Adding audio to the mix - sound cards and sound clips for multimedia presentations - Stop Playing Games: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Multimedia - Tutorial - Cover Story

Home Office Computing, Dec, 1994 by Jan Ozer

One key medium to consider in any kind of multimedia marketing is audio. Sound provides smoother presentation transitions and allows you to step back from the podium while a prerecorded message gets your point across.

Start recording. Audio recording involves two pieces of equipment: a sound board installed in your computer and an external microphone. Sound boards are to audio what capture boards are to video: Sound boards capture the analog audio signal and convert it to digital format. Unlike video, however, which plays back on your graphics card without special hardware, audio playback requires a sound board as well as speakers or headphones.

If you already own a qualified multimedia PC, then you have a sound board. (All Macintosh computers have built-in sound.) For simple voice recording, most boards will suffice. If you're dissatisfied with yours, however, or are upgrading a computer for multimedia capabilities, choosing and installing a sound board is relatively easy. Sound boards range in price from under $100 to over $500. Most important is a 16-bit audio chip set, which provides higher-quality sound than the older but cheaper 8-bit varieties. If you're short on computer slots (and who isn't?), look for a board that can also serve as the interface card for your CD-ROM. Finally, the card should include software to capture and edit the audio, which is absolutely essential for polished audio presentations.

If you'll be recording your own voice, you'll need a microphone. Any $20 to $50 model will do the job. Most important to audio quality is the capture environment. Professionals use soundproof rooms to screen out ambient noise. To simulate that situation, shut off all heating and air conditioning while recording and shield the computer from the microphone.

In addition, script the audio word for word, then read it out loud several times before recording, this will help you screen out difficult-to-pronounce words and phrases. Check each audio segment after recording to make sure you've made a usable cut.

Finally, keep it short. Whether limited by disk space or your prospect's attention span, shorter is better.

At the low end of the sound card spectrum, consider Creative Labs ([408] 428-6600, [800] 998-5227) SoundBlaster 16 Value Edition ($149; $100 street), which offers above-average sound quality and a useful suite of software. The perennial high-end favorite is the Turtle Beach Systems MultiSound ($399; $345 street), which provides unparalleled audio quality and comprehensive software tools. Creative Labs SoundBlaster AWE32 ($399) gives you the complete package: high-quality record/playback and a microphone.

Once you've got audio in your computer, you'll need speakers to play it back. Prices range from under $30 for two small, tinny speakers to well over $350 for high-end models.

Before buying, consider how you plan to use speakers. Scratch the $30 pair if you want to play audio to customers - the poor-quality sound will leave a low-tech impression.

If your primary use will be playing back recorded speech in a one-on-one setting, check out Advent's ([708] 317-3700, [800] 477-3257) Powered Partner Model 22 ($100 street). If you plan to play back music, or will be making presentations for large groups or trade shows, you'll need a higher-end system that can retain audio fidelity at high volume.

Popular in this role is Altec Lansing's ([171] 296-4434) ACS300 sound system, with a street price of around $300. The system features Altec Lansing's distinctive clamshell-design speakers with a separate subwoofer to handle lower frequency sounds. The combination produces crisp, clear sound across a range of volumes.

Audio on disc. Just as with artwork, you may not have the time or inclination to do your own recording. In that case, turn to CD-ROM-based clip audio for music and sound effects. Music is used as background for silent videos or to fill in transitions between visual media. Sound effects are used for emphasis in presentations. Most audio clip libraries provide one form or the other but not both.

Before looking at third-party programs, check to see if a CD-ROM was shipped with your presentation program. If so, it may contain a sampling of media supported by the presentation software, including audio. Be sure to review the software license agreement regarding the available uses of the sound clips, just as a precaution. In most instances, in-house use, or even noncommercial distribution in the form of disk-based marketing, is almost always acceptable.

The same concern holds true for commercial clip music: Royalty-free usage should be your first concern. The surprising second concern is how well the clips are cataloged, since a sample is worthless unless you can find it. Several vendors include a simple database program for selecting among various clips. Others force you to trudge through entire directories to find, say, the right scream in a subdirectory. It's enough to make you ... well, you know what we mean.

Format is another consideration. Music should be available in at least 22kHz, 16-bit stereo quality. You may choose lower qualities that take up less space, but you should have the choice. Another nice feature is clips in CD-audio format, so you can wander through the library on your stereo system.