Like old voice mail messages

ONTAPE

Think of how recordings were stored before digital files took over.

The clue "Like old voice mail messages" hints at how recordings were traditionally stored. Before digital systems, messages were often saved on physical tapes, so "on tape" describes their format. The answer "ONTAPE" plays on this literal meaning—it’s a phrase that directly refers to audio stored in that outdated way. Think of cassette tapes or reel-to-reel systems, which were common before voicemail went digital.