diff --git a/lib/middleware.js b/lib/middleware.js
index 51b85122..6c72a922 100644
--- a/lib/middleware.js
+++ b/lib/middleware.js
@@ -194,6 +194,7 @@ module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
     } catch (err) {
       logger.info({err}, `Error retrieving or parsing application: ${err?.message}`);
       res.send(480, {headers: {'X-Reason': err?.message || 'unknown'}});
+      app.requestor.close();
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/lib/session/call-session.js b/lib/session/call-session.js
index e7e4ef06..b187d21a 100644
--- a/lib/session/call-session.js
+++ b/lib/session/call-session.js
@@ -117,18 +117,27 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
   get speechSynthesisVendor() {
     return this.application.speech_synthesis_vendor;
   }
+  set speechSynthesisVendor(vendor) {
+    this.application.speech_synthesis_vendor = vendor;
+  }
   /**
    * default voice to use for speech synthesis if not provided in the app
    */
   get speechSynthesisVoice() {
     return this.application.speech_synthesis_voice;
   }
+  set speechSynthesisVoice(voice) {
+    this.application.speech_synthesis_voice = voice;
+  }
   /**
    * default language to use for speech synthesis if not provided in the app
    */
   get speechSynthesisLanguage() {
     return this.application.speech_synthesis_language;
   }
+  set speechSynthesisLanguage(language) {
+    this.application.speech_synthesis_language = language;
+  }
 
   /**
    * default vendor to use for speech recognition if not provided in the app
@@ -136,12 +145,18 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
   get speechRecognizerVendor() {
     return this.application.speech_recognizer_vendor;
   }
+  set speechRecognizerVendor(vendor) {
+    this.application.speech_recognizer_vendor = vendor;
+  }
   /**
  * default language to use for speech recognition if not provided in the app
  */
   get speechRecognizerLanguage() {
     return this.application.speech_recognizer_language;
   }
+  set speechRecognizerLanguage(language) {
+    this.application.speech_recognizer_language = language;
+  }
 
   /**
    * indicates whether the call currently in progress
@@ -207,6 +222,46 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
     return this.memberId && this.confName && this.confUuid;
   }
 
+  get isBotModeEnabled() {
+    return this.backgroundGatherTask;
+  }
+
+  async enableBotMode(gather) {
+    try {
+      const t = normalizeJambones(this.logger, [gather]);
+      this.backgroundGatherTask = makeTask(this.logger, t[0]);
+      this.backgroundGatherTask
+        .on('dtmf', this._clearTasks.bind(this))
+        .on('transcription', this._clearTasks.bind(this))
+        .on('timeout', this._clearTasks.bind(this));
+      this.logger.info({gather}, 'CallSession:enableBotMode - starting background gather');
+      const resources = await this._evaluatePreconditions(this.backgroundGatherTask);
+      this.backgroundGatherTask.exec(this, resources)
+        .then(() => {
+          this.logger.info('CallSession:enableBotMode: gather completed');
+          this.backgroundGatherTask && this.backgroundGatherTask.removeAllListeners();
+          this.backgroundGatherTask = null;
+          return;
+        })
+        .catch((err) => {
+          this.logger.info({err}, 'CallSession:enableBotMode: gather threw error');
+          this.backgroundGatherTask && this.backgroundGatherTask.removeAllListeners();
+          this.backgroundGatherTask = null;
+        });
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger.info({err, gather}, 'CallSession:enableBotMode - Error creating gather task');
+    }
+  }
+  disableBotMode() {
+    if (this.backgroundGatherTask) {
+      try {
+        this.backgroundGatherTask.removeAllListeners();
+        this.backgroundGatherTask.kill();
+      } catch (err) {}
+      this.backgroundGatherTask = null;
+    }
+  }
+
   setConferenceDetails(memberId, confName, confUuid) {
     assert(!this.memberId && !this.confName && !this.confUuid);
     assert (memberId && confName && confUuid);
@@ -301,7 +356,14 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
       try {
         const resources = await this._evaluatePreconditions(task);
         this.currentTask = task;
-        await task.exec(this, resources);
+        if (TaskName.Gather === task.name && this.isBotModeEnabled) {
+          const timeout = task.timeout;
+          this.logger.info(`CallSession:exec skipping #${stackNum}:${taskNum}: ${task.name}`);
+          this.backgroundGatherTask.updateTimeout(timeout);
+        }
+        else {
+          await task.exec(this, resources);
+        }
         this.currentTask = null;
         this.logger.info(`CallSession:exec completed task #${stackNum}:${taskNum}: ${task.name}`);
       } catch (err) {
@@ -386,6 +448,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
       this.wakeupResolver();
       this.wakeupResolver = null;
     }
+    this.requestor && this.requestor.close();
   }
 
   /**
@@ -505,7 +568,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
     task.mute(callSid, mute).catch((err) => this.logger.error(err, 'CallSession:_lccMuteStatus'));
   }
 
