Change default iCal alert sound

I struggled with this for days. For me, the problem was that I REALLY didn't want to change the sound for all alerts because Basso is fine for basic system alerts. I just wanted to change it for the Calendar alerts and not for everything. Apparently some things that used to work, do not work on Sierra, but this did.

• Find a new aiff file (here are some examples http://tdwhs.nwasco.k12.or.us/staff/lewing/resources/sound_effects.htm)
• Download the file and rename it to something like Alarm.aiff (multiple words may work, I didn't try)
• Open the terminal (Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app)
• Copy the file to ~/Library/Sounds using something like the line below (assuming you download the aiff file into your Downloads Directory)

cp ~/Downloads/Alarm.aiff ~/Library/Sounds

• Quit iCal.
• Copy the line below into the Terminal window and press return (Match the last parameter "Alarm" to the name of the file you copied above)

defaults write com.apple.iCal 'Default alarm sound' 'Alarm'

Open iCal, new default alarms should now use that sound.
This worked for me and now I have a different alarm sound Only for iCal. If I could change the location of the notification alerts to the middle of the screen (again, for iCal only), I would be even happier.

I have the same issue.

efforts to rename, delete or replace the sounds files receives the message that the basso file "can't be modified or deleted as it is required by the OS"

I see that there is a way to disable "System Integrity Protection" for the Mac as a whole, but this seems rather a larger set of steps for such a small change http://www.macworld.com/article/2986118/security/how-to-modify-system-integrity- protection-in-el-capitan.html and hope there is a way to change individual files without having to go through with this.

Any advice most welcome

Mark

I can't understand why Apple hasn't made this a customizable setting after all this time.

Hi,

I have a different but related issue so I thought of posting it here. My problem is the following: I use 'Message with Sound' as the default alert in iCal and it has worked as a charm for many years. However since updating to El Capitan the default alert has become 'Message' which means every time I create an alert I have to manually change it to Message with Sound which involves a number of clicks. I often use multiple alarms for an event so it is a bit annoying.

I tried to find a setting for the default alert type but couldn't.

Any ideas?

i have the exact same question

I have the same issue. Actually, I also have the complaint that we cannot chose the default sound or tone of the alert.

I am surprised at this and very disappointed. Apple supposedly prides itself on being user friendly and easily tailored to the preference of the user. So, why would they not do something as simple and obvious as let us chose our default alert sound? Especially when we can chose the default tone for so many other things.

Does anyone know a way to communicate directly with someone at Apple to get an answer?