Converting Audio

This section will cover appropriate formats for audio to be delivered on the web and software available to convert digitized audio into these various formats.

Open RealProducer

Use RealProducer to convert the sample sound file to a streaming format for the web. RealProducer will also create the web page we will use to access the sample sound file after uploading it to the web. This is a program from the same company that makes the RealMedia player.

• Double-click the RealProducer shortcut on the desktop

Select Sound File

We will use the RealProducer wizard to setup the sound file sample to convert. This is the default mode.

• Select the "Record from file" option in the first window. Then click "OK".
  
  
  
• Select your previously recorded wav file. You can either type the full path to the file or click on the "Browse" button to locate the file saved in the D drive.

  Then click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  

• Enter descriptive information for the sound file as appropriate.
  Then click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  
• The File Type window provides the user with an option to save the file for "Multi-rate" streaming or "Single-rate" streaming. In this demonstration we will use the "Single-rate" option just to simplify the process.

  The "Multi-rate" format is an option available to the CSULB community since the university has purchased a RealServer. If multi-rate streaming is something you may wish to use in the future, ask your instructor for more details.

  Click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  

• The "Voice Only" audio format is sufficient for our purposes, but you can see that there are other options.
  Select "Voice Only" then click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  
• RealProducer creates a default file name, which for most purposes will be sufficient. If you wish to chage the default file name select "Save As..." otherwise click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  
• The next screen displays the file information based on our previous selections.

  Click "Finish" to go to the next screen.
  
  

• RealProducer now displays the file information and conversion settings. It is also an option to skip the wizard and come directly to this screen.

  If you wish to make any changes then you can do that here, otherwise click the "Start" button at the bottom left of the screen to convert the audio file.
  
  
  

Create a Web Page

RealProducer can also create a web page which provides easy access to the sound file through the web.

• Select "Create Web Page" from the "Tools" menu.
  
  
  
• Select a playback method either "Pop-up Player" or the "Embedded Player". The "Pop-up" launches the RealMedia Player and plays the sound file in that separate window. To avoid opening a separate window select the "Embedded" option, which will put the play bar directly on the web page.

  Either option seems to work well. Select the option which best suits your needs, then click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  

• Enter the caption, which will be the title at the top of the web page.

  Click "Next" to continue.
  
  
  

• RealProducer creates a default file name for your web page. If you wish to change the default file name select "Save As..." otherwise click "Next" to continue.

  
  
  

• You now have a web page which can provide easy access to your sound file through the Internet. If you like to preview your page click on the "Preview" button, otherwise select "Finish".

  
  
  

In the next section you will be shown step-by-step how to upload the necessary files to your Internet account. We will be using the Windows-like interface in Internet Explorer to upload the files.