Instructions for using Web Audio Guru

(You must be connected to the internet for the links to work)

 

You now have the ability to easily add your MP3 files to web pages as streaming media.  To make setup as easy as possible I’ve outline in detail exactly what is required of you.  Please note that these instructions assume you already have an MP3 file prepared.  If not, either prepare one or use an existing MP3 to practice with.

 

You will also need to have the latest flash media player installed on your computer. If you notice that the files on your local computer do not seem to work, try updating your plugin by going to:

 

Macromedia Flash Player Installation Site 

 

Now let’s have some fun shall we?

 

 

Setup:

 

 

1.                   Unzip the file webaudioguru.zip to an empty directory.

2.                   Open up the file called sample.html.  You’ll see all of the available players and which player name they correspond to.  You’ll also find the code you need directly below each player. Copy and paste the code from the player you want to use into your html page. Once you’ve done that you only need to change the two occurrences of the MP3 file from ‘yourfilename.mp3’ to the actual name of your MP3 file.  If you look at the sample.html page you’ll see they are in bold text.

HINT: If your file is in the same directory as the player you do not need to put anything in front of the file name.  If you’re connecting to a file in a different directory or on a different server I recommend you use the complete url such as http://www.yourdomain.com/filename.mp3

 

IMPORTANT: Do not change anything else in this code or you risk having the player not work. I also recommend that you do not save any changes you’ve made to the original files. Instead rename them something else. This way you’ll always have the originals to work from.

 

3.                   Now that you’ve gotten that taken care of, all you need to do is upload your saved web page(s) along with the player and the MP3 file(s) you wish to stream to your visitors and then test it out.

4.                   If something isn’t working properly make sure you double check that nothing has been changed other than the MP3 filename and that the correct paths to the mp3’s as well as the player are given.

5.                   You may also want to let your visitor know (a tiny link below the player) that if they are having trouble viewing seeing or using the buttons that they may need to update to the latest flash plugin. 

The url to direct them to is: http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

 

 

If you’ve got more than one of the same player on a web page you only need to have one copy of the actual player in the directory for them all to work. If, however, you have more than one player you will either need to have a copy of each in the same directory or you will need to tell your web page where to find it by giving the web player name an url in front of it.

 

Play around with it a little, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I’m more than happy to help.

 

When you downloaded this package you were also provided several bonus players with different looking buttons.  If you want to use them, follow the setup instructions above for each player.  It’s all the same.  Just remember not to change the originals!

 

Feel free to alter the dimensions of the players to suit your needs.  If you have any problems feel free to contact me at webaudioguru@moondogpublishing.com

 

You are free to use the provided shockwave files for your own personal use. You may not give them away or alter them in any way.  Doing so would be a copyright violation and is punishable by law. 

 

 

Known issues: 

 

With this version of Web Audio Guru multiple sound files can be played at the same time

(I'm working on fixing this).

 

The MP3 files that you use should be saved at the following rate:  22050, 16bit, 56kbps or less or

you'll get some very strange effects (too slow, too fast etc.)  This is not a limitation of Web

Audio Guru, but a limitation of macromedia flash.

 

The most important part of the above is the 22050.  Otherwise, play around with the kbps to make the file size larger or smaller.  Keep in mind that with smaller files comes poorer quality.

 

 

Have fun!

 

 

Shawn Farley

Web Audio Guru

 

 

P.S. I want to hear about your experiences with Web Audio Guru.  Send me a note at shawn@moondogpublishing.com or better yet, send me an audio recording of how much you like Web Audio Guru.  Not sure what to say? Send me an e-mail and I’ll help you out.