, and Skype.

How do I create a complicated Recorder Password?

The more complicated your password, the more secure it will be. Your password should include a mix of capital letters (ABC), lower case letters (abc), numbers (123), and/or special characters (@?:).

  • Include a name, like: myname@email.net1
  • Include a lucky number, first street address, or anniversary date, like: Bob1220c@t$ (name, date, the word “cats” with special characters)
  • Use a special character instead of a regular letter, like: 1953nAn&bOb! (year, name, special character, name, special character)
What does “Remember me” mean?

On the log in screen, selecting “Remember me” will keep you logged in to your account until you click “log out”. If you close your browser window, when you return to the website you will be automatically logged in to your account.  

If you don’t click “Remember me” and leave your account open for several minutes without activity, you will automatically be logged out.

How do I start recording my voice?
  • You can record by phone, call 1-888-9-HEAR-ME (1-888-943-2763) and follow the phone prompts.
  • You can also record through an internet connection, using a computer microphone or the microphone embedded within your laptop or handheld device. Before you start recording, do a quick test to make sure everything is plugged in and switched on.
  • First, you’ll receive an e-mail and/or a letter with your Recorder and Listener access codes. Log in with your Recorder Username and Password. Select your card number, then Record New. You’ll see a popup screen labeled Adobe Flash Player Settings.
  • Step 1: A popup window from Adobe Flash Player will ask if you will allow The Voice Library to access your camera and microphone. The Voice Library will only access your microphone, and only when you are actively recording.
    Click Allow (click Remember to skip this step on your next recording during this web session).
  • Step 2: Click on the tab with a microphone (). Select your microphone from the dropdown list.
    Test your microphone by speaking at a normal, conversational volume; you will notice that the level meter changes with your voice volume. Adjust the Record Volume slider so that the meter does not turn red when you are speaking.
    Click Close.
    If you do not see this popup, you will need to turn on or allow Java / Java Script to run on your system. Visit http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ for full download instructions.

  • Step 3: You will now see the Recording window. Click Record and begin speaking; the maximum recording time is 60 minutes. When you are finished, press Stop. You can also click Pause to temporarily pause recording.

  • Step 4: Click Record Title. Your Listeners who access your recordings by phone will hear this title in a menu, and use it to select this recording.

    If you hit Discard, you will delete this recording. Deleted recordings can not be recovered!
  • Step 5: Enter the title for your recording. Click Record as you repeat this title aloud. When you have finished, click Stop and then click Save. If you skip this step, your recording will not have a title. You will not have a second opportunity to create a title.

  • Step 6: If you are satisfied with your title recording, click Save Recording. If not, click Re-Record Title and complete Step 6 again.

    If you click Discard, you will delete both this title and this recording. Deleted recordings can not be recovered!
  • Step 7: The The Voice Library system will take a few moments to save your recording.


    As soon as your recording is saved, your Listeners can call or log in to listen.
How do I create better sounding recordings?

Read our white paper at www.thevoicelibrary.net/equipment.pdf for suggestions on how to create a quiet environment for creating your recordings.

Can I upload a recording to my account?

You can upload a voice recording that has been converted to MP3 (MPEG-3) format. Please see our Terms of Use at www.thevoicelibrary.net/terms.htm for restrictions regarding MP3 content and ownership.

What is the difference between a Recorder and a Listener?
  • A Recorder visits www.thevoicelibrary.net and logs on as a Recorder, or dials 1-888-9-HEAR-ME (1-888-943-2763).
  • A Recorder opens a The Voice Library account and enters a PIN number, and can:
    • Assign/change account name
    • Assign/change card names
    • Add/delete recordings to all cards
    • Listen to recordings on all cards
    • Distribute Listener ID numbers and passwords (unique to each card)
    • Add cards
    • Add/change contact information
    • Add/change billing information
    • Add/change Beneficiary
    • Add storage time to each card
    • Add access time to each card
    • Open an additional account
  • A Listener visits www.thevoicelibrary.net and logs on as a Listener, or dials 1-866-3-HEAR-ME (1-866-343-2763).
  • A Listener receives an ID number and password from a Recorder, and can:
    • Listen to recordings
    • Add access time to a card
    • Open a new account
How long will my recordings be stored?

Five years from the date that your account is opened. You, and your Listeners, can extend the expiration date of your account in 1, 2, and 5 year increments. When your expiration date draws near, you will be contacted to either extend or close your account. If you decide to close your account, your recordings will no longer be available through The Voice Library.

How much time can I use for my recordings? How much time will my Listeners have to access my recordings?

A card includes 5 hours (300 minutes) of combined recording and listening time. For example, if you make a 20 minute recording, your Listeners can listen 14 times;

Example: 300 minutes – 20 Recording minutes = 280 minutes

280 minutes ÷ 20 Listening minutes = 14 listens to that recording

You, and your Listeners, can increase record/listen time in 300 minute increments (5 hours). Adding minutes also extends your account expiration date by 5 years. If the available time on your card is exhausted or your card expires, you will not be able to record or listen until more time is purchased.

How are minutes deducted from my card?

The minutes on your card will be counted in whole minutes. Use of 15 seconds or more will be rounded up to a full minute. Online access to your card will deduct the length of the recording or playback. Phone access to your card will deduct the length of the phone call from your card.

Example: Your recording is 15 minutes and 23 seconds long; you will use 16 minutes of card time.

Your friend calls the Listener line and listens to this recording; his call lasts 17 minutes. The available time decreases by 16 minutes.

How can I add more time to my card?

You, and your Listeners, can increase record and listen time by phone and online. Additional time is available in 300 minute increments (5 hours). Adding minutes also extends your account expiration date by 5 years.

How often can I use my account?

You can add or remove recordings as often as you want, during the five year account duration (longer, if you have chosen to extend your storage time). If you use up the initial five hours (300 minutes) of access time, either by recording or by Listener’s accessing your recordings, you can increase in five hour increments.

How do I send a gift card?

Through Manage Cards > Send a Card; you can send one card at a time. If you have an account, you can also send a card by phone by calling 1-888-9-HEAR-ME (1-888-943-2763) and speaking with a customer service representative.

How do I invite friends to listen to my recordings?

When you first purchase your own gift card, you will receive an email and/or letter with the Listener access codes to your card. You can forward this information to your friends by email, or give them a call. They’ll use the same codes to listen to your recordings online and by phone.

You can also view or modify these access codes online; select the card to view the card information. However, if you edit your Listener password, you will need to notify your Listeners of the change.

What if I forget my Recorder Username, Password, PIN, or Listener access codes?

If you no longer have the confirmation email/letter for your account or card…

  • Account management access codes: Recorder Username and Recorder Password; contact Customer Service.
  • Card management codes: Recorder ID is listed in Card Information. Recorder PIN; contact Customer Service.
  • Card Listener codes: Listener ID is listed in Card Information. Listener Password; click Notify and enter your email address.
How do I delete or close my account?

Contact us at support@thevoicelibrary.net or at 1-603-583-4880. Your recordings will no longer be available to your listeners after you close your account.

How can I get help or assistance?

If your questions are not answered in this document or within our User Manual, you can contact us at 603-583-4880 or support@thevoicelibrary.net

Or, call 1-888-9-HEAR-ME (1-888-943-2763) and log in. Select 7, Send A Gift Card; this option will connect you to an operator who can answer your questions regarding The Voice Library.