The addition of a “click” sound to a button’s Down state to simulate a real world mouse click is an example of a basic sound effect. Imported sounds can be applied directly to buttons and button states (Up, Down, Over, etc.), incorporated via streaming external files, included through ActionScripted control in the Action Panel, or added via other means. You can import a sound clip from the File menu just as you would any other media type. I definitely advocate the use of a more powerful sound processor, especially when it comes to trimming, duplicating, and looping clips. However, this tool is too basic for most needs: it doesn’t allow you to add effects to your sound selections, for example. Importing and Exporting Sound Clipsįlash MX 2004 offers a built-in sound editor, which is fine for simple editing tasks. The appropriate integration of sound into a project can support the efficient communication of the message. On the other hand, if you give users subtle feedback that the form has been submitted, they’ll likely gain confidence in the interface and continue to interact.Īs you can see, it’s all about context. A manic techno loop attached to the submit button of a Flash form may well provoke visitors to close the browser. Remember, you’re seeking to enhance your visual messages rather than work against them, so your choice of sound is important. You need to pay attention to a number of factors if the effects are to be successful – most notably, timing, volume, and composition. The application of sound to your projects should not be taken lightly.
If you’re pushed for time or need extra inspiration, there are many online resources from which you can download free clips or purchase collections of clips for use in your projects. The advanced sound processing tools that are now available, combined with a microphone and your own imagination, allow you to create a huge array of audio clips. You can take a ten-second section from one audio loop, paste it into another, or paste it across multiple tracks, with no more difficulty than editing a Word document.
Audio processing software such as Steinberg Wavelab makes it easy to edit, modify, loop, and add effects to sounds. One of the major benefits of digital sound is its flexibility.
Over time, you’ll become increasingly adept at making decisions about when and how to add sound to your projects. It’s not difficult to see what will and won’t work for different projects. Quickly run through these examples in your head. Your choice could include sound effects, musical loops, narratives, or, of course, nothing at all.
Consider the following examples of possible Flash projects and think about sound might benefit them. If a project is heavily related to sound, then it should definitely involve an appropriate variety of audio clips.Īlways consider your work from the perspective of users: will the addition of sound increase their enjoyment of the project? Including short or long musical loops, sound bytes, or a narrative can greatly increase the appeal of an interface, but may also detract from other content and become extremely annoying after just a short while. Some productions don’t require any sound when viewed in isolation yet, when incorporated into a larger project, they call for some degree of aural enhancement. This is one of those golden questions, and the answer depends on the type of project you’re developing. When Should You Use Sound in Your Projects?
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But beware overloading your projects with sound “just for the sake of it.” The use of sound, then, is a question of balance. Even a simple “click” sound can provide valuable auditory feedback, provided it’s used in the right manner. A little sound can go a long way toward enhancing and solidifying the user experience. In this age of digital media, sound can and should be a part of the online environment. If you ever find yourself in the position of importing a sound clip into a project without a clear idea of why you’re doing it, stop and repeat the Flash designers’ mantra: bad use of sound can destroy the entire user experience. Hurried, last-minute sound additions typically amount to no more than a clichéd loop that serves little purpose. Sadly, sound within Flash projects is often included as an afterthought – if it’s included at all.