Help: Downloading Audio and Scores

Audio:

You can listen to the recording of a piece as either - downloaded or streamed.

To download or stream a recording you must first agree to the terms and conditions (found on the same page as the links to the files) by ensuring that the tick box is ticked (simply click the box).

Downloading a recording means that the audio file is copied onto your computer and can be played whenever you like, including while offline. Selecting streamed audio (both MP3 and Real Audio) allows the audio data to be played as it is received by your computer.

Users with dial-up or slow connections may not receive the audio data sufficiently quickly to allow the recording to play smoothly, so it is therefore recommended that these users select downloading only.

Downloading Audio:

Once you have ticked the 'agree' box the links to the files become 'active'. The best way to start downloading is to right-click the link 'download .mp3' and choose 'Save Target', 'Save Location' or eqivalent from the menu. You will then be prompted to select a folder in which to store the audio file. Lastly click 'ok', 'save' or 'begin' to start receiving the recording.

Different browsers such as Internet Explorer, Opera and Netscape operate in slightly different ways. Simply clicking the link 'download .mp3' may start the download process, but place the audio file in an unknown folder and without warning begin playback once all the data is received.

Once your download is complete, find the audio file and double-click to play. Your operating system (Windows, Red-Hat, Solaris etc.) should find an appropriate program to play the file. For example: in Windows, your default multimedia player (normally 'Media Player') will be started and playback should begin automatically. If you do not have a multimedia player on your computer click here.

Streaming Audio:

Playing a recording using streamed audio is not dissimilar to downloading a recording. Both MP3 and Real Audio files are available as streamed recordings.

NOTE: Streamed MP3 is suited to users with a fast connection, Real Audio is better for users with lower connection speeds.

Streamed MP3:

Your browser (such as Internet Explorer, Opera and Netscape) will determine how streamed MP3's are played. Clicking the link 'streamed .mp3' will open a multimedia player, either in the browser or as a new program. If clicking the link 'streamed .mp3' results in nothing happening after a reasonable period of time, try downloading a new multimedia player by clicking here. If streamed audio persists to fail, consult your browser's literature or alternatively try Real Audio or downloading the audio file.

If your computer is set up correctly, playback should begin promptly and without pauses. If this is not the case your connection speed may be insufficient for streamed audio and it is recommended that you choose Real Audio or downloaded audio instead.

Real Audio:

Real Audio is an audio format designed to stream audio data and attempt to cater for a variety of connection speeds. Audio data is still played as it is received, but the quality of the recording is reduced proportionally to your connection speed aiming to achieve continuous playback. Users with slow connections may still find either the quality or occasional pauses inadequate for their needs, in which case downloading is recommended.

Real Audio provide a program to play Real Audio files which is available here.

Clicking the link 'real audio' will open up the Real Audio player (once installed) and playback should begin promptly.

Scores:

An important part of the audio/scores download facility is the ability to download a full conductor score and either read it on your screen or print it out and follow it whilst listening to the corresponding recording.

Scores are available as PDF files which is the internet standard for storing large documents. PDF files are opened using Adobe's free Acrobat Reader which is available by clicking here. All the scores available are for perusal only and must be used in accordance with the terms and conditions below.

1. Scores available to download are intended for perusal only. They may only be used as reference and NOT for reproduction or part extraction.

2. Duplication and transmission are also prohibited, as is creating internet links to the material contained within this site.

The scores in PDF format can be downloaded after you agree to the terms and conditions (found on the same page as the links to the files) by ensuring that the tick box is ticked (simply click the box).

Viewing Scores:

Instead of simply clicking the link '.pdf score', it is better to right-click the link and select 'Save Target', 'Save Location' or eqivalent from the menu. You will then be prompted to select a folder in which to store the pdf score. Lastly click 'ok', 'save' or 'begin' to start receiving the score.

Different browsers such as Internet Explorer, Opera and Netscape operate in slightly different ways. Clicking the link '.pdf score' may start the download process, but place the file in an unknown folder.

Once the download is complete, double-clicking will open Adobe's free Acrobat Reader (click here) and the score can be traversed like a text document. For more information on Acrobat, consult the help information with the program.

Do I Need Any Extra Software?

Some of the latest versions of operating systems (Windows, Red-Hat, Solaris etc.) will include all the necessary programs for downloading, streaming and viewing audio and score files. Only download additional software if you have followed the instructions given on this page and extra software is recommended.

If you still require either a multimedia player or a PDF viewer, follow the links below. (NOTE: none of the websites or software listed below is associated with G&M Brand Publications. The list simply guides you to standard tools for opening the files available in our online catalogue.

Real Audio Player (free) will play both Real Audio files and MP3s. It is available in two forms - the RealOne Player Basic is entirely free and can be found alongisde RealOne Player Plus in the site below:

| Real Audio Website |

G&M Brand except no responsibility for any contracts initiated between Real and users of the RealOne Player Plus.

Adobe's Acrobat Reader (free) is required to open the downloaded scores. It can be obtained from the following link.

| Adobe Website |

Technical Terms:

Downloaded MP3 - MP3 is the MPEG (Motion Pictures Expert Group) layer three file format commonly used to store audio data due to its excellent compression. Downloaded MP3 simply means that the whole recording is to be copied onto your computer. Once the whole file is copied, you can select to play the recording by double-clicking the file which will be at a location you're asked to specify before downloading begins. NOTE: the audio files are usually several MegaBytes in size.

Streamed MP3 - MP3 is the MPEG (Motion Pictures Expert Group) layer three file format commonly used to store audio data due to its excellent compression. Streamed MP3 uses the same files as downloaded MP3, but informs your computer to play the data as it is received. This option is intended for users with a fast (e.g. broadband) connection. NOTE: With this option you cannot save the file and therefore cannot play it whilst offline.

Real Audio - Real Audio is a streamed format which is similar to Streamed MP3, but rather than receiving the full, high quality recording, a lower quality version of the same recording will be sent to your computer. This means copying less data to your computer, hopefully keeping the flow of data sufficient to maintain continous playback. This option is recommended for users with a slow connection (e.g. dial-up connection). Real Audio is played using the free Real Audio player.

PDF - PDF is a widely used format for storing documents. Every score has been converted to PDF which can be read using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. The scores can either be read on your screen or printed. NOTE: the PDF files are usually several MegaBytes in size.