Disclaimer - unfortunately some of the products on this page are unavailable from the real audio site however you can find them if you hunt around. For an example of how to incorporate real audio  into a site go here. The main trouble with Real Audio and other similar systems is that their plugins have become enormous.

There is a much better solution available now however using flash so you may want to look at this as a better alternative.

The latest Real Audio encoder is called Helix which you can download the free version here. Just scroll down and look for the Helix basic free download. I have also found the old Real Producer G2 version for you which can be downloaded here (3.3 mb). For other older software for all sorts of applications go here.

Real Audio

Hints on encoding good quality RealAudio files

All audio files should be recorded at a 44.1 khz sampling rate, and can be either stereo or monophonic. However, be aware that the RealAudio 2.0 encoder will only produce monophonic files, whereas the 3.0 encoder has an option to generate stereo output files. The encoder works best with audio files that are recorded at a 16bit resolution.

It's crucial that input audio files have good, consistent audio levels. Audio files with dramatic changes in volume, such as music, will accentuate compression artifacts that can be introduced by the encoder. For this reason, content needs to be chosen carefully, and should be recorded using good quality equipment. In addition, a good audio editing tool is highly recommended to optimise files for the encoder. . For example Soundedit 16 on the Macintosh or CoolEdit for Windows is highly recommended to optimise files for the encoder. Another great audio program that I use often is called Audacity. You can download and use it for free as a open source program. Add all the different effects such as fade and crop etc.

In our special links for you we have another great free audio recording program.

It is always preferable to manipulate/edit the source files before the encoding process. If you are recording narration, it is often helpful to prepare a script in advance.

For more information

It doesnt matter if youre using MP3 Sound Stream, Real Audio, or a 1942 Reel to Reel Recorder in the Basement of an Abandoned Warehouse...Audio C4 will Help You!

Creating a Sound File

1. In Windows, do the following steps to get to the Sound Recorder:
   1. Starting with the Windows screen, click on the Start icon;
   2. Go to Programs;
   3. Go to Accessories
   4. Go to Multimedia or Entertainment
   5. Go to Sound Recorder and click.

The Sound Recorder screen should now appear, complete with rewind, stop, record, forward, and play buttons. The screen should look like this:

Recording

1. To start recording your file, go to File, and select New.
2. Click on the record button (the red round button) when you are ready to start recording.
3. Speak (or perform whatever desired audio content) into the microphone
4. Click on the stop button when you are done.
5. Click on the play button to hear your sound.
6. To increase or decrease the volume, click on Effects in the sound recorder's menu; choose either increase volume by 25% or decrease volume.
7. When finished, save your new sound file by clicking on the File menu and choosing Save As.
8. The recorder should save your sound file with a .wav extension.

Different Encoding Options

The RealAudio encoder can create audio content that is targeted for different network delivery speeds and content. The original version 2.0 of the RealAudio encoder can generate monophonic audio content that is optimised for delivery over 14.4 and 28.8kbs dialup networking connections. In general, the 14.4 encoding option will generate smaller files, but is only useful for voice content. The 28.8 option is a better for encoding general audio content, including music.

A voice sample encoded at 14.4
A voice sample encoded at 28.8

A music sample encoded at 14.4
A music sample encoded at 28.8

With version 3.0 of the encoding software, the audio quality has improved quite a bit, and there are many more options for creating RealAudio files.

A RealAudio 3.0 stereo music sample encoded at 28.8
A RealAudio 3.0 stero music sample encoded for high bandwidth (Dual ISDN)

The files you create with a RealAudio encoder have a .ra extension: filename.ra

Open the Real Encoder application.

1. Go to Programs;
2. Go to Real;
3. Go to Real Encoder and click.

The Mac and PC versions of the encoder look somewhat different, but the process of encoding a file is quite simple for both systems.

The Mac interface screen. (Click on image for a full screen version.)


The PC interface screen. (Click on image for a full screen version.)

Encoding a Sound File

The interface screens for both Mac and PC are simple to use, and the procedure is similar:

1. Select the Input button from the Macintosh version, or the Browse button if you are using the PC version
2. Select the source audio file you want to encode.
3. Indicate the Destination file location and name
4. Select the Compression Type (e.g. RealAudio 14.4 or 28.8)
5. Fill out the Title, Author, and Copyright information for the audio clip you are creating
6. Click on Process on the Mac interface screen, or select Encode if you are using a PC.

Encoding a Sound File using the Real Audio Wizard

1. When the Encoder is launched, Choose Recording Wizard from the start up screen.
   
2. Click on Record From File
   
   
   
   
3. Click OK at the bottom of the screen. 
   
4. The Recording Wizard screen will then appear. Click on Next.
   
   
5. The next screen is the Source File screen. Select the location and name of the file you have prepared for encoding and click on Next.
   
   
6. On the next screen, enter the title, author, and copyright information for the file you wish to encode. Click on Next.
   
