music, sound effects for web pages?

[RedhiHeels]

I am a visual artist and have been interested for quite some time in creating a website with music, and other sound effects to go with my paintings and art slideshows. The only problem is that I am not sure what the legalities are when it comes to using music on my website. Is is illegal to have a popular song streaming in the background of my site if I don't have written permission from the artist? Also, I am wondering if there is such a thing as a site featuring free public domain music and audio just for this purpose. Thanks for any suggestions.

[CkretAjint]

Is is illegal to have a popular song streaming in the background of my site if I don't have written permission from the artist?

Is it illegal for me to reproduce your paintings without your permission (verbal or written)?

[adamblan]

Regarding legality: what the agent said ^

Regarding good design: streaming music by default is a bad idea...

[Shiva]

Regarding good design: streaming music by default is a bad idea...

I agree.. I personally hate browsing and coming across a site which forces me to listen to its music.. Most of the time I listen to my own music so it's just annoying. I usually close a site right away if it does that, especially if I can't find a stop button.

So if you want music, add a play and stop button and let the viewers decide if they want music or not.

Sound effects for buttons etc are not that bad imo if they're not used excessively.

[Treefrog]

I also agree. Can't stand it when a website starts making noises, even if it is otherwise nice music. A play button is ok though.

[urstwile]

I third that. Oh wait, I mean fourth that! :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

You can do a search for public domain music. But as said by everyone else I strongly advise you not to have streaming music .. if you do please make the volume a low one. If I open a site with loud music blasting in my ears I am about 99% likely to click out of it with out ever seeing the content. It annoys me that much.

I wear headphones the majority of the time so getting my ears blasted doesn't make me very happy.

[Craig B]

Ditto #5. I don't want to hear music forced upon me on a website. And I believe flashkit.com has some sound loops that are free (but check the permissions, because if I remember right some also ask for you to credit them, or some say you need to pay to use it if it's for commercial purposes.) With that being said, they're just loops, not entire songs.

[Mr_LeE]

I bet everyone here loves myspace haha.

[urstwile]

Yeah, myspace is teh roxxorz.

[Red Kittie Kat]

mmmm yes my fave :D

[RedhiHeels]

wow, it looks like the rockin' website gets the official award for unpopularity! : )

[Red Kittie Kat]

Don't get me wrong .. I adore music ... I just don't like being blasted with it unexpectadly :D

[Rambot]

Okay, could we go back to the inital question please, because I would also like to know where you can find and download sound effects.

Flashkit, last time I checked is quite awful for sound effects; there aren't that many sounds to choose from and some of them aren't very good and just sounds really cheap.

[garricks]

Okay, could we go back to the inital question please, because I would also like to know where you can find and download sound effects.
HERE (http://www.google.com/search?q=free+sound+effects) is one place.

[gnubler]

Never, ever EVER have music automatically load when a web page opens. That is the ultimate of tackiness and I will report you to Worst of the Web if you do such a thing.

1996 is OVER.

[nwpolly]

Come on gnubler... tell us how you really feel. ;)

I do tend to agree with you, by the way, although I have encountered a few examples of tastefully used sound loops that have actually enhanced the site design. Unfortunately, good use of sound is rare, and I can't recall any specific URLs as examples.

[bismal]

Haha I agree with gnubler 100%

I can't think of one single situation where I was pleased or impressed with having sounds forced upon me while browsing..

1996 is ded Ok!