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BonusBonus 22 ExportingExporting toto RealAudioRealAudio andand WindowsWindows MediaMedia AudioAudio In Chapter 19, “Capturing Your Mix for CD and the Internet,” you learned how to create an MP3 file of your mix. MP3s are a great way to fit a lot of songs on your hard disk or to stream songs from your Web site, but there are other competing formats that you might prefer. This bonus chapter examines two of them. In this chapter, you will learn how to: Export your mix as a RealAudio file Export your mix as a Windows Media Audio file 16 BONUS CHAPTER 2: EXPORTING TO REALAUDIO AND WMA Exporting a RealAudio File RealNetworks’ RealAudio is one of the most common streaming audio formats on the Internet. Virtually every computer comes with RealPlayer already installed, so almost anyone can play your song if it’s in RealAudio format. In professional circles, RealAudio often doesn’t get the respect it deserves, but if you listen critically you will find that for some types of audio, especially classical music and speech at low bit rates, RealAudio sounds better than other streaming formats. It uses the same technology that the MP3 format uses, but RealNetworks’ engineers tweaked the encoding algorithms in such a way that it has its own characteristic sound. 1. Follow the procedure for exporting a WAV file, except at step 9, choose RealAudio from the Files of type drop-down list box. When you click on Export, the progress bar will run its course, and then the RealAudio Settings dialog box will appear. EXPORTING A REALAUDIO FILE 17 2. Optionally, type in the Title, Author, and Copyright fields. This information is similar to ID3 information and will appear in the RealAudio Player. 3. Click on desired options. A ✔ will appear next to options you have chosen. Options include • Enable Perfect Play. This option allows users to download a version of the audio that is at a higher resolution than their Internet connection can stream. • Enable Mobile Play. This option allows users to load the song into a stand-alone RealAudio player. • Enable Selective Record. This option allows users to save the file to their hard drive for later listening. 18 BONUS CHAPTER 2: EXPORTING TO REALAUDIO AND WMA 4. Click on the Formats tab. The tab will come to the front. 5. Click on one or more options under Target Connection Rate(s). A ✔ will appear next to each rate chosen. MULTIPLE BIT RATES RealAudio can stream audio at multiple bit rates from a single source file, so you don’t need to create several files at different bit rates. The resulting file is bigger than a single-bit rate file, but if server space isn’t a big issue you should leave all six bit rates selected. If space is an issue, choose 56K Modem and Dual ISDN as a compromise. 6. Optionally, click on Include a RA 5.0 Compatible Stream. A ✔ will appear next to the option, which enables compatibility with an older version of RealPlayer for those users who have not upgraded. 7. Optionally, click on the desired content type. Each option represents a different encoding algorithm optimized for that type of audio. 8. Click on OK. The dialog box will close, and a progress bar will appear. When the progress bar is gone, the file is ready. EXPORTING A WINDOWS MEDIA FILE 19 Exporting a Windows Media File Microsoft’s Windows Media Audio format is another implementation of the psychoacoustic principles that make MP3s and RealAudio files work. It, too, has its own characteristic sound, and only by careful listening and comparisons will you know for sure which streaming format is best for your music. 1. Follow the procedure for exporting a WAV file, except at step 9, choose Windows Media Advanced Streaming Format from the Files of type drop- down list box. When you click on Export, the progress bar will run its course and then the Windows Media Format Encode Options dialog box will appear. 20 BONUS CHAPTER 2: EXPORTING TO REALAUDIO AND WMA 2. Optionally, type information in the appropriate fields. This is similar to the ID3 information. 3. Choose whether to use Variable Bit Rate encoding. Variable Bit Rate encoding provides more consistent quality, but its inconsistent bit rate can be problematic when streaming over the Web. VARIABLE BIT RATE ENCODING Use Variable Bit Rate encoding for local playback, but not for streaming from a Web site. When the bit rate goes up to accommo- date complex material, it can interrupt the stream, forcing your listeners to wait while their player re- buffers. 4. Choose the desired codec. Use Windows Media 9 for best compatibility and Windows Media Lossless for best quality. 5. Choose the desired format. This determines your final bit rate and overall quality. EXPORTING A WINDOWS MEDIA FILE 21 SURROUND SOUND If your project is in surround, Windows Media Audio will let you create a surround output that can be played back in any surround-capable PC. When you do this, choose Interleaved as your channel format in the Export Audio dialog box. .

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