-  async _lccConfHoldStatus(callSid, opts) {
+  async _lccConfHoldStatus(opts) {
     const task = this.currentTask;
     if (!task || TaskName.Conference !== task.name || !this.isInConference) {
       return this.logger.info('CallSession:_lccConfHoldStatus - invalid command as call is not in conference');
@@ -513,7 +576,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
     task.doConferenceHold(this, opts);
   }
 
-  async _lccConfMuteStatus(callSid, opts) {
+  async _lccConfMuteStatus(opts) {
     const task = this.currentTask;
     if (!task || TaskName.Conference !== task.name || !this.isInConference) {
       return this.logger.info('CallSession:_lccConfHoldStatus - invalid command as call is not in conference');
@@ -521,7 +584,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
     task.doConferenceMuteNonModerators(this, opts);
   }
 
-  async _lccSipRequest(callSid, opts) {
+  async _lccSipRequest(opts) {
     const {sip_request} = opts;
     const {method, content_type, content, headers = {}} = sip_request;
     if (!this.hasStableDialog) {
@@ -614,13 +677,13 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
       await this._lccMuteStatus(callSid, opts.mute_status === 'mute');
     }
     else if (opts.conf_hold_status) {
-      await this._lccConfHoldStatus(callSid, opts);
+      await this._lccConfHoldStatus(opts);
     }
     else if (opts.conf_mute_status) {
-      await this._lccConfMuteStatus(callSid, opts);
+      await this._lccConfMuteStatus(opts);
     }
     else if (opts.sip_request) {
-      const res = await this._lccSipRequest(callSid, opts);
+      const res = await this._lccSipRequest(opts);
       return {status: res.status, reason: res.reason};
     }
 
@@ -667,7 +730,8 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
     switch (command) {
       case 'redirect':
         if (Array.isArray(data)) {
-          const t = normalizeJambones(this.logger, data).map((tdata) => makeTask(this.logger, tdata));
+          const t = normalizeJambones(this.logger, data)
+            .map((tdata) => makeTask(this.logger, tdata));
           if (!queueCommand) {
             this.logger.info({tasks: listTaskNames(t)}, 'CallSession:_onCommand new task list');
             this.replaceApplication(t);
@@ -686,7 +750,7 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
         break;
 
       case 'mute:status':
-        this._lccMuteStatus(data);
+        this._lccMuteStatus(this.callSid, data);
         break;
 
       case 'conf:mute-status':
@@ -702,7 +766,14 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
         break;
 
       case 'whisper':
-        this._lccWhisper(data);
+        this._lccWhisper(data, this.callSid);
+        break;
+
+      case 'sip:request':
+        this._lccSipRequest(data)
+          .catch((err) => {
+            this.logger.info({err, data}, `CallSession:_onCommand - error sending ${data.method}`);
+          });
         break;
 
