Digital Workshop

Hi

I need to set up a way for the user during runtime to make a voice sound recording. This would then need to be saved and played back at another point during a runtime.

The most efficient way during runtime that I've found, so far, is to create actions (for recording) to summon the Windows sound recorder (includes ability for user to record and save the.wav file), (for playback), first have a search file button that the user can employ to locate the file they recorded and store it's pathname to a variable, and then a playback button playing the sound file linked by that variable.

Trying to automate this as much as possible and reduce unnecessary user activity, is there any more efficient way to accomplish this?

Kind Regards,

There was a neat way to do this by using a freeware programme called soundrec 1.2 from Gerhard Sneider. I experimented with this with older versions of Opus and it worked fine, but with XP running I could not replay the files back through the programme. The .wav file would work in my odler editor ( Cool Edit) and in Windows Sound Recorder but no via Media Player. I assume something has changed in the sound spec!

However this little programme did all that was needed as you could specify the file location and simply replay it from the pub. No messy loading of third part software and file browsing. I have put up a post about the replay problem but no answers to that one. There may be a more up-to-date equivalent to that software but my searches have not lead to it yet!

I wanted to use this concept for telephone skills training where you need an instant replay. All the best with this one. Note that the web site for soundrec has been closed.

Hi Stephen,

You could pretty much automate the entire process by calling a CMD recorder from within Opus Pub. See

http://www.fridgesoft.de/harddiskogg.php

By passing the name & path you require to the recorder, you can keep track of the last recording in a text file or via the registry and then play it back simply by calling the name and path. No user intervention required.

Mack.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Too bad about the sound recorder link that no longer is active. The HarddiskOGG while interesting, won't work for this type of project.

Does anyone know about other resources for an ActiveX or other type of redistributable basic voice sound recorder (.wav output is fine) that can be called in an Opus pub via a launch file plus command line/paramenters or via a .dll with callable functions?

Any additional leads would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Have a look at http://www.un4seen.com/ I have no idea of its capabilities, but it does say "and recording functions. All in a tiny DLL, under 100KB* in size."

Sandy

Hi Sandy

Thanks for your lead. Such a DLL would be great!

I went on to the site, but, going through the offerings, can't seem to locate the DLL. I've written to them via their contact form to inquire. Have you any idea which of the items may be the DLL?

Kind Regards,

Stephen

Yes, sorry..... when I copied the link to the Bass page, I didn't notice it was the home page URL which was pasted. If you look at http://www.un4seen.com/Bass.html and at the top, there is a download link for Win32 and OSX.
I just downloaded it and had a look inside the DLL--it has more functions than you can shake a stick at!!! I'm not sure how easy it would be to use, but worth investigating.

Sandy

Hi Sandy

Thanks. Definitely worth a look.

Kind Regards,

I've had a look at it --the DLL loads, but I can't get anything meaningful back from it--there is a function which returns the version....BASS_GetVersion(). I have tried every return type, but it will not return the Version.

Hi Sandy

Thanks for your reply.

I also took a look at the downloaded file (plus WMA DLL plugin).

Whew! You can imagine that if you are having difficulty figuring it out, I am beyond "lost."

I need a very basic (royalty-free redistribution for commercial use) voice recorder (playback can be done, if recorded file type is Opus compatible, using Opus audio playback, stop actions). Bass appears to be a very sophisticated recording studio, with some pricey purchase prices, depending on future distribution options.

I've been considering using the default Windows Sound Recorder. It can record for 60 seconds (XP version) and unlimited for the Vista version (though I can't test Vista, having only XP). Can't pass any command lines, options, parameters. But, it may work for my simple task.

If I can figure out how to set a few basic buttons in Opus to load the Bass DLL and call record, save file as(.wav, .WMA), open, pause, stop, resume and play functions, that's all I would need. I'll give it a try, but given my skills, this may be way beyond what I can achieve.

Again, thanks.

Kind Regards,

I've just been trying very basic functions to see if it will work.
here is what I'm using


I call the functions from a button.

The DLL seems to load, but I can't get the version returned. The DLL returns a DWORD which is a ulong...I think? but I have tried every return type and don't get a sensible answer.

The FreeIt function was just to see if I could get an indication that the DLL will do something. BASS_Free returns a boolean, so I just tested it for true
It appears to work ....it gives me TRUE back, but until I can return some meaningful data---I'm not convinced.

This is similar to a problem I have with a DLL I created in Visual C++ Express. it's a very basic one which adds two numbers. I have tested the DLL in C++ and it works fine, however, when I try to get it to run with Opus, it refuses to work. As far as I can see, the C++ is unmanaged code (seems that VC++ can create both managed and unmanaged now).
I would like to crack this problem or understand why it doesn't work.

Hi Sandy

Thanks for your reply. Yes, this is quite a challenge. I'm afraid, way beyond me.

So far, in general with Opus and DLL's, I've figured out how to load a DLL and call some very basic functions, using examples, guesswork, trial and error, for setting such items as returns. Nothing remotely this sophisticated, though.

I am hopeful that you may be a able to figure it out further, since the Bass DLL has some very nice features, even if I would only need a few very basic ones. (I wonder if any other of their offerings are more basic record/play DLL's?)

Kind Regards,

What is needed is a DLL with Start Record(); StopRecord(); and SaveAs()

Yes, Sandy. Precisely what is needed. I wish I had the skill to create such a DLL.

Finding a basic one online has been unsuccessful.

Hard to say what market would exist for this, but an entrepreneurially focused programmer could probably sell some. Or, a plugin for Opus?

Feel free to give me a shout if you get further forward with the DLL.

Kind Regards,

I have been trying to create a DLL for a while. I know Mack has gone down the C# route with no success, which is why I looked at C++....with no success....yet.
I think people are beginning to see the possibilities that DLL support gives, so it would benefit everyone if we could crack the problem and manage to create a working DLL for Opus.