Adjusting settings and editing audio files can be accomplished with audio-editing software. There are lots of editing programs available in all price ranges, including several open-source programs that are free. (A quick web search should yield several results.)

^{(CC BY 3.0) Image courtesy of Audacity: www.audacityteam.org}

Most audio software includes an effect for a fade-in or fade-out. This is simply the volume of the track going from nothing to full (fade-in) or from full to nothing (fade-out). Adjusting this subtle detail can help your audio sound more polished and professional. Listen to the clips below to hear the difference in a track with and without a fade-in/fade-out.

If background music brings a podcast to a close, for example, it is often recommended to fade out a track instead of having an abrupt end. Just make sure that you don't start the fade out while important things are still being said.

Another easy addition is to add silence at both ends of the track. Unless music tracks are intended to transition from one into another, like on some albums, professional audio tracks often have a bit of space before the content begins and after it ends. The biggest advantage here, especially with online audio, is to avoid any content being missed. Sometimes tracks can jump and start a bit late or end a bit early due to loading issues. Adding silence before and after a track almost guarantees that only silence will potentially be jumped over.

Question

Do copyright laws apply to audio files?

Answer

Yes! Just like images, copyright laws apply to audio files. If the audio you are using isn't an original creation of yours, you need to be sure you have the right to use it in your site. This can come in the form of permission from the original audio creator, an attribution, or the use of license materials from a subscription site. Older audio with expired copyright licenses is also available through the Public Domain.