       default:
@@ -1157,6 +1228,15 @@ class CallSession extends Emitter {
       this.wakeupResolver = resolve;
     });
   }
+
+  _clearTasks(evt) {
+    if (this.requestor instanceof WsRequestor) {
+      this.logger.info({evt}, 'CallSession:_clearTasks on event from background gather');
+      try {
+        this.kill();
+      } catch (err) {}
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 module.exports = CallSession;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/cognigy.js b/lib/tasks/cognigy.js
deleted file mode 100644
index d3fb5c41..00000000
--- a/lib/tasks/cognigy.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,248 +0,0 @@
-const Task = require('./task');
-const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions} = require('../utils/constants');
-const makeTask = require('./make_task');
-const { SocketClient } = require('@cognigy/socket-client');
-
-const parseGallery = (obj = {}) => {
-  const {_default} = obj;
-  if (_default) {
-    const {_gallery} = _default;
-    if (_gallery) return _gallery.fallbackText;
-  }
-};
-
-const parseQuickReplies = (obj) => {
-  const {_default} = obj;
-  if (_default) {
-    const {_quickReplies} = _default;
-    if (_quickReplies) return _quickReplies.text || _quickReplies.fallbackText;
-  }
-};
-
-const parseBotText = (evt) => {
-  const {text, data} = evt;
-  if (text) return text;
-
-  switch (data?.type) {
-    case 'quickReplies':
-      return parseQuickReplies(data?._cognigy);
-    case 'gallery':
-      return parseGallery(data?._cognigy);
-    default:
-      break;
-  }
-};
-
-class Cognigy extends Task {
-  constructor(logger, opts) {
-    super(logger, opts);
-    this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.Endpoint;
-
-    this.url = this.data.url;
-    this.token = this.data.token;
-    this.prompt = this.data.prompt;
-    this.eventHook = this.data?.eventHook;
-    this.actionHook = this.data?.actionHook;
-    this.data = this.data.data || {};
-    this.prompts = [];
-  }
-
-  get name() { return TaskName.Cognigy; }
-
-  get hasReportedFinalAction() {
-    return this.reportedFinalAction || this.isReplacingApplication;
-  }
-
-  async exec(cs, ep) {
-    await super.exec(cs);
-
-    this.ep = ep;
-    try {
-      /* set event handlers and start transcribing */
-      this.on('transcription', this._onTranscription.bind(this, cs, ep));
-      this.on('error', this._onError.bind(this, cs, ep));
-
-      this.transcribeTask = this._makeTranscribeTask();
-      this.transcribeTask.exec(cs, ep, this)
-        .catch((err) => {
-          this.logger.info({err}, 'Cognigy transcribe task returned error');
-          this.notifyTaskDone();
-        });
-      if (this.prompt) {
-        this.sayTask = this._makeSayTask(this.prompt);
-        this.sayTask.exec(cs, ep, this)
-          .catch((err) => {
-            this.logger.info({err}, 'Cognigy say task returned error');
-            this.notifyTaskDone();
-          });
-      }
-
-      /* connect to the bot and send initial data */
-      this.client = new SocketClient(
-        this.url,
-        this.token,
-        {
-          sessionId: cs.callSid,
-          channel: 'jambonz',
-          forceWebsockets: true,
-          reconnection: true,
-          settings: {
-            enableTypingIndicator: false
-          }
-        }
-      );
-      this.client.on('output', this._onBotUtterance.bind(this, cs, ep));
-      this.client.on('typingStatus', this._onBotTypingStatus.bind(this, cs, ep));
-      this.client.on('error', this._onBotError.bind(this, cs, ep));
-      this.client.on('finalPing', this._onBotFinalPing.bind(this, cs, ep));
-      await this.client.connect();
-      this.client.sendMessage('', {...this.data, ...cs.callInfo});
-
-      await this.awaitTaskDone();
-    } catch (err) {
-      this.logger.error({err}, 'Cognigy error');
-      throw err;
-    }
-  }
-
-  async kill(cs) {
-    super.kill(cs);
-    this.logger.debug('Cognigy:kill');
-
-    this.removeAllListeners();
-    this.transcribeTask && this.transcribeTask.kill();
-
-    this.client.removeAllListeners();
-    if (this.client && this.client.connected) this.client.disconnect();
-
-    if (!this.hasReportedFinalAction) {
-      this.reportedFinalAction = true;
-      this.performAction({cognigyResult: 'caller hungup'})
-        .catch((err) => this.logger.info({err}, 'cognigy - error w/ action webook'));
-    }
-
-    if (this.ep.connected) {
-      await this.ep.api('uuid_break', this.ep.uuid).catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'Error killing audio'));
-    }
-    this.notifyTaskDone();
-  }
-
-  _makeTranscribeTask() {
-    const opts = {
-      recognizer: this.data.recognizer || {
-        vendor: 'default',
-        language: 'default',
-        outputFormat: 'detailed'
-      }
-    };
-    this.logger.debug({opts}, 'constructing a nested transcribe object');
-    const transcribe = makeTask(this.logger, {transcribe: opts}, this);
-    return transcribe;
-  }
-
-  _makeSayTask(text) {
-    const opts = {
-      text,
-      synthesizer: this.data.synthesizer ||
-      {
-        vendor: 'default',
-        language: 'default',
-        voice: 'default'
-      }
-    };
-    this.logger.debug({opts}, 'constructing a nested say object');
-    const say = makeTask(this.logger, {say: opts}, this);
-    return say;
-  }
-
-  async _onBotError(cs, ep, evt) {
-    this.logger.info({evt}, 'Cognigy:_onBotError');
-    this.performAction({cognigyResult: 'botError', message: evt.message });
-    this.reportedFinalAction = true;
-    this.notifyTaskDone();
-  }
-
-  async _onBotTypingStatus(cs, ep, evt) {
-    this.logger.info({evt}, 'Cognigy:_onBotTypingStatus');
-  }
-  async _onBotFinalPing(cs, ep) {
-    this.logger.info('Cognigy:_onBotFinalPing');
-    if (this.prompts.length) {
-      const text = this.prompts.join('.');
-      this.prompts = [];
-      if (text && !this.killed) {
-        this.sayTask = this._makeSayTask(text);
