Greetings, Asterisk Enthusiast!
I'm Allison Smith, the voice behind all the prompts that came with your Asterisk system, and the voice behind millions of customized telephony systems running Asterisk around the world.
I have been the Voice of Asterisk -- the world's fastest-growing telephony platform -- since its inception (which for me, was marked by an animated e-mail I received around 2002 from some hyperactive young guys in Alabama, asking me to do their quite unusual and offbeat prompts -- I was more than happy to voice them, but pretty much dismissed it as a one-off. Just one of those fun sessions in which I was voicing things like "Weasels have eaten our phone system!" instead of the usual "Press One for Technical Support" IVR fare which I was accustomed to voicing.) Up until that point, I'd never heard of Digium (owners and maintainers of Asterisk), and who could anticipate how big and rapidly Asterisk would grow?
As it turns out, it's been (and continues to be) a fabulous on-going gig; working for Asterisk developers around the world, facing challenging prompts (Sure! I'll try voicing prompts in Hebrew and even in Tagalog!), and while thoroughly experienced and seasoned as a voice artist when I was approached by Digium, I've had the opportunity to really hone and broaden my skills as an announcer by voicing Asterisk prompts.
Not to mention the best perk: being invited to attend Astricon -- the yearly convention of Asterisk users and developers -- where I enjoy the strange, surreal "celebrity" that only people who make their living with their voice can experience; everyone there knows who I am, and feel like they know me by having worked with my voice every day. It's a thrill to meet developers that I've worked with remotely and only know by e-mail, phone patch sessions, or conference calls.
One aspect that the Asterisk community has really embraced is my versatility as a performer -- a result of my having a strong theatrical background. The neutral, automaton IVR android sound may suit the more traditional big telcos -- this is Asterisk we're talking about. My vocal style has been described as professional and business-like, with a conversational, reassuring warmth. I am capable (and regularly called upon) to supply a wide range of "moods" and "feels" to suit the image that clients are looking to convey through their IVR -- whether it be conservative, straight-up-the-middle Fortune 500; playful, irreverent start-up sassiness; flat-out sultry; a wide range of accents and sensibilities -- whatever you need, I'm happy to fulfill. I've been doing so since the beginning of Asterisk, and will continue to record for the Asterisk Community for many, many more years to come.
Enjoy the website; catch up on the latest, most up-to-date news from Digium, download the free stock prompts, and by all means -- let me know if there are any customized prompts you require -- just e-mail me at
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with your script or project details. My rates are still very competitive, and that turnaround time -- unmatched! Make sure you also check out my pricipal website: www.theivrvoice.com.
