An automatic voice response system is described which is capable of servicing up to ten independent output channels in real time. The system is implemented on a NOVA 800 minicomputer. Individual words and phrases are coded at a 24 000 bits/sec rate using adaptive, differential pulse‐code modulation (ADPCM) techniques, and are stored on a fixed‐head disk as a random‐access vocabulary. The system was designed so that it is possible to create a new vocabulary for the system automatically from an analog tape recording with minimal operator intervention. Initial applications of the system are in computer‐aided voice wiring and automatic directory assistance.