General Sound Sources
Apple Sound
effects sets and looping music from Apple for Mac users only.
Artist Direct According to PC World (Aug 2001) this music site features band info, links to fan sites, discographies, and legal free downloads from such artists as the Black Crowes and Sophie B. Hawkins.
The Classic Cafe This site has a late 60's look and offers .wav files of songs which are copyrighted. It's a real mix of pop rock but most of the pages were unavailable when I visited the site. Usefulness for academia seems low.
The Classical Music Archives. According to their website, "The Classical Archives is the largest classical music site on the web. It offers thousands of MIDI files and full length recordings by our Featured Artists in streamed Windows Media Audio and downloadable MP3s. Although the site is mostly free, your continued support is needed."
Clay's Sound Emporium Clay has list 10 .wav pages which are mostly from popular culture. Also interesting is a link which he says will convert any text you send them to sound files. Here are instructions on how to make your own wav files. The site says, "I have gathered a few of the best wavs the Net has to offer and digitized many of my own that I think are funny. I can also give you links to some of the finest sites I have found in my travels. I hope you find that your time here is well spent. Keep your arms inside the car at all times, and no spitting."
Clip Art Review: Sound Clips These folks have categorized their list. These generally are sounds from everyday life.
Key Trax Music Network Free Music and Sound effects for your web pages.This site appears to be worth looking into, especially since its free."... free midi, Real Audio, sound effects and wav files for your web pages...Browse through our library of free audio, chose the midi, Real Audio or wav file you want to play on your web site, submit the form, copy the HTML and paste it to your page, and the KeyTrax "Audio Generator" will produce the sounds of your choice."
Killer Tracks They have quite a flashy intro page. A unit of BMG Entertainment.
MP3.com PC World (Aug 2001) rates this runner-up to Artist Direct for music artist downloads, and "another great place to fine new and unsigned musical talent."
Music Loops There is some free, public domain files here-see the"free loops" link in the left margin. Its suitability for academia seems limited.
Sound America Free files under the categories: cartoons, comedy, movies, sound effects, spoofs, tv shows, and themes. The site originally said, "for entertainment and research purposes only... the original owners still retain copyright." It looks like they might have had some run-ins with copyright law.
WavCentral.com Slick site. Emphasis seems to be on lines from popular movies, tv shows and commercials. There are also sound effects. It'searchable. Has a huge list of movies. The sound effects could have potential for livening up educational web sites. Regarding copyright:Who knows where they came from? Lookout.
Wave Events Wave sounds
for all the windows sounds events on your computer.
Specialized
and Humorous Sounds
The
Human Experience-audio vignettes about us. (Anthropology)
What have we learned about ourselves as human beings? Who are we and why
do we do what we do? Explore these questions in an audio essay series
created by a group of anthropologists at the University of New Mexico.
These essays were prepared in order to share with people everywhere the
wisdom gained through the study of human cultures and behavior around
the world.
Remember that Windows also has built in sound files.
You are responsible for obeying copyright laws and any conditions stated on the sites that you access.
January 27, 2004 11:46 AM