Sample Sounds

Standard Internet sound files are AIFF, AU, MIDI, MPEG and WAV formatted files Sound files can be download hogs, thus streaming audio is best for longer sounds and music files. Sound files can be compressed for transmission purposes but then upon receipt they need to be decompressed. This compression/decompression is called a "codec." Sounds can be played when a page loads (depends on the browser) or as download and play sounds. Depending upon the circumstances, some sounds require a plug-in or helper application for the user's browser.

Music files are normally MPEG or MP3 files. MP3 files require a helper program such as RealAudio or Windows Media Player. And, you will need a music server as opposed to a normal HTML server. (It is possible to use MP3 files with a normal server but the result will not be satisfactory.) MP3 requires a lot of bandwidth which is the purpose of a music server. We don't offer MP3 samples. If you want to sample MP3, try the music link on this sub-webs Links Page. WAV and MPEG music files are sampled below.

AU Sound: Short sounds are normally downloaded to the user's computer and then played (download and play). Click here to download and play an AU sound: Click Me. Note the download time. Note the use of a helper or plug-in program with your browser.

The next sample uses a Java hover button. You'll hear a sound when you move your mouse cursor over the button. And a different sound when you click the button. Give it a try.; This is a technique we like as it is our opinion that longer sounds are a distraction unless those sounds are integral to the web site's primary purpose. The "click for sound" button is programmed with Java using AU files for sound.
MIDI Sound: Midi sounds are normally downloaded to the user's computer and then played (download and play). Click here to download and play a MIDI sound: Click here. Note the download time and the use of a helper or plug-in program with your browser.
Music: MPEG music is better than any other format, except MP3. The sample MPEG file is a download and play MPEG file of 185,000 bytes. This is a long download on most modems. Click here for MPEG.

The same music can be in other standard formats but the file will be much, much larger. The following sample is a WAV file. It sounds about the same as the MPEG file but the file size is considerably larger at 423,000 bytes. A very, very long download on a modem. The MPEG compression scheme is much better; however, we provide the WAV file if you want to experience a long download. Click for WAV music.
Sound on Page Load (Works with Internet Explorer.): Sound can be played when a page is loaded if the viewer is using Internet Explorer.
Click here to experience this sound effect.

Download time is a factor. Click here to load the same page without the sound.

Sounds loaded on "page load" can be looped to play more than one time, even unto infinity. An infinity loop can be very boring. Click here to experience an infinity loop on page load.
Sound on Page Load (for most browsers, requires plug-in): Sound can also be played when a page is loaded if the viewer is using almost any browser.
Click here to experience this sound effect.; Download time is a factor. Click here to load the same page without the sound.

As with the Internet Explorer example, sounds loaded on "page load" can be looped to play more than one time, even unto infinity.
Voice Sounds: Voice can be an effective sound use on the Internet. But again, you must be aware of the related download time. Click here for voice sounds.
WAV Sound: WAV sounds are normally downloaded to the user's computer and then played (download and play). Click here to download and play a WAV sound: Click here. Note the download time and note the use of a helper or plug-in program with your browser.

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Design Elements: HTML, Sounds, CSS, Java, JavaScript and ASP.