Streaming Audio: The FezGuys' Guide

Streaming Audio: The FezGuys' Guide will introduce you to streaming audio and teach you how to work with the most popular formats, including RealMedia, Windows Media, QuickTime, and MP3. It begins by giving the reader a comprehensive overview of the most up-to-date streaming technologies available and the process of preparing audio for streaming. Then, it walks the reader through encoding into both live and on-demand streams in each format. Following an in-depth walk-through of serving the audio, Streaming Audio: The FezGuys' Guide offers several case studies that carefully break down how streaming audio is used in the real world: the internationally acclaimed rock guitarist Joe Satriani's web site, primarily using on-demand files with the occasional live stream for special events; the ultrahip drum 'n' bass, downtempo and ambient music Internet-only radio station SomaFM offering several live MP3 streams in multiple bi trates; and the FM station that started it all, KPIG-FM, terrestrial broadcast radio that streams it's programming online. Finally, the FezGuys illustrate a variety of advanced techniques, including optimizing, equalizing, creating playlists, batch encoding, dealing with legal issues, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

I. What It Is and What You Need.

1. Introduction to Streaming Audio.
2. Preparing Yourself.

II. How To Do It.

3. Using RealMedia.
4. Using Windows Media.
5. Using QuickTime.
6. Using MP3.
7. Serving Your Audio.

III. Case Studies.

8. Joe Satriani: A Web Site with On-Demand Files in Multiple Formats and Special Event Live Streams.
9. SomaFM: Multiple Live Streams from a Playlist Database.
10. KPIG: Traditional Radio Station Streaming Live and On-Demand.

IV. Extra Credit.

11. Advanced Audio Optimization.
12. Advanced Authoring Techniques.
13. Advanced Presentation.
Appendix. Tools and Resources.
Glossary
Index.