Voice operated switch

In telecommunications, a voice operated switch, also known as VOX or Voice Operated eXchange, is a switch that operates when sound over a certain threshold is detected. [cite book |title=Newton's Telecom Dictionary |last=Newton |first=Harry |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2004 |publisher=CMP books |location= |isbn= |pages=901 ] It is usually used to turn on a transmitter or recorder when someone speaks and turn it off when they stop speaking. It is used instead of a push-to-talk button on transmitters or to save storage space on recording devices. On cell phones, it is used to save battery life. The circuitry usually includes a delay that leaves the circuit activated for a short time after the sound stops. This keeps the circuit from turning off during short pauses in speech.

There are pros and cons to choosing VOX as opposed to other methods as a triggering device. In recordings, the first second or so of information may be lost because the noise level must be checked before the recording is initiated. Ambient noise may also trigger recording of unwanted background noise. Cell phones, two way radios, phone recorders, and tape recorders often have VOX as an option.

In audio recording and sound reinforcement, the term 'vox' may be used as an abbreviation for 'voice', 'vocal track', or 'vocal channel', primarily because it is the nominative form of "voice" in Latin.

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