You can add audio to your topics using the Audio element.
The Audio element allows you to share audio with explorers. This could be pre-recorded audio, like a podcast or interview, or you can record yourself speaking directly into the browser, or you can have our AI narrate a script which you supply.
Important: Internet Explorer 11
Please note that Internet Explorer 11 does not support .wav files. There is no workaround for this lack of support. If your users may be using Internet Explorer 11, then you must use .mp3 files for audio.
Expand the sections below to learn more.
Steps to add audio to a course
Steps to add audio to a course
Add the audio element to your topic by selecting the 'Audio' option from the content box, then follow these steps:
Select your source option. There are three source options to add your audio, along with the option to add a short caption to accompany your audio, explained below:
Option 1 - Upload. If you select Upload, you can upload an audio file of your choice from your computer. We recommend a .mp3 file for maximum compatibility (up to 100MB).
Option 2 - Record. If you select Record, you can use a microphone on your computer to directly record your own voice. Upon selecting Record, you will see 'Record' and 'Stop' button. Just press 'Record' and start speaking - pressing 'Stop' when finished. You can then replay your recording to check the quality.
NB: Record uses the latest in-browser technology to record and encode your voiceover, without requiring any software downloads. As a result:
Record only works with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. Internet Explorer 11 will never support this technology and Apply Safari is still implementing support. This means that you can only record your voice in those three browsers. Playback, however, is supported in all browsers.
Record uses your computer CPU to encode. If you notice stutters or skipping in your recording then your computer is struggling to maintain a constant encoding process. This may be because your computer is under heavy load (too many tasks running in the background) or your computer is not fast enough. Try closing programs or using a more powerful computer.
Option 3 - Automatic. If you select Automatic, you can select a character from the drop down list that will read your script for you. That's right - you just type the script and our text-to-voice process takes over! There are several characters to choose from for your VoiceOver.
Olivia - Australia - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Aria - New Zealand - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Joanna - US - Female - Gen 3 (very realistic).
Kendra - US - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Salli - US - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Kimberly - US - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Ruth - US - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Matthew - US - Male - Gen 3 (very realistic).
Stephen - US - Male - Gen 2 (realistic).
Emma - UK - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Amy - UK - Female - Gen 3 (very realistic).
Brian - UK - Male - Gen 2 (realistic).
Arthur - UK - Male - Gen 2 (realistic).
Niamh - Ireland - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Ayanda - South Africa - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Kajal - India (Bilingual - English and Hindi) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Lupe - Spain (Bilingual - English and Spanish) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Pedro - US (Bilingual - English and Spanish) - Male - Gen 2 (realistic).
Léa - France - (French only) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Remi - France - (French only) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Vicki - Germany - (German only) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Daniel - Germany - (German only) - Male - Gen 2 (realistic).
Ines - Spain - (Portuguese only) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Thiago - Spain - (Portuguese - Brazilian) - Male - Gen 2 (somewhat realistic).
Bianca - Italy - (Italian only) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
Adriano - Italy - (Italian only) - Male - Gen 2 (realistic).
Tayana - Russia - (Russian only) - Female - Gen 1 (somewhat realistic).
Hala - Arabic - (Bilingual - English and Arabic (Gulf)) - Female - Gen 2 (realistic).
NB: The maximum character script length is 3,000 characters.
2. Click 'Save'
Video demonstration
Video demonstration
The video below provides a brief overview of the Audio element. Please note, certain aspects of the UI may have changed since the video was recorded.
How Audio elements work for explorers
How Audio elements work for explorers
Explorers will see your audio element, with any caption, and be able to play the audio as they explore the topic. The length of the audio file will automatically be added to the estimated completion time of your topic.
The audio playback uses the built-in audio player in your browser, so it is lightweight, responsive and fast.