How do you make an audio file?

To make a .WAV or .AU file, all you need is your computer, a sound card, some space on your hard drive, a microphone, and some audio software. Most PC sound cards come with software that can create and edit .WAV files, and most Mac sound cards come with software that can create and edit .AU files.

You can also use PC and Mac software like Adobe Audition to convert .WAVs to .AUs and vice versa. There are also plenty of packages that can convert .WAVs and .AUs to .MP3s or vice versa.

To make a .MIDI file, you’ll either need a MIDI authoring program or a MIDI compatible instrument (like certain keyboards), plus, of course, your computer, a sound card, and a little space on your hard drive.

MIDI compatible instruments can record whatever you play on the instrument directly into a MIDI file. MIDI authoring software allows you to write and edit a MIDI file in musical notation.

Prices for MIDI authoring software range from very inexpensive to moderately expensive, depending on the features and capabilities.

Again, we recommend visiting www.tucows.com for audio software shareware and freeware to get you started.

The Bottom Line About Audio Files

Don’t put looping background music (MIDI files) on your page, or if you don’t, set the volume very low. Background music tends to annoy visitors.

Don’t embed large (over 20-35K in size) WAV or AU files that Autostart. Either create them as links (i.e. “Click here to hear a sample from my favorite TV show!”) or give the user an option whether to play them or not. And whatever you do, don’t loop them!

Just remember: like graphics, while multimedia adds spice to a page, don’t add so much spice that it becomes hard to swallow. Use moderation.