How to Create Buttons for Audio?

by Nightengale

Posted: 18 years ago 19 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Hi Warriors!

I want to create some short, 1-2 minute audio messages for my site using Audacity. However, I DON'T KNOW how to create/link the play/pause and stop buttons I'll need (and make them work for the audio like they're supposed to). I've done a search online, but what I'm seeing doesn't apply or is confusing.

Does anyone here know how to create the play/pause and stop buttons for audio messages if you're not using something like Audio Acrobat or Audio Generator? (Yes, I know they're only $20/month, but I'm testing some things now and don't want to commit to a monthly fee for a third-party service.)

I'd greatly appreciate some tips/help/direction on how to do this.

Thanks,
Michelle

#audio #buttons #create

mikecowles 18 years ago

Hi Michelle,

you have a few options. You can create a swf file using a program like swishmax. You can see an example at Affiliate Link Magic- The Most Powerful Cloaking Software On The Planet! The advantage to doing it that way is there's no monthly fee and the load time is minimal.

You can get a free copy of web audio plus if you look around, but I've found that the results are sloppy sounding (computerized with weird sounds cutting in and out).

If you're using Frontpage you can import a wav file and right click on the page, then click on page properties. Click on the background tab and you'll see "play sound once page loads" and a browse button. Import your wav file and make sure you click the box to just play it once and you're done.

If you need help with doing option A (swf file) send me an email and I'll be happy to help.

Take care.
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Francis Miller

18 years ago

Hi Michelle,

There's an interesting comparison table of the different software options available here -

Website Audio Reviews - Streaming Audio Software Top Ten Comparison Chart.

plus links to reviews of the programs.

Once you've got some good software, creating buttons is not difficult to do. I use Sonic Memo myself and can create buttons in minutes.

Good luck with it!

Francis

Thanks
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Nightengale

18 years ago

Thanks for your suggestions guys! I appreciate it.

I've spent the last few hours searching for a good audio icon -- sort of like the audio speaker icon in your system tray. No such luck! Grrrr! I finally found a generic one I like which I was able to get for free. Took some digging though....

Francis, does Sonic Memo record in MP3 format? I think that's a rather commonly accepted format and will work well streaming over the Net or downloading into an MP3 player, so I prefer MP3. I was double-checking Audiacity's capabilities and it seems that you have to download something else to export files in MP3 format. I'm NOT at all techie, so it makes me a bit nervous....

Michelle

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Francis Miller

18 years ago

Originally Posted by Nightengale

..... Francis, does Sonic Memo record in MP3 format? I think that's a rather commonly accepted format and will work well streaming over the Net or downloading into an MP3 player, so I prefer MP3. I was double-checking Audiacity's capabilities and it seems that you have to download something else to export files in MP3 format. I'm NOT at all techie, so it makes me a bit nervous....

Michelle

Sonic Memo doesn't have an in-built recording option but some of the other programs mentioned on the link I gave above - Website Audio Reviews - Streaming Audio Software Top Ten Comparison Chart. - (eg. Flash Audio Wizard and Impact Web Audio) do.

Francis

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Josh Anderson

18 years ago

Hi Michelle,

Use Audacity to record and edit your video. Save it as a WAV if you do not want to download the mp3 plug in. It will do that by default.

Then Once you have your audio file you can compress and convert it to mp3 with this simple little application:

www.totalwebaudio.com/mp3tweak.zip

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Nightengale

18 years ago

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I so appreciate the input.

Josh,

I've downloaded the app. But how would I download and install the plugin for Audacity if that's what I wanted to do?

Francis,

It looks like Sonic Memo has a built-in capability to build buttons and connect them to your audio files. Is that correct?

I've personally been looking at Sony Sound Forge for a long time. But since I'd never really pursued audio, it just wasn't worth the investment. I'd like to get it, but I STILL don't know how to create and attach play/pause/stop buttons to my audio files. So it won't help to to record and host them on my own site unless I can create the buttons.

Do you rely on Sonic Memo's capabilities in this area or do you know how to create and attach the buttons no matter what audio program you're using?

Thanks,
Michelle

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Josh Anderson 18 years ago

I've downloaded the app. But how would I download and install the plugin for Audacity if that's what I wanted to do?

Go to the audacity site it tells you exactly how to do that:

Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder
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Josh Anderson 18 years ago

I've downloaded the app. But how would I download and install the plugin for Audacity if that's what I wanted to do?

