Audio Files

You may choose to use audio files in a variety of ways within your course. In the past, instructors have used audio files to narrate powerpoint lectures, give course introductions and transitions, and as stand alone lectures. On this page you will find information on how to use audio tools to accomplish the following:

• Convert a Pre-existing Audio to Streaming Audio for a Website
• Add Audio to Your PowerPoint Presentation

Convert a Pre-existing Audio to Streaming Audio for a Website

To begin the conversion process, you must first download and install dBpoweramp along with a special codec:

To download dBpowerAMP, go to:
http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm

Scroll down until you find the link to download the current release of the software. Click on the link to begin the download. Once it has completed, install the program by following the instructions provided.

Next, you must download a codec. To do so, go to:
http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central.htm

• Locate the link titled "Download" that is to the right of three colored-boxes and the title "Real Audio". Click the "Download" link.
• On the next screen that comes up, there is a section on the web page titled "Codec Central - Real Audio Decoder (Reads)"
• Click the link titled "RealAudio Input Codec" to download the file.
• Once the file finishes downloading, open it and allow the installation program to run.
• Once this file has been downloaded and installed, it is necessary to reboot your computer. Please do so now. Once the computer has been rebooted, please proceed to the section in this tutorial entitled "Converting Sound Files to Real Audio (.RA) Format"

Converting Sound Files to Real Audio (.RA) Format on a PC

Now that you've successfully downloaded and installed the update required by dBpowerAMP to convert .WAV to .RA files, we are now ready to begin the actual conversion process. The following instructions will take you through the conversion process:

• Go to the location of the sound file you wish to convert.
• Single right-click the sound file. There should be an option titled "Covert To". Click that option.
• Another menu will appear with several options, Click the "Real Audio" option.
• A window titled "dBpowerAMP Music Converter" will appear. We must ensure that several options are configured properly before actually beginning the conversion process.
• First, make sure that under "Output To:", the option "Same Folder as Original" is selected, and not the "Folder" option.
• Make sure that "Preserve ID Tags" is checked.
• Make sure both "Volume Normalize" and "Delete Source File(s) After Conversion" are left unchecked.
• Once you have ensured everything is configured properly, click the "Configure>>" button to proceed. This begins the actual conversion process.
• At the end of this process, click the "Finished" button. You should have two files of the same name, but with differing extensions. The original will be "nameofsoundclip.WAV" and the new one will be "nameofsoundclip.RA"

Now that you have successfully converted your sound files from the large Wave (.WAV) format to the much smaller RealAudio (.RA) format, we are ready to upload the streaming audio files. To have you audio files uploaded to the streaming server you'll need to send your audio files to us. You may either send an email to advancedonline@jhu.edu or call (410)516-6496. We will upload the files for you and send you instructions on how to link to them from your course.

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