Forum Moderators: phranque
Jens
Try it and run it by more than one person to make sure it's at least as cool as *you* think it is
Nope. Sorry, but it's such a biggie that you just need to *know* that it works, without having to ask anyone.
That kind of skill and ability is the domain of the top webmasters (all of who can use music in an exceptionally hip way). If you're not one of them, then forget it, it will be a disaster. Look at the reaction on this thread - that's happened because most people have experienced the naff side of background music on web pages.
Very few sites have ever pulled it off.
TJ
Default 'music on' is simply annoying and unprofessional.
It's not a question of whether the music is 'naff' or not, it's a question of personal space.
I don't agree - it's about the experience that you want to offer the viewer - and that is very much based on context.
It isn't, of course, going to work on every site, and done badly it is extremely naff and unprofessional.
But let's not stifle people's creativity, or the internet will just turn into a web of sites that are built by accountants. It's all very well that we concentrate so strongly on SEO, but it is possible to do all manner of multimedia based and interesting designs on the web. I don't want to see everyone's sites turn into Amazon clones.
This is the web, not teletext.
I would say that 99% of sites that I've come across that have background music are just plain nasty - you can interpret that as either naff or unprofessional or both. But the 1% that have really pulled it off over the years have been exceptional sites - and ones I revisit often as a result.
What I'm trying to say is that it *can* work, in certain genres and with top level design and creative ability. The original poster clearly doesn't have that ability (with due respect to them) - if he/she did, they wouldn't have had to ask the question.
But to give a blanket "never do it" response is to encourage narrow-minded uncreative websites.
TJ
Background music is unprofessional, uncommercial, tacky...heh, sounds like what the Internet used to be all about.
Hmmm.... that post should probably be qualified by the site in your profile.
;-)
TJ
No, you really want to use a midi file there.
;-)
TJ
You may think 'Achy Breaky Heart' is cool, but I'm a headbanger that still wishes it was 1988 (yes, I'm pathetic). Being FORCED to listen to that song makes me angry, and will NOT put in the mood to buy from you.
Likewise, most of my prospects would not appreciate coming to my site and being blasted with AC/DC's Back In Black.
OR....
Imagine the poor prospect, wanting to buy a widget. They're cruising along on the information highway, relaxed, listening to some Bach on winamp....
they click on a link to my site....
and mixed in with their classical, they now have some Metallica
My bet is they can't hit the 'back' button fast enough.
Imagine the poor prospect, wanting to buy a widget.
The perfect example of where not to use music/sound samples.
But you're still entirely missing the point.
TJ
I don't agree - it's about the experience that you want to offer the viewer - and that is very much based on context.
TJ - obviously you have a different view on this, and that's what makes the world go 'round.
But I don't think it is about the "experience you want to offer the viewer" - I think it is about the experience the viewer is expecting from you. Will people go to your site because it has music? Doubtful. Will they LEAVE because it has music - absolutely.
I work too hard for every visitor to send one - or more likely, hundreds - away because I have music on the site.
But I don't expect to change your mind ;)
AND it had that vile wobbling banner ad that says I've won this hour's prize.
I felt really sea-sick - back button fast.
I think it is about the experience the viewer is expecting from you.
Absolutely. And audio (which is not necessarily background music per se) is a very strong tool for creating an "experience".
That's why the context has to be correct. Clearly all of the examples of how not to do it (and where not to) have been well documented here (like the post above).
The only point that I'm making is that you can't rule something out altogether, just because in a particular context it clearly doesn't work.
TJ
The only point that I'm making is that you can't rule something out altogether, just because in a particular context it clearly doesn't work.
I tell my wife this all the time!
At least that's what my user tracking java applet tells me.
2) I'm at work.
I am already listening to my iPod with headphones. If my computer starts making noise I will close all browser windows immediately and then mentally go back and try to figure out what page was making that noise, whereupon I shall never visit that page again. It's quiet here, there are cubicles, there's a curious and always-prowling boss. If I'm reading some silly humor site and one of the ads starts making machine-gun noises, it's alt_f4 before it has time to make a second noise. I no longer read a certain well-known online humor site because of this. I cannot have any sound. Don't draw attention to the fact that I'm futzing around on the Internet. Thanks. Your mood music is not worth my job.
The problem is that it's significantly slowing down the page load! You have to take into consideration that most folks are not on DSL, but still on the old good dial-up, and all music, graphics over 30KB, etc... make the pages load sooooo damn slow! Especially if you are like me, and open 10 windows and surf 10 sites at the same time :)
That's the main reason why I hit the back button, NOT because of the music itself! I just don't have the patience to wait for all that crap to load! I am a fanatic of fast loading pages.
One super scary thing I came across: There was a jingle attached to an ad on a site I was viewing. Companies like Valueclick and Doubleclick have the ability to suddenly add voice ads to all the sites running their ads.
I don't want to have an out of body experience ever again through my headphones blasting the sound of Doogie Howser MD - theme song.wav OVER AND ABOVE MY Stratovarius - Black Diamond.mp3!
*rips hair out*
--Jim---
Personally I love background music.
Especially when its added to blinking text and java storms.Throw in a disabled back button and I am in hog heaven!
(although flash site for max payne 2 is really cool)
you forgot to open a new browser windows when the old one is closed, so the music won't be interrupted.
If it is "informational" in nature, music and sond effects are plain distracting and you fail to get your point accros. If I am reading a book or article on paper (imagine that!) it needs to be quiet, think library.
But there are always exceptions to every rule....
If your site is "entertainment" driven, the effects and music deff help...if they are somehow related to the basic theme of the site.
Otherwise if I am searching for something the last thing I want is more noises form my CPU. The "clicks" are annoying enough!
I do agree with everyone else though, you better well have a sense of "composition" because your site, music, and intention need to mesh. Other wise it is very unprofessional.....
The "clicks" are annoying enough!
www.xtremepccentral.com/forums/archive/16/2001/10/4/44
Nahhhhhhh! :)