Go to the audacity site it tells you exactly how to do that:

Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder

If you have audacity you don't need Sony Sound Forge.
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- Nightengale 18 years ago
  
  Thanks Josh! I think I saw something like that on their site when I was researching it, but it seemed a bit complicated at the time. I'll have a second look.
  
  Michelle
  
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Francis Miller

18 years ago

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Francis,

It looks like Sonic Memo has a built-in capability to build buttons and connect them to your audio files. Is that correct?

I've personally been looking at Sony Sound Forge for a long time. But since I'd never really pursued audio, it just wasn't worth the investment. I'd like to get it, but I STILL don't know how to create and attach play/pause/stop buttons to my audio files. So it won't help to to record and host them on my own site unless I can create the buttons.

Do you rely on Sonic Memo's capabilities in this area or do you know how to create and attach the buttons no matter what audio program you're using?

Thanks,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

I'll try and give a clear explanation!

1. You upload the library of buttons that Sonic Memo gives you to a new folder that you create (called 'smplayers') on your website server.

2. You also create another folder on your website server called 'mp3files'.

3. You open Sonic Memo and you add in the name of the mp3 file.

4. You choose the type, number and color of buttons plus any other features you want eg. a progress bar, autoplay and redirect.

5. You click on the Preview button to see how the buttons look. If you're not happy with them, you can make further changes.

6. When you are happy, you click on the 'Generate Code' button and then the 'Copy to Clipboard' button. You now have the HTML code for pasting into your webpage.

7. Now go to your HTML editor and paste the code where you want the buttons to be on the page.

8. You then need to upload this page and also to upload the particular mp3 file into the 'mp3files' folder.

9. Your audio buttons will now appear on your website page and, when you click Play, you should hear some sound.

It is a simple process but I know how hard it can be to understand things conceptually before you've actually done it in practice.

I imagine that other audio button programs have a similar process.

If you still don't understand anything, do ask.

Francis

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Dave OSullivan 18 years ago

Michelle,

Have you tried Impact Web Audio - Streaming Web Audio Made Easy! it's really easy to use and you can select different player button styles and colors.

Dave.
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DavidO 18 years ago

I really recommend you try Wavepad for creating your audio. It's so much simpler and more intuitive than Audacity:

WavePad Masters Edition

Just click the "download masters" option. I use Wavepad for almost all my audio needs.

As for the control I'd suggest using a flash music player. The simplest, free music player is available here:

Free Flash Music Player, Free Music Player for Website, Stream Music on Web Page,Add music to your website

For single tracks the mini or single player works fine. You'l find easy instructions along with the music player download. Send me a PM if you have any trouble placing the code in your page because I've done a lot of this.
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Jesus Perez 18 years ago

Scroll down to "Web Jukebox". I have a few clients that have used this and it does the job.

Free Web Design & Flash Software Downloads - CoffeeCup Software
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Paul Hartunian 18 years ago

Dave OSullivan -

Is Impact Web Audio PC-only software or is there a Mac version? I couldn't tell from the sales page?

Thanks.
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- Dave OSullivan 18 years ago
  
  According to the installation pdf you need a Windows based system.
  
  Dave.
  
  Originally Posted by Paul Hartunian
  
  Dave OSullivan -
  
  Is Impact Web Audio PC-only software or is there a Mac version? I couldn't tell from the sales page?
  
  Thanks.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Nightengale 18 years ago
  
  Again, thanks so much for all of the help! I greatly appreciate it.
  
  And for those who don't know, Paul Hartunian is a publicity genius. I became one of his students LONG before I ever discovered the WF. I'd barely discovered the Internet! (This was back around 1997 or so.)
  
  If you're interested in getting free publicity for your business, then check out Paul's publicity kit. It's well worth it.
  
  Michelle
  
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Danny Turner 18 years ago

Try this one - free and easy to use- looks ok too
can add multiple mp3's - shows a playlist on the screen
WebMinster Studios • WebPlayer / HomePage
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Paul Hartunian 18 years ago

Michelle,

Thank you so much for those very kind words. They are very much appreciated.

I've been casually following your progress since we first worked together. I'm truly impressed by your persistence, your growth and your willingness to keep learning.

Paul
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SeanIM 18 years ago

Here's a free tutorial I did on this that includes the files needed to place on your page and instructions how to do it.

HOW TO ADD AUDIO TO YOUR WEBSITE FOR FREE

Enjoy.

-S

PS: No special software needed, just a few files and your mp3 you created with audacity...and upload them to your site.
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How to Create Buttons for Audio?

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