-        this.sayTask.exec(cs, ep, this)
-          .catch((err) => {
-            this.logger.info({err}, 'Cognigy say task returned error');
-            this.notifyTaskDone();
-          });
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  async _onBotUtterance(cs, ep, evt) {
-    this.logger.debug({evt}, 'Cognigy:_onBotUtterance');
-
-    if (this.eventHook) {
-      this.performHook(cs, this.eventHook, {event: 'botMessage', message: evt})
-        .then((redirected) => {
-          if (redirected) {
-            this.logger.info('Cognigy_onTranscription: event handler for bot message redirected us to new webhook');
-            this.reportedFinalAction = true;
-            this.performAction({cognigyResult: 'redirect'}, false);
-          }
-          return;
-        })
-        .catch(({err}) => {
-          this.logger.info({err}, 'Cognigy_onTranscription: error sending event hook');
-        });
-    }
-    const text = parseBotText(evt);
-    this.prompts.push(text);
-  }
-
-  async _onTranscription(cs, ep, evt) {
-    this.logger.debug({evt}, `Cognigy: got transcription for callSid ${cs.callSid}`);
-    const utterance = evt.alternatives[0].transcript;
-
-    if (this.eventHook) {
-      this.performHook(cs, this.eventHook, {event: 'userMessage', message: utterance})
-        .then((redirected) => {
-          if (redirected) {
-            this.logger.info('Cognigy_onTranscription: event handler for user message redirected us to new webhook');
-            this.reportedFinalAction = true;
-            this.performAction({cognigyResult: 'redirect'}, false);
-            if (this.transcribeTask) this.transcribeTask.kill(cs);
-          }
-          return;
-        })
-        .catch(({err}) => {
-          this.logger.info({err}, 'Cognigy_onTranscription: error sending event hook');
-        });
-    }
-
-    /* send the user utterance to the bot */
-    try {
-      if (this.client && this.client.connected) {
-        this.client.sendMessage(utterance);
-      }
-      else {
-        this.logger.info('Cognigy_onTranscription - not sending user utterance as bot is disconnected');
-      }
-    } catch (err) {
-      this.logger.error({err}, 'Cognigy_onTranscription: Error sending user utterance to Cognigy - ending task');
-      this.performAction({cognigyResult: 'socketError'});
-      this.reportedFinalAction = true;
-      this.notifyTaskDone();
-    }
-  }
-  _onError(cs, ep, err) {
-    this.logger.debug({err}, 'Cognigy: got error');
-    if (!this.hasReportedFinalAction) this.performAction({cognigyResult: 'error', err});
-    this.reportedFinalAction = true;
-    this.notifyTaskDone();
-  }
-}
-
-module.exports = Cognigy;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/config.js b/lib/tasks/config.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7323cb75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/tasks/config.js
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+const Task = require('./task');
+const {TaskName, TaskPreconditions} = require('../utils/constants');
+
+class TaskConfig extends Task {
+  constructor(logger, opts) {
+    super(logger, opts);
+    this.preconditions = TaskPreconditions.Endpoint;
+
+    [
+      'synthesizer',
+      'recognizer',
+      'bargeIn'
+    ].forEach((k) => this[k] = this.data[k] || {});
+
+    if (this.hasBargeIn && this.bargeIn.enable === true) {
+      this.gatherOpts = {
+        verb: 'gather',
+        timeout: 0
+      };
+      [
+        'finishOnKey', 'input', 'numDigits', 'minDigits', 'maxDigits',
+        'interDigitTimeout', 'dtmfBargein', 'actionHook'
+      ].forEach((k) => {
+        if (this.bargeIn[k]) this.gatherOpts[k] = this.bargeIn[k];
+      });
+
+      this.preconditions = this.hasBargeIn ? TaskPreconditions.Endpoint : TaskPreconditions.None;
+    }
+  }
+
+  get name() { return TaskName.Config; }
+
+  get hasSynthesizer() { return Object.keys(this.synthesizer).length; }
+
+  get hasRecognizer() { return Object.keys(this.recognizer).length; }
+
+  get hasBargeIn() { return Object.keys(this.bargeIn).length; }
+
+  async exec(cs) {
+    await super.exec(cs);
+
+    if (this.hasSynthesizer) {
+      cs.speechSynthesisVendor = this.synthesizer.vendor !== 'default'
+        ? this.synthesizer.vendor
+        : cs.speechSynthesisVendor;
+      cs.speechSynthesisLanguage = this.synthesizer.language !== 'default'
+        ?  this.synthesizer.language
+        : cs.speechSynthesisLanguage;
+      cs.speechSynthesisVoice = this.synthesizer.voice !== 'default'
+        ? this.synthesizer.voice
+        : cs.speechSynthesisVoice;
+      this.logger.info({synthesizer: this.synthesizer}, 'Config: updated synthesizer');
+    }
+    if (this.hasRecognizer) {
+      cs.speechRecognizerVendor = this.recognizer.vendor !== 'default'
+        ? this.recognizer.vendor
+        : cs.speechRecognizerVendor;
+      cs.speechRecognizerLanguage = this.recognizer.language !== 'default'
+        ? this.recognizer.language
+        : cs.speechRecognizerLanguage;
+      this.logger.info({recognizer: this.recognizer}, 'Config: updated recognizer');
+    }
+    if (this.hasBargeIn) {
+      if (this.gatherOpts) {
+        this.logger.debug({opts: this.gatherOpts}, 'Config: enabling bargeIn');
+        cs.enableBotMode(this.gatherOpts);
+      }
+      else {
+        this.logger.debug('Config: disabling bargeIn');
+        cs.disableBotMode();
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  async kill(cs) {
+    super.kill(cs);
+  }
+}
+
+module.exports = TaskConfig;
diff --git a/lib/tasks/gather.js b/lib/tasks/gather.js
index af88f6e7..d4488054 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/gather.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/gather.js
@@ -25,21 +25,23 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     /* when collecting dtmf, bargein on dtmf is true unless explicitly set to false */
     if (this.dtmfBargein !== false && this.input.includes('digits')) this.dtmfBargein = true;
 
