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SOUND FILE CONVERSIONWhen you save a file in Sound Forge, by default, youll save a WAV file. What if you need a Mp3 or a Real Audio file to stream over the Internet? Thats where this section comes in. Were going to learn about different file conversion methods, and how to stream your new file over the Internet. Its easy, its fun, its super-cutting-edge-amaze-your-friends-and-neighbors kinda stuff. Real AudioDeveloped by Progressive Networks, RealAudio was the first format to allow for real time streaming of music and sound over the web. Listeners are required to download the Realplayer to enjoy sound in RealAudio Format. The Realplayer can also stream video and is currently in use by millions of Internet users worldwide. You can get the real player, for free, at: If youre trying to get the real player for free, look near the bottom of the page for the Real Player Basic. The people at Progressive Networks are kinda shifty. They try to hide the link for the free player. The free player is pretty much the same as the one you pay for, except you dont get tech support. The Real ServerProgressive Networks sells a software bundle called the "Real Server" that you will need if you want to take advantage of some special Real features, like bandwidth testing for optimal streaming. The Real Server costs about $2000.00, but you dont need it to stream Real Files. Well mention some of the things you could do with the Real Server if you had it The Real ProducerYou will need a program called the Real Producer to create real files. Like the Real Player, theres a free version, and a really freaking expensive version. The free version of the Real Producer is even harder to find. just search for it on thier site. That address is some mouthful, huh? If you cant find something youre looking for on the Real site, you can e-mail the Real help people and ask them where to find it. Theyre surprisingly helpful and quick about answering inquiring e-mails. Using the Real Producer to Create Real Audio FilesThe Real Producer converts WAV files into RM (Real Media) files.
The Real Producer will do its magic! You can also use the Real Producer to capture video. You will need a video capture card for your computer, though Streaming Real Audio FilesStreaming real audio files without the Real Server software is kinda weird. Basically, you make a text file, containing the full URL pointing to your real audio file. On your web page you link to the text file, which opens the Real Player. The Real Player reads the text file and plays the music! Heres how it works: 1. Create a text file with Simple Text (Mac) or the Notepad (PC) 2. In the
text file, write the whole URL pointing to your Real Audio file.
3. Save
your text file with a .ram extension 4. Upload both the text file and the Real Audio File. 5. In your web page, create a link to the .ram file. When your user clicks the link, the Real Player will open, read the contents of your text .ram file, and go to that URL. Your audio should start playing after a short buffering period! MP3The web design course steps for creating and streaming an MP3 are almost the same as for Real Audio. Your users will need a program to play the Mp3, but chances are that their computer came with an Mp3 Player. Mp3 EncodersYoull need a program called an encoder to help you create the Mp3. Encoders are not all the same, and some are much better than others. One of the best encoders on the market for the PC is the Ultimate Encoder, available at: Download the EU2K Lite. Its free. After you install it, restart your computer. Pretty much all of the encoders work the same way. You tell the encoder what file you want to convert, and where you want it to end up. MP3 BitrateYoull have to tell the Encoder how much to compress the Mp3. The more compression you apply, the smaller file size your final output will be, but also the worse your audio will sound. Mp3 compression is measured in Bitrate. The bit rate measures the number of bits used in a second of audio. This works out pretty well for you Internet folks. If you want to stream at 128K, you can compress your Mp3 to 128K! You should actually allow for net congestion and compress smaller than your target modem speed. For a 56K modem, I recommend 32K compression. For reference, 256K is CD quality. Most high quality Mp3s are saved at 128K. On nefarious download sites like Napster, you can designate the Bitrate for higher quality audio flies.
Streaming an Mp3After you use an encoder to create an Mp3, you have to set it up for streaming. Youll use the same trick you did with the Real Audio, except the extension on your text file will be .m3u 6. Create a text file with Simple Text (Mac) or the Notepad (PC) 7. In the
text file, write the whole URL pointing to your Mp3 file.
8. Save
your text file with a .m3u extension 9. Upload both the text file and the Mp3 file. 10. In your web page, create a link to the .m3u file. When your user clicks the link, the designated Mp3 player will open, read the contents of your text .m3u file, and go to that URL. Your audio should start playing after a short buffering period! Converting Mp3s to WAVsWAV files are the standard for CD recording. If youre interested in recording CDs , you can use your encoder to convert Mp3s to WAVs. You may want to fix your new WAV sounds in Sound Forge before you burn them to a CD. To create WAV files from Mp3 files:
Itll make you a WAV file. To burn WAVs to a CD:
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