Types of Sound
Multimedia: The use of computers to interactively present text, graphics, sound, animation or video.
The next piece in our multimedia definition is sound. Sound can be recorded and saved using many types of technology. We will focus on creating sound that will play on your computer and can be attached to a web page.
There are many different types of sound files:
|
File
Extension
|
Description | Plugin's Needed |
| .aif | Apple Instrument File Format (AIFF) - designed for Mac's but can be used on Windows | Any software that plays music. |
| .mid | Musical Instument Digital Interface (MIDI) | Can be played using Media player which comes with the Windows operating system. |
| RealAudio | streaming audio - allows a sound to be played as it is downloading from the web | Needs a RealAudio web server to support this technology. |
| .wav | Wave files | Can be played using Media player which comes with the Windows operating system. |
| MP3s | Compressed music file | Software that plays music |
Attaching sound to a web page is as easy as displaying a graphic. The person viewing your web page either needs the appropriate plug-in in order to hear your sound or the player installed on their computer. Plug-ins are explained in Lesson 7.
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