Inserting Continuous Playing Audio Files in Web Sites

[UKnjb]

Hi
Could somebody please help me with what is maybe a stupid question?
I am making a site for which I want to have a piece of music, MP3, playing (all copyright permissions granted etc). The music should be able to be played in a continuous stream across each and every page that anyone might be navigating to (with the option of stopping play if they get fed up with it), without any hiccups during page changes. The music should start when the home page opens and ---- just keep playing, looping round to the beginning if necessary and starting again.

I am currently using GoLive CS and -------- haven't got a clue how to go about it!

Some hints and tips would be much appreciated. Thanks very much.

 

[Johnny Rico]

If you put obligatory looping audio on your website it will make people go to a different website. FYI.

 

[zarathustra]

Like the above poster said - don't do it. However, I understand if the client has to have a loop, they have to have a loop.

There is many ways to skin this cat.

First, you'll need a way to play the MP3 because unlike MIDI, chances are, people's browsers can't handle it. There are numerous free flash based MP3 players where you just point it to your music file and customize colors, etc.

After embedding it in your page, you should have a working mp3 player.

Secondly, you want it to play continuously. One way to go is a pop-up with your player inside. But I would advise against it. Many people have pop-up blockers and/or will curse at your pop-up.

Another way is to use a frame set. On top you'd make a very short frame to accommodate your player. Make this frame visually blend in with the "real" page. When opening links, just make sure you point them in the right frame. Your music should play uninterrupted, unless the player runs out of bandwidth.

 

[caveman_uk]

I will add my 2 cents to this. Don't add audio to a webpage. It's the quickest way to get the user to close the browser window and never go to your website again. It's a really really crap idea.

Whilst on the subject of bad ideas. Don't make things flash either.

 

[UKnjb]

Thanks

Thank you very much for your replies; so the idea of inserting a piece of music into a web-site shall be filed away in the Very Bad Idea drawer. And forgotten.
As a postscript to my request, the web site was for a rowing club that I belong to, with only limited viewers (members only, really) and the piece of music was Josh MacRae's "Messing about on the river". I thought it would be neat to have that playing in the background. But not any more.
And thanks for the injunction to not make the site 'flash' - not sure if that was an intentional pun - and I agree wholeheartedly with that one in any event.
Thanks again, though. Less work for me!

 

[dornoforpyros]

I just want to throw my vote into the "don't do it" hat.

 

[mnkeybsness]

I thought it would be neat to have that playing in the background.

I always hear people think that it would be "neat to have" something. In general, if something is only "neat", don't do it. If it is useful or informative, do it.

 

[UKnjb]

I always hear people think that it would be "neat to have" something. In general, if something is only "neat", don't do it. If it is useful or informative, do it.

You are, of course, so correct with that. The value of macrumors in general, and you guys specifically, is that it enables people like me to stand back and absorb the constructive criticism for what it is - constructive criticism.

I thank all of you again - your advice has been invaluable.