Having the ability to create streaming audio does not mean it's okay to violate copyright laws! Do not turn any CDs into streaming audio files unless they were produced by your own choir or you otherwise have obtained permission. See "10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained" for more information.

1. First, you need a program that will record sound and convert it into a .wav file. Possibly, one came with your computer's soundcard. The one illustrated below is ALSrack, which comes with my the Avance Logic soundcard. This gives you increased volume control, better than what you'd get by skipping this step and going directly to #2.

If you don't already have recording software, there are inexpensive ones you can download. Audiograbber is one example; the full version of this costs $20 (US), but a free trial version -- which is a completely useful one -- is also available.

2. Convert the .wav file into a Real media (.rm) file. Use RealSystem Producer to process the .wav file into a streaming audio file. The free basic version of this is well hidden on Real.com, but we've found it for you! Click on it's name, and scroll all the way down, past the "Real" attempt to get you to buy the full version, to the download button for "RealSystem Producer Basic."

With Producer, you can convert a file that's on your hard drive -- the .wav file you made in Step 1, or capture a media clip from a microphone, CD player, or VCR that's connected to your computer.

Download this tutorial as a printable Word Document.

Tutorials on
Multimedia
Presentations

Converting Sounds into Streaming Audio Files

How to Create & Stream RealAudio Files

Using the RealAudio Console

The Multi-Media
Slide Show

For more training on this, visit Web Developer's Virtual Library