-    this.timeout = (this.timeout || 15) * 1000;
+    /* timeout of zero means no timeout */
+    this.timeout = this.timeout === 0 ? 0 : (this.timeout || 15) * 1000;
     this.interim = this.partialResultHook || this.bargein;
+    this.listenDuringPrompt = this.data.listenDuringPrompt === false ? false : true;
     if (this.data.recognizer) {
       const recognizer = this.data.recognizer;
       this.vendor = recognizer.vendor;
       this.language = recognizer.language;
       this.hints = recognizer.hints || [];
+      this.hintsBoost = recognizer.hintsBoost;
       this.altLanguages = recognizer.altLanguages || [];
 
       /* vad: if provided, we dont connect to recognizer until voice activity is detected */
       const {enable, voiceMs = 0, mode = -1} = recognizer.vad || {};
       this.vad = {enable, voiceMs, mode};
 
-      this.listenDuringPrompt = this.data.listenDuringPrompt === false ? false : true;
-      this.minBargeinWordCount = this.data.minBargeinWordCount || 1;
+      this.minBargeinWordCount = this.data.minBargeinWordCount || 0;
 
       /* aws options */
       this.vocabularyName = recognizer.vocabularyName;
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
       this.profanityOption = recognizer.profanityOption || 'raw';
       this.requestSnr = recognizer.requestSnr || false;
       this.initialSpeechTimeoutMs = recognizer.initialSpeechTimeoutMs || 0;
+      this.azureServiceEndpoint = recognizer.azureServiceEndpoint;
     }
 
     this.digitBuffer = '';
@@ -58,6 +61,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
 
     if (this.say) this.sayTask = makeTask(this.logger, {say: this.say}, this);
     if (this.play) this.playTask = makeTask(this.logger, {play: this.play}, this);
+    if (!this.sayTask && !this.playTask) this.listenDuringPrompt = false;
 
     this.parentTask = parentTask;
   }
@@ -78,7 +82,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     else s += 'inputs=speech,';
 
     if (this.input.includes('speech')) {
-      s += `vendor=${this.vendor},language=${this.language}`;
+      s += `vendor=${this.vendor || 'default'},language=${this.language || 'default'}`;
     }
     if (this.sayTask) s += ',with nested say task';
     if (this.playTask) s += ',with nested play task';
@@ -87,6 +91,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
   }
 
   async exec(cs, ep) {
+    this.logger.debug('Gather:exec');
     await super.exec(cs);
     const {updateSpeechCredentialLastUsed} = require('../utils/db-utils')(this.logger, cs.srf);
 
@@ -133,7 +138,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
           if (!this.killed) startListening(cs, ep);
         });
       }
-      else this._startTimer();
+      else startListening(cs, ep);
 
       if (this.input.includes('speech') && this.listenDuringPrompt) {
         await this._initSpeech(cs, ep);
@@ -165,6 +170,12 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
     this._resolve('killed');
   }
 
+  updateTimeout(timeout) {
+    this.logger.info(`TaskGather:updateTimout - updating timeout to ${timeout}`);
+    this.timeout = timeout;
+    this._startTimer();
+  }
+
   _onDtmf(cs, ep, evt) {
     this.logger.debug(evt, 'TaskGather:_onDtmf');
     clearTimeout(this.interDigitTimer);
@@ -193,7 +204,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
   async _initSpeech(cs, ep) {
     const opts = {};
 
-    if (this.vad.enable) {
+    if (this.vad?.enable) {
       opts.START_RECOGNIZING_ON_VAD = 1;
       if (this.vad.voiceMs) opts.RECOGNIZER_VAD_VOICE_MS = this.vad.voiceMs;
       if (this.vad.mode >= 0 && this.vad.mode <= 3) opts.RECOGNIZER_VAD_MODE = this.vad.mode;
@@ -208,6 +219,9 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
       });
       if (this.hints && this.hints.length > 1) {
         opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS = this.hints.map((h) => h.trim()).join(',');
+        if (typeof this.hintsBoost === 'number') {
+          opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS_BOOST = this.hintsBoost;
+        }
       }
       if (this.altLanguages && this.altLanguages.length > 0) {
         opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_ALTERNATIVE_LANGUAGE_CODES = this.altLanguages.join(',');
@@ -243,8 +257,9 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
       if (this.hints && this.hints.length > 1) {
         opts.AZURE_SPEECH_HINTS = this.hints.map((h) => h.trim()).join(',');
       }
-      //if (this.requestSnr) opts.AZURE_REQUEST_SNR = 1;
-      //if (this.profanityOption !== 'raw') opts.AZURE_PROFANITY_OPTION = this.profanityOption;
+      if (this.requestSnr) opts.AZURE_REQUEST_SNR = 1;
+      if (this.profanityOption !== 'raw') opts.AZURE_PROFANITY_OPTION = this.profanityOption;
+      if (this.azureServiceEndpoint) opts.AZURE_SERVICE_ENDPOINT = this.azureServiceEndpoint;
       if (this.initialSpeechTimeoutMs > 0) opts.AZURE_INITIAL_SPEECH_TIMEOUT_MS = this.initialSpeechTimeoutMs;
       opts.AZURE_USE_OUTPUT_FORMAT_DETAILED = 1;
 
