[timmerk]

Anyone know if the Apple USB modem or another third party modem can be made to make custom tones via software?

Thanks!

[ghporter]

What "custom tones" are you after? In general, current-day modems use a synthesizer chip that's hardwired to create DTMF tones, and a digital-to-analog processor to create modem signals specific to the modem protocol being used. In other words, they only make tones that are appropriate to modems. They're built this way because it's less expensive and thus more cost effective.

If we knew what your application was, we might be able to point you to a specific solution. If you're after "special" call handling tones used by the telephone system, I should point out that it is illegal in the U.S. to intentionally misdirect the telephone system by the use of such signaling tones...

[timmerk]

No, I'm not trying to generate red box tones - LOL! They don't even work anywhere anyhows. But what I *am* trying to do with payphones is to simulate a dumb coin line. I collect and restore old payphones and it would be nifty to make a Mac app that used the modem to emulate the payphone line so that my old payphones can come to life and accept coins, etc.

[ghporter]

That's interesting. The "OLD" payphone "tones" were simply the way coins were routed through an ingenious and simple mechanical process. The coin itself struck one of two bells within the phone, with a nickle striking one bell, a dime striking the other, and a quarter striking the second bell twice. It was all up to the operator to count the bells' sounds and add up how much was deposited.

Going forward a bit, to the rectangular, chromed phones, the process was somewhat changed, and I think used out of band signaling so the customer didn't hear the tones.

Which type of old payphone are you playing with?

[timmerk]

The chromed phones - Western Electrics to be precise.

[ghporter]

I wish I knew how those worked... More research needed, obviously.