ABOUT SOUND FILES

Sound files are popular on the Internet. When you click on one of our sound files, your browser software should automatically begin to download the sound file to your computer. After the download is complete, some browsers will start playing the file; others may show you a control box with controls with which you may begin playback.

Many of our EXCERPT sound files are low-quality audio files of about 15 seconds each. They are encoded in RealAudio compression format. This allows you to have a faster download, yet still hear enough to get a "feel" for the piece. Remember, reducing the quality of the sound file was necessary to prevent you from waiting inordinate lengths of time while the sound file downloads. Please be understanding.

The ENTIRE WORK sound files are encoded in the popular MP3 format. While they are still not the quality of an audio CD, they are pretty close. They are also pretty big files, so it takes a while to download them, depending on the speed of your internet connection. The good news is that almost all web browsers (Netscape, Explorer, etc.) have the software necessary for playback built into them.

Of course, for all of this to work, your computer must have sound capabilities. This would include three items:

  1. a sound card (included with virtually all recent computers),
  2. some type of speaker (either built-in or external),
  3. software to make it all work.

RealAudio©

RealAudio is a special sound-processing system that can maintain quality sound while compressing a sound file, often by more than 500%! To make it work, you must have the free RealPlayer© software (visit our LINKS site to get it).


 
TEST YOUR SYSTEM:

How do you know if your computer is ready to play sound files? Here's an easy test. Click on each of the following to see which one works for you:

If you can get either of the above to play back, you're set. If your computer tells you it can't open the sound file, you may want to vist our LINKS site to find software that will play sound files for you.