streaming audio files

[Cadillac Vernon]

I am trying to design a webpage to let users choose whether they would like to download an mp3 or listen to it write away (via streaming audio).

I want the format to be like this website:

http://www.soundclick.com/genres/charts.cfm?genre=Classical

I know how to encode RealAudio files and all that, but the soundclick website seems to use javascript to stream the audio, and it seems a lot smoother than RealAudio.

I've looked at the Page Source, but i just can't find out exactly where the javascript comes in. How should I go about streaming the mp3's and also how do I let users download them in full? Do I just link to the mp3 itself and ftp it to my webspace?

Thanks,
Vernon

[sta12s]

They use a Flash player for the audio. If you're interested in using Flash for your site - they are so many diff ways to go about it - the only reason that sound click uses java script is to ID the songs and for the pop up window.

Streaming audio is a tricky thing on the web - you always have to initiate a player (which you seem to know how to do since you're familiar with RealAudio). I recommend using QuickTime. They seem to have better quality.

I highly recomend using a simple flash player if you're interested, and when designed correctly, they don't take long to load - also you can stream and have progressive downloading with flash. Then again, quicktime will be just as good. :)

Also, it depends if you want people to have your files? That's a personal thing you have to descide. Keep in mind, once someone downloads your work, they have it - period. If you are developing music that is yours, you may want to add a permission to it allowing for read only access. Or, you may not want them to be able to have a copy on their hard drive, but allow for a referance so they can access it from your site (but that will ad to your bandwitdh).

For more information on how to stream audio with QuickTime go here ... QuickTime (http://www.apple.com/quicktime)

Good luck!

-Sta12s

[Cadillac Vernon]

cool, thanks for the info. So pretty much, the big drawback of quicktime is that it is just a boring blank screen and that grey bar to control the "play" and "stop" functions?

I definitely want people to be able to download (and keep) the files on this particular site.

So do you know of a thread that would explain how to create a player like that in Flash? I've never used Flash before, but I could give it a shot.

Thanks again!

They use a Flash player for the audio. If you're interested in using Flash for your site - they are so many diff ways to go about it - the only reason that sound click uses java script is to ID the songs and for the pop up window.

Streaming audio is a tricky thing on the web - you always have to initiate a player (which you seem to know how to do since you're familiar with RealAudio). I recommend using QuickTime. They seem to have better quality.

I highly recomend using a simple flash player if you're interested, and when designed correctly, they don't take long to load - also you can stream and have progressive downloading with flash. Then again, quicktime will be just as good. :)

Also, it depends if you want people to have your files? That's a personal thing you have to descide. Keep in mind, once someone downloads your work, they have it - period. If you are developing music that is yours, you may want to add a permission to it allowing for read only access. Or, you may not want them to be able to have a copy on their hard drive, but allow for a referance so they can access it from your site (but that will ad to your bandwitdh).

For more information on how to stream audio with QuickTime go here ... QuickTime (http://www.apple.com/quicktime)

Good luck!

-Sta12s

[Cadillac Vernon]

Does this look like a good design?

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=174374&rl=1

[sta12s]

Do you have flash? If so, it has a built in module for sounds whioch makes it SUPER easy to make a player - plus they look good ;)

Check out http://www.macromedia.com and search for "flash audio player"

As for downloading the actual songs, I'm not too sure about how to do that through flash, but I'm sure it'll have info on the macromedia page