Today you are (finally) going to learn how to add sounds and music to your flash movie/game!
It does not matter what version of flash you have to do this, the process is all the same. This is actually a rather simple process, and when you do it once, you'll know how to do it again and again!
So, where do we begin?
Begin by getting a sound file or some music (wav, mp3).
*Note* Some times, you may get an error from importing an mp3 because of the kbps rate (bit rate) of the mp3 file. There is a way to fix this, but you would need some form of audio optimization program.
The other error you might get is "There were problems reading this file" which simply means that for some odd reason, flash had trouble reading the file. It could be a bad file, a ripped one or downloaded one, or just one that Flash cannot read.
Now, lets get back on track. Once you have your sound file. Open up your version of Flash and open up a new project (or one that you may currently be working on). Select a frame that you would like the sound file to begin playing on. When the frame is selected, bring your cursor to the File button up top. Bring down the Drop Down menu for File, and put your cursor over the button that says Import. Another menu will appear giving you an option of 4 choices:
Import to Stage...
Import to Library... (This is the one we'll be using)
Open External Library...
Import Video...
So go on and select Import to Library...
This will store the sound file in the library, for easy use and selection.
Now, re-select the frame you want your sound file to start playing on, and (if not done so already) open up the Properties Tab, which can be opened in:
Window>>Properties>>Properties
Shortcut: F3
Now you will see something in the Properties Tab that says Sound: (None being selected)
Click the down arrow to bring down the Drop Down menu, which will have the sound file stored in it (being read from the Library which you imported it to).
Select the sound file and it will automatically add the sound to the frame that you selected.
While still in the Properties Tab, under Sound, you will see something that says Sync: with 3 Drop Down menu tabs. By default it should appear in this order. Event, Repeat, 1. That means that the sound will by synced as an Event (which will be discussed next), it will be repeated, and it will be repeated once. These are all changeable and can be suited to what you think is best for your Flash.
Now, what is the difference between Event and Stream?
If you saw the Drop Down menu of what is defaulted as Event, you will notice that the second option was Stream.
The difference between Event and Stream is that Event is only needed to be read on ONE frame, and once read, will play throughout the whole Flash, depending on your Repeat/Loop settings that you have set.
Stream, reads the sound file in Flash depending on how many frames that the sound file is on. For example, if your sound file starts on Frame 5, and you make 20 frames, in total, the sound file will be played for 15 frames (depending on how long it is). You can increase or decrease the amount of frames you want the sound file to play for with the Stream setting set.
What is best for lip syncing or even just general "syncing" in a Flash movie or game?
Stream. Why? Because it Flash reads the sound file perfectly with the frames that it is on. Event can get messy, if you haven't noticed already, with syncing. It goes out of sync and may or may not match your frame rate, where if you Streamed it, it would be perfect.
Well then what on EARTH is the point of Event?
Well, Event plays it at a much much much better quality, where Stream could make it staticy, and/or just plain lower quality. But most people use the Stream setting when syncing sounds in Flash.
And so, that is the end of this tutorial. THE FIRST TUTORIAL FOR FLASH: MAIN!!!
HORRAH! I hope you enjoyed =D