@@ -256,6 +271,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
   }
 
   _startTranscribing(ep) {
+    this.logger.debug('Gather:_startTranscribing');
     ep.startTranscription({
       vendor: this.vendor,
       locale: this.language,
@@ -273,6 +289,7 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
   }
 
   _startTimer() {
+    if (0 === this.timeout) return;
     assert(!this._timeoutTimer);
     this.logger.debug(`Gather:_startTimer: timeout ${this.timeout}`);
     this._timeoutTimer = setTimeout(() => this._resolve('timeout'), this.timeout);
@@ -339,13 +356,17 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
         this._killAudio(cs);
       }
       if (this.partialResultHook) {
-        this.cs.requestor.request(this.partialResultHook,  Object.assign({speech: evt}, this.cs.callInfo))
-          .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'GatherTask:_onTranscription error'));
+        this.cs.requestor.request(this.partialResultHook,  Object.assign({speech: evt}, this.cs.callInfo));
       }
     }
   }
   _onEndOfUtterance(cs, ep) {
     this.logger.info('TaskGather:_onEndOfUtterance');
+    if (this.bargein && this.minBargeinWordCount === 0) {
+      this.logger.debug('Gather:_onTranscription - killing audio due to utterance detected');
+      this._killAudio(cs);
+    }
+
     if (!this.resolved && !this.killed) {
       this._startTranscribing(ep);
     }
@@ -368,15 +389,25 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
 
     this._clearTimer();
     if (reason.startsWith('dtmf')) {
-      await this.performAction({digits: this.digitBuffer, reason: 'dtmfDetected'});
+      if (this.parentTask) this.parentTask.emit('dtmf', evt);
+      else {
+        this.emit('dtmf', evt);
+        await this.performAction({digits: this.digitBuffer, reason: 'dtmfDetected'});
+      }
     }
     else if (reason.startsWith('speech')) {
       if (this.parentTask) this.parentTask.emit('transcription', evt);
-      else await this.performAction({speech: evt, reason: 'speechDetected'});
+      else {
+        this.emit('transcription', evt);
+        await this.performAction({speech: evt, reason: 'speechDetected'});
+      }
     }
     else if (reason.startsWith('timeout')) {
       if (this.parentTask) this.parentTask.emit('timeout', evt);
-      else await this.performAction({reason: 'timeout'});
+      else {
+        this.emit('timeout', evt);
+        await this.performAction({reason: 'timeout'});
+      }
     }
     this.notifyTaskDone();
   }
diff --git a/lib/tasks/make_task.js b/lib/tasks/make_task.js
index 730a4f48..8ef8878b 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/make_task.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/make_task.js
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ function makeTask(logger, obj, parent) {
     case TaskName.SipRefer:
       const TaskSipRefer = require('./sip_refer');
       return new TaskSipRefer(logger, data, parent);
-    case TaskName.Cognigy:
-      const TaskCognigy = require('./cognigy');
-      return new TaskCognigy(logger, data, parent);
+    case TaskName.Config:
+      const TaskConfig = require('./config');
+      return new TaskConfig(logger, data, parent);
     case TaskName.Conference:
       const TaskConference = require('./conference');
       return new TaskConference(logger, data, parent);
diff --git a/lib/tasks/say.js b/lib/tasks/say.js
index 5eed4842..a4857639 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/say.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/say.js
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class TaskSay extends Task {
       // synthesize all of the text elements
       let lastUpdated = false;
       const filepath = (await Promise.all(this.text.map(async(text) => {
+        if (this.killed) return;
         if (text.startsWith('silence_stream://')) return text;
         const {filePath, servedFromCache} = await synthAudio(stats, {
           text,
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ class TaskSay extends Task {
 
       this.logger.debug({filepath}, 'synthesized files for tts');
 
-      while (!this.killed && (this.loop === 'forever' || this.loop--) && this.ep.connected) {
+      while (!this.killed && (this.loop === 'forever' || this.loop--) && this.ep?.connected) {
         let segment = 0;
         do {
           if (cs.isInConference) {
diff --git a/lib/tasks/specs.json b/lib/tasks/specs.json
index 64c1a790..dc867aeb 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/specs.json
+++ b/lib/tasks/specs.json
@@ -21,20 +21,29 @@
       "referTo"
     ]
   },
-  "cognigy": {
+  "config": {
     "properties": {
-      "url": "string",
-      "token": "string",
+      "synthesizer": "#synthesizer",
       "recognizer": "#recognizer",
-      "tts": "#synthesizer",
-      "prompt": "string",
+      "bargeIn": "#bargeIn"
+    },
+    "required": []
+  },
+  "bargeIn": {
+    "properties": {
+      "enable": "boolean",
       "actionHook": "object|string",
-      "eventHook": "object|string",
-      "data": "object"
+      "input": "array",
+      "finishOnKey": "string",
+      "numDigits": "number",
+      "minDigits": "number",
+      "maxDigits": "number",
+      "interDigitTimeout": "number",
+      "dtmfBargein": "boolean",
+      "minBargeinWordCount": "number"
     },
     "required": [
-      "url",
-      "token"
+      "enable"
     ]
   },
   "dequeue": {
@@ -400,6 +409,7 @@
       "language": "string",
       "vad": "#vad",
       "hints": "array",
+      "hintsBoost": "number",
       "altLanguages": "array",
       "profanityFilter": "boolean",
       "interim": "boolean",
@@ -453,7 +463,8 @@
         ]
       },
       "requestSnr": "boolean",
-      "initialSpeechTimeoutMs": "number"
+      "initialSpeechTimeoutMs": "number",
+      "azureServiceEndpoint": "string"
     },
     "required": [
       "vendor"
diff --git a/lib/tasks/transcribe.js b/lib/tasks/transcribe.js
index 953ab55b..5094df89 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/transcribe.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/transcribe.js
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class TaskTranscribe extends Task {
 
     /* google-specific options */
     this.hints = recognizer.hints || [];
+    this.hintsBoost = recognizer.hintsBoost;
     this.profanityFilter = recognizer.profanityFilter;
     this.punctuation = !!recognizer.punctuation;
     this.enhancedModel = !!recognizer.enhancedModel;
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ class TaskTranscribe extends Task {
     this.profanityOption = recognizer.profanityOption || 'raw';
     this.requestSnr = recognizer.requestSnr || false;
     this.initialSpeechTimeoutMs = recognizer.initialSpeechTimeoutMs || 0;
+    this.azureServiceEndpoint = recognizer.azureServiceEndpoint;
   }
 
   get name() { return TaskName.Transcribe; }
@@ -138,7 +140,12 @@ class TaskTranscribe extends Task {
       ].forEach((arr) => {
         if (this[arr[0]]) opts[arr[1]] = true;
       });
-      if (this.hints.length > 1) opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS = this.hints.join(',');
+      if (this.hints.length > 1) {
+        opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS = this.hints.join(',');
+        if (typeof this.hintsBoost === 'number') {
+          opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_HINTS_BOOST = this.hintsBoost;
+        }
+      }
       if (this.altLanguages.length > 1) opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_ALTERNATIVE_LANGUAGE_CODES = this.altLanguages.join(',');
       if ('unspecified' !== this.interactionType) {
         opts.GOOGLE_SPEECH_METADATA_INTERACTION_TYPE = this.interactionType;
@@ -205,6 +212,7 @@ class TaskTranscribe extends Task {
       if (this.profanityOption !== 'raw') opts.AZURE_PROFANITY_OPTION = this.profanityOption;
       if (this.initialSpeechTimeoutMs > 0) opts.AZURE_INITIAL_SPEECH_TIMEOUT_MS = this.initialSpeechTimeoutMs;
       if (this.outputFormat !== 'simple') opts.AZURE_USE_OUTPUT_FORMAT_DETAILED = 1;
+      if (this.azureServiceEndpoint) opts.AZURE_SERVICE_ENDPOINT = this.azureServiceEndpoint;
 
       await ep.set(opts)
         .catch((err) => this.logger.info(err, 'TaskTranscribe:_startTranscribing with azure'));
diff --git a/lib/utils/constants.json b/lib/utils/constants.json
index 620bdef8..b76d9fcf 100644
--- a/lib/utils/constants.json
+++ b/lib/utils/constants.json
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
   "TaskName": {
     "Cognigy": "cognigy",
     "Conference": "conference",
+    "Config": "config",
     "Dequeue": "dequeue",
     "Dial": "dial",
     "Dialogflow": "dialogflow",
diff --git a/lib/utils/ws-requestor.js b/lib/utils/ws-requestor.js
index 81d89482..baa33296 100644
--- a/lib/utils/ws-requestor.js
+++ b/lib/utils/ws-requestor.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ class WsRequestor extends BaseRequestor {
     this.connections = 0;
     this.messagesInFlight = new Map();
     this.maliciousClient = false;
+    this.closedByUs = false;
 
     assert(this._isAbsoluteUrl(this.url));
 
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ class WsRequestor extends BaseRequestor {
 
     /* if we have an absolute url, and it is http then do a standard webhook */
     if (this._isAbsoluteUrl(url) && url.startsWith('http')) {
-      this.logger.debug({hook}, 'WsRequestor: sending a webhook');
+      this.logger.debug({hook}, 'WsRequestor: sending a webhook (HTTP)');
       const requestor = new HttpRequestor(this.logger, this.account_sid, hook, this.secret);
       return requestor.request(type, hook, params);
     }
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ class WsRequestor extends BaseRequestor {
       data: {...payload}
     };
 
-    this.logger.debug({obj}, `WsRequestor:request ${url}`);
+    this.logger.debug({obj}, `websocket: sending (${url})`);
 
     /* simple notifications */
     if (['call:status', 'jambonz:error'].includes(type)) {
@@ -118,11 +119,17 @@ class WsRequestor extends BaseRequestor {
   }
 
   close() {
-    this.logger.info('WsRequestor: closing socket');
-    if (this.ws) {
-      this.ws.close();
-      this.ws.removeAllListeners();
+    this.logger.info('WsRequestor:close closing socket');
+    this.closedByUs = true;
+    try {
+      if (this.ws) {
+        this.ws.close();
+        this.ws.removeAllListeners();
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger.info({err}, 'WsRequestor: Error closing socket');
     }
+    this.logger.info('WsRequestor:close  socket closed');
   }
 
   _connect() {
@@ -197,13 +204,8 @@ class WsRequestor extends BaseRequestor {
 
   _onSocketClosed() {
     this.ws = null;
-    if (this.connections > 0) {
-      if (this.connections < MAX_RECONNECTS) {
-        setTimeout(this._connect.bind(this), 500);
-      }
-      else {
-        this.logger.info('WsRequestor:_onSocketClosed - max reconnection attempts reached');
-      }
+    if (this.connections > 0 && this.connections < MAX_RECONNECTS && !this.closedByUs) {
+      setTimeout(this._connect.bind(this), 500);
     }
   }
 
@@ -217,7 +219,10 @@ class WsRequestor extends BaseRequestor {
 
     /* messages must be JSON format */
     try {
-      const {type, msgid, command, queueCommand = false, data} = JSON.parse(content);
+      const obj = JSON.parse(content);
+      const {type, msgid, command, queueCommand = false, data} = obj;
+
+      this.logger.debug({obj}, 'websocket: received');
       assert.ok(type, 'type property not supplied');
 
       switch (type) {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index bf860eed..b3d62996 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
   },
   "scripts": {
     "start": "node app",
-    "test": "NODE_ENV=test JAMBONES_HOSTING=1 DRACHTIO_HOST=127.0.0.1 DRACHTIO_PORT=9060 DRACHTIO_SECRET=cymru JAMBONES_MYSQL_HOST=127.0.0.1 JAMBONES_MYSQL_PORT=3360 JAMBONES_MYSQL_USER=jambones_test JAMBONES_MYSQL_PASSWORD=jambones_test JAMBONES_MYSQL_DATABASE=jambones_test JAMBONES_REDIS_HOST=127.0.0.1 JAMBONES_REDIS_PORT=16379 JAMBONES_LOGLEVEL=debug ENABLE_METRICS=0 HTTP_PORT=3000 JAMBONES_SBCS=172.38.0.10 JAMBONES_FREESWITCH=127.0.0.1:8022:ClueCon:docker-host JAMBONES_TIME_SERIES_HOST=127.0.0.1 JAMBONES_NETWORK_CIDR=172.38.0.0/16 node test/ ",
+    "test": "NODE_ENV=test JAMBONES_HOSTING=1 DRACHTIO_HOST=127.0.0.1 DRACHTIO_PORT=9060 DRACHTIO_SECRET=cymru JAMBONES_MYSQL_HOST=127.0.0.1 JAMBONES_MYSQL_PORT=3360 JAMBONES_MYSQL_USER=jambones_test JAMBONES_MYSQL_PASSWORD=jambones_test JAMBONES_MYSQL_DATABASE=jambones_test JAMBONES_REDIS_HOST=127.0.0.1 JAMBONES_REDIS_PORT=16379 JAMBONES_LOGLEVEL=error ENABLE_METRICS=0 HTTP_PORT=3000 JAMBONES_SBCS=172.38.0.10 JAMBONES_FREESWITCH=127.0.0.1:8022:ClueCon:docker-host JAMBONES_TIME_SERIES_HOST=127.0.0.1 JAMBONES_NETWORK_CIDR=172.38.0.0/16 node test/ ",
     "coverage": "./node_modules/.bin/nyc --reporter html --report-dir ./coverage npm run test",
     "jslint": "eslint app.js lib"
   },