   
7. The next screen will ask you for the File type. Click on Stream Smart, then click on Next.
   
   
8. The next screen asks for the connection your audience will have. (28K Modems will work the best for a wide audience). Click on Next.
   
   
9. Select the appropriate audio format for you file. (For instance, if you recorded yourself speaking, you would select Voice Only; if you recorded a music CD you would select either Instrumental Music or Music with Vocals).
   
   
10. Click on Next.
    
11. On the next screen, enter the name for your output file. (It can be the same name as the original sound file, but make sure it has a .ra extension). Click on Next.
    
12. Click on Finish.
    
    
13. The Encoder screen will reappear. Click on the Start button in the lower left hand corner.
    
    
14. Once the file has finished encoding, a screen with the title "Recording Complete" should appear. Click on OK.
    
    
15. Under Recording Controls in the bottom left hand corner, click on Play.
    
    
16. The Real Audio Player should launch, and then play your newly encoded file.

Real Audio/Video - FAQ

1.  What is Real Audio?
2.  How do I add Real Audio to my web pages?
3.  How do I add Real Video to my web pages?
4.  How do I use the Real Publisher to add Real content to my
    web pages?
5.  How do I create Real Audio/Video content?
6.  Where can I get more information about Real Audio/Video?

What is Real Audio/Video?

Real Audio/Video allows you to provide your viewers with high speed media while maintaining high quality at the same time.  This requires that the browser end has the RealPlayer installed.  The RealPlayer can be obtained from http://www.real.com.

How do I add Real Audio to my web pages?

To add Real Audio to your web pages you will first need to get some files in the correct format.  If you don't have any in the correct format already, you can use the RealPublisher or RealEncoder to create them.  You can also use the RealPublisher to add them to your web page.   RealNetworks offers an excellent tutorial that tells you how.  Below are instructions on adding them manually (via FTP).

For this example we will use the following information:

Domain:  example.com
Real Audio file:  my_music.ra

To add real content to your web pages without using the RealPublisher, you will need to upload your Real Audio file and place it somewhere inside your html directory (or a sub-directory within your html directory).  For this example we will store it in the directory

/usr/home/example.com/html/real_content

You will also need to create and upload a file with a .ram extension.   In this example we will call it my_music.ram .   You might want to keep it in the same directory as your .ra files, but it doesn't really matter.  Inside this .ram file you will need to have a line like this:

http://www.example.com/real_content/my_music.ra

Notice that in this case you create a link to the file with the .ra extension.  Now that both of those files are created and uploaded, you will need to put a link to them on your web page.  The html code to do this will look something like this:

<a href="http://www.example.com/real_content/my_music.ram">

Notice that in this case you create a link to the file with the .ram extension.

And that's it!  You will need to have the RealPlayer installed on your computer, which you can get from http://www.real.com.

How do I add Real Video to my web pages?

To add Real Video to your web pages you will first need to get some files in the correct format.  If you don't have any in the correct format already, you can use the RealPublisher or RealEncoder to create them.  You can also use the RealPublisher to add them to your web page.   RealNetworks offers an excellent tutorial that tells you how.  Below are instructions on adding it manually(via FTP).

For this example we will use the following information:

Domain:  example.com
Real Audio file:  my_music.rm

To add real content to your web pages without using the RealPublisher, you will need to upload your Real Audio file and place it somewhere inside your html directory (or a sub-directory within your html directory).  For this example we will store it in the directory

/usr/home/example.com/html/real_content

You will also need to create and upload a file with a .ram extension.   In this example we will call it my_music.ram .   You might want to keep it in the same directory as your .rm files, but it doesn't really matter.  Inside this .ram file you will need to have a line like this:

http://www.example.com/real_content/my_music.rm

Notice that in this case you create a link to the file with the .rm extension.  Now that both of those files are created and uploaded, you will need to put a link to them on your web page.  The html code to do this will look something like this:

<a href="http://www.example.com/real_content/my_music.ram">

Notice that in this case you create a link to the file with the .ram extension

And that's it!  You will need to have the RealPlayer installed on your computer, which you can get from http://www.real.com.

How do I use the Real Publisher to add Real content to my web pages?

There is a great tutorial which can be found at:

http://www.real.com/publisher/tutorial.html

It will ask for you to select some options when using it, below is a list of what you need to enter for it to work with WebHostPage.

     When asked to select your service provider, select Generic.
     When asked to elect either "Standard HTTP" or "RealNetworks
Server", select "RealNetworks Server".
     Enter your main FTP username/password when prompted.

How do I create Real Audio/Video content?

RealNetworks offers a getting started guide in .pdf format.  The file is located here:

http://docs.real.com/docs/getstrtrenc50.pdf

If you don't have a PDF viewer, you can get one from Adobe Acrobat.

Where can I get more information about Real Audio/Video?

The best place to get information about Real Audio/Video is from their web site:

http://www.real.com

They offer FAQs and other services that might be helpful at:

http://service.real.com

Update: The new compiler for real audio is called helix and you can download the free version here.

Some information for this FAQ was found at:
http://www.real.com

PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHTS