Online Audio Reserves FAQs
When & where is the listening available?
24 hours a day while the term is in session. You can listen from any computer with an Internet connection, Windows Media Player (free download), and headphones or speakers.
Who can access the listening?
Access is limited to the students and instructors of the courses offered by the University of Louisville. Userids and passwords are distributed in class at the beginning of the term by library personnel. Students unable to attend those sessions can receive the userid and password in person at the Music Library (bring your Cardinal Card).
Why am I unable to listen to the audio reserve assignments?
- Make sure you're using a computer with Internet access and Windows Media Player.
- Windows Media Player can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Download Center or, for Mac users, at Mactopia.
Use the keyword search to find Windows Media Player and make sure you select the version that is compatible with your operating system. - Make sure you have the userid and password entered exactly as you see them on the sheet you received when you signed the copyright release. There are no spaces between any of the characters and all letters are lower case. Remember, this not your email userid and password.
A new version (9) of the Windows Media Player for Mac OS X came out in December. It is available as a free download at Mactopia.
I am able to log on to the site containing the pieces but they won't play back for me. What can I do?
- If you are using Netscape try using Internet Explorer instead. Internet Explorer can be downloaded at no cost from the Microsoft Download Center.
- There may be a poor connection somewhere in your setup. Check to make sure all lines are firmly in place in the computer, the phone (if you're using a dial-up modem) and the outlet.
- The phone line running to your house or from the outlet to your phone and computer could itself be damaged or of poor quality. You may want to switch these lines out with others in your house to see if that makes a difference. It may also help if you try running the phone line which connects to your modem from a different outlet.
- If you get an error messages saying "Windows Media Player cannot find the file..." Open Windows Media Player, go to "Tools," then "Options," then "Network." Make sure all protocols are selected and then go to "OK." This should enable you to play back. If you are still having a problem, follow the same path (Tools--Options--Network) and under "Proxy Settings" click on the "MMS" protocol, select "Autodetect proxy settings," then select "OK" and "Apply."
- Open Windows Media Player on your computer. In the top menu, select "Help" and then "Check for Player Updates..." When you select this option, the program will automatically check to see if your machine has the most recent version of Windows Media Player.
- If you check for player updates and it says you have the most recent version but you are still unable to access the listening, go back to "Help" and then "About Windows Media Player." Look at what version you have. If it is anything less than 9.0 (for PC), go to the Microsoft Download Center and download/install the most recent version from there.
I'm able to play back the pieces but I'm having difficulty with the sound quality. What can I do?
- Windows Media Player has a graphic equalizer. You may want to use it to try to affect the sound quality. If it isn't displayed automatically, you can find it under "View" and then "Playing Tools."
- Make sure your speakers or headphones are properly installed and fully operational.
- Adjust the audio properties on your computer. Accessing this differs from one machine to the next, depending on the machine, operating system and sound card. If you're having trouble with this, let us know.
Sometimes the music skips and is interrupted during playback.
The Windows Media Player can be configured to buffer more than the default (usually 5 seconds). A 60 second buffer is recommended if you are having this problem. This will increase the amount of time that elapses before a piece plays, but will also decrease interruptions due to network congestion. Open Windows Media Player; go to "Tools", then "Options", then "Performance". Unter "Network Buffering", select "buffer". Enter the buffering time in seconds.
Why can't the audio files be downloaded to a PC/Mac?
Sound recordings are protected by the U.S. Copyright Law. By providing reserve listening using streaming technology, we remain in compliance with Fair Use provisions of copyright law. Providing digital copies of files for downloading is a serious violation of that law.
I lost/can't remember my userid and password. What should I do?
Come to the Music Library and bring your Cardinal Card (student ID) with you. We'll verify your enrollment and re-issue the userid and password to you.
Still have unanswered questions or need help?
Contact us (phone: 502-852-5659, email: Music.Library@louisville.edu) or stop by the Music Library.
