© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.1 of 17 Using Audio in Online Communication— Why, When, How ? Presented by Jack Massa, Guidance Communications Inc. Marcus Graham, GM Voices, Inc.

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.2 of 17 Two Speakers for the Price of One! Jack will cover... Pros and Cons of using audio in all kinds of online communication What some experts say about why and when to use audio Some simple, low-cost, low-tech techniques

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.3 of 17 Two Speakers for the Price of One! Marcus will cover... The services of a professional audio production company—GM Voices Their process for working with clients Producing audio for web, multimedia, and other applications

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.4 of 17 Why Use Audio in Online Communication? Opens a second channel for communication Can communicate certain information that other media cannot Can personalize a message by conveying the human voice Excellent for setting mood or conveying emotion and excitement

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.5 of 17 Why NOT Use Audio? Costly Technically difficult to do well Difficult to arrange the equipment and logistics Not enough bang for the buck?

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.6 of 17 Why and When to Consider Using Audio... What do the experts say? JoAnn Hackos (with Dawn Stevens) Multimedia in online documentation and reference information William Horton Sound in multimedia and online documentation Jakob Nielsen Audio on web sites

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.7 of 17 JoAnn Hackos Says... In her book, Standards for Online Communication: Choose the medium to represent the best and most logical choice to communicate a concept. Make sure your media choices are compatible with your users’ equipment. Be consistent in using all media types. Give the user control. Why and When...

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.8 of 17 William Horton Says... In Designing and Writing Online Documentation: Preserve continuity (over visuals or empty time) Provide feedback or navigation signals Attract attention and increase involvement Improve the perception of quality Communicate additional layers of information Improve learner retention Why and When...

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.9 of 17 Jakob Nielsen Says... In his book, Designing Web Usability: Main benefit of audio is as a channel separate from the visual display. Create a sense of mood or place—quiet background sounds or music Voice-overs to convey personality (instead of video) Professional quality sound enhances the user experience—well worth the investment Why and When...

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.10 of 17 When to Use Audio— Some Low-Tech Ideas Voice-over for software demos or show-me animations linked to Help files E-learning simulations--highly effective to use audio to dramatize conversations Voice instructions in e-learning, where the user must pay attention to performing a task rather than reading Music loops for web site home pages or multimedia presentations. Communicates excitement or otherwise sets the mood.

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.11 of 17 How to use audio... With not much time and not much budget. Voice overs or narration –Recording and Editing –Placing in Online Documents Clip-sounds and music loops –Sources

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.12 of 17 Voice Overs What you need to record digital sound: PC sound card and microphone Software: –Windows Sound Recorder –Sound editing program like Sound Forge

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.13 of 17 Voice Overs After you record... You’ll often need to Edit. (Demo Sound Forge XP) And the results... (Demo Flash Tutorial)

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.14 of 17 Sound Clips and Music Loops Great for setting mood or creating emotion on web sites, multimedia presentations, etc. Sound editing program useful for these too, for sequencing, clipping, fading, etc. For Example...

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.15 of 17 Sound Clips and Music Loops Some Sources: –Microsoft Office Gallery online (in MS Office format) – (great music loops in Flash and WAV format) – (royalty free music and sound clipswww.partnersinrhyme.com –Sound Effects CD ROMs

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.16 of 17 Now Over to Marcus...

© 2003, Guidance Communications, Inc.17 of 17 My Contact Info... Jack Massa Guidance Communications Inc