Importing sound files
Saving sound files in a stack
Playing an audio CD
Playing midi files
Recording your own sounds
Other info
 

Objectives:

You will be able to:

• import sound files into Hyperstudio
• play CD music tracks from a Hyperstudio project
• play converted midi files from a Hyperstudio project

Importing sound files

Sound is a very important consideration in any media project.  It can create mood and atmosphere, make people laugh or cry... or give information.

With Hyperstudio, you can pre-produce your audio in other applications and then import them into your project.  You can also record directly into Hyperstudio.  In addition, you can access and play tracks from music CD’s.

Hyperstudio supports AIFF, System 7, Wave formats and more.  You can also play midi files by saving them as a QuickTime movie soundtrack.
 

Adding the sound components take place under the “Things to Do” menu which is activated when you want a button or a graphic to have an action associated with it.

Simply click on the "disk library button" to access the desktop and your files.   When you have selected the particular sound you want, you can preview it by clicking on the play button.  Clicking on OK will add the action of sound where you want it.
 

The “Sound is stored in” option gives you two options:  1) Storing the sound in the stack will embed the file into the program.  This is useful if more than one card in a stack uses the same sounds.  It does make your stack a little larger in size depending on the sound file’s original size.  2) The option of storing the sound in a separate file will store the sounds as they are in a folder you specify.  This is useful if you want to share similar sounds between stacks.  This is also useful if you need to edit or modify your sound files in the future.  Storing sounds in a separate folder also cuts down on the stack size and loading time.

To play Audio CD tracks from Hyperstudio, you need to use “CD Play” which is selected from the “NBA” (New Button Actions) option in the actions menu.  You can select the track or time you wish to play.  Using the position control helps you to move through the CD.  Click “try it” to preview your selection and “keep” when you are done.

To play a midi file, it must be converted to a QuickTime movie soundtrack.  First you must load the midi file into a program that can re-save it as a movie file.  Instead of selecting “play a sound” from the actions dialogue box, select “Play a Movie or Video”.
 

By plugging a microphone into the computer, you can record your own sounds.  Using the "tape-recorder" interface is easy.  Watch your recording levels.  Holding down the "option key" as you press "record" will record at a higher sampling rate and produce a better quality recording.
 

On the Macintosh, there is an NBA action that will read text in a computer voice if you have Speech Manager installed.

In the “actions” menu, you can select “stop all sounds” to stop any sound that is playing.  This may be useful when clicking on a button which moves to another card.

Checking the “Background sound” box will allow the sound file to play until it is finished, even if you move to another stack or card.
 

• take the audio tracks you have produced in the audio assignment and import them into your Hyperstudio project OR record directly into Hyperstudio through its tape deck interface.

• add any additional sounds required for your project.