> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openmic.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Background Sound

> Learn how to customize background ambience for your voice agents to create professional and immersive customer call experiences.

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<Info>
  **Enhance the Call Experience**: Background sounds help create a more natural
  and professional atmosphere during voice conversations, making interactions
  feel more authentic and engaging.
</Info>

## Interactive Demo

See the Background Sound feature in action:

<ArcadeEmbed url="https://demo.arcade.software/RFuIWWcuSuyu302MhWEe?embed&embed_mobile=tab&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true" title="Customize Background Sound for an AI Voice Agent" />

***

## Overview

Background sound allows you to add ambient audio to your AI voice agent calls, creating a more immersive and branded experience for your customers. Whether you want to simulate a coffee shop ambience, an office environment, or any other setting, background sounds help set the tone and enhance the overall call quality.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Professional Atmosphere" icon="microphone" iconType="solid">
    Create a realistic environment that matches your brand and use case
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customizable Volume" icon="volume-high" iconType="solid">
    Fine-tune the background sound level to ensure your agent's voice remains clear
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configure Background Sound

Follow these steps to add and customize background sounds for your AI voice agent:

### Step 1: Navigate to Simple Agents

Start by accessing the agent management section:

1. Log in to your [OpenMic Dashboard](https://chat.openmic.ai/login)
2. Navigate to the **Simple Agents** section from the sidebar

<Note>
  This is where you'll manage all settings for your voice agents, including
  personality, voice, and room settings.
</Note>

***

### Step 2: Select Your Agent

Choose the agent you want to customize:

1. From the list of agents, click on the agent you want to configure
2. This will open the agent's settings page

<Tip>
  If you don't have an agent yet, create one first by clicking the **Create
  Agent** button.
</Tip>

***

### Step 3: Open Voice & Personality Tab

Access the voice and personality settings:

1. In the agent settings, navigate to the **Voice & Personality** tab
2. Scroll down to locate the **Background Sound** section

<Note>
  The Voice & Personality tab contains all audio-related settings for your
  agent, including voice selection, personality traits, and background ambience.
</Note>

***

### Step 4: Choose Background Sound Type

Select the ambience that best fits your use case:

1. Under **Background Sound**, click on the **Sound Type** dropdown menu
2. Preview the available ambience options:
   * **None** - No background sound (default)
   * **Coffee Shop Ambience** - Casual, relaxed atmosphere
   * **Office Environment** - Professional setting
   * **Call Center** - Busy customer service environment
   * **And more...**
3. Select your preferred background sound

<Tip>
  You can preview each sound option before making your selection to find the
  perfect match for your brand and use case.
</Tip>

***

### Step 5: Adjust Volume Level

Fine-tune the background sound volume:

1. Use the **Volume** slider to adjust the background sound level
2. Start with a lower value (e.g., 0.15 - 0.25) to ensure the agent's voice remains prominent
3. Adjust incrementally until you achieve the perfect balance

<Warning>
  **Keep the agent's voice clear**: Set the background volume low enough that it
  doesn't interfere with the agent's speech. The background sound should enhance
  the experience, not overpower the conversation.
</Warning>

***

### Step 6: Test Your Configuration

Before deploying, test your background sound settings:

1. Click the **Test Call** button in the top right corner of the agent settings
2. Click **Start Test Call** to initiate a test conversation
3. Interact with the agent to hear how the background sound works during an actual call
4. Listen for:
   * **Clarity** - Can you hear the agent clearly?
   * **Balance** - Is the background sound at an appropriate level?
   * **Atmosphere** - Does it create the desired ambience?

<Tip>
  Test multiple times with different volume levels to find the optimal setting
  for your use case.
</Tip>

5. Close the test call window once you're satisfied with the configuration

***

## Best Practices

### Volume Recommendations

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Customer Support" icon="headset" iconType="solid">
    **0.15 - 0.20** Professional but subtle background presence
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sales Calls" icon="phone-office" iconType="solid">
    **0.10 - 0.15** Minimal distraction, focus on conversation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Casual Conversations" icon="comments" iconType="solid">
    **0.20 - 0.30** More noticeable ambience for relaxed interactions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

### Choosing the Right Background Sound

Consider these factors when selecting background sounds:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Brand Identity" icon="building">
    **Match your brand personality**

    * **Professional services**: Office environment or minimal background
    * **Hospitality**: Coffee shop or restaurant ambience
    * **Healthcare**: Clean, quiet professional setting
    * **Casual businesses**: More relaxed and friendly atmospheres
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Case" icon="briefcase">
    **Consider the call purpose**

    * **Support calls**: Professional, non-distracting backgrounds
    * **Sales calls**: Clean audio for maximum clarity
    * **Appointment scheduling**: Neutral office or call center ambience
    * **Surveys**: Minimal background to avoid bias
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customer Demographics" icon="users">
    **Think about your audience**

    * **Older customers**: Keep backgrounds subtle or disabled
    * **Tech-savvy users**: Can handle more ambient sounds
    * **International calls**: Neutral sounds without cultural context
    * **Long conversations**: Less repetitive, more natural sounds
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Background sound is too loud">
    **Solution:**

    1. Reduce the volume slider to a lower value (try 0.10 - 0.15)
    2. Test again to ensure the agent's voice is clear and prominent
    3. Adjust incrementally until you find the right balance
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Background sound isn't playing">
    **Possible causes:**

    * Sound Type is set to "None"
    * Volume is set to 0
    * Browser audio issues

    **Solution:**

    1. Verify that a sound type is selected (not "None")
    2. Check that the volume slider is above 0
    3. Test your browser audio with other media
    4. Refresh the dashboard and try again
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Background sound cuts in and out">
    **Possible causes:**

    * Network connectivity issues
    * Audio processing conflicts

    **Solution:**

    1. Check your internet connection
    2. Try a different browser
    3. Contact support if the issue persists
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Tips for Success

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Start Subtle" icon="volume-low" iconType="solid">
    Begin with lower volume settings (0.15) and increase gradually. It's easier to add more than to reduce later.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test Multiple Scenarios" icon="flask" iconType="solid">
    Test your background sound with different conversation lengths and topics to ensure consistency.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gather Feedback" icon="comments" iconType="solid">
    Ask real customers or colleagues for feedback on the background sound quality and appropriateness.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Monitor Call Quality" icon="chart-line" iconType="solid">
    Review call analytics and customer satisfaction scores to ensure background sounds enhance rather than detract from the experience.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Next Steps

After configuring your background sounds:

1. **Deploy your agent** to production with the new settings
2. **Monitor feedback** from customers about the call experience
3. **Iterate and refine** based on real-world usage
4. **Explore other Voice & Personality settings** to further customize your agent

<Note>
  Background sound settings can be updated at any time. Changes will apply to
  all new calls immediately.